“One afternoon the warning came, and, while expected, it was a shock to the people and their hearts were filled with fear.  They closed and locked their doors, pulled down the shades and took refuge in their cellars.  Not a person was to be seen in the streets; the village appeared to be deserted.

“‘The Prussians are coming!’ was the startling cry that had sent the inhabitants flying to the cellars, after which a great silence reigned in the little place.

“Soon after that a troop of Prussian lancers rode quietly into the village, alert for surprises, for they had confidently expected to see French soldiers ere this.  Not a French soldier was in sight, so the invaders concluded there was nothing to fear.  However, they decided to question some of the villagers.

“The house that Jeanne lived in was the first one the lancers came to.  Jeanne, like others, had taken to the cellar with her parents, where they remained for a long time, tremblingly awaiting the arrival of their enemies.  Not a sound thus far having been heard, the family wondered if the Prussians had come and gone.  They fervently hoped this were true.

“‘I will go and find out,’ volunteered the little girl.

“‘It is not safe,’ objected the mother.  ’If they are still here and should discover you, all would not be well with you, my daughter.  You might be killed.  I cannot permit it.’

“’Have no fears, mother; I will listen for every sound in the street and will go no further than the door.  They shall neither see nor hear me.’

“The mother gave a reluctant consent and Jeanne crept upstairs, stepped quietly to the door and unbolted it, intending to open the door a few inches and peer out.

“At that instant the door was rudely forced open from the outside.  A German officer and several men pushed their way in.  The officer caught Jeanne in a listening attitude.

“‘Halt!’ he commanded, the lances of his men thrust out so close to the little girl that it seemed as if they already had pierced her.  ‘Listening, are you?’

“‘Yes, monsieur,’ she answered truthfully.

“‘Why?’

“’That I might know if you had gone so I might once more go out to the street.’

“The officer laughed.

“’You have nothing to fear if you tell us the truth.  We would have certain information from you, child.’

“‘Yes, monsieur.’

“’If you do not truthfully answer all my questions, you and all the rest will be shot.’

“‘I do not fear you, sir.  I will answer you well.’

“‘Good.  Then tell me, are there any French soldiers here?’

“‘There are none here, sir.’

“‘Neither here nor elsewhere in the village?’

“’There are none here, as I have said.  I know not whether there are any in the village or not, for I have not seen any since a detachment passed through here two days ago.’

“‘Is this the truth?’