jor as he read the code message. She
saw his expression become both serious and troubled.

Suddenly he turned in his chair and looked at the American girl. His
gaze seemed significant, and Ruth began to tremble.

"Mademoiselle?"

"Yes, Monsieur?"

"You have questions to ask me, _hein_?"

"It is true, Major Marchand," she murmured, struggling for
self-control. "I am eaten up by curiosity."

"Is it only curiosity that troubles you, Mademoiselle?" he said dryly.

"No! No! I am seriously alarmed. I am anxious--for a friend." Her
voice was tense.

"You received a certain message?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, Major Marchand! And that excites me," she replied, more
calmly now. "Was it really you who dropped the paper bomb at my feet?"

His eyes danced for a moment. "That was entirely--what you call--by
chance. Mademoiselle, I spied you, and having the written message of
your friend I inserted it in the bomb, twisted the neck of it, and let
it fall at your feet. You are, of course, acquainted with Lieutenant
Cameron?"

"He is the twin brother of my dearest friend," Ruth replied. "Helen is
in Paris--helping make soup for French orphans," and she smiled.
"Something that I have heard has worried me vastly about Tom." Her
smile disappeared and her gaze at the French major was pleading.

His own countenance again fell into serious lines, and he tapped the
table thoughtfully. Ruth clasped her hands as she waited. She felt
that something untoward was about to be made known to her. There was
something about Tom which would shock her.

"I am sorry, Mademoiselle," murmured the major. "Here is something
said about Lieutenant Cameron."

"In that message Bubu brought?" she asked slowly.

"Yes. It is from my brother. Did you know that Lieutenant Cameron was
working with the Count Marchand in Germany?"

"Oh, I did not know it until--until lately! There are such stories
afloat!"

"Ah!" He smiled and nodded understandingly. "Do not let those idle
tales annoy you. Lieutenant Cameron is a very able and a very
honorable young man. He volunteered for the dangerous service. Of
course, his comrades could not be told the truth. And it chanced he
was observed speaking to one of our agents who came from the German
side.

"At once it was decided that he would do well in the area of Merz,
where Count Marchand is in command. You understand? Lieutenant
Cameron's comrades were given the wrong impression. Otherwi