He had just landed from his aeroplane, and he was fired at by some German skirmishers hidden in a wood.

Fortunately French cavalry were near and drove off the Germans.

Lannes is so young and so healthy that his recovery will be complete, though slow." "What a misfortune at such a time!" exclaimed John.
"What do you mean by 'at such a time' ?" Then John related the presence of Julie Lannes in Chastel and the manner of her capture by Auersperg.

He told, too, why she had come there.
General Vaugirard puffed out his huge cheeks and whistled a note or two.
"I can't understand why Lannes should have wanted her to come to such an exposed place," he said.

"But youth is daring and doesn't always count the risks." Youth _was_ daring and John resolved that he would help to prove it.
"General," he said, "could I ask your aid in a little matter that concerns me ?" "If it is not to betray our army to the Germans I think you can." "I want you to help me to become a spy.