"
"In that case I can pass you through the German lines, and
forward you at once on your journey."
Mercy looked at him in unconcealed surprise. His strongly-felt
interest in her was restrained within the strictest limits of
good-breeding: he was unmistakably a gentleman. Did he really
mean what he had just said?
"You can pass me through the German lines?" she repeated. "You
must possess extraordinary influence, sir, to be able to do
that."
Mr. Horace Holmcroft smiled.
"I possess the influence that no one can resist," he
answered--"the influence of the Press. I am serving here as war
correspondent of one of our great English newspapers. If I ask
him, the commanding officer will grant you a pass. He is close to
this cottage. What do you say?"
She summoned her resolution--not without difficulty, even
now--and took him at his word.
"I gratefully accept your offer, sir."
He advanced a step toward the kitchen, and stopped.
"It may be well to make the application as privately as
possible," he said. "I shall be questioned if I pass through that
room. Is there no other way out of the cottage?"
Mercy showed him the door leading into the yard.
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