WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:07.440 Part one of Somewhere in France. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox 2 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:12.160 recordings are in the public domain. For more information or volunteer, please visit 3 00:00:12.320 --> 00:00:20.199 LibriVox dot org. Recording by Caroline Somewhere in France by Richard Harding Davis, 4 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:28.960 Part one. Marie Guessla, known as Marichio Montel Jeanne d'avrichi, the Comtesse 5 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:35.679 Doriac, was German. Her father, who served through the Franco Prussian War, 6 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:40.960 was a German spy. It was from her mother she learned to speak 7 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:48.119 French sufficiently well to satisfy even an academician, and among Parisians to pass us 8 00:00:48.200 --> 00:00:54.159 one. Both her parents were dead. Before they departed, knowing they could 9 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:59.399 leave their daughter nothing save their debts, they had her trained as an ass 10 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:04.920 But when they were gone, Marie in the Berlin hospitals, played politics, 11 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:14.480 intrigued, indiscriminately, misused the appealing violet eyes. There was a scandal, 12 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:19.040 several scandals. At the age of twenty five, she was dismissed from the 13 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:26.640 municipal hospital and as now save for the violet eyes, she was without resources. 14 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:32.560 As a compagnon de voyage with a German doctor. She traveled to Monte 15 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:38.519 Carlo. There she abandoned the doctor for Ri Ravignacu, a captain in the 16 00:01:38.599 --> 00:01:44.159 French aviation Corps, who, when he sleeve ended, escorted her to Paris. 17 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:51.200 The duties of Captain Ravignacu kept him in barracks near the aviation field, 18 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:57.519 but Marie he established in his apartments on the Boulevard Houseman. One day he 19 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.480 brought from the barracks a roll of blueprints, and as he was locking them 20 00:02:02.519 --> 00:02:07.879 in a drawer, said the Germans would pay through the nose for those. 21 00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:15.520 The remark was indiscreet, but then Marie had told him she was French, 22 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:21.400 and anyone would have believed her. The next morning, the same spirit of 23 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:27.520 adventure that had exiled her from the Berlin hospitals carried her with the blueprints to 24 00:02:27.599 --> 00:02:34.000 the German embassy. They're greatly shocked. They first wrote down her name and 25 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:38.800 a dress, and then, indignant at her proposition, ordered her out. 26 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:45.759 But the day following, a strange young German, who was not at all 27 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:52.360 indignant, but on the contrary, quite charming, called upon Marie for the 28 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:58.319 blueprints. He offered her a very large sum, and that same hour with 29 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:05.719 them, and Marie departed for Berlin. Marie did not need the money, 30 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:10.520 nor did the argument that she was serving her country greatly impress her. It 31 00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:19.039 was rather that she loved intrigue, and so she became a spy. Ori 32 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.280 RAVIGNACU, the man she had robbed of the blue prints, was tried by 33 00:03:23.319 --> 00:03:30.439 court martial. The charge was trasen, but Charles Ravignac, his younger brother, 34 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:36.680 promised to prove that the guilty one was the girl, and to that 35 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:43.360 end obtained leave of absence and spent much time and money at the trial. 36 00:03:43.800 --> 00:03:47.400 He was able to show the record of Marie and Berlin and Monte Carlo that 37 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:52.960 she was the daughter of a German secret agent, that on the afternoon the 38 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:58.879 Prince disappeared, Marie, with an agent of the German embassy, had left 39 00:03:59.000 --> 00:04:04.520 Paris for Erlynne. In consequence of this, the charge of selling military secrets 40 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:12.680 was altered to one of gross neglect, and Ri Ravignac was sentenced to two 41 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:17.120 years in the military prison at Tool. But he was of an ancient and 42 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:21.480 noble family, and when they came to take him from his cell in the 43 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:29.959 Chegimidi, he was dead. Charle, his brother disappeared. It was said 44 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:34.000 he also had killed himself, that he had been appointed a military attache in 45 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:40.120 South America, that to revenge his brother, he had entered the Secret Service. 46 00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:45.560 But whatever became of him, no one knew. All that was certain 47 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:49.879 was that, thanks to the act of Marie Guessler on the roles of the 48 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:58.920 French army, the ancient and noble name of Ravignac no longer appeared. In 49 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:05.120 her chosen fashion, Marie Gesler found nothing discreditable of herself. Her opinion was 50 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:11.920 not high, and her opinion of men was lower. For her smiles, 51 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:18.000 she had watched several sacrifice honor, duty, loyalty, and she held them 52 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:25.040 and their kind in contempt to lie, to cajole, to rob men of 53 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:29.920 secrets they thought important, and of secrets the importance of which they did not 54 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:36.360 even guess was to her merely an intricate and exciting game. She played it 55 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:43.079 very well, so well that in the service her advance was rapid. On 56 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:47.639 important missions. She was sent to Russia, through the Balcons even to the 57 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:55.439 United States. There with credentials as an army nurse, she inspected our military 58 00:05:55.519 --> 00:06:03.639 hospitals and unobtrusively asked many innocent questions when she begged to be allowed to work 59 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:11.279 in her beloved Paris. They told her when war came they intended to plant 60 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:15.959 her inside that city, and that until then, the less Paris knew of 61 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:23.399 her, the better. But just before the Great War broke to report on 62 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:28.240 which way Italy might jump, she was sent to Rome, and it was 63 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:33.639 not until September she was recalled. The telegram informed her that Aunt Elizabeth was 64 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:40.560 ill and that at once she must return to Berlin. This, she learned 65 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:46.839 from the cootebook wrapped under the cover of her thermos bottle, meant that she 66 00:06:46.040 --> 00:06:53.839 was to report to the general commanding the German forces at Soissant. From Italy, 67 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:59.160 she passed through Switzerland, and, after leaving Basel on military trains, 68 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:04.800 was rushed north to Luxembourg and then west to Land. She was accompanied by 69 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:12.680 her companion, Betta, an elderly and respectable, even distinguished looking female in 70 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:17.839 the Secret Service. Her number was five hundred twenty eight. Their passes from 71 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:24.560 the War Office described them as nurses of the German Red Cross. Only the 72 