She awoke suddenly. The car was stopping at a wide gateway and two sentries were approaching to examine their papers.
The Frenchman seemed prepared for everything. He had papers for himself and for "Sub-Leutnant Louden."
"Correct, Herr Leutnant. Pass on."
The car entered the private estate, but swiftly sped off into a side road instead of going up to the big house in the upper windows of which Ruth saw lights, although it was now nearly morning.
"Our quarters are in the gardener's cottage," said the major, loudly, evidently intending the information for the automobile driver's ear.
They came to a roomy old cottage. Its windows were dark. The chauffeur stopped before it and the major sprang out.
"Have a care how you step," he whispered to Ruth, and she made ready to get out of the car without a tumble. The high boots did feel queer on her legs.
Her companion was hammering on the door of the cottage with the hilt of his sword. A window opened above.
"Leutnant Gilder and Sub-Leutnant Louden billeted here. Make haste and come down," he commanded in his gruffest voice as the automobile wheeled around in the drive and started back for the gate.
In three minutes the door was opened; but it was dark inside.