Part 25 (1/2)

It was late when the last basin was emptied and Dr. Masbrennier untied his ap.r.o.n.

As we were was.h.i.+ng up, I asked if he would be good enough to guide me out of the hospital and tell me where there was a respectable restaurant to which a woman might go alone.

”I have neither hat, coat, nor gloves. They're coming in the carts.”

”That's so; perhaps you haven't had anything since lunch and I've been making you work on an empty stomach!”

”Worse than that!” I laughed.

”What?”

”Nothing since breakfast at Jouy-le-Chatel.”

”Good G.o.d, woman!” And taking me by the arm, he hurried me down the hall.

As we pa.s.sed out of the entrance door, a superior officer stopped Dr.

Masbrennier and though I advanced out of earshot the words, ”evacuation”

and ”to-night” were distinctly audible. A second later my companion caught up with me.

”So sorry I can't accompany you, but the whole hospital goes to Orleans immediately. Must make room for the new-comers! I'll 'phone home. The _gouvernante_ will make you comfortable.” And he continued to give me explicit directions how to reach his house.

”You'd better come to Orleans where we can look after you.”

”Sorry, but I've gone far enough south.”

”_Alors au revoir et grand merci._”

”_Au revoir._”

And a second later I found myself outside in the chilly darkness.

For the first time in my life I had the sensation of being utterly alone. No one on earth knew where I was and if I had not had faith in Dr. Masbrennier's promise of a warm dinner, I should gladly have indulged in a little fit of despair. And so I wandered on down the dingy, black streets of Melun, where not a lamp post nor shop window was lighted, not a human being seemed astir. Where was my little troupe?

How and when would we all meet?

Thus ruminating I came to a bridge. A sentry flashed a pocket lamp in my face.

”_On ne pa.s.se pas!_”

I showed my armlet and he stepped aside.

Halfway across I distinguished two human forms leaning over the railing, and following their example I perceived a half-dozen _hommes du genie_ hard at work mining the foundation of the center arch. So these bridges were to be blown up, too! What was I to do? Stay on the other side and wait for my caravan or cross over and risk my chances alone? A reflector from below swung upward, illuminating the bridge.

”George!” I gasped.

One of the two figures straightened abruptly! In a second the boys had recognized me. ”What are you doing here? Where are the others?”

I poured out a dozen eager questions, not giving them time to reply.

When almost breathless I stopped and they explained that the caravan had been halted on the outskirts of Melun. No refugees were allowed in after nightfall. Fortunately the boys bethought themselves of my wounded man's clothes and arms, and thanks to these they were allowed to pa.s.s and deliver them to the gendarmerie. Remembering that I had friends at Barbizon they had sent the others there by a round-about route, and had come on to find me.