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:31.639 Intelligence Department knew their real mission with her, also, as her chauffeur was 73 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:39.680 a young Italian soldier of Fortune paul Anfossea. He had served in the Belgian 74 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:45.639 Congo, in the French Foreign Legion in Algiers, and spoke all the European 75 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:51.160 languages. In Rome, where as a wireless operator he was serving a commercial 76 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:58.519 company in selling Marie copies of messages he had memorized. Marie had found him 77 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:05.240 useful, and war came. She obtained for him from the Wilhelm Strasse the 78 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:11.319 number two hundred ninety two from Lan, in one of the automobiles of the 79 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:16.879 General staff. The three spies were driven first to Soisson and then along the 80 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:24.839 road to Moo and Paris to the village of Nefchelles. They arrived at midnight, 81 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:28.680 and in a chateau of one of the Champagne princes, found the colonel 82 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:37.720 commanding the intelligence bureau. He accepted their credentials, destroyed them, and replaced 83 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:43.360 them with a lesse passey signed by the Mayor of Law that dignitary, the 84 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:50.320 colonel explained to citizens of Lan fleeing to Paris and the coast had issued many 85 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:56.840 passes, but as now between Law and Paris were three German armies, the 86 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:05.720 refugees had been turned back and their houses confiscated. From among them, said 87 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:09.279 the officer, We have selected one for you. It is issued to the 88 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:15.879 wife of Count Doriac, a captain of reserves, and her aunt, Madame 89 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:22.399 Binny. It asks for those ladies under their Chauffeur Brian is a safe conduct 90 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:26.799 through the French military lines. If it gets you into Paris, you will 91 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:31.519 destroy it and assume another name. The Count Doriac kiss now with his regiment 92 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:35.399 in that city. If you learned of the presence there of his wife, 93 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:39.600 he would seek her, and that would not be good for you. So 94 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:45.600 if you reach Paris, you will become a Belgian refugee. You are high 95 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:50.440 born and rich. Your chateau has been destroyed, but you have money. 96 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:54.679 You will give liberally to the Red Cross. You will volunteer to nursen the 97 00:09:54.759 --> 00:10:01.120 hospitals, with your sad story of ill treatment by us, with your high 98 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:05.399 birth and your knowledge of nursing, which you're quiet, of course only as 99 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:09.399 an amateur. You should not find it difficult to join the ladies of France 100 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:16.360 or the American Ambulance. What you learn from the wounded English and French officers 101 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:22.679 and the French doctors, you will send us through the usual channels. When 102 00:10:22.720 --> 00:10:28.559 do I start asked the woman. For a few days, explained the officer. 103 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:33.519 You remain in this chateau. You will keep us informed of what is 104 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:41.440 going forward. After we with a draw. Withdraw. It was more of 105 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:46.720 an exclamation than a question. Marie was too well trained to ask questions. 106 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:52.799 We are taking up a new position, said the officer on the end. 107 00:10:54.279 --> 00:11:01.759 The woman, incredulous, stared, and we do not enter Paris. You 108 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:07.639 do, returned the officer. That is all that concerns you. We will 109 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:13.279 join you later in the spring. Meanwhile, for the winter, we entrench 110 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:18.200 ourselves along the end in a chimney of this chateau. We have set up 111 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:24.639 a wireless outfit. We are leaving it intact. The Chauffeur Brian, who 112 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:28.840 you must explain to the French you brought with you from LANs and who has 113 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:33.480 been long in your service, will transmit whatever you discover. We wish especially 114 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:39.159 to know if any movement toward are left. If they attack us in front 115 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:43.240 from Soisson, we are prepared. But of any attempt to cross the wars 116 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:50.279 and take us in flank, you must warn us. The officer rose and 117 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:56.879 hung upon himself his field glasses, map cases and side arms. We leave 118 00:11:56.919 --> 00:12:01.159 you now, he said. When the French arrive, you will tell them 119 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:07.919 your reason for halting at this chateau was that the owner, Monsieur y Verney, 120 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:11.559 and his family are friends of your husband. You found us here, 121 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:16.039 and we detained you, And so long as you can use the wireless, 122 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:22.200 make excuses to remain. If they offered to send you on to Paris, 123 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:28.679 tell them your aunt is too ill to travel. But they will find the 124 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:33.919 wireless, said the woman. They are sure to use the towers for observation, 125 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:39.000 and they will find it. In that case, said the officer, 126 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:43.240 you will suggest to them that we fled in such haste we had no time 127 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:46.080 to dismantle it. Of course, you had no knowledge that it existed, 128 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:54.519 or as a loyal frenchwoman, you would have at once told them To emphasize 129 00:12:54.559 --> 00:13:00.919 his next words, the officer pointed at her. Under no circumstances, he 130 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:07.360 continued, Must you be suspected if they should take Brion the act, Should 131 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:13.600 they have even the least doubt concerning him, you must repudiate him entirely, 132 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:18.240 if necessary, to keep your own skirts clear. It would be your duty 133 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:26.200 yourself to denounce him as a spy. Your first orders, said the woman 134 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.559 were to tell them, Bryon has been long in my service, that I 135 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:35.919 brought him from my home in law. He might be in your service for 136 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:41.399 years, returned the colonel. And you not know he was a German agent. 137 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:48.039 If to save myself I inform upon him, said Marie. Of course, 138 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:54.240 you know you will lose him. The officer shrugged his shoulders. A 139 00:13:54.320 --> 00:14:00.120 wireless operator, he retorted, we can replace, but for you, and 140 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:03.159 for the service you are to render in Paris, we have no substitute. 