Mildred was not handsome, yet at this moment her dignity, her refinement and more than that, her look of intelligence which was like her distinguished father’s, had never been more apparent.
“Will you show me the letters you speak of, Colonel Dalton?” she asked in a low tone.
The officer appeared to hesitate, but after a careful study of the girl he gave the letters into her hands.
Near them was a lamp on the table and Mildred stooped as she went rapidly through the papers. Then she straightened up and her lips were like chalk.
“I mailed the letters,” she said distinctly. “But listen to me for a moment while I explain, then I’m ready to take whatever punishment I deserve.”
There was a complete silence. Mildred spoke very calmly, very proudly; nevertheless, no one of her three American friends believed her. Mildred’s statement was so incredible, she must have lost her senses. Instinctively Barbara started forward to protest, but both Eugenia and Nona held on to her.
“Wait until she has spoken,” Eugenia ordered.
Colonel Dalton himself did not appear particularly convinced. A spy was not apt to proclaim guilt with so little pressure. Yet the young woman looked as if she had brains.
“A young man and his mother have been staying in this neighborhood almost ever since our arrival,” Mildred began. “Brooks Curtis, the man called himself. We met him on board the steamer coming over to England and he told me that he was a newspaper correspondent and meant to report the war. I don’t know anything else about him, but I liked him, although my friends did not.” Here Mildred flushed and her hands trembled, yet she went on bravely. “Mrs. Curtis settled in the neighborhood in one of the peasants’ cottages and I used to see her nearly every week and now and then her son. One day Mr. Curtis told me he was having difficulty in mailing his letters to his New York paper and asked me to mail them for him. Also he asked me not to mention the fact. I was very stupid, I was worse than stupid, but of course I did not dream of what I was really doing. Still, I feel that I deserve imprisonment or punishment of some kind. I came to Europe to try to be of service to the soldiers and I’ve brought them misfortune.” The girl for the moment could say nothing more. But then everybody in the room was equally aghast, Mildred’s explanation was so astounding and at the same time so simple.
“Is there a way of getting hold of this young man to find out if your story is true?” Colonel Dalton demanded.