"You'll find plenty of water in the pitchers, sir, and there are clean
towels on the rack. One would think, sir, that the manager of the Hôtel
de l'Europe before taking his departure, made careful preparation for
our coming."

"It looks like it, Picard, and it certainly will be true, if you and
Suzanne find the well-filled kitchen that you predict."

"Never a doubt of it, sir. The perfect condition in which we find
everything above-stairs indicates that we shall find the same below."

He went out, leaving the door open, according to John's wish, and the
young American heard his firm step pass down the hall and to the
stairway. He drew a deep sigh of content, and lying down on a red plush
sofa rested for a little while. It was luck, most wonderful luck, that
he had come into Chastel, and had found Julie and her servants, and it
was luck, most marvelous luck, that this well-equipped hotel was here
waiting for them.

He rose and looped back the heavy lace curtains from the windows which
looked over the river. But the snow was falling so fast that he could
not see far into the dense, white cataract. The stream was completely
hidden, and so, of course, was the hospital camp beyond. Yet through all
the driving storm came a faint moan, a light pulsing of the air, which
he knew to be the far throb of the great guns.

He turned impatiently away. Why couldn't they stop at such a time? As
for himself, he would think of Julie, and a very handsome, tanned young
man looking into the glass over the dresser smiled, although it was not
at his own reflection. Then he bathed his face and hands, straightened