got a
family, too, but it's got sense enough to surrender when necessary. And
if you think Libby Prison was any treat to my grandfather----"

Tish ignored her.

"It is my intention," she went on, "to appeal to the general of his
division to rescue my nephew and thus wipe out the stain on the family
honor. Failing that, I am prepared to go to any length." Here she eyed
Aggie coldly. "It is no time for craven spirits," she said. "We may be
arrested and court-martialed for being so near the Front, to say nothing
of what may eventuate in case of a refusal. I intend to leave no stone
unturned, but I think it only fair to ask for a vote of confidence.
Those in the affirmative will please signify by saying 'aye.'"

"Aye," I said stoutly. I would not fail my dear Tish in such a crisis.
Aggie followed me a moment later, but feebly, and Mr. Burton said: "I
don't like the idea any more than I do my right eye. Why bother with the
general? I'm for going to V---- and breaking up the pinochle game, and
bringing home the bacon in the shape of a Hun or two."

However, I have reason to think that he was joking, and that subsequent
events startled him considerably, for I remember that when it was all
over and we were in safety once again he kept saying over and over in a
dazed voice: "Well, can you beat it? Can you beat it?"

In some way Tish had heard, from a battery on the hill, I think, that
headquarters was at the foot of the hill on the other side. She made her
plans accordingly.

"As soon as darkness has fallen," she said to Mr. Burton, "we three
women shall visit the commanding officer and there make our
plea--without you, as it will be necessary to use all the softening
feminine influence possible. One of two things will then occur: Either
he will rescue my nephew or--I shall."

"Now see here, Miss Tish," he protested, "you're not going to leave me
out of it altogether, are you? You wouldn't break my heart, would you?
Besides, you'll need me. I'm a specialist at rescuing nephews. I--I've
rescued thousands of nephews in my time."

Well, she'd marked out a place that would have been a crossroads if the
German shells had left any road, and she said if she failed with the
C. O. he was to meet us there, with two baskets of cigarettes for the men
in the trenches.

"Cigarettes!" he said. "What help will they be against the enemy? Unless
you mean to wait until they've smoked themselves to death."

"Underneath the cigarettes,"