141 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:11.879 You must not be found out. You are invaluable. The spy inclined her 142 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:18.759 head. I thank you, she said. The officer sputtered indignantly. It 143 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:22.480 is not a compliment, he exclaimed, it is an order. You must 144 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:30.840 not be found out. With a drawn some two hundred yards from the Paris 145 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:35.759 road, the chateau stood upon a wooded hill. Except directly in front, 146 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:43.440 trees of great height surrounded it. The tips of their branches brushed the windows, 147 00:14:43.840 --> 00:14:48.200 interlacing. They continued until they overhung the wall of the estate, where 148 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:52.840 it ran with the road. The wall gave way to a lofty gate and 149 00:14:54.000 --> 00:15:00.399 iron fence, through which those passing could see a stretch of noble turf as 150 00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:05.600 white as a polo field, borders of flowers disappearing under the shadows of the 151 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:11.039 trays, and the chateau itself, with its terrace, its many windows, 152 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:18.639 its high pitched sloping roof broken by towers and turrets. Through the remainder of 153 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:22.799 the night, there came from the road to those in the chateau, though 154 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:30.440 roar and rumbling of the army and retreat. It moved without panic, disorder, 155 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:35.399 or haste, but unceasingly, not for an instant was there a breathing 156 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:41.320 spell. And when the sun rose, the three spies, the two women 157 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:46.679 and the chauffeur, who in the great chateau were now alone, could see 158 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:54.679 as well as here the gray column of steel rolling past below them. The 159 00:15:54.879 --> 00:16:00.919 spies knew that the gray column had reached Clay, had stood within fifteen miles 160 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:07.279 of Paris, and then upon Paris had turned its back. They knew also 161 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:12.039 that the reverberations from the direction of mur that each moment grew more loud and 162 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:19.720 savage, were the French seventy five's whipping the gray column forward of what they 163 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:25.720 felt. The Germans did not speak in silence. They looked at each other 164 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:32.799 and in the eyes of Marie was bitterness and resolve to what noon Marie meant 165 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.080 Unfese in the great drawing room that stretched in the length of the terrace, 166 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:42.720 and from the windows of which through the park gates they could see the Paris 167 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:49.799 road. This that is passing now, said Marie, is the last of 168 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:56.039 our rear guard. Go to your tower, she ordered, and send word 169 00:16:56.320 --> 00:17:00.559 that, except for stragglers and the wounded, our column has just passed through. 170 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:07.400 Nachelle into that any moment we expect the French. She raised her hand 171 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:14.599 impressively. From now, she warned, we speak French, we think French. 172 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:22.319 We are French. Unforesee or brillant as now he called himself addressed her 173 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:29.400 in that language. His tone was bitter. Pardon my lease, majesty, 174 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:34.359 he said, but this chief of your intelligence department is a duma mane. 175 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:41.920 He is throwing away a valuable life. Mary exclaimed in dismay. She placed 176 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:48.839 her hand upon his arm, and the violet eyes filled with concern. Not 177 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:56.480 yours, she protested, absolutely returned to the Italian I can send nothing by 178 00:17:56.519 --> 00:18:02.680 this knapsack wireless that they will not to learn from others from here. Min 179 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:07.440 Uhland's the peasants in the fields, and certainly I will be caught. Did 180 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:11.920 I am dead? But a life? And in Paris the opportunities are unending. 181 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:18.200 From the French ligion etrange, I have my honorable discharge. I am 182 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:23.119 an expert wireless operator, and in their signal core I can easily find a 183 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:27.720 place. Imagine me then on the Eiffel Tower. From the air, I 184 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:33.359 snatch news from all of France. From the channel the North Sea. You 185 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:38.279 and I could work together as in Rome, but here between the lines, 186 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:45.799 with a pass from a village suprethe it is ridiculous. I am not afraid 187 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:51.640 to die, but to die because someone else's stupid, that is hard. 188 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:57.960 Marie clasped his hand in both of hers. He must not speak of death, 189 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:03.559 she cried. You know I must carry out my own orders, that 190 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:07.519 I must force you to take this risk, and you know that thought of 191 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:15.039 harm to you tortures me. Quickly, the young man disengaged his hand. 192 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:19.880 The woman exclaimed with anger. Why do you doubt me, she cried. 193 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:29.839 Brillon protested vehemently, I do not doubt you. My affection. Then, 194 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:36.640 in a whisper that carried with it the feeling of a caress Marie added softly, 195 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:44.680 my love. The young man protested miserably. You make it very hard, 196 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:49.519 Mademoiselle, he cried, You are my superior officer, I am your 197 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:56.519 servant. Who am I that I should share with others? The woman interrupted 198 00:19:56.599 --> 00:20:02.359 eagerly, Ah, you are jealous, right? Is that why you are 199 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:07.079 so cruel? But when I tell you I love you and only you can 200 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:12.359 you not feel it is of the truth. The young man frowned, unhappily. 201 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:21.480 My duty, mademoiselle, he stamned with an exclamation of anger. Marie 202 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:26.880 left him as the door slamped behind her. The young man drew a deep 203 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:34.400 breath on his face was the expression of ineffable relief in the whole. Marie 204 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:41.880 met her elderly companion Berta, now her aunt Madame Binny. I hurt you, 205 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:48.000 quarreling, Beta protested, it is most indiscreet. It is not in 206 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:55.079 the part of the Comtesse Driac that she makes love to her chauffeur. Marie 207 00:20:55.240 --> 00:21:02.519 laughed noiselessly and drew her further down the hall. He is imbecile, she 208 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:07.799 exclaimed. He will kill me with his solemn face and his conceit. I 209 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:11.079 make love to him. Yes, that he may work the more willingly, 210 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:15.079 but he will have none of it. He is jealous of the others, 211 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:23.160 Madame Bili frowned. He resents the others, she corrected, I do not 212 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:30.160 blame him. He is a gentleman and the others, demanded Marie. Were 213 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:36.640 they not of the most noble families of Rome. I am old and I 214 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:41.759 am ugly, said Bertin. But to me, all for Sea is always 215 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:48.400 as considerate as he is to you, who are so beautiful. An Italian 216 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:55.759 gentleman returned, Marie does not serve in Belgian congo, unless it is the 217 00:21:55.839 --> 00:22:02.480 choice of that or the marble queries. I do not know what his past 218 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:07.960 may be, sighed Madame Binay, nor do I ask. He is only 219 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:11.200 a number, as you and I are only numbers, and I beg you 220 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:17.119 to let us work in harmony at such a time your love affairs threaten our 221 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:25.240 safety. You must wait, Marie laughed insolently. With the du Barrie. 