on, its two great spires piercing the sky
unscathed. How unlike the Churches of Rheims, Ypres and the other cities
of France and Belgium. Germany well knew the value of its historical
buildings to protect them, even at the price of peace. We flew low to
give a more spectacular effect to our advance.

Soon the great piers of the familiar Rhine Bridge came into sight as the
order was given to descend on a plain to the west of the river.

That night the army bivouacked on the outskirts of Aix la Chappele, but
sleep did not come to my eyes. At times I desired to fly ahead to
Cologne and tread the familiar ways--but strict regulations tied all
troops to the camp lines.

I comforted myself that to-morrow I would reach Cologne and someone
would be pleased to see me.

Next day we crossed the Rhine, circled the city of Cologne, and parked
our 'planes in the gardens I had left but three weeks previously.

The Allied troops were marched through the city and encamped two miles
beyond it. A regiment of French soldiers were deputed as military police
to take possession of the city; and within an hour, from the poles of
the official buildings, French, Belgian, Russian and British flags
fluttered, and an order was issued that all arms must be handed in.

I remember the happy feeling as Nap and I hastened through the city to
Goche's house.

I was in my uniform and felt I would cut a smarter figure before my
sweetheart, than I did in the ragged "cast-offs" I wore as a prisoner.

I walked on air when I entered the familiar street and saw, in the
distance, the house I knew so well. The street was silent. I reached the
house, pulled myself together and knocked at the door. Happiest of
thoughts coursed through my mind. What a wealth of news I had to tell
her!

The door slowly opened, and Grandpa Goche's whitened and aged face came
to the light. His under jaw seemed to shiver in terror. He gave the
impression that he was expecting some dreadful calamity. As he
recognised me, his jaw fell and he retreated into the room, sank into a
chair, gripped its arms with shaking clutch, looked at me with hollow
eyes and said: "Ja wohl."

"Where is Helen?" I asked.

"Forgive me," he said, "forgive me," shaking his head. "They came to me
and asked for the Englishman that escaped--'the English dog' they called
you. I told them I knew not, but as I hated you and hated her, for I
knew she cared for you, I told them she could tell, as she saw you