It was not quite dusk and one should have been able to distinguish faces.

Yet the figure before them had cried “halt” in a peremptory tone, and, at the same instant, Nona found herself gazing more closely into the mouth of a pistol than at any moment in her war nursing adventures. She also heard the young man with her mutter something under his breath which is not supposed to be polite, but which really equally expressed her own point of view for the moment.

“Who goes there?” a voice demanded with unnecessary sternness, for since she had been able to recognize Lieutenant Martin, there seemed no especial reason why he should not also recognize her.

“Miss Davis, one of the Red Cross nurses at the American hospital and Phillip Dawson. I wonder if you recall me? Yes, I understand we should not be so near camp after dusk, but it is not yet dark and[126] I am seeing Miss Davis back to the hospital as quickly as we can manage.”

[126]

Nona felt annoyed. It seemed to her to be characteristic of Lieutenant Martin to try to make a display of his authority. She did not believe that she was breaking any of the rules of the encampment by merely walking on the outskirts of the village at this hour. He had a disagreeable reputation for unnecessary harshness among his own men, but there was no possible excuse for his making an exhibition of it before her. Nona wished she could think of something to say which might express her attitude.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Davis,” Lieutenant Martin volunteered before she could speak. “I am afraid I did not look closely at either you or Dawson. I have been out searching for some of our men who have been giving trouble. One of them is still missing. Nevertheless, it is against orders to be in the neighborhood of camp after dark without a permit. I’ll see you home.”

Lieutenant Martin placed himself on Nona’s right, as if he deliberately ignored the fact that she was not alone. Yet the[127] road was narrow and it was self-evident that there was someone on her left.

[127]

Nona did not know just what to say or do and then decided to allow the two men to meet the situation, as she was perfectly capable of returning home without the escort of either of them. But since they were both bent upon rescuing her from no possible danger, it was simpler not to dispute the question.

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