“I see something to the eastward,” said John, “or is it merely a shadow in the sky?”

“I don’t think it’s a shadow.  It must be one of those terrible machines, and perhaps it’s that of our brave Monsieur Philip.”

“You’re right, Picard, it’s no shadow, nor is it a bit of black cloud.  It’s an aeroplane, flying very fast.  The skies over Europe hold many aeroplanes these days, but I know all the tricks of the Arrow, all its pretty little ways, its manner of curving, looping and dropping, and I should say that the Arrow, Philip Lannes aboard, is coming.”

“I pray, sir, that you are right.  I always hold my breath until he is on the ground again.”

“Then you’ll have to make a record in holding breath, my brave Picard.  He is still far, very far, from us, and it will be a good ten minutes before he arrives.”

But John knew beyond a doubt, after a little more watching, that it was really the Arrow, and with eager eyes he watched the gallant little machine as it descended in many a graceful loop and spiral to the earth.  They hurried forward to meet it, and Lannes, bright-eyed and trim, sprang out, greeting John with a welcome cry.

“Up again,” he exclaimed, “and, as I see with these two eyes of mine, as well as ever!  And you too, my brave Picard, here to meet me!”

He hastened away with a report, but came back to them in a few minutes.

“Now,” he said, “We’ll go and see my sister.”

John was not at all unwilling.

They found her in one of the new houses of pine boards, and the faithful and stalwart Suzanne was with her.  It was the plainest of plain places, inhabited by at least twenty other Red Cross nurses, and John stood on one side until the first greeting of brother and sister was over.  Then Lannes, by a word and a gesture, included him in what was practically a family group, although he was conscious that the stalwart Suzanne was watching him with a wary eye.

“Julie and Suzanne,” said Lannes, “are going tomorrow with other nurses to the little town of Menouville, where also many wounded lie.  They are less well supplied with doctors and nurses than we are here.  Dr. Delorme goes also with a small detachment as escort.  I have asked that you, Monsieur Jean the Scott, be sent with them.  Our brave Picard goes too.  Menouville is about eight miles from here, and it’s not much out of the way to the front.  So you will not be kept long from your Strangers, John.”

“I go willingly,” said John, “and I’m glad, Philip, that you’ve seen fit to consider me worth while as a part of the escort.”

He spoke quietly, but his glance wandered to Julie Lannes.  It may have been a chance, but hers turned toward him at the same time, and the eyes, the blue and the gray, met.  Again the girl’s brilliant color deepened a little, and she looked quickly away.  Only the watchful and grim Suzanne saw.