Grace started and approached the window in alarm.
"What does that firing mean?" she asked.
"Signals from the outposts," the nurse quietly replied.
"Is there any danger? Have the Germans come back?"
Surgeon Surville answered the question. He lifted the canvas
screen, and looked into the room as Miss Roseberry spoke.
"The Germans are advancing on us," he said. "Their vanguard is in
sight."
Grace sank on the chair near her, trembling from head to foot.
Mercy advanced to the surgeon, and put the decisive question to
him.
"Do we defend the position?" she inquired.
Surgeon Surville ominously shook his head.
"Impossible! We are outnumbered as usual--ten to one."
The shrill roll of the French drums was heard outside.
"There is the retreat sounded!" said the surgeon. "The captain is
not a man to think twice about what he does. We are left to take
care of ourselves. In five minutes we must be out of this place."
A volley of rifle-shots rang out as he spoke. The German vanguard
was attacking the French at the outposts. Grace caught the
surgeon entreatingly by the arm. "Take me with you," she cried.
"Oh, sir, I have suffered from the Germans already! Don't forsake
me, if they come back!" The surgeon was equal to the occasion; he
placed the hand of the pretty Englishwoman on his breast.
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