Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/245

Rh a collection of photographs taken, many of them, at grave risk, and sold under a risk nearly as great to the Tommies to send home to their families.

And you've been doing this—living like this since the beginning of the war?"

"But certainly. Through that door I saw the first bombardment of the Little Place. I saw the shells bring the great tower of the Hotel de Ville crashing down. That was cruel. It was the glory of Arras. When it fell I thought of the judgment day."

"You mcan you didn't barricade that door?"

Why? Because the shells came from behind us. If they exploded too close the fragments were likely to fly on towards the centre of the square. Besides —"

With an air of secrecy she opened a door on a flight of stairs leading downwards. You see there is another cellar. Come."

She lighted a candle and led the way down for many steps. The vaulting was ancient. We found ourselves in a labyrinth. Corridors led in all directions. The walls were of a soft limestone. The stone, one guessed, for the Hotel de Ville and many other buildings had been quarried here. B there were fresh breaks, and some. times the corridors were partly blocked.

"The shock of the shells brings pieces tumbling