CHAPTER XVII
THE WORST IS TOLD
"But, Major Marchand? What of him?" Ruth asked, deeply interested inwhat the countess had said.
"He, too, is in the secret work," responded the countess, smilingfaintly. "My older son claimed the right of undertaking the moreperilous task. Likewise he was the more familiar with the vicinity ofour summer estate at Merz, having been there often with his father."
"But Major Henri goes back and forth, along the front, both by flyingmachine and in other ways?" Ruth asked. "I am sure I have seen him----"
She wanted to tell the countess how she had misjudged the major. Butshe hesitated. There was the matter of Nicko, the chocolate peddler,and the man who looked like him!
Could that disguised man have been the major? And if so, what was hisinterest in the German officer who had so suddenly died in the fieldhospital--the occupant of Cot 24, Hut H?
The girl's mind was still in a whirl. Had she called Lafrane to thefront for nothing at all? Had she really been stirring up a mare'snest? She listened, however, to the countess' further observations:
"But yes, Mademoiselle, we all do what we may. My sons are hard atwork for la patrie--and brave Bubu!" and she laughed. "Of course yourAmerican soldiers cannot be expected to take over the scouting on thisfront, not altogether, for they do not know the country as do weFrench. Yet some of your young men, Henri tells me, show marvelousadaptability in the work. Is it the Red Indian blood in them, thinkyou, that makes them so proficient in scouting?" she added innocently.
But Ruth did not laugh. Indeed, she felt very serious, for she wasthinking of Tom Cameron. Major Henri Marchand must know aboutTom--where he was and what he was doing. That is, if it had been themajor who had dropped the message from Tom at her feet the day before.
She could not discuss this matter with the countess. And yet the girlwas so troubled regarding Tom's affairs that she felt equal to almostany reckless attempt to gain information about him.
Before the girl could decide to speak, however, there was a step uponthe bare floor of the great entrance hall of the chateau. The ringingstep came nearer, and the countess raised her head.
"Henri! Come in! Come in!" she cried as the door opened.
Major Marchand marched into the room breezily, still in the dressuniform Ruth had seen at Aunt Abelard's cottage.
"Ah, Mademoiselle!" he cried, having kissed his mother's hand andsuddenly beholding the girl who had shyly retired to the other side ofthe hearth. "May I greet you?"
He came around the tea table and took her hand. She did not withdrawit abruptly this time as he pressed his lips respectfully to herfingers. But she did blush under his admiring glance.
"See, Henri!" his mother cried. "It is the good Bubu who has broughtit. In code. Can you read it?"
She thrust the whisp of paper, taken from the dog's hollow tooth, underhis eyes before pouring his cup of tea. Henri, begging Ruth'sindulgence with a look, sat down before the table, his sword clanking.He smoothed the paper out upon the board and drew the reading glass tohim.
"Wait!" Countess Marchand said. "You have had no luncheon! You arehungry, my dear boy?"
She hurried out of the room intent upon her son's comfort. Ruthwatched the countenance of the major as he read the code message. Shesaw his expression become both serious and troubled.
Suddenly he turned in his chair and looked at the American girl. Hisgaze seemed significant, and Ruth began to tremble.
"Mademoiselle?"
"Yes, Monsieur?"
"You have questions to ask me, _hein_?"
"It is true, Major Marchand," she murmured, struggling forself-control. "I am eaten up by curiosity."
"Is it only curiosity that troubles you, Mademoiselle?" he said dryly.
"No! No! I am seriously alarmed. I am anxious--for a friend." Hervoice was tense.
"You received a certain message?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, Major Marchand! And that excites me," she replied, morecalmly now. "Was it really you who dropped the paper bomb at my feet?"
His eyes danced for a moment. "That was entirely--what you call--bychance. Mademoiselle, I spied you, and having the written message ofyour friend I inserted it in the bomb, twisted the neck of it, and letit fall at your feet. You are, of course, acquainted with LieutenantCameron?"
"He is the twin brother of my dearest friend," Ruth replied. "Helen isin Paris--helping make soup for French orphans," and she smiled."Something that I have heard has worried me vastly about Tom." Hersmile disappeared and her gaze at the French major was pleading.
His own countenance again fell into serious lines, and he tapped thetable thoughtfully. Ruth clasped her hands as she waited. She feltthat something untoward was about to be made known to her. There wassomething about Tom which would shock her.
"I am sorry, Mademoiselle," murmured the major. "Here is somethingsaid about Lieutenant Cameron."
"In that message Bubu brought?" she asked slowly.
"Yes. It is from my brother. Did you know that Lieutenant Cameron wasworking with the Count Marchand in Germany?"
"Oh, I did not know it until--until lately! There are such storiesafloat!"
"Ah!" He smiled and nodded understandingly. "Do not let those idletales annoy you. Lieutenant Cameron is a very able and a veryhonorable young man. He volunteered for the dangerous service. Ofcourse, his comrades could not be told the truth. And it chanced hewas observed speaking to one of our agents who came from the Germanside.
"At once it was decided that he would do well in the area of Merz,where Count Marchand is in command. You understand? LieutenantCameron's comrades were given the wrong impression. Otherwise,knowledge that he was a scout might have been easily discovered byGerman spies in this sector. Your friend speaks perfect German."
"Oh, yes," Ruth said. "He began to prattle to Babette, hisGerman-Swiss nurse when he was a child."
"So he has been of much help to us near Merz. But my brother informsme now that a serious difficulty has arisen."
"What is it, Major Marchand?" asked the girl, with tightening lips.
"Lieutenant Cameron has been arrested. He is suspected by the Germansat Merz. He was furnished the papers and uniform of a Bavariancaptain. The authorities are making an investigation. It may--I amdesolated to say it, Mademoiselle!--become fatal for LieutenantCameron."