"I was ordered to search for any personal property of either of the aviators abandoned there in the wood where they fell. It is a deserted place; nobody had disturbed the ruins of the aeroplanes."
"What did you find, Carl?" she asked hurriedly.
"Why, nothing much, Cousin. Just some odds and ends. A belt buckle with the Herr Lieutenant Gessler's identification badge upon it. A shoe that must have been the Frenchman's, for it is American made. Oh, yes! and his metal water bottle."
"Whose bottle?"
"The Frenchman's. It must be his. Here!" said Paul, showing her a paper. "I copied this that was painted on it—a part of his name."
Belinda was for the moment speechless. Before Carl could comment upon her troubled countenance Jacob called to her from the doorway of the ward. Ernest was departing.
The orderly signed her book. Indeed, the boy went as a prisoner. Men were too precious at this stage of the war for the Prussian military system to mislay a single individual.
Carl waited, troubled by his cousin's evident distress. He strolled to the door where she stood watching Ernest and the orderly depart.
"Is not all right, 'Linda? Are you worrying over that boy—where he goes?"
"No, Carl, I am not worrying over Ernest. It is something of much greater import."