"M—m，"purred Uncle John；"where does she live，this young wife？""At Charleroi.""Well；the Germans are there.""Yes，Uncle.But don't you suppose they would let her come to see her dying husband？""A young girl，unprotected？Would it be—safe？""The Germans，"remarked Captain Carg from his end of the table，"are very decent people.""Ahem！"said Uncle John.
"Some of them，I've no doubt，are quite respectable，"observed Ajo；"but from all reports the rank and file，in war time，are—rather unpleasant to meet.""Precisely，"agreed Uncle John."I think，Patsy dear，it will be best to leave this Belgian girl in ignorance of her husband's fate.""I，myself，have a wife，"quoth little Maurie，with smugaassurance，"but she is not worrying about me，wherever she may be；nor do I feel especial anxiety for Clarette.A woman takes what comes—especially if she is obliged to."Patsy regarded him indignantly.
"There are many kinds of women，"she began.
"Thank heaven！"exclaimed Maurie，and then she realized how futileb it was to argue with him.
A little later she walked on deck with Uncle John and pleaded her cause earnestly.It was said by those who knew him well that the kindly little gentleman was never able to refuse Patsy anything for long，and he was himself so well aware of this weakness that he made a supreme effort to resist her on thisoccasion.
"You and I，"said she，"would have no trouble in passing the German lines.We are strictly neutral，you know，we Americans，and our passports and the Red Cross will take us anywhere in safety.""It won't do，my dear，"he replied."You've already been in danger enough for one war.I shudder even now as I think of those bullets and shells at Nieuport.""But we can pass through at some place where they are notfighting.""Show me such a place！""And distances are very small in this part of the Continent.We could get to Charleroi in a day，and return the next day with Mrs.Denton.""Impossible.""The doctor says he may live for several days，but it may be only for hours.If you could see his face light up when he speaks of her，you would realize what a comfort her presence would be to him.""I understand that，Patsy.But can't you see，my dear，that we're not able to do everything for those poor wounded soldiers？You have twenty in your charge now，and by to—night there may be possibly a dozen more.Many of them have wives at home，but—""But all are not dying，Uncle—and after only five monthsof married life，three of which they passed together.Here，at least，is one brave heart we may comfort，one poor woman who will be ever grateful for our generousa kindness."Mr.Merrick coughed.He wiped his eyes and blew his nose on his pink bordered handkerchief.But he made no promise.
Patsy left him and went to Ajo.
"See here，"she said；"I'm going to Charleroi in an hour.""It's a day's journey，Patsy.""I mean I'm going to start in an hour.Will you go withme？""What does Uncle John say？"he inquired cautiouslya.
"I don't care what he says.I'm going！"she persisted，her eyes blazing with determination.
The boy whistled softly，studying her face.Then hewalked across the deck to Mr.Merrick.
"Patsy is rampantb，sir，"said he."She won't be denied.Go and argue with her，please.""I have argued，"returned Uncle John weakly."Well，argue again."The little man cast a half frightened，half reproachful glance at his niece.
"Let's go and consult the doctor，"he exclaimed，andtogether Uncle John and Ajo went below.
To their surprise，Gys supported Patsy's plea.
"He's a fine fellow，this Denton，"said he，"and rather above the average soldier.Moreover，his case is a pitiful one.I'll agree to keep him alive until his wife comes."Uncle John looked appealingly at Ajo.
"How on earth can we manage to cross the lines？"he asked."Take one of our launches，"said the boy.
"Skim the coast to Ostend，and you'll avoid danger altogether.""That's the idea！"exclaimed the doctor approvingly.
"Why，it's the easiest thing in the world，sir."Uncle John began to feel slightly reassured."Who will run the launch？"he inquired.
"I'll give you the captain and one of the men，"said the boy."Carg's an old traveler and knows more than he appears to.Besides，he speaks German.We can't spare very many，you understand，and the ambulances will keep Maurie and me pretty busy.Patsy will be missed，too，from the hospital warda，so you must hurry back.""Two days ought to accomplish our object，"said Uncle John.
"Easily，"agreed Gys."I've arranged for a couple of girlsfrom the town to come and help us to—day，for I must save the strength of my expert nurses as much as possible，and I'll keep them with us until you return.The French girls are not experienced in nursing，but I'll take Miss Patsy's watch myself，so we shall get along all right."Mr.Merrick and Jones returned to the deck."Well？"demanded Patsy.
"Get ready，"said Uncle John；"we leave in an hour.""For Charleroi？""Of course；unless you've changed your mind."Patsy flew to her stateroomb.