midnight, and in a chateau of one of the champagne princes, found the colonel commanding the Intelligence Bureau.  He accepted their credentials, destroyed them, and replaced them with a laisser-passer signed by the mayor of Laon.  That dignitary, the colonel explained, to citizens of Laon fleeing to Paris and the coast had issued many passes.  But as now between Laon and Paris there were three German armies, the refugees had been turned back and their passes confiscated.

“From among them,” said the officer, “we have selected one for you.  It is issued to the wife of Count d’Aurillac, a captain of reserves, and her aunt, Madame Benet.  It asks for those ladies and their chauffeur, Briand, a safe-conduct through the French military lines.  If it gets you into Paris you will destroy it and assume another name.  The Count d’Aurillac is now with his regiment in that city.  If he learned of the presence there of his wife, he would seek her, and that would not be good for you.  So, if you reach Paris, you will become a Belgian refugee.  You are highborn and rich.  Your chateau has been destroyed.  But you have money.  You will give liberally to the Red Cross.  You will volunteer to nurse in the hospitals.  With your sad story of ill treatment by us, with your high birth, and your knowledge of nursing, which you acquired, of course, only as an amateur, you should not find it difficult to join the Ladies of France, or the American Ambulance.  What you learn from the wounded English and French officers and the French doctors you will send us through the usual channels.”

“When do I start?” asked the woman.

“For a few days,” explained the officer, “you remain in this chateau.  You will keep us informed of what is going forward after we withdraw.”

“Withdraw?” It was more of an exclamation than a question.  Marie was too well trained to ask questions.

“We are taking up a new position,” said the officer, “on the Aisne.”

The woman, incredulous, stared.

“And we do not enter Paris?”

“You do,” returned the officer.  “That is all that concerns you.  We will join you later—­in the spring.  Meanwhile, for the winter we intrench ourselves along the Aisne.  In a chimney of this chateau we have set up a wireless outfit.  We are leaving it intact.  The chauffeur Briand—­who, you must explain to the French, you brought with you from Laon, and who has been long in your service—­will transmit whatever you discover.  We wish especially to know of any movement toward our left.  If they attack in front from Soissons, we are prepared; but of any attempt to cross the Oise and take us in flank, you must warn us.”

The officer rose and hung upon himself his field-glasses, map-cases, and side-arms.

“We leave you now,” he said.  “When the French arrive you will tell them your reason for halting at this chateau was that the owner, Monsieur Iverney, and his family are friends of your husband.  You found us here, and we detained you.  And so long as you can use the wireless, make excuses to remain.  If they offer to send you on to Paris, tell them your aunt is too ill to travel.”