“I am afraid I shall be dreadfully spoiled if I stay here much longer,” she said. “Every one is so kind to me. Did you see those lovely roses that nice Mrs. Allen sent? And that dear old lady in the house across the way has sent some delicious hothouse grapes. Then I keep getting such wonderful letters from all my friends. I wonder what makes people so kind.” “There are a good many kind people in the world,” her brother said, smiling, “and then you must remember that you are quite the heroine of the hour. You and Fritz Lippheim are sharing the honors of having unearthed that gang of spies.” Gretel laughed. “I really don’t see what I had to do with it,” she said. “It was all Fritz. You can’t think, Percy, how happy it makes me to know there at least is one German who is working for the United States. I feel quite sure that if Father were alive he would be on our side, too, and so does Fritz. He told me so the other day.” “Fritz is a splendid fellow,” Mr. Douaine said heartily; “I only wish we had more like him. I met him this afternoon, by the way, and he has promised to come to dinner to-morrow, and bring his violin.” Gretel’s face was radiant. “I love to hear Fritz play,” she said. “It always makes me think of Father, and the old days in the studio. If I shut my eyes I can almost see it all as it used to be.” “You are a loyal little soul, Gretel,” her brother said, giving her hand an affectionate pat. “You never forget the old friends or the old times. But hark! isn’t that the motor? I shouldn’t be surprised if the twins had arrived.” The twins had arrived, and in a very few minutes Gretel and Geraldine were hugging each other rapturously, while Jerry stood by, grinning with satisfaction, but boylike, quite unable to express his feelings as his more excitable twin was expressing hers. Of course the two girls had a great deal to say to each other, for, except for a passing glimpse on the day Gretel was brought home, they had not met since their parting at the New London station. [Illustration: OF COURSE THE TWO GIRLS HAD A GREAT DEAL TO SAY TO EACH OTHER.--_Page 314._] “It’s the grandest thing in the world to be together again,” declared Geraldine. “I was never quite so happy in my life as when Mrs. Douaine’s letter came, saying you were well enough to have us. And isn’t Washington wonderful? We saw such interesting things coming from the station. I’m so glad you are in the country, though; it’s so much nicer than being in that hot, crowded city. It’s lovely here, and that view of the river is just perfect. Mrs. Douaine says we can go to Mount Vernon some day, and see the house where George Washington lived. You are looking ever so much better than I expected, Gretel.” “I am almost well,” said Gretel. “You are looking wonderfully well, too, and so is Jerry. Camp life must have agreed with you both.”