CONTENTSCHAPTER PAGE I THE ARRIVAL OF THE BOY 9 II THE ARRIVAL OF THE GIRL 25 III THE DECISION OF DOCTOR GYS 37 IV THE HOSPITAL SHIP 48 V NEARING THE FRAY 58 VI LITTLE MAURIE 75 VII ON THE FIRING LINE 86 VIII THE COWARD 96 IX COURAGE, OR PHILOSOPHY? 108 X THE WAR'S VICTIMS 121 XI PATSY IS DEFIANT 135 XII THE OTHER SIDE 146 XIII TARDY JUSTICE 160 XIV FOUND AT LAST 182 XV DR. GYS SURPRISES HIMSELF 189 XVI CLARETTE 197 XVII PERPLEXING PROBLEMS 204XVIII A QUESTION OF LOYALTY 217 XIX THE CAPTURE 225 XX THE DUNES 244CHAPTER ITHE ARRIVAL OF THE BOY"What's the news, Uncle?" asked Miss Patricia Doyle, as she entered thecosy breakfast room of a suite of apartments in Willing Square. Even asshe spoke she pecked a little kiss on the forehead of the chubby manaddressed as "Uncle"--none other, if you please, than the famous andeccentric multi-millionaire known in Wall Street as John Merrick--andsat down to pour the coffee.There was energy in her method of doing this simple duty, an indicationof suppressed vitality that conveyed the idea that here was a girlaccustomed to action. And she fitted well into the homely scene: shortand somewhat "squatty" of form, red-haired, freckle-faced andpug-nosed. Wholesome rather than beautiful was Patsy Doyle, but if youcaught a glimpse of her dancing blue eyes you straightway forgot herlesser charms.Quite different was the girl who entered the room a few minutes later.Hers was a dark olive complexion, face of exquisite contour, great browneyes with a wealth of hair to match them and the flush of a rose in herrounded cheeks. The poise of her girlish figure was gracious anddignified as the bearing of a queen."Morning, Cousin Beth," said Patsy cheerily."Good morning, my dear," and then, with a trace of anxiety in her tone:"What is the news, Uncle John?"The little man had ignored Patsy's first question, but now he answeredabsently, his eyes still fixed upon the newspaper:"Why, they're going to build another huge skyscraper on Broadway, atEleventh, and I see the political pot is beginning to bubble all throughthe Bronx, although--""Stuff and nonsense, Uncle!" exclaimed Patsy. "Beth asked for news, notfor gossip.""The news of the war, Uncle John," added Beth, buttering her toast."Oh; the war, of course," he said, turning over the page of the morningpaper. "It ought to be the Allies' day, for the Germans won yesterday.No--by cracky, Beth--the Germans triumph again; they've capturedMaubeuge. What do you think of that?"Patsy gave a little laugh."Not knowing where Maubeuge is," she remarked, "my only thought is thatsomething is wrong with the London press bureau. Perhaps the cables gotcrossed--or short circuited or something. They don't usually allow theGermans to win two days in succession.""Don't interrupt, please," said Beth, earnestly. "This is too importanta matter to be treated lightly. Read us the article, Uncle. I was afraidMaubeuge would be taken."