André went slowly down the parsonage steps.... On the first night of the invasion his parents had been safe. But that was four days ago, he thought. A loud shout stopped him. Streukoff beckoned from the jeep. “Hey, kid! Say, I gotta deliver you and get a receipt from Captain Dobie. Git in.” André looked shocked. “The general was joking, wasn’t he? I can walk the short distance home. I’m sorry I kept you waiting so long.” “Oh, that’s all right. I needed the rest,” grinned Streukoff. “But I’m getting that receipt, boy. A general never forgets.” Captain Dobie looked up from his desk irritably when Streukoff entered the room and saluted. André followed well in the rear. “Yes?” Dobie snapped. After hearing the general’s request, he barked, “You want _what_? You brought André home? From _where_!” At one side, Weller muttered, “I should ’a’ known better. I should ’a’ known better.” The captain scribbled out a receipt for Streukoff and signed it. He then registered his feelings by banging weights down on all the papers on his desk. “I never even _missed_ him,” he said through closed lips. The telephone jangled, and André saw Weller turn to Captain Dobie excitedly. “It’s the colonel,” Weller shouted. “We’re movin’ this command post up to the other side of Ste. Mère! The 9th division is almost set to help us on a big push.” Weller turned his eyes slowly on André. CHAPTER FIFTEEN _Battle for St. Sauveur_ The idea of Captain Dobie’s staff going away came as a shock to André. “B-but--” he stammered. Captain Dobie and Weller consulted maps and papers. At last, the captain sat back and lit a cigarette. “You’ve seen Father Duprey? What did he have to tell you?” he inquired mildly. “Not very good news, sir,” André replied. “But nothing especially bad ... I wish my family could get home,” he said irritably. Captain Dobie cocked an eyebrow. “I wish they could, too,” he said. “And, as long as I am responsible here, maybe you’d like to tell me why you went off with that pilot in his plane.” At this unexpected shift, André flushed. “You did not tell me not to, sir,” he said shyly. “I did not tell you not to ride an elephant to Afghanistan, either,” the captain retorted. “How could I know you had any intention of flying over the enemy?” [Illustration] “I did not know it myself.” André could not help smiling. “It just happened.” “Well, you’re lucky to be back. I don’t suppose it really matters if I turn gray worrying about you,” said the captain. A bark from Patchou in the kitchen gave André an excuse to bolt away. Although Captain Dobie’s colonel had ordered the post moved closer to the fighting, the change would not come until other units were in position.