222 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:30.359 She protested, I can boast that I wait for no man. No, 223 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:37.880 replied the older woman. You pursue him. Marie would have answered sharply, 224 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:42.880 but on the instant her interest was diverted. For one week, by day 225 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:49.599 and night She had lived in a world peopled only by German soldiers. Beside 226 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:55.599 her in the railroad carriage, on the station platforms, at the windows of 227 00:22:55.720 --> 00:23:00.480 the trains that passed the one in which she rode, at the rate crossings, 228 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:07.119 on the bridges, in the roads that paralleled the tracks choking the streets 229 00:23:07.160 --> 00:23:11.480 of the villages, and spread over the fields of grain. She had seen 230 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:18.799 only the gray green uniforms. Even her professional eye no longer distinguished regiment from 231 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:26.920 regiment, Dragoon, from Grenadier Ulan from Hussar or lunch dorm. Stripes, 232 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:33.319 insignia, numerals, badges of rank had lost their meaning. Those who wore 233 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:37.920 them no longer were individuals. They were not even human. During the three 234 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:44.480 last days, the automobile, like a motor boat fighting the tide, had 235 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:51.400 crept through a great green river of men, stained as though from the banks 236 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:56.799 by mud and yellow clay. And for hours, while the car was blocked 237 00:23:56.039 --> 00:24:03.160 and in fury, the engine raced and had The gray green river had rolled 238 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:07.519 past her, slowly, but as inevitably as lava down the slope of a 239 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:17.039 volcano, bearing on its surface faces with staring eyes, thousands and thousands of 240 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:22.880 eyes, some fierce and bloodshot, others filled with a weariness, homesickness, 241 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:30.319 pain. At night she still saw them, the white faces, under the 242 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:37.279 sweat and dust, the eyes dumb, inarticulate, asking the answer. She 243 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:41.880 had been suffocated by German soldiers, by the mass of them, engulfed and 244 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:51.400 smothered. She had stifled in a land inhabited only by gray, green ghosts. 245 00:24:52.240 --> 00:25:03.519 End of Part one, Part two of Somewhere in France by Richard Hudding 246 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:10.640 Davis. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Caroline. Part 247 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:17.119 two. And suddenly, as though a miracle had been wrought, she saw 248 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:22.799 upon the lawn riding toward her a man in scarlet, blue and silver, 249 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:32.200 one man riding alone, approaching with confidence but alert, his reins fallen, 250 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:37.359 his hands nursing his carbine, His eyes searched the shadows of the trees, 251 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:45.440 the empty windows, even the sun swept sky. His was the new face 252 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:49.720 at the door, the new step on the floor, And the spy knew 253 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:55.119 had she beheld an army corps, it would have been no more significant, 254 00:25:55.559 --> 00:26:02.680 no more menacing, than the solitary chasseur racheval scouting in advance of the enemy. 255 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:10.920 We are saved, exclaimed Marie, with irony. Go quickly. She 256 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:15.200 commanded to the bedroom on the second floor that opens upon the staircase, so 257 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:19.200 that you can see all who pass. You are too ill to travel. 258 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:27.079 They must find you in bed, and you said Bertha, I cried Marie 259 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:37.279 rapturously hastened to welcome our preserver. The preserver was a peasant lad under the 260 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:41.960 white dust. His cheeks were burnt a brown red, his eyes honest and 261 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:48.319 blue, throw much staring at the skies and at horizon lines, were pocketed 262 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:53.920 and enriched with tiny wrinkles. Responsibility had made him older than his years. 263 00:26:55.319 --> 00:27:00.960 And in speech brief with the beautiful lady who, with tears of joy ran 264 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:06.119 to greet him, and who, in an ecstasy of happiness, pressed her 265 00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:11.880 cheeks against the nose of his horse. He was unimpressed. He returned to 266 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:18.720 her her papers and gravely echoed her answers to his questions. This chateau, 267 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:25.240 he repeated, was occupied by their general staff. They have left no wounded 268 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:30.680 here. You saw the last of them pass a half hour since he gathered 269 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:37.359 up his reins. Marie shrieked in alarm. You will not leave us. 270 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:42.880 She cried. For the first time, the young man permitted himself to smile. 271 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:49.480 Others arrive soon, he said, He touched his shako, wheeled his 272 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:53.759 horse in the direction from which he had come, and a minute later Marie 273 00:27:53.839 --> 00:28:00.920 heard the hoofs echoing through the empty village. When they came. The others 274 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:06.799 were more sympathetic. Even in times of war. A beautiful woman was still 275 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:11.480 a beautiful woman, and the staff officers who moved into the quarters so lately 276 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:17.839 occupied by the enemy, found, in the presence of the Countess Driac nothing 277 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:22.279 to distress them. In the absence of her dear friend, Madamie Verni, 278 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:29.640 the chatelaine of the chateau, she acted as their hostess. Her chauffeur, 279 00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:33.200 showed the company cooks the way to the kitchen, the larder, and the 280 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:40.200 charcoal box. She herself, in the hunts of General Andrea, placed the 281 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:45.559 keys of the famous wine cellar, and to the surgeon, that the wounded 282 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:52.240 might be freshly bandaged, entrusted those of the linen closet. After the indignities 283 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:56.480 she had suffered well detained by les Bosch, her delight and relief at again 284 00:28:56.559 --> 00:29:02.359 finding herself under the protection of her own people would have touched a heart of 285 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:08.039 stone, and the hearts of the staff were not of stone. It was 286 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:15.039 with regret they gave the contest permission to continue on her way. At this, 287 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:21.359 she exclaimed with gratitude. She assured them, were her aunt able to 288 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:26.640 