"'I have it!' she cried exultingly. 'It was that he wished the little Marie to tell him what the Prussians were doing. At last the way is opened for her to serve her country. But—' The child, with a wisdom beyond her years, knew what the penalty would be if she were discovered. 'I care not. If I shall have served my France I can die with a brave heart!'
"Taking the telephone in her hands—hands that did not even tremble, Marie called a soft 'hello!' There was no response. Again and again she tried, but without result. Finally the child gave it up and went back upstairs.
"The thought of the telephone drew her again to the cellar. Again she called her soft 'hello.'
"The answer came back in French with a suddenness that nearly caused her to drop the telephone.
"'Who is speaking?' she asked in as firm a voice as she could summon.
"'Whom do you wish?'
"'I would speak with Captain Grivelet'
"'He is not here. I cannot reach him.'
"'It is important. Find him and tell him that the little Marie would speak with him. Tell him to come at ten o'clock this evening and Marie will be here at the telephone. He will understand.'