Page:Wounded Souls.djvu/58



We fumbled our way to a street on the edge of the canal, according to Brand's uncanny sense of direction and his remembrance of what the Irish girl had told him. There we found the convent, a square box-like building behind big gates. We pulled a bell which jangled loudly, and presently the gate opened an inch, letting through the light of a lantern which revealed the black-and-white coif of a nun.

"Qui va là?"

Brand told her that we had come to see Miss O'Connor, and the gate was opened wider and we went into the courtyard, where a young nun stood smiling. She spoke in English.

"We were always frightened when the bell rang during the German occupation. One never knew what might happen. And we were afraid for Miss O'Connor's sake."

"Why?" asked Brand.

The little nun laughed.

"She did dangerous work. They suspected her. She came here after her arrest. Before then she had rooms of her own. Oh, messieurs, her courage, her devotion! Truly she was heroic!"

She led us into a long corridor with doors on each side, and out of one door came a little group of nuns with Eileen O'Connor.

The Irish girl came towards us with outstretched hands which she gave first to Brand. She seemed excited at our coming and explained that the Reverend Mother