* * * * * Many months went by and Cochin and Dubois never left each other. They spoke less of the war, but retained the hope of returning to France and of this they often talked. "Listen, Patachon, here we are, you and I, _grands blessés_, and we should have been in Paris long ago--what are they trying to do--keeping us all this time?" "Yes, Cobusse, it commences to be very long----" One day, however, it was announced their turn had come and they could leave. At the thought of seeing France again they were thrilled. They had done their duty and could return home proud---- Quickly they were ready and began the long journey across Germany. Their train was full of _grands blessés_, miserable beings which the grave did not want and which it was glad to be free of. As Patachon said, "They all look like a lot of wire and rubber----" They were blind, sick, maimed and mad! There was enough misery in that train, but all were haughty and dignified! "What a sad air," said Cochin, "this boche country has----" Rolling along thus during one entire day, the night was broken by very long stops that seemed endless. And these long hours of waiting made them very tired and low spirited; as soon as they started again everyone began to laugh and talk. As they drew near to the Swiss frontier scarcely could they conceal the joy they felt on leaving this country that was killing them. At dawn the train arrived at a station all lit up, where, in spite of the early hour, there were great throngs. It is Schaffhouse! Along the platform Swiss officers and soldiers went to and fro, excited as if they saw Frenchmen for the first time---- "We are in Switzerland, Patachon----" "Are you sure?" They looked out the car window and scarcely had time to see, on the other track, a trainload of wounded Germans going the other way. "You see, they are maimed like us----" The soldiers in the two trains regarded each other closely without a word. Hardly had the train of the German _grands blessés_ started to leave the station than a military band began to play the "Marseillaise"! Yes, the "Marseillaise"--They raised their heads and there wasn't a one who did not hold himself in an effort not to cry---- Then the station became crowded with persons who wished to see the _grands blessés_. They distribute flowers, cigarettes, little tri-colored flags, small cakes, chocolate, colored postal cards--The station gets more and more crowded and the excitement grows. "Ah! we are not in that boche country any more, Patachon--I begin to breathe easier already----" But they're all more or less amazed at this great bustle to which they are ill-accustomed, and for the first time they see human beings who have sincere pity for their misery. * * * * *