Hubert Lennon “looked by” again later in the afternoon and she asked him to tell his aunt that she was going away. He was much concerned and insistent upon doing what he could to aid her. “Do you know when you’ll be sailing?” he asked. “I hope next week,” she said. “Could you possibly go on the _Ribot_?” “Why on the _Ribot_?” “Gerry Hull’s just got word that he’s to join again on the other side,” Hubert said, “so he’ll be going back next week on the _Ribot_, he thinks.” Ruth checked just in time a “Yes, I know.” “I’m going to try to get across with him,” Hubert added. Ruth felt liking again for this young man who always put his friend before himself. “That’s good. I hope surely I can get on the _Ribot_.” “Aunt Emilie knows people in New York who’ll help arrange it for you, if I ask ’em. You’ll let me?” “Please!” Ruth accepted eagerly. She wanted exceedingly to know one other thing; but she delayed asking and then made the query as casual as she could. “Lady Agnes stays in Chicago a while?” Hubert colored as this question ended for him his pretense with himself that she wanted to be on the _Ribot_ because of him. “No; she’s going when Gerry goes. She plans to be on the _Ribot_ too. They always intended to return at the same time.” “Of course,” Ruth said. What wild fancies she followed! Hubert went off; but returned to take her to the train. He brought with him letters from his aunt--credentials of Ruth as Cynthia Gail to powerful people who did not know Cynthia Gail, and who were asked to further her desires in every way. Thus, at the end of seven days, Ruth Alden sailed for the first time away from her native land upon the _Ribot_ for Bordeaux to become--in the reports of the American authorities who approved and passed her on--a worker in the devastated districts of France; to become, in whatever report the agents of Hohenzollernism in America made to their superiors, a dependable and resourceful spy for Germany; to become--in the resolution she swore to herself and to the soul of Cynthia Gail and the prayers she prayed--an emissary for her cause and her country into the land of the enemy who would know no mercy to such as herself. CHAPTER VI: “WE’RE FIGHTING” There is a thrill upon awaking on your first morning on board a ship at sea which all the German U-boats under the ocean can scarcely increase. You may imagine all you please what it may be; and it will amaze you with something more. Ruth Alden had imagined; and her first forenoon on shipboard was filled with surprises.