Part 45

"This is the best way," she said. "They ought to see quite clearly that I am a Sister of Charity, and they won't fire at me----"

But he tried to push her aside and spring past her:

"Stand clear of me, for God's sake!" he said.

"Wait----"

"Sister! Are you insane?"

"You must be, Mr. Halkett----"

"Keep away, I tell you----"

"Please don't be rough with me----"

He tried to avoid her, but her strong, young hands had caught both his wrists.

"They won't shoot at a Sister of Charity!" she repeated. "--And I shall not permit them to murder you! Be reasonable! I am not afraid."

She held on to his wrists, keeping always between him and the distant glimmer of the river:

"I shall walk to the road with you this way; don't try to shake me off; I am strong, I warn you!" She was even laughing now. "Please do not wriggle! Only schoolboys wriggle. Do you suppose I am afraid? Since when, Monsieur, have Sisters of Charity taken cover from the enemies of France?"

"This is shameful for me----"

"You behave, as I have said, like a very bad schoolboy, Mr. Halkett----"

He tried vainly to place himself between her and the river, but could not disengage her grasp without hurting her. Then, over his shoulder, he saw three men come out of the river willows.

"You shall not take this risk----" he insisted.

"Please listen----"

"I take no risk worth mentioning. It was you who would have walked out to face their fire--with that smile on your lips and a flower in your hand! Did you think that a Grey Sister would permit that? Soyez convenable, Monsieur. They will not fire while I am walking beside you." She looked over her shoulder. One of the men by the willows was raising a rifle.

They reached the highway at the same moment, and the roadside bank sheltered them. Here she released his arm.

"I beg you to be a little reasonable," she said. "You must leave Sais at once. Promise me, Mr. Halkett----"

"I cannot."

"Why?"

"Sister, if I am really a soldier, as you suppose me to be, perhaps I have--orders--to remain at Sais."

"Have you?" she asked frankly.

He turned and looked at her:

"Yes, little comrade."

"That is really serious."

"It must not cause you any anxiety. I shall 'wriggle'--as you say--out of this mess when the time comes. I may start tonight."