travel, she would immediately depart. In Paris, she will be more comfortable 289 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:33.480 than here, said the kind surgeon. He was a reservist, and in 290 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:37.279 times of peace, of fashionable physician, and as much at his ease in 291 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:44.799 a boudoir as in a field hospital. Perhaps if I saw Madame Binny at 292 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:49.079 the suggestion, the contest was overjoyed. But they found Madame Binny in a 293 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:55.920 state of complete collapse. The conduct of the Germans had brought about a nervous 294 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:03.079 breakdown. Though the bridges are destroyed it at muh urged the surgeon. Even 295 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:06.599 with a detour, you can be in Paris in four hours. I think 296 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:11.680 it is worth the effort. But the mere thought of the journey through Madame 297 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:17.960 Biney into hysterics. She asked only to rest. She begged for an opiate 298 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:22.640 to make her sleep. She begged also that they would leave the door open, 299 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:26.319 so that when she dreamt, she was still in the hands of the 300 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:32.000 Germans, and awoke in terror. The sound of the dear French voices and 301 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:37.440 the sight of the beloved French uniforms might reassure her. She played her part 302 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:45.240 well. Concerning her, Marie felt not the least anxiety. But towards Brillant, 303 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:52.480 the chauffeur, the new arrivals were less easily satisfied. The General sent 304 00:30:52.599 --> 00:30:59.079 his adjutant for the countess. When the adjutant had closed the door, General 305 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:06.480 Andre began abruptly the chauffeur Brian. He asked, you know him, you 306 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:12.799 can vouch for him, But certainly, protested Marie, he is an Italian, 307 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:19.839 as though with sudden enlightenment. Marie laughed, It was as if now 308 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:26.519 in the suspicion of the officer, she's so a certain reasonableness. Brian was 309 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:32.359 so long in the foreign legion, and Algier, she explained, where my 310 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:34.960 husband found him, that we have come to think of him as French, 311 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:41.279 as much French as ourselves, I assure you. The General and his adjutant 312 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:48.000 were regarding each other questioningly. Perhaps I should tell the comtesse, began the 313 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:55.079 General, that we have learned the signal from the adjutant was so slight, 314 00:31:55.480 --> 00:32:00.400 so swift, that Marie barely intercepted it. The lips of the General shut 315 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:05.559 together like the leaves of a book, to show the interview was at an 316 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:09.920 end. He reached for a pen. I thank you, he said, 317 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:17.240 of course, prompted the adjutant, Madame Durriac understands. The man must not 318 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:25.160 know we inquired concerning him. General Andrea frowned at Marie. Certainly not, 319 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:30.960 he commanded. The honest fellow must not know that, even for a moment 320 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:38.079 he was doubted. Marie raised the violet eyes, reprovingly, I trust, 321 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:44.079 she said, with reproach, I too well understand the feelings of a French 322 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:50.759 soldier to let him know his loyalty is questioned. With the murmur of appreciation, 323 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:55.000 the officers bowed, and with a gesture of gracious pardon, Marie left 324 00:32:55.119 --> 00:33:01.920 them outside in the hall with an but orderlies to observe. Like a cloak, 325 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:08.799 the graciousness fell from her. She was drawn two ways in her work. 326 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:14.680 Unfossea was valuable, but Unfossea, suspected, was less than of no 327 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:21.960 value. He became a menace, a death warrant. General Andrea had said, 328 00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:28.440 we have learned, and the adjutant had halted him. What had he 329 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:35.039 learned to know that Marie would have given much. Still, one important fact 330 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:42.960 comforted her. Unfossea alone was suspected. Had there been concerning herself the slightest 331 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:47.359 doubt, they certainly would not have allowed her to guess her companion was under 332 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:53.880 surveillance. They would not have asked one who was herself suspected to vouch for 333 00:33:53.920 --> 00:34:00.880 the innocence of a fellow conspirator. Marie found the course to follow difficult with 334 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:07.039 Unfosee under suspicion. His usefulness was for the moment at an end, and 335 00:34:07.280 --> 00:34:14.280 to accept the chance offered her to continue on to Paris seemed most wise. 336 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:21.039 On the other hand, if concerning Unfosee she had succeeded in allaying their doubts, 337 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:25.840 the results most to be desired could be attained only by remaining where they 338 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:35.440 were. Their position inside the lines was of the greatest strategic value. The 339 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:39.239 rims of the servants were under the roof, and that Bryll should sleep in 340 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:45.400 one of them was natural. That to reach or leave his room he should 341 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:52.800 constantly be ascending or descending the stairs also was natural the field wireless outfit, 342 00:34:52.400 --> 00:35:00.119 or as they had disdainfully described it, the knapsack wireless was situated not in 343 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:05.880 the bedroom he had selected for himself, but in one adjoining. At other 344 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:10.239 times this was occupied by the maid of Madami Verni. To summon her maid, 345 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:15.480 madamei Verni from her apartment on the second floor, had but to press 346 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:21.599 a button. And it was in the apartment of Madameie Verni, and on 347 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:27.639 the bed of that lady that Madame Binis now reclined. When through the open 348 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:32.440 door she saw an officer or soldier mount the stairs, she pressed the button 349 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:37.559 that rang a bell in the room of the maid. In this way, 350 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:43.280 long before whoever was ascending the stairs could reach the top floor. Warning of 351 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:47.159 his approach came to um for Sea. It gave him time to replace the 352 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:53.199 dustboard over the fireplace in which the wireless was concealed, and to escape into 353 00:35:53.280 --> 00:36:00.400 his own bedroom. The arrangement was ideal, and already in formation picked up 354 00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:05.880 in the holds below by Marie had been conveyed to Unforesee to relay in a 355 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:14.000 French cipher to the German general staff at Rheims. Marie made an alert and 356 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:19.679 charming hostess to all who saw her, it was evident that her mind was 357 00:36:19.840 --> 00:36:24.679 intent only upon the comfort of her guests. Throughout the day, many came 358 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:30.800 and went, but each she made welcome. To each as he departed, 