“And I hope,” said Hal gently, “should he ever be in a situation similar to ours, that another good woman may be the means of saving his life, and that some day he may return to you.”

“Just so he does his duty I shall be satisfied,” said the woman, who now introduced herself as Mrs. Madeline Dersi.  “He has been a very wild boy, but I am sure that his heart is true and that he will fight to the last for his country, as did his father before him.”

“And I am sure of it, too,” said Chester.  “When we return to our lines we shall make it our business to hunt him up.”

And at that moment there was a hasty step outside, the door to the room in which they were sitting was flung open, and a young man, in civilian garb, burst in.

Mrs. Dersi was across the room in a moment, her arms wrapped about the newcomer.  Tears streamed down her face, as she repeatedly kissed the young man, who seemed to take no great interest in the procedure.

Finally Mrs. Dersi turned to Hal and Chester.

“My son,” she said proudly, “of whom I was just talking to you.”

Now the newcomer freed himself from her embrace and stepped forward.

“Who are these?” he demanded, pointing to the two lads.

Mrs. Dersi explained.

“And we were just talking of you,” she added; then stopped and surveyed her son critically.  “Why are you not in uniform?” she demanded.

“Why, I—­I—­I—­” stuttered young Dersi, “I am on a scout, and it was thought best for me not to go in uniform.”  He turned suddenly to Hal:  “Are you expecting any of your men here?” he demanded.

“Why, no,” replied Hal.  “We are going to try and make our way back to our lines to-night.”

Young Dersi appeared to breathe easier, and this fact was not lost upon either Hal or Chester.

“Well,” he said, after a pause, “I haven’t time to stay here.  I just dropped in a moment to see you, mother.  You say the Germans went north?  How long have they been gone?”

“About an hour,” said Chester.

“Good.  Then it will be safe for me to continue on my way.”

He bowed to the two lads, kissed his mother, and a moment later had left the house, his mother accompanying him to the door.

“There is something queer about him,” said Chester to Hal, as Mrs. Dersi and her son left the room.  “He’s not telling the truth.”

“I know it,” said Hal.  “I don’t like to say it, but it is my belief he is fleeing from the French lines to give information to the Germans.”

“You mean you think he is a traitor?”

“I told you I didn’t like to say anything,” replied Hal, “but I am afraid you have hit the nail on the head.”

“In that event he is likely to tell of our presence here,” cried Chester.

“I’m sure he’ll tell,” said Hal quietly.

“Then what shall we do?”

“We shall leave at once—­or, as soon as Mrs. Dersi returns.  That is the best return we can make for her kindness to us.  It would break her heart to know that her son is a traitor to his country.”