Carmelita passed from behind the bar and went over to the table at which sat Rupert, the American, and the girl Olga. Putting her arm around the neck of the last, Carmelita kissed her on the cheek.
"Come, little one," she said. "Come to my bed and sleep. You shall be as safe as if in the Chapel of the Mother of God," and, as the girl burst into tears, led her away.
John Bull joined his friends as the two women disappeared through the door leading to Carmelita's room.
"Well, thank God for that," he said as he sat down, and wiped his forehead. "What's the next step?"
"Find the other little Roosian guy, an' put him wise to what's happened to sissy, I guess," replied the American.
"Yes," agreed Rupert. "It's up to him to carry on now, with any sort or kind of help that we can give him.... Where did he go after parade, I wonder?"
"The gal got copped for a wheel-barrer corvée--they was goin' scavengin' round the officers' houses and gardens I think--an' he took her place.... He'd be back by dark an' start washin' hisself," opined the American.
"Better get back at once then," said John Bull.
"I feel a most awful cad," he added.
"What on earth for?" asked Rupert.