"Ah，yes；a pet name.I believe the blacksmith is named Henri，and poor Clarette is so accustomed to it that she callsme Henri when she wishes to be affectionatea."Patsy realized the follyb of arguing with him.
"Maurie，"said she，"or whatever your name may be，youhave been faithful in your duty to us and we have no cause for complaint.But I believe you do not speak the truth，and that you are shiftyc and artful.I fear you will come to a bad end.""Sometimes，mamselle，"he replied，"I fear so myself.
But，peste！why should we care？If it is the end，what matter whether it is good or bad？"Watching their faces closely，he saw frank disapproval of his sentiments written thereond.It disturbed him somewhat that they did not choose to continue the conversation，so he said meeklye：
"With your kind permission，I will now go below for acup of coffee，"and left them with a bow and a flourish of his cap.When he had gone Patsy said to Ajo：
"I don't believe there is any such person as the blacksmith.""Nor I，"was the boy's reply."Both those children are living images of Maurie，who claims the blacksmith was their father.He's a crafty little fellow，that chauffeur of ours，andwe must look out for him.""If he is really a spy，"continued the girl，after a brief period of thought，"I am amazed that he dared join our partyand go directly to the front，where he is at any time likely to be recognized.""Yes，that is certainly puzzling，"returned Ajo."Andhe's a brave little man，too，fearless of danger and recklessa in exposing himself to shot and shell.Indeed，our Maurie is something of a mystery and the only thing I fully understand is his objection to Clarette's society."At "le revue matin，"as the girls called the first inspectionof the morning，eight of their patients were found sufficiently recovered to be discharged.Some of these returned to their regimentsb and others were sent to their homes to await complete recovery.The hospital ship could accommodate ten more patients，so it was decided to make a trip to Dixmude，where an artillery engagement was raging，with the larger ambulance.
"I think I shall go to—day，"announced Gys，who was wearing his mask."Dr.Kelsey can look after the patients and it will do me good to get off the ship."Uncle John looked at the doctor seriously.
"There is hard fighting，they say，in the Dixmude district.The Germans carried the British trenches yesterday，and to—day the Allies will try to retake them.""I don't mind，"returned the doctor，but he shuddered，nevertheless.
"Why don't you avoid the—the danger line？"suggestedMr.Merrick.
"A man can't run away from himself，sir；and perhaps you can understand the fascination I find in taunting the craven spirit within me.""No，I can't understand it.But suit yourself.""I shall drive，"announced Maurie.
"You may be recognized，"said Patsy warningly.
"Clarette will not be at the front，and on the way I shall be driving.Have you noticed how people scatter at the sound of our gonga？""The authorities are watching for spies，"asserted Ajo.
Maurie's face became solemn.
"Yes；of course.But—the blacksmith is not here，and，"he added with assurance，"the badge of the Red Cross protects us from false accusationsb."When they had gone Uncle John said thoughtfully to the girls：
"That remark about the Red Cross impressed me.If that fellow Maurie is really in danger of being arrested and shot，he has cleverly placed himself in the safest service in the world.He knows that none of our party is liable to be suspected of evil."