"But where is he?"
"In the chapel. Behind the altar of the Mother of God of Czestochova."
"Hiding?" She was white as a sheet
"Of course." He drew them in a circle, and went on, very low: "Listen. Yesterday, the Russians took him prisoner."
"And he escaped?" asked Vanda.
"Rennenkampf said he must be shot...."
"What for?" she faltered.
"Mother of God, how should I know? Don't keep on interrupting." He looked apprehensively at the door, motioned to them to move further away from it and the windows, and went on: now, he spoke French, not for Minnie's benefit, but for secrecy.
"They were to shoot him this morning----"
Minnie, still watchful, saw Ian put his arm round Vanda, who looked ready to faint; she felt a pang of resentment. How dare he, seeing Vanda was betrothed to Joseph! He said something encouraging to her, but Minnie could not make out what it was.