s time her search was thorough, but she discovered nothing.
Sitting down in the middle of the cellar, with her candle placed on
the floor at one side, she gazed about her. A shadow cast by the
candlelight on the cellar wall seemed to make it appear that one of
the stones projected outward further than the others.

"Marie got up to examine the stone. Closer examination verified this
surmise. She uttered a little exclamation when, upon taking hold of
the stone, it moved. Marie pulled and the stone came out easily.

"'Oh!' cried the child.

"There, before her eyes, tucked into the opening, was a telephone. The
child stared at it with wide open eyes. This, plainly, was what the
French captain wished to tell her about when he was interrupted by the
bugle summons and called away to a service from which he did not
return. But what was it that he wished her to do with the telephone?

"'I have it!' she cried exultingly. 'It was that he wished the little
Marie to tell him what the Prussians were doing. At last the way is
opened for her to serve her country. But--' The child, with a wisdom
beyond her years, knew what the penalty would be if she were
discovered. 'I care not. If I shall have served my France I can die
with a brave heart!'

"Taking the telephone in her hands--hands that did not even tremble,
Marie called a soft 'hello!' There was no response. Again and again
she tried, but without result. Finally the child gave it up and went
back upstairs.

"The thought of the telephone drew her again to the cellar. Again she
called her soft 'hello.'

"The answer came back in French with a suddenness that nearly caused
her to drop the telephone.

"'Who is speaking?' she asked in as firm a voice as she could summon.

"'Whom do you wish?'

"'I would speak with Captain Grivelet'

"'He is not here. I cannot reach him.'

"'It is important. Find him and tell him that the little Marie would
speak with him. Tell him to come at ten o'clock this evening and Marie
will be here at the telephone. He will understand.'

"Marie put back the telephone and carefully closed the opening. Now
she had a distinct mission to perform, and, throwing a scarf over her
head, she went out to the street. Marie was very bright of face and
very friendly with the German soldiers. No obstacle was placed in the
way of her going where she liked. That day she used her eyes and ears
to good advantage and they saw and heard many things. What especially
in