join the Ladies of France, or the American Ambulance.
What you learn from the wounded English and French officers and the
French doctors you will send us through the usual channels."

"When do I start?" asked the woman.

"For a few days," explained the officer, "you remain in this chateau.
You will keep us informed of what is going forward after we withdraw."

"Withdraw?" It was more of an exclamation than a question. Marie was
too well trained to ask questions.

"We are taking up a new position," said the officer, "on the Aisne."

The woman, incredulous, stared.

"And we do not enter Paris?"

"You do," returned the officer. "That is all that concerns you. We
will join you later--in the spring. Meanwhile, for the winter we
intrench ourselves along the Aisne. In a chimney of this chateau we
have set up a wireless outfit. We are leaving it intact. The chauffeur
Briand--who, you must explain to the French, you brought with you from
Laon, and who has been long in your service--will transmit whatever you
discover. We wish especially to know of any movement toward our left.
If they attack in front from Soissons, we are prepared; but of any
attempt to cross the Oise and take us in flank you must warn us."

The officer rose and hung upon himself his field-glasses, map-cases,
and side-arms.

"We leave you now," he said. "When the French arrive you will tell
them your reason for halting at this chateau was that the owner,
Monsieur Iverney, and his family are friends of your husband. You
found us here, and we detained you. And so long as you can use the
wireless, make excuses to remain. If they offer to send you on to
Paris, tell them your aunt is too ill to travel."

"But they will find the wireless," said the woman. "They are sure to
use the towers for observation, and they will find it."

"In that case," said the officer, "you will suggest to them that we
fled in such haste we had no time to dismantle it. Of course, you had
no knowledge that it existed, or, as a loyal French woman, you would
have at once told them." To emphasize his next words the officer
pointed at her: "Under no circumstances," he continued, "must you be
suspected. If they should take Briand in the act, should they have
even the least doubt concerning him, you must repudiate him entirely.
If necessary, to keep your own skirts clear, it would be your duty
yourself to denounce him as a spy."

"Your first orders," said the woman, "we