"In that message Bubu brought?" she asked slowly.
"Yes. It is from my brother. Did you know that Lieutenant Cameron was working with the Count Marchand in Germany?"
"Oh, I did not know it until—until lately! There are such stories afloat!"
"Ah!" He smiled and nodded understandingly. "Do not let those idle tales annoy you. Lieutenant Cameron is a very able and a very honorable young man. He volunteered for the dangerous service. Of course, his comrades could not be told the truth. And it chanced he was observed speaking to one of our agents who came from the German side.
"At once it was decided that he would do well in the area of Merz, where Count Marchand is in command. You understand? Lieutenant Cameron's comrades were given the wrong impression. Otherwise, knowledge that he was a scout might have been easily discovered by German spies in this sector. Your friend speaks perfect German."
"Oh, yes," Ruth said. "He began to prattle to Babette, his German-Swiss nurse when he was a child."
"So he has been of much help to us near Merz. But my brother informs me 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 Germans at Merz. He was furnished the papers and uniform of a Bavarian captain. The authorities are making an investigation. It may—I am desolated to say it, Mademoiselle!—become fatal for Lieutenant Cameron."