"Silence," said Hal. "I have heard enough from you. What I came here for was to tell you that you had neglected to furnish us with a light.

Now I shall have to look in yonder closet, where I saw a man secret himself as I came in."

The old woman flew across the room and stood defiantly in front of the closet door.

"You can't go in there!" she exclaimed.

"I can't, eh?" said Hal. "Why can't I?"

"Because I say you can't."

"That is a very poor reason," said Hal. "Either you will stand aside now, or I shall call my men."

The woman realized the force of this reasoning. With a gesture of resignation she stepped aside. Hal advanced.

"I hope he shoots you through the door," said the woman to Hal.

"Thanks for the hint," said Hal dryly. "I'll keep out of the line of fire."

He approached the door from the side, and, standing close, called:

"Whoever you are in there, come out."

There was no response, and Hal called again.

"I've got the door covered," the lad shouted, "and if you don't come out I shall fire through it."

Slowly the door moved open. Hal stepped quickly aside, for he did not wish to be taken unaware. He seized a chair and sent it spinning across the floor. The ruse succeeded, for the man inside, taking the noise made by the chair for the sound of Hal's feet, stepped quickly forward and pointed a revolver in that direction.

This meant that Hal stood directly behind the newcomer. Smiling to himself, Hal raised his revolver and said quietly:

"Drop that gun or I'll bore a hole through you. No, don't bother to turn first."

Realizing that he was absolutely in the other's power, the newcomer obeyed. The revolver fell clattering to the floor.

"Now," said Hal, "I'd like to have a look at you. Please turn around."

Slowly the other turned, and, as Hal caught sight of the man's face, his own revolver dropped to the floor and he sprang forward with outstretched hand.

"Major Derevaux!" he cried.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE MAJOR EXPLAINS

The man who had emerged from the closet gazed at Hal in amazement.

"Who are you?" he exclaimed, taking a step forward.

"What! Don't you know me?" exclaimed Hal.

The other peered at him intently. Then he uttered an exclamation of pure astonishment.

"Hal Paine!" he cried. "Is it really you? And what are you doing in that uniform?"

"I might ask you, major, what you are doing out of uniform?" laughed Hal, as he grasped his old friend's hand.

"Well, I'm here on business," explained the major.

"And I'm here trying to get out of the German lines," said Hal.

"And where is Chester?" asked the major.

"He's upstairs, waiting for me to bring up a candle that he may have light," said Hal. "By George! It's good to see you again. Let me see, it has been almost two years since I last saw you in France."

"Yes, it's been all of that," agreed the major.

"And what of our old friend Anderson? Do you know what has happened to him?"

"No," said Hal, "the last indirect word I had of him he had been sent to Mesopotamia. I have not seen him for many months. But, tell me, what are you doing here?"

"It isn't a very long story," said Major Derevaux. "As you perhaps know, General Byng's drive against the Germans has been one of the greatest successes since the Battle of the Marne."

Hal nodded.

"Well," the major continued, "I have been stationed with General Pitain at Verdun, where I last saw you. Now we know that the Germans have drawn heavily from other fronts to make possible the Italian invasion.

Other fronts now will have to be weakened to hold back General Byng--even to launch a counter-offensive, for we all know that Hindenburg will strike back. That leaves the Verdun situation somewhat in the air."

"I see," said Hal. "If you can make sure that the Verdun front of the enemy has been weakened, the French will strike there."

"Exactly," said the major. "Then there is another possibility. It may be the plan of the German general staff to make a show of force here and then, when we are feeling secure before Verdun, to deliver a lightning-like blow there. Those are the things I am commissioned to learn."

"I see," said Hal again. "But how does it happen I find you here?"

"It's very simple. This woman here is a distant relative of mine. She is a patriot to the soul. Under the gruff exterior which you have seen she is the most kindly soul in the world. She is risking her life every minute she remains here, for she is accounted one of the most successful of French spies."

"Great Scott!" exclaimed Hal. "You don't mean it. Why, her very actions toward us, if used toward other Germans, it strikes me, would mean a firing squad for her."

"That," laughed Major Derevaux, "has been her greatest a.s.set. The Germans are not particularly fond of her, that's a fact. She attacks them with a sharp tongue, but for that very reason she is looked upon as harmless. Come, I'll introduce you."

Major Derevaux led the way across the room to where the woman had been eyeing the two in the utmost astonishment.

"Lieutenant Paine," said the Major, "I take pleasure in presenting you to Mademoiselle Vaubaun. Mademoiselle, this is Lieutenant Paine, of His British Majesty's service."

"I must correct you, major," said Hal, smiling and acknowledging the introduction. "Lieutenant Paine, U.S.A."