ide. A
German officer and several men pushed their way in. The officer caught
Jeanne in a listening attitude.

"'Halt!' he commanded, the lances of his men thrust out so close to
the little girl that it seemed as if they already had pierced her.
'Listening, are you?'

"'Yes, monsieur,' she answered truthfully.

"'Why?'

"'That I might know if you had gone so I might once more go out to the
street.'

"The officer laughed.

"'You have nothing to fear if you tell us the truth. We would have
certain information from you, child.'

"'Yes, monsieur.'

"'If you do not truthfully answer all my questions, you and all the
rest will be shot.'

"'I do not fear you, sir. I will answer you well.'

"'Good. Then tell me, are there any French soldiers here?'

"'There are none here, sir.'

"'Neither here nor elsewhere in the village?'

"'There are none here, as I have said. I know not whether there are
any in the village or not, for I have not seen any since a detachment
passed through here two days ago.'

"'Is this the truth?'

"She looked at the officer with an expression of amazement that he
should doubt her word.

"'Come, I will show you; I will prove to you that what I say is the
truth.'

"'It is well,' answered the Prussian officer, now reassured. 'We will
pass on. It is good that you have not lied to us, child,' he said.
'It were better if all the French were so truthful, but, alas, they
are not. Forward!'

"The Prussians departed, Jeanne watching them from the door. 'No,
there are no French soldiers here,' she chuckled. 'Perhaps there may be
just outside the village. And if so, alas for the Prussians!'

"A short distance beyond the village stood a large farmhouse in a vast
yard, the latter being surrounded by a high stone wall. Within were
trees and shade, so the place looking very attractive to the tired
Prussians. Their commander ordered a halt and, opening the gate that
led to the grounds, he ordered his men in for a rest. They tied their
horses to trees and threw themselves down on the grass in great
content.

"The place seemed deserted, but that some one was about was evidenced
when the gate through which they had entered was quietly closed and
locked by no less a person than the little Jeanne herself. She had
followed the Prussians at a distance, hoping to be able to give a
signal to her friends if they might still be in the farmhouse, but,
finding a better opportunity for serving them, had lock