Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/258

 "You know that in one case they must arrest you and try you—by court-martial."

"Yes."

"I may—I don't know! God help you and me, Ruth Alden, I don't know yet—I may have to give part of the evidence which will accuse you! But though I do—and after I've done it—you must know that I'll be fighting for you, believing in spite of facts which I may be bound to witness, that you somehow are all right. I'll be trying to save you. I suppose that sounds mad to you; but it's true."

"It doesn't sound mad to me."

"In the other case," he went on, "in case I can decide honestly with myself that you cannot possibly be doing anything one jot to threaten our cause, and in case Byrne has died or does not speak, then probably you will be passed on to Switzerland and you'll try to go into Germany."

Ruth waited without reply.

"Do you see what you're putting up to me? You're making me either accuse you to the French and cause you to be imprisoned and tried; or, if I believe and let them believe that you're American, I must know that I'm sending you on into Germany to face a German firing squad. For they'll shoot you down, as they did Edith Cavell, when they catch you; and they'll catch you! You haven't a chance and you know it! So give it up—give it up, I say! Go tomorrow and cancel your request; go home or stay here and work only as you have been doing."

"And when I'm taking my train of refugees out of the villages in the next zone where they strike, know again