“None,” said the Colonel gravely. “It’s ‘The Day’ they’ve been getting ready for all these years, and that we’ve been expecting--some of us, and unable to get ready for because you others thought differently. But we want a word or two with Mrs Dare too. Will you beg her to favour us, Honor, my dear?” and Honor sped to summon her mother to the conference. “We must apologise for calling at such an hour, Mrs Dare,” said the Colonel, as they shook hands, “But the matter admits of no delay. Ray here wants your permission to go out and bring Lois home. We think she is in danger out there.” “You know how things are between us, dear Mrs Dare,” broke in Ray impulsively. “We have never really said anything definite, but we understand one another. And if it’s going to be a general scrap all round, as Uncle Tony is certain it is, then the sooner she is clear of it the better. I’ve never been easy in my mind about her since that little beast von Helse brought her over last year.” At which a reminiscent smile flickered briefly in the corners of Mrs Dare’s lips and made Ray think acutely of Lois, who had just that same way of savouring life’s humours. “I was thinking of wiring for her to come home, as soon as I got to town,” said Mr Dare. “If my views are correct,” said the Colonel weightily, “and I fear you’ll find them so, travelling, over there, will be no easy matter. The moment mobilisation is ordered--and the possibility is that it’s going on now for all they are worth,--everything will be under martial law,--all the railways in the hands of the military, all traffic disorganised,--possibly the frontiers closed. Everything chock-a-block, in fact. It may be no easy job to get her safely out even now. But if anyone can do it, in the circumstances, I’ll back Ray. He’s glib at German and knows his way about, and where Lois is concerned----” “It is very good of you, Ray,”--began Mrs Dare, warmly. “Not a bit. It’s good of you to trust her to me. I can start in an hour, and I’ll bring her back safe or know the reason why. Thank you so much!” and he gripped her hand and then suddenly bent forward and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m nearly packed,”--at which Mrs Dare’s smile flickered again.--“I’ll cut away and finish. I must catch the ten o’clock from Victoria, and bar accidents I’ll be in Leipsic to-morrow morning. You might perhaps give me just a little note for her, saying you approve my coming,” and he hurried away to finish his preparations. Honor and Noel heard him going and sped out after him, all agog to know what it was all about. “Here! What’s up among all you elderly people?” cried Noel. “No time to talk, old man. They’ll tell you all about it,” Ray called over his shoulder and disappeared through the front gate. “Well!--I’m blowed! Old Ray’s got a move on him. What’s he up to, I wonder.” “I’ll tell you, No. He’s going after Lois----” “After Lois? Why--what’s wrong with Lo?”