359 00:36:30.199 --> 00:36:38.679 she called Beauchamp's efficient, tireless tactful. She was everywhere, in the dining 360 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:44.960 room, in the kitchen, in the bedrooms for the wounded, finding mattresses 361 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:50.639 to spread, in the gorgeous salons of the Champagne Prince, for the soldier 362 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:55.280 chauffeurs, carrying wine, into the courtyard, where the automobiles panted and growled, 363 00:36:55.760 --> 00:37:01.599 and the arriving and departing shrieked for right of way. At all times 364 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:07.880 an alluring person, now the only woman in a tumult of men, her 365 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:13.880 smart frock covered by an apron, her head and arms bare, undismayed by 366 00:37:13.880 --> 00:37:17.920 the sight of the wounded, or by the distant rumble of the guns. 367 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:23.599 The Comtesse Dorjac, who was an inspiring and beautiful picture the eyes of the 368 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:30.719 officers young and old, informed her of that fact, one of which already 369 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:36.039 she was well aware. By the morning of the next day, she was 370 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:43.159 accepted as the owner of the chateau, and though Continually she reminded the staff 371 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:47.400 she was present only as the friend of her schoolmate, madamei Verni. They 372 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:53.000 deferred to her as hostess. Many of them she already saluted by name, 373 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:59.679 And to those who with messages were constantly motoring to and from the front at 374 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:05.599 s s she was particularly kind. Overnight. The legend of her charm, 375 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:10.119 of her devotion to the soldiers of all the ranks, had spread from Sois 376 00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:15.920 Sant to Mur, and from Mur to Paris. It was noon of that 377 00:38:15.159 --> 00:38:22.400 day when from the window of the second story Marie saw an armored automobile sweep 378 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:27.840 into the courtyard. It was driven by an officer, young and appallingly good 379 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:30.840 looking, and, as was obvious by the way he spun his car, 380 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:37.440 one who held in contempt both the law of gravity and death. That he 381 00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:44.320 was someone of importance seemed evident. Before he could alight, the adjutant had 382 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:50.440 raised to meet him. With her eye for detail, Marie observed that the 383 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:55.239 young officer, instead of imparting information, received it. He must, she 384 00:38:55.320 --> 00:39:00.320 guessed, have just arrived from Paris, and his brother officer either was telling 385 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:06.280 him the news or giving him his orders, whichever it might be. In 386 00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:12.000 what was told him. The new arrival was greatly interested. One instant in 387 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:17.119 indignation, his gauntleted fist beat upon the steering wheel, the next he smiled 388 00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:23.119 with pleasure. To interpret his pantomime was difficult, and the better to inform 389 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:30.239 herself. Marie descended the stairs. As she reached the lower hole, the 390 00:39:30.239 --> 00:39:37.000 two offices entered to the spy. The man last to arrive was always the 391 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:43.760 one of the greatest importance, and Marie assured herself that through her friend the 392 00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:50.639 adjutant, to meet this one would prove easy. But the chauffeur, commander 393 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:55.639 of the armored car made it most difficult. At sight of Marie, much 394 00:39:55.760 --> 00:40:00.719 to her alarm. As though greeting a dear friend, he snatched his keeping 395 00:40:00.840 --> 00:40:07.920 from his head and sprang toward her. The major, he cried, told 396 00:40:07.960 --> 00:40:13.960 me you were here, That you are, Madame Doriac. His eyes spoke 397 00:40:14.079 --> 00:40:19.920 his admiration. In delight he beamed upon her. I might have known it, 398 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:24.960 he murmured, with the confidence of one who is sure he brings good 399 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:31.159 news. He laughed happily. And I, he cried, am Pierro, 400 00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:38.320 Who the devil Piero might be? The spy could not guess she knew only 401 00:40:38.400 --> 00:40:43.960 that she wished by a German shell. Piero and his car had been blown 402 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:49.480 to tiny fragments. Was it a trap, she asked herself, or was 403 00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:54.679 the handsome youth really some one the Comtesse d'riac should know. But as from 404 00:40:54.679 --> 00:41:00.559 his introducing himself, it was evident he could not know that lady very well. 405 00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:08.360 Marie took courage and smiled. Which pierrot she parried? Pierre Tierie cried 406 00:41:08.599 --> 00:41:14.599 the youth, to the relief of Marie. He turned upon the adjutant and 407 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:20.960 to him explained who Pierre tierri might be. Paul Doriac, he said, 408 00:41:21.559 --> 00:41:27.119 is my dearest friend. When he married this charming lady. I was stationed 409 00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:30.000 in Algier, and but for the war, I might never have met her. 410 00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:36.039 To Marie, with his hands on his heart, in a most charming 411 00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:42.519 manner, he bowed his admiration. He made no effort to conceal, and 412 00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:51.039 so he said, I know why there's war. The adjutant smiled indulgently and 413 00:41:51.360 --> 00:41:57.880 departed on his duties, leaving them alone. The handsome eyes of Captain Thierrie 414 00:41:58.079 --> 00:42:02.719 were raised to the violet eyes of Marie. They praised her boldly, and 415 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:12.239 as boldly expressed their approval in burlesque, the young man exclaimed indignantly, Paul 416 00:42:12.320 --> 00:42:16.559 deceived me, he cried. He told me he had married the most beautiful 417 00:42:16.599 --> 00:42:22.400 woman in law. He has married the most beautiful woman in France. To 418 00:42:22.599 --> 00:42:29.320 Marie, this was not impertinence, but gallantry. This was a language she 419 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:34.840 understood, and this was the type of man. Because he was the least 420 00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:40.280 difficult to manage, she held most in contempt. But about you, Paul 421 00:42:40.320 --> 00:42:46.360 did not deceive me, she retorted, in apparent confusion. Her eyes refused 422 00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:53.119 to meet his. He told me Pierrot was a most dangerous man, she 423 00:42:53.239 --> 00:43:00.880 continued, hurriedly, with wifely solicitude. She asked concerning Paul. She explained 424 00:43:00.039 --> 00:43:05.000 that for a week she had been a prisoner in the chateau, and since 425 00:43:05.039 --> 00:43:09.559 the mobilization of her husband, save that he was with his regiment in Paris, 426 00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:15.760 she had heard nothing. Captain Thiery was able to give her latent news. 427 00:43:15.480 --> 00:43:21.599 Only the day previous, on the boulevard he had met Count Doriac. 428 00:43:22.280 --> 00:43:25.760 He was at the Grand Hotel, and as Tierri was at once motoring back 429 00:43:25.800 --> 00:43:30.960 to Paris, he would give Paul news of their meeting he hoped he might 430 00:43:31.079 --> 00:43:37.239 tell him that soon his wife also would be in Paris. Marie explained that 431 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:42.800 only the illness of her aunt prevented her from that same day joining her husband. 