roy rose to his feet. He was smiling
at the ruthlessness of Fate. He was still smiling when Captain von
Halwig, of the Prussian Imperial Guard, flashed an electric torch in his
face. It was unnecessary, perhaps, to render thus easy the task of
recognition. But what did it matter? That lynx of a corporal was sure of
his ground, and would refuse to be gainsaid even by a staff-officer and
a Guardsman.

Von Halwig's astonishment seemed to choke back any display of wrath.

"Then it is really you?" he said quietly in English.

"Yes," replied Dalroy.

The torch was switched off. Dalroy's eyes were momentarily blinded by
the glare, but he heard an ugly chuckle.

"Where is the female prisoner?" said Von Halwig, with a formality that
was as perplexing as his subdued manner.

"Here, _Herr Hauptmann_."

The two entered the barn. So far as Dalroy could judge, no word was
spoken. The torch flared again, remained lighted a full half-minute, and
was extinguished.

Von Halwig reappeared, seemed to ponder matters, and turned to the
corporal.

"Put the woman in my car," he said. "Fall in your men, and be ready to
escort me back to the village. You've done a good day's work, corporal."

"Two men have gone in pursuit of Jan Maertz, sir."

"Never mind. They'll have sense enough to come on to headquarters if
they catch him. How is this Englishman secured?"

The jubilant Franz explained.

"Mount him on one of your horses. The trooper can squeeze in in front of
the car. Has the female prisoner a dagger or a pistol?"

"I have not searched her, _Herr Hauptmann_."

"Make sure, but offer no violence or discourtesy. No, leave this fellow
here at present. I want a few words with him in private. Assemble your
men around the car, and take the woman there now."

Irene was led out. She paused in the doorway, and the corporal thought
she did not know what she was wanted for.

"You are to be conveyed in the automobile, _Fraeulein_," he said.

But she was looking for Dalroy in the gloom. Before anyone could
interfere, she ran and threw her arms around him, kissing him on the
lips.

"Good-bye, my dear one!" she wailed in a heart-broken way. "We may not
meet again on this earth, but I am yours to all eternity."

"With these words in my ears I shall die happy," said Dalroy. Her
embrace thrilled him with a strange ecstasy, yet the pain of that
parting was worse than death. Were ever lovers' vows plighted in such
conditions in the histo