“But what has happened is much less than that which will happen before this war is over.”

“You speak a great truth, Monsieur Scott.  And now I must go.  Hearing that the Strangers were in this valley I wished to come and see with my own eyes that you were alive and well.  I have seen and I am glad.”

He saluted, Captain Colton and the others saluted in return, and then he walked over the hill to his own “children.”

“An antique!  An old Roman!  Spirit defying death,” said Captain Colton looking after him.

“He has impressed me that way, too, sir,” said John.  But his mind quickly left Bougainville, and turned to the message that Weber had brought the night before.  He was glad that Julie Lannes would be so near again, and yet he was sorry.  He had not been sorry when he first heard it, but the apprehension had come later.  He tried to trace the cause, and then he remembered the name of Auersperg, the prince whom his cousin, the Austrian captive, had said was near.  He sought to laugh at himself for his fears.  The mental connection was too vague, he said, but the relieving laughter would not come.

John hoped that a lucky chance might bring Lannes, and involuntarily he looked up at the heavens.  But they were clear of aeroplanes.  The heavy snow of the night before had driven in the hosts of the air, and they had not reappeared.

Then John resolved to go to Chastel himself.  He did not know how he would go or what he would do when he got there, but the impulse was strong and it remained with him.

CHAPTER III

JULIE’S COMING

That day, the next night and the next day passed without any event save the usual desultory firing of cannon and rifles.  Many men were killed and more were wounded by the sharpshooters.  Little battles were fought at distant points along the lines, the Allies winning some while the Germans were victorious in others, but the result was nothing.  The deadlock was unbroken.

Meanwhile the weather turned somewhat warmer and the melting snow poured fresh deluges of water into the trenches.  Most of it was pumped out, but it would sink back into the ground and return.  John again gave thanks for the splendid pair of high boots that he wore, and also he often searched the air for Lannes.  But he saw no sign of the lithe and swift Arrow and his anxiety for Julie increased steadily.  She must now be at Chastel, but he had not yet found any excuse that would release him from the trenches and let him go there.

He inquired for Weber, but no one had seen or heard of him again.  No doubt he was far away on some perilous mission, serving France on the ground as Lannes served her in the air.