“They cannot hold the Germans responsible for the act of a crazy peasant, as we shall so characterize it, and pass the incident off lightly. When the Americans get to the Rhine they may make all the inquiries they wish. We shall not be in the castle; almost no one knows we are here now, there will be no trail left for them to follow, and they will not be permitted to cross the river to look for one.” “Did not Fraulein von Blum say who the woman is?” questioned the German woman. “No. ‘Important woman in drifting balloon,’ was the message she sent. The man refuses to say who she is, so you must get it out of the woman herself.” “You think she will come to soon?” “Yes, she will be on her feet before the day is done.” “Thank you,” whispered the subject of the dialogue. “I am glad to know that I am all right. Good boy, Major. I will take my tip from him. But who is this Rosa von Blum that they speak of? I don’t believe I ever heard of her, though somehow the name strikes a disagreeable note in my memory. There goes the colonel. I must get ready to wake up after a proper interval.” Grace heard the woman step over to the bed and look down at her, after the departure of the officer. She stirred a little under that gaze, which seemed to burn into her, moaned and twisted her head from side to side several times. After a brief interval of quietness the Overton girl opened her eyes, closed and then opened them again, apparently with great effort. Grace was acting her part without the slightest slip. She gazed up blankly into the face of the German woman. “Guten morgen, Fraulein Schmidt,” greeted the German. “What is that you say? I am an American.” “I said good morning, Fraulein Schmidt,” repeated the woman, this time in English, smiling encouragingly. “You know me?” exclaimed Grace Harlowe, raising herself on one elbow, the effort giving her pain and causing her to make a wry face. “How did you know my name?” “The Germans know many things. They are not the thickheads that the enemy would have the world believe them. You come from the American army?” Grace said she did, and explained that they had gone adrift in the storm when she was with the balloon on invitation for the day, but in answer to a question as to what she did in the army, the Overton girl asked one for herself. “Who are you and where am I?” “You were hurt and a kind-hearted officer had you brought here. You will, I hope, be able to go out in a week or so.” “So long as that?” “Yes. You were very badly hurt and the Herr Doctor says you must be in bed for some time. To get up would mean your death.” “Oh, please don’t tell me that,” begged Grace. “What is it you wish to know?” “How many are with the American army that is marching on the Rhine?” “Truly I cannot say, Frau.” “Is it not true that they are planning to take revenge on the Rhine country when the Germans are helpless, having laid down their arms?” “How do you mean?” demanded Grace. “To turn the big guns on us?”