And now take me to our good friend Fritz, that I may thank him myself and see him again with mine own eyes." Brother and sister descended the stone stairway which divided the various floors of that narrow house.

As they reached the foot of the staircase, they heard the sound of voices from a half-open door, and Corinne said with a smile: "It is our Aunt Drucour talking with the stranger.

She is ever eager for news of the war.

A soldier is always a friend to her, so as he brings her tidings." The room into which Corinne and Colin stepped softly, so as not to disturb the conversation of their elders, was a long and narrow apartment, with the same small windows which characterized the rest of the house.

A table in the centre of the room took up the chief of the space, and at this table sat a bronzed and stalwart man, whom Corinne instantly recognized as her protector in that forest adventure of long ago.