"You see, my girl, Anne and I have already had a chance to talk. From what she told me of her meeting with young Purceville---and I expect that for my sake she did not tell all---I wonder if you are not in danger as well. We need to know fully who our enemies are, or are likely to be, and who can be trusted to come to our aid. I have one ally, a fisherman from the village of Kroe, and the beginnings of a plan, though it is still far from ripe. The first step, as it must always be, is survival. Can you tell us then, in as much detail as possible, what has happened in the time since you left the cottage?" "Will you tell me one thing first?" she asked. "Forgive me, Michael, but after all I've been through, as you will soon hear..... It would put my mind very much at rest, if you would tell me....." Her face betrayed a deep, lingering fear of the Night. "Who, if not yourself, lies in the grave beneath your stone?" "It is you who must forgive me. I should have told you sooner." He took her hand, and held it firmly. "It is no wraith who stands before you, and no one has raised me from the dead. "I can't be certain, but I believe it to be a man of my regiment. He was about the same height and build as myself, with roughly similar features. Poor beggar. The only name I ever heard him called was Jack. He was one of the younger lads, and shivering so dreadfully on the morning of the Battle ---from cold and fear alike---that I gave him my coat, his being tattered, and far too light to serve. It's hard to believe to look at me now, wrapped up as for a winter storm, and pacing like an animal just to warm myself. But I was never cold in those days, as you'll recall." He gave a bitter laugh, then shook his head, as if to drive away the feeling. "Looking back, I guess I was luckier than some. A ball grazed my head very early in the fighting, and I knew nothing more, until I found myself being dragged away by two English infantry..... What is it, Mary? What have I said to upset you?" "They dragged you to a grove of dark trees! You were dazed and pale, but still they pulled at you fiercely, as if to throw you to the ground and run you through." "How on earth did you know that?" "I saw it in my dream! I thought I was witnessing your death. Oh, Michael, I've been so afraid!" It was some time before he could calm her enough to give voice to his own bewilderment. "It's all right, now. It's over. But the strange truth is....." He hesitated, not wanting to upset her further. "I thought it was the end for me as well, though they only took me to stand with the other prisoners. That day, and especially those first moments when I regained consciousness, have woven themselves in and out of my nightmares ever since. I don't understand. How could you have known?"