Coblenz is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the German defeat had dimmed none of its outward glory.
Finally the Red Cross automobile drove to the outskirts of the city and entered a large court yard. On a hill beyond the courtyard rose an old castle which was to be the new American Red Cross hospital.
The building itself was grim and forbidding with its square, serrated towers and heavy, dark stone walls.
Bianca gave an instinctive shiver.
"The castle looks more like a dungeon than a hospital," she whispered to Sonya, "I wish they had given us a more cheerful place for our headquarters. Perhaps our soldiers will not mind, but I should hate to be ill in such a dismal place. Yes, I know the outlook over the Rhine is magnificent but just the same it depresses me."
Then Bianca's manner and expression changed.
Standing in the yard before the castle were a group of their friends waiting to receive them.
Dr. Clark had arrived in Coblenz a number of hours before his wife and had already taken command of the new Red Cross hospital for American soldiers. He and his wife had not seen each other in nearly a month, as they had made the journey to the Rhine with different portions of the army.
With Dr. Clark were other members of his Red Cross staff and several representatives of the German Red Cross, who were to turn over certain supplies.
Unexpectedly a private soldier formed one of the group, who must have received permission from his superior officer to share in the welcome to his friends.