432 00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:49.639 Her manner became serious. And what other news have you, she asked, 433 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:52.800 Here on the firing line, we know less of what is going forward 434 00:43:52.880 --> 00:44:00.679 than you in Paris. So Pierre Tieri told her all he knew they were 435 00:44:00.880 --> 00:44:05.280 preparing dispatches. He was at once to carry back to the general's staff, 436 00:44:05.679 --> 00:44:09.599 and for the moment his time was his own. How could he better employ 437 00:44:09.639 --> 00:44:16.360 it than talking of the war with a patriotic and charming frenchwoman. In consequence, 438 00:44:16.440 --> 00:44:22.840 Marie acquired a mass of facts, gossip and guesses. From these, 439 00:44:23.079 --> 00:44:30.840 she mentally selected such information as to her employers across the end would be of 440 00:44:30.159 --> 00:44:44.159 vital interest. And of Part two, Part three of Somewhere in France by 441 00:44:44.239 --> 00:44:49.880 rich Parding Davis. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by 442 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:58.239 Caroline Part three and to rid herself of Thieri and on the fourth floor a 443 00:44:58.360 --> 00:45:04.039 scone Faus, who was now her only wish. But in attempting this by 444 00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:08.760 the return of the adjutant, she was delayed to Thieri. The adjutant gave 445 00:45:08.840 --> 00:45:15.679 a sealed envelope thirty one Boulevardi's invalid, he said, with a smile. 446 00:45:15.760 --> 00:45:22.960 He turned to Marie, and you will accompany him, I exclaimed Marie. 447 00:45:23.719 --> 00:45:30.199 She was sick with sudden terror, but the tolerant smile of the adjutant reassured 448 00:45:30.239 --> 00:45:36.400 her. The Count, your husband, he explained, has learned of your 449 00:45:36.400 --> 00:45:40.079 detention here by the enemy, and he has besieged the general staff to have 450 00:45:40.199 --> 00:45:46.639 you conveyed safely to Paris. The adjutant glanced at a field telegram he held 451 00:45:46.760 --> 00:45:52.639 open in his haunt. He asks, He continued, that you be permitted 452 00:45:52.760 --> 00:45:58.480 to return in the car of his friend, Captain Thierri, and that on 453 00:45:58.639 --> 00:46:05.280 arriving you join him at the Grand Hotel. Thierie exclaimed with a delight. 454 00:46:06.119 --> 00:46:10.400 But how charming, he cried. Tonight you must both dine with me at 455 00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:17.800 Larus. He saluted his superior officer. Some petrol, sir, he said, 456 00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:22.960 and I am ready to Marie, he added, the car will be 457 00:46:23.000 --> 00:46:30.320 at the steps in five minutes. He turned and left them. The thoughts 458 00:46:30.360 --> 00:46:37.199 of Marie snatching at an excuse for delay, raised madly the danger of meeting 459 00:46:37.239 --> 00:46:42.840 the Count Doriac, her supposed husband, did not alarm her. The Grant 460 00:46:42.880 --> 00:46:46.800 hotel has many exits, and even before they reached it for leaving the car, 461 00:46:46.920 --> 00:46:52.800 she could invent an excuse that the gallant Thierrie would not suspect. But 462 00:46:53.079 --> 00:47:00.320 what now concerned her was how before she was whisped away to Paris she could 463 00:47:00.400 --> 00:47:06.199 convey too for see the information she had gathered from Tierrie. First, of 464 00:47:06.280 --> 00:47:10.199 a woman overcome with a delight at being reunited with her husband, she gave 465 00:47:10.239 --> 00:47:16.000 an excellent imitation. Then she exclaimed, in distress. But my aunt, 466 00:47:16.079 --> 00:47:22.880 Madame Binais, she cried, I cannot leave her. The sisters of Saint 467 00:47:22.920 --> 00:47:29.199 Francis, said, the adjutant arrive within an hour to nurse the wounded. 468 00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:37.280 They will care also for your aunt. Marie concealed her chagrin. Then I 469 00:47:37.320 --> 00:47:42.880 will at once prepare to go, she said. The adjutant handed her a 470 00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:47.920 slip of paper. Yur lesse passee to Paris. He said, you leave 471 00:47:49.000 --> 00:47:54.559 in five minutes, Madame. As temporary hostess of the chateau, Marie was 472 00:47:54.679 --> 00:47:59.519 free to visit any part of it, and as she passed her door, 473 00:48:00.119 --> 00:48:05.079 signal from Madame Biney told her that Unforesea was on the fourth floor, that 474 00:48:05.239 --> 00:48:09.119 he was at work, and that the coast was clear, softly, and 475 00:48:09.199 --> 00:48:15.159 the felt slippers she always wore, as she explained, in order not to 476 00:48:15.199 --> 00:48:21.280 disturb the wounded, She mounted the staircase. In her hand, she carried 477 00:48:21.440 --> 00:48:25.280 the housekeeper's keys, and as an excuse, it was her plan to return 478 00:48:25.360 --> 00:48:30.800 with an armful of linen for the arriving sisters. But Marie never reached the 479 00:48:30.840 --> 00:48:36.320 top of the stairs. When her eyes rose to the level of the fourth 480 00:48:36.360 --> 00:48:42.519 floor, she came to a sudden halt at what she saw. Terror gripped 481 00:48:42.559 --> 00:48:47.000 her, bound her hand and foot, and turned her blood to ice. 482 00:48:49.960 --> 00:48:52.840 At her post. For an instant, Madame Biney had slept, and an 483 00:48:52.840 --> 00:49:00.840 officer of the staff, led by curiosity, chance or suspicion, had unobserved 484 00:49:00.880 --> 00:49:06.199 and unannounced, mounted to the fourth floor. When Marie saw him, he 485 00:49:06.280 --> 00:49:09.960 was in front of the room that held the wireless. His back was toward 486 00:49:10.079 --> 00:49:15.679 her, but she saw that he was holding the door to the room ajar, 487 00:49:15.440 --> 00:49:21.360 that his eye was pressed to the opening, and that through it he 488 00:49:21.400 --> 00:49:25.400 had pushed the muzzle of his automatic. What would be the fate of Aunt 489 00:49:25.440 --> 00:49:31.559 Fausee Marine knew, nor did she for an instant consider it. Her thoughts 490 00:49:31.599 --> 00:49:38.519 were of her own safety, that she might live, not that she might 491 00:49:38.559 --> 00:49:45.159 still serve the Vlhelmstrasse, the Kaiser or the fatherland, but that she might 492 00:49:45.280 --> 00:49:50.239 live. In a moment on foresee would be denounced, the chateau would ring 493 00:49:50.320 --> 00:49:53.559 with the alarm. And though she knew on for Sea would not betray her 494 00:49:54.000 --> 00:50:00.519 by others, she might be accused to avert suspicion from herself. She saw 495 00:50:00.599 --> 00:50:07.400 only one way open. She must be the first to denounce on for Sea. 496 00:50:07.679 --> 00:50:13.320 Like a dear she leaped down the marble stairs, and, in a 497 00:50:13.400 --> 00:50:17.280 panic she had no need to assume, burst into the presence of the staff. 498 00:50:19.960 --> 00:50:24.880 Gentlemen. She gasped, my servant, the Chauffeur Bryant is a spy. 499 00:50:25.639 --> 00:50:29.880 There's a German wireless in the chateau. He is using it. I 500 00:50:29.920 --> 00:50:37.239 have seen him. With exclamations, the officers arose to their feet. General 501 00:50:37.320 --> 00:50:45.639 Andrea alone remained seated. General Andrea was a veteran of many colonial wars Cochin, 502 00:50:45.760 --> 00:50:51.119 China, Algiers, Morocco. The Great War. When it came found 503 00:50:51.199 --> 00:50:59.000 him on duty in the intelligence department. He's aquiline nose, bristling white eyebrows, 504 00:50:59.079 --> 00:51:07.320 and flashing, restless eyes gave him his nickname of Lele. In amazement. 505 00:51:07.519 --> 00:51:12.280 The flashing eyes were now turned upon Marie. He glared her as though 506 00:51:12.320 --> 00:51:19.280 he thought she suddenly had flown mad. A German wireless, he protested, 507 00:51:19.840 --> 00:51:25.559 it is impossible. I was on the fourth floor, panted Marie, collecting 508 00:51:25.599 --> 00:51:30.039 linen for the sisters. In the room next to the linen closet, I 509 00:51:30.119 --> 00:51:34.639 heard a strange buzzing sound. I opened the door softly. I saw Brillon 510 00:51:34.800 --> 00:51:38.280 with his back to me, seated by an instrument. There were receivers clamped 511 00:51:38.320 --> 00:51:44.360 to his ears. My God, the disgrace, The disgrace to my husband 512 00:51:44.400 --> 00:51:50.519 and to me who vouched for him. To you, apparently in an agony 513 00:51:50.559 --> 00:51:55.199 of remorse, the fingers of the woman laced and interlaced. I cannot forgive 514 00:51:55.280 --> 00:52:02.599 myself. The officers moved to watch the door, but General Andrea halted them 515 00:52:04.440 --> 00:52:08.599 still in a tone of incredulity, he demanded, when did you see this? 516 00:52:10.280 --> 00:52:15.559 Marie knew the question was coming, knew she must explain how she saw 517 00:52:15.599 --> 00:52:20.320 Brian, and yet did not see the staff officer, who, with his 518 00:52:20.480 --> 00:52:25.599 prisoner might now at any instant appear. She must make it plain that she 519 00:52:25.719 --> 00:52:30.880 had discovered the spy and left the upper part of the house before the officer 520 00:52:30.920 --> 00:52:36.440 had visited it. When that was, she could not know, But the 521 00:52:36.559 --> 00:52:42.119 chance was that he had preceded her by only a few minutes. When did 522 00:52:42.159 --> 00:52:49.079 you see this, repeated the General. But just now, cried Marie. 