"'There is reason for believing, monsieur le Capitaine, that Marie may be of use to her beloved France here?' she questioned.
"'Yes; that is what I would say.'
"'It is not necessary to ask, monsieur.'
"'You will understand that it is better that I do not speak to the Padré, your uncle. You may do so, and you will the better be able to judge how to speak to him, though as I already have advised, for the sake of his safety he should not be involved. You will not be afraid, Marie?'
"'No, monsieur.'
"'It is well. You have seen me go to the cellar, many times, where I store my equipment. This equipment I shall remove today, but in the cellar you will find—'
"At this instant a shell landed in the street and exploded with a roar. It was followed by other shells that swept on to the rear and fell beyond the village. A bugle somewhere down the street blew insistently. The captain sprang to his feet.
"'Marie, I shall see you later. I am called. You will be prudent and be careful of your life?'
"'Yes, monsieur.'
"The captain hurried out and that was the last the brave little French girl heard of him for some time afterward. All day the battle raged and shells fell in the village, many times the Padré 's house being showered with bursting shrapnel and shell splinters. It was a stout little stone house and withstood this storm of steel, save as now and then a splinter from a shell tore through the blinds and imbedded itself in the wall.