The most threatening seemed to be the possibility of something abandoned by Sanderson being found at the place where the two airplanes had been burned. Doctor Herschall's preternatural shrewdness would lead him to suspect the truth, she felt sure, if anything was brought to him which he could identify as belonging to the American aviator.
Sanderson's name on his canteen, for instance, if brought to the attention of Doctor Herschall might urge the Prussian to begin an investigation sure to bring disaster to the American aviator. The Red Cross nurse determined to learn early in the morning if Carl Baum was detailed to head the searching party to the grove. If he was, she would find some way of making her cousin aid her in destroying or overlooking anything in the nature of incriminating evidence.
As long as the American aviator could play the part of August Gessler unsuspected there was a chance of his escaping destruction. As soon as his shoulder had knit so that it could be taken out of plaster Sanderson would be up and about. Then, the girl had faith to believe, a way for his escape would be opened.
Lying so long awake during the early hours of the night caused Belinda to oversleep. When, after a hurried toilet, she reached the guardhouse at the gate of the hospital enclosure and asked for her cousin, Baum, she learned that he with a file of privates, had already departed upon some detail.
Belinda was much disturbed and blamed herself heartily for the fault as she went to breakfast. What would happen now?
Erard, looking much subdued, yet with a sly twinkle in his eyes, was sweeping out the entrance to her ward when she reported a little later for duty.
"Well! a pretty figure you cut," she said to him with much sternness. "And you might have gone to a detention camp for your folly had I not pleaded for you."
"Oui, Mademoiselle," he said humbly. "I suppose I should thank you for getting the Herr Lieutenant to send me back to this vile work. Ça y est! All I get is a head like a chevaux de bois for my fun."
Then, softly, and watching her sharply: "Did the Mademoiselle deliver the message from M. Renaud to that brave aviateur?"
"Yes."