Part 14 (1/2)
”I do not doubt it,” he said with a smile. ”But it is reported to me that your work is especially commendable. You speak very good French. It is to a French hospital at Clair I can send you. A representative of the Red Cross is needed there to furnish emergency supplies when called upon, and particularly to communicate with the families of the _blesses_, and to furnish special services to the patients. You have a way with you, I understand, that pleases the poor fellows and that fits you for this position of which I speak.”
”Oh, I believe I should like it!” the girl cried, her eyes glistening.
It seemed to be just the work she had hoped for from the beginning-coming in personal touch with the wounded. A place where her sympathies would serve the poor fellows.
”The position is yours. You will start to-night,” declared the major.
”Clair is within sound of the guns. It has been bombarded twice; but we shall hope the _Boches_ do not get so near again.”
Ruth was delighted with the chance to go. But suddenly a new thought came to her mind. She asked:
”Who recommended me, sir?”
”You have the very best recommendation you could have, Miss Fielding,”
he said pleasantly. ”Your chief seems to think very highly of your capabilities. Madame Mantel suggested your appointment.”
Fortunately, the major was not looking at Ruth as he spoke, but was filling out her commission papers for the new place she had accepted.
The girl's emotion at that moment was too great to be wholly hidden.
Rose Mantel to recommend her for any position! It seemed unbelievable!
Unless--
The thought came to Ruth that the woman in black wished her out of the way. She feared the girl might say something regarding the Robinsburg fire that would start an official inquiry here in France regarding Mrs.
Mantel and her particular friends. Was that the basis for the woman in black's desire to get Ruth out of the way? Should the latter tell this medical officer, here and now, just what she thought of Mrs. Mantel?
How cra.s.s it would sound in his ears if she did so! Rose Mantel had warmly recommended Ruth for a position that the girl felt was just what she wanted.
She could not decide before the major handed her the papers and an order for transportation in an ambulance going to Clair. He again shook hands with her. His abrupt manner showed that he was a busy man and that he had no more time to give to her affairs.
”Get your pa.s.sport viseed before you start. Never neglect your pa.s.sport over here in these times,” advised the major.
Should she speak? She hesitated, and the major sat down to his desk and took up his pen again.
”Good-day, Miss Fielding,” he said. ”And the best of luck!”
The girl left the office, still in a hesitating frame of mind. There were yet several hours before she left the town. Her bags were quickly packed. All the workers of the Red Cross ”traveled light,” as Clare Biggars laughingly said.
Ruth decided that she could not confide in Clare. Already the Western girl was quite enamored of the smiling, snaky Rose Mantel. It would be useless to ask Clare to watch the woman. Nor could Ruth feel that it would be wise to go to the French police and tell them of her suspicions concerning the woman in black.
The French have a very high regard for the American Red Cross-as they have for their own _Croix Rouge_. They can, and do, accept a.s.sistance for their needy poilus and for others from the American Red Cross, because, in the end, the organization is international and is not affiliated with any particular religious sect.
To accuse one of the Red Cross workers in this great hospital at Lyse would be very serious-no matter to what Ruth's suspicions pointed. The girl could not bring herself to do that.
When she went to the prefect of police to have her pa.s.sport viseed she found a white-mustached, fatherly man, who took a great interest in her as an _Americaine mademoiselle_ who had come across the ocean to aid France.
”I kiss your hand, Mademoiselle!” he said. ”Your bravery and your regard for my country touches me deeply. Good fortune attend your efforts at Clair. You may be under bombardment there, my child. It is possible. We shall hope for your safety.”
Ruth thanked him for his good wishes, and, finally, was tempted to give some hint of her fears regarding the supposed Professor Perry and the Italian Clare had spoken of.