“Oh, we’ll stop the night all right. Wild horses could not drag us away from that fire such a day as this.” “I will show you to your room and the tea will be ready by the time you come down. This way, madame--iff you please!” “Steady on, Freda! Two rooms--iff you please.” “So?” in a tone of vast surprise, with a touch of disappointment in it. “Mademoiselle is to become my wife as soon as we reach Montreux. I have been to deliver her from the hands of the Philistines--the Germans, I mean. She was in Leipsic----” “Ach--those verdomte Germans! They are always making trouble. Then two rooms. This way, mademoiselle, iff you please!” Hail and rain thrashed wildly on the window-panes as Lois refitted herself, but a quarter of an hour later, when they came down the stair together, and entered the cosy room whose dark wood panelling reflected the dancing flames all round, there was their tea-table drawn up close to the blazing hearth with two easy chairs alongside, and she felt a sense of home-iness greater than she had enjoyed during the last two years. At a table not far away a burly, broad-backed man was busily writing letters with a big cigar in his mouth. At sight of them he jumped up in vast surprise and came at them. “Why--Ray Luard!--and Miss Lois?... Now what in the name of--what is it?--Mrs Ghrundy--are you two wandering round here for?” “Hello? Why!--if it isn’t Dr Rhenius! How are you, sir? We’re as right as trivets--whatever they are, though we _have_ walked from Ruēras to-day.” “Ah--you come from Ruēras? And before that?” “Lois was in Leipsic, as you know. Mrs Dare sent me to fetch her home. We couldn’t get direct so we came round. What news have you? We’ve heard nothing but rumours for days. Let’s have tea, Lois. I’m sure you’re only half warmed yet. Have a cup of tea, Doctor?” “I thank you, no. But I will smoke--if I may,” with an appealing look at Lois. “Oh do, please! I like it.” “Well now--where are _you_ from, Doctor, and what’s the latest facts?” asked Ray, as he laced his hot tea with cognac and insisted on doing the same with Lois’s in spite of her protesting hand. “It’s good for her under these circumstances. Now isn’t it, Doctor?” “I do not prescribe stimulants as a rule, as you know,” said Dr Rhenius weightily. “But to anyone who has been out in that”--as the hail dashed against the windows again--“a moderate dose is undoubtedly indicated.” “That’s better,” said Ray, passing up his cup again. “Now, sir,--where are we?” “At war,” said the Doctor gravely. “Great Britain declared war against Germany last night.” “That’s bad,” said Ray, and he and Lois both sat staring aghast at the massive face lit up by the dancing flames.