CHAPTER XI
THE SEED OF DEATH
It was Dr. Vail whose identification secured burial for Neeland, not in the American cemetery, but in Aulnes Wood.
When the raid into Finistère ended, and the unclean birds took flight, Vail, at Quimper, ordered north with his unit, heard of the tragedy, and went to Aulnes. And so Neeland was properly buried beside the youthful châtelaine. Which was, no doubt, what his severed soul desired. And perhaps hers desired it, too.
Vail continued on to Paris, to Flanders, got gassed, and came back to New York.
He had aged ten years in as many months.
Gray, the younger surgeon, kept glancing from time to time at Vail's pallid face, and the latter understood the professional interest of the younger man.
"You think I look ill?" he asked, finally.
"You don't look very fit, Doctor."
"No.... I'm going West."
"You mean it?"