523 00:52:49.519 --> 00:52:53.599 Not ten minutes. Since why did you not come to me at once? 524 00:52:55.039 --> 00:53:00.480 I was afraid, replied Marie. If I moved. I was afraid he 525 00:53:00.559 --> 00:53:04.840 might hear me, and he, knowing I would expose him, would kill 526 00:53:04.880 --> 00:53:12.400 me and so escape you. There was an eager whisper of approval for silence. 527 00:53:12.559 --> 00:53:19.880 General Andrea slapped his hand upon the table, then continued Marie. I 528 00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:22.480 understood. With the receivers on his ears, he could not have heard me 529 00:53:22.599 --> 00:53:27.880 open the door, nor could he hear me leave. And I ran to 530 00:53:27.960 --> 00:53:31.280 my aunt. The thought that we had harbored such an animal sickened me, 531 00:53:31.800 --> 00:53:36.679 and I was weak enough to feel faint, but only for an instant. 532 00:53:37.360 --> 00:53:43.760 Then I came here. She moved swiftly to the door. Let me show 533 00:53:43.760 --> 00:53:46.559 you the room, she begged, you can take him in the act. 534 00:53:49.079 --> 00:53:54.679 Her eyes wild with the excitement of the chase swept the circle. Will you 535 00:53:54.840 --> 00:54:02.360 come, she begged. Conscious of the crisis, he interrupted. The orderly 536 00:54:02.360 --> 00:54:09.920 on duty opened the door. Captain Tierry's compliments, he recited mechanically, and 537 00:54:10.199 --> 00:54:16.280 is he to delay longer for Madame Doriac. With a sharp gesture, General 538 00:54:16.320 --> 00:54:22.719 Andre waved Marie towards the door without rising. He inclined his head. Adieu, 539 00:54:22.880 --> 00:54:28.920 Madame, he said, we act at once upon your information. I 540 00:54:29.079 --> 00:54:35.039 thank you. As she crossed from the hole to the terrace, the ears 541 00:54:35.079 --> 00:54:40.119 of the spy were assaulted by a sudden tumult of voices. They were raised 542 00:54:40.119 --> 00:54:45.079 in threats and curses. Looking back, she saw all for Sea descending the 543 00:54:45.199 --> 00:54:52.000 stairs. His hands were held above his head, behind him with his automatic 544 00:54:52.400 --> 00:54:57.039 the staff officer she had surprised on the fourth floor was driving him forward, 545 00:54:57.800 --> 00:55:02.480 above the clinched fists of the soldiers that ran to meet him. The eyes 546 00:55:02.519 --> 00:55:09.000 of anful Sea were turned toward her. His face was expressionless, his eyes 547 00:55:09.199 --> 00:55:15.599 neither accused nor reproached, and with the joy of one who has looked upon 548 00:55:15.639 --> 00:55:21.280 it, then escaped the guillotine. Marie ran down the steps to the waiting 549 00:55:21.280 --> 00:55:28.679 automobile with a pretty cry of pleasure. She leaped into the seat beside Tierrie. 550 00:55:28.920 --> 00:55:34.639 Gaily. She threw out her arms to Paris, she commanded. The 551 00:55:34.719 --> 00:55:39.840 handsome eyes of Tierrie, eloquent with admiration, looked back into hers. He 552 00:55:40.079 --> 00:55:46.119 stopped through in the clutch, and the great gray car with the machine gun 553 00:55:46.199 --> 00:55:53.480 and its crew of privates guarding the rear, plunged through the park to Paris, 554 00:55:53.920 --> 00:56:00.760 echoed Tierrie, in the order in which Marie had last seen them. 555 00:56:00.239 --> 00:56:07.280 Unfosee and the staff officer entered the room of General Andrea, and upon the 556 00:56:07.360 --> 00:56:12.760 soldiers in the hall. The door was shut. The face of the staff 557 00:56:12.800 --> 00:56:19.760 officer was grave, but his voice could not conceal his elation. My General, 558 00:56:20.239 --> 00:56:23.159 he reported, I found this man in the act of giving information to 559 00:56:23.199 --> 00:56:30.519 the enemy. There is a wireless General Andrea rose slowly. He looked neither 560 00:56:30.679 --> 00:56:37.519 the officer nor at his prisoner. With frowning eyes, he stared down at 561 00:56:37.559 --> 00:56:44.320 the maps upon his table. I know, he interrupted, someone has already 562 00:56:44.360 --> 00:56:49.719 told me. He paused, and then, as though recalling his manners, 563 00:56:49.800 --> 00:56:53.760 but still without raising his eyes, he added, you have done well, 564 00:56:53.920 --> 00:57:01.800 sir. In silence. The officers of the staff stood motionless with surprise. 565 00:57:02.079 --> 00:57:08.440 They noted that as yet neither anger nor curiosity had General Andrea glanced at the 566 00:57:08.519 --> 00:57:14.960 prisoner. But of the presence of the General, the spy was most acutely 567 00:57:15.079 --> 00:57:21.039 conscious. He stood erect, his arms still raised, but his body strained 568 00:57:21.079 --> 00:57:25.639 forward, and on the averted eyes of the General, his own were fixed 569 00:57:28.599 --> 00:57:35.679 in an agony of supplication. They asked a question. At last, as 570 00:57:35.719 --> 00:57:39.639 though against his wish, toward the spy, the General turned his head and 571 00:57:39.920 --> 00:57:46.280 their eyes met, and still General Andrea was silent. Then the arms of 572 00:57:46.360 --> 00:57:51.440 the spy, like those of a runner who has finished his race, and 573 00:57:51.599 --> 00:57:57.679 beats the tape. Exhausted, fell to his sides. In a voice low 574 00:57:57.719 --> 00:58:01.760 and vibrant, he spoke his question. It has been so long, sir, 575 00:58:02.480 --> 00:58:09.599 he pleaded, May I not come home. General Andre turned to the 576 00:58:09.679 --> 00:58:15.239 astonished group surrounding him. His voice was hushed, like that of one who 577 00:58:15.280 --> 00:58:22.480 speaks across an open grave. Gentlemen, he began, My children, he 578 00:58:22.599 --> 00:58:29.679 added, a German spy, a woman involved in a scandal, Your brother 579 00:58:29.840 --> 00:58:35.639 in arms, Henri Ravignac. His honor, he thought, was concerned, 580 00:58:35.960 --> 00:58:40.920 and without honor he refused to live. To prove him guiltless. His younger 581 00:58:40.960 --> 00:58:46.840 brother shall asked leave to seek out the woman who had betrayed Henrie, and 582 00:58:47.119 --> 00:58:53.400 by us was detailed on secret service. He gave up home, family, 583 00:58:53.800 --> 00:58:59.360 friends, He lived in exile, in poverty, at all times, in 584 00:58:59.480 --> 00:59:04.280 danger, swift and ignoble death in the war office. We know him as 585 00:59:04.320 --> 00:59:07.559 one who has given to his country services. She cannot hope to reward, 586 00:59:08.599 --> 00:59:15.119 for she cannot return to him the years he has lost. She cannot return 587 00:59:15.199 --> 00:59:20.679 to him his brother. But she can and will clear the name of Ri 588 00:59:20.880 --> 00:59:29.079 Ravignac, and upon his brother Charles, bestow promotion and honors. The General 589 00:59:29.280 --> 00:59:36.679 turned and embraced the spy. My children, he said, welcome your brother. 590 00:59:37.400 --> 00:59:45.079 He has come home. Before the car had reached the fortifications, Marie 591 00:59:45.119 --> 00:59:50.360 Gestlet had arranged her plan of escape. She had departed from the chateau without 592 00:59:50.360 --> 00:59:53.960 even a handbag, and she would say that before the shops closed she must 593 00:59:54.039 --> 01:00:00.960 make purchases. Le Pronton lay in their way, and she asked that when 594 01:00:00.000 --> 01:00:06.679 they reached it for a moment, she might alight. Captain Thierry readily gave 595 01:00:06.800 --> 01:00:12.519 permission from the department store. It would be most easy to disappear, and 596 01:00:12.639 --> 01:00:19.800 an anticipation Marie smiled covertly. Nor was the picture of Captain Thierry impatiently waiting 597 01:00:19.840 --> 01:00:25.719 outside unamusing. But before le Brunton was approached, the car turned sharply down 598 01:00:25.719 --> 01:00:31.239 a narrow strait. On one side, along its entire length ran a high 599 01:00:31.519 --> 01:00:38.760 gray wall, grim and forbidding in it was a green gate studded with iron 600 01:00:38.880 --> 01:00:45.960 bolts. Before this, the automobile drew suddenly to a halt. The crew 601 01:00:45.000 --> 01:00:50.280 of the armored car tumbled off the rear seat, and one of them beat 602 01:00:50.400 --> 01:00:55.239 upon the green gate. Marie felt a hunt of ice clutch at her throat, 603 01:00:57.199 --> 01:01:05.719 but she controlled herself. And what is this? She cried gaily at 604 01:01:05.760 --> 01:01:10.079 her side. Captain Tiery was smiling down at her, but his smile was 605 01:01:10.199 --> 01:01:17.199 hateful. It is the prison of Saint Lazarre, he said. It is 606 01:01:17.280 --> 01:01:23.440 not becoming. He added sternly that the name of the Comtesse Doryac should be 607 01:01:23.519 --> 01:01:30.119 made common. As the Paris rode. Fighting for her life, Marie thrust 608 01:01:30.199 --> 01:01:36.360 herself against him. Her arms that threw out the journey had rested on the 609 01:01:36.400 --> 01:01:42.039 back of the driving seat, caressed his shoulders. Her lips and the violet 610 01:01:42.159 --> 01:01:47.480 eyes were close to his. Why should you care? She whispered fiercely. 611 01:01:49.320 --> 01:01:53.280 You have me let the Count Doriyac look after the honor of his wife himself. 612 01:01:55.000 --> 01:02:01.639 The charming Tieri laughed at her mockingly. He means to he said, 613 01:02:02.480 --> 01:02:10.159 I am the Count Dorjac end of Part three, End of Somewhere in France 614 01:02:10.199 --> 01:02:16.639 by Richard Harding Davis, recorded by Caroline in Groningen in the Netherlands in May 615 01:02:16.719 --> 01:02:21.280 two thousand and sixteen. Thank you for listening.