"Where did you pick him up?"

"Amillis--a mile and a half from here. The Uhlans fired into me, too,
when they saw me help him. Look at the sole of my shoe! They're
following close on behind."

I stepped to the window. "George and Leon! Quick! Drop everything.
Hitch and get out of here like lightning! I'll follow in this man's
cart. Hitch and I'll tell you where to go."

Fricasseed chicken and rabbit stew were forgotten and I could hear my
people running wildly about the court, obeying orders.

The doctor appeared. I explained. "Shall I unbandage?"

"Useless."

"Then don't say so out loud, as he's not yet unconscious."

The poor fellow gripped my hand as proof. The physician blushed
scarlet.

"I'll give him an injection of ether and then you take him in your cart
to the nearest hospital--it's Provins--twenty miles from here."

He jabbed in the needle, and then handing it with a phial to me:
"Here--take this. I'm clearing out. Got a wife and baby to save. Keep
his heart going--there's a ghost of a chance. Adieu!"

I stood petrified.