“The uproar in the cellar died out instantly.  After a brief hesitation they came out one by one, being disarmed and herded in a corner as they emerged into the kitchen.

“‘Take them away,’ commanded the officer.

“‘Monsieur le Capitaine,’ said Gene, tugging at his sleeve.  ’These soldiers not only have helped themselves to everything in the house, but they have, as you saw, abused my sick mother and have taken away my poor father.  They have misused us.  Please do not let them go until they have returned my father to our home.  If you do not it will kill my mother, I fear.’

“‘We shall do our best, my brave child.’

“’Ah, monsieur le Capitaine, I have an idea.  Can you not exchange one of your prisoners for my father?’ questioned the little girl.

“The commander reflected.  ‘How long have they been gone with him?’

“‘Only a short time, sir.’

“‘Good.  Step forward!’ he said sharply to the German officer.  The latter obeyed silently.  ‘Captain,’ said the Frenchman, ’you and your men have ransacked this house, abused a sick woman and carried away her husband.  A fine business for those who call themselves men.  You deserve to be shot, you and all your hounds.  However, I will spare your life on one condition.  It is that the father of this household shall be set at liberty and returned to his home before nightfall.  Your troops will not be far from here.  Who in command?’

“‘A captain.’

“‘Then one of you will ride and rejoin your detachment—­’

“‘I will go,’ interjected the commander of the dragoons.”

[Illustration:  A French dragoon dragged him in.]

“‘Oh, no, captain; your presence is required here.  Come here!’ he ordered, beckoning to one of the Bavarians, ’and listen well to what I shall say to you.  You will immediately mount your horse and as quickly as possible rejoin your detachment.’

“‘Oui, monsieur le Capitaine.’

“’You will tell the commander that we have here seven dragoons and an officer as prisoners of the French chasseurs.  You also will say that the French commander sends warning to him that unless the father of this child, taken as a hostage, is returned to this village before eight o’clock this evening, your captain and seven Bavarian dragoons in the hands of the French will be shot immediately.  Can you remember this?’

“‘Oui, monsieur le Capitaine.’

“‘Then go speedily.’

“The dragoon departed in haste.  He was eager to get away from this stern-faced Frenchman, at whose hands he knew he could expect small mercy after what the Bavarians had done in that little peasant home.

“Gene had rejoined her mother, who had been tenderly placed in her bed by the tender-hearted French captain.  The child sat clasping her mother’s hand and comforting her.

“’Have no fears, my mother.  The brave commander of the chasseurs will see to it that father comes safely home,’ said Gene.  Yet the brave little French girl herself was full of anxiety; she could scarcely keep the tears back when she realized that already her father may have been shot.