human
I have worked with him, and I knew something of his plans, but _mon Dieu!_ how I hated them and him. For my home is in Alsace, and my father and mother were French. The Professor, who is no more French than you are, had lent my father money, and I was to work it out as his assistant. And since the War he has forced me to work for him in this country, knowing I was too much implicated to betray him. And that is the truth, Mademoiselle.
gpt
You'll chuck it now, of course, and I'm sure Colonel Sturt will see about your not getting into trouble; and, if you don't mind, I could speak to Mademoiselle de Lavernais about you--she comes from Alsace too. We're no end glad you're all right, really.
human
Rather!
gpt
What's your name?
human
I was baptized 'Hans'; when the doors and windows were all shut my parents called me 'Jean,' 'Jean Corvette,'
gpt
Righto, we'll call you that, Joey said.
human
I thought you couldn't be a Hunnish kind of German when you were so decent to me that Sunday, you know. We'll introduce ourselves, and then it will all be as right as rain. This is Gabrielle Arden, and here's Noreen O'Hara, and I'm Joey Graham.
gpt
Graham--Graham-- he muttered; then suddenly:
human
I was with the gardeners that night you act in the big hall, and you have the look of him then, Mademoiselle. Was your father a major of the name of Graham?
gpt
Yes, he was; but the Huns killed him with their beastliness to him when he was wounded and a prisoner,
human
You saved my life; I will tell you all I know, the young man said.
gpt
When the Professor sent for me to come here, two months ago, Major Graham was _not_ dead, but alive and working in the salt mines at Kochnecht.
human
Joey gasped.
gpt
He was reported killed.
human
Many are reported so, but not all are dead. Some day perhaps a search will find Englishmen left behind in Germany. Your Major Graham is one--I gave him water when he was wounded, and no woman would have pity, and he thanked me and said I was 'a good chap,' and smiled as you smile, Mademoiselle, so I remember him. But the Count that used to shoot at Calgarloch Castle had a spite against your father, and returned him 'killed.'
gpt
I say, you're not going to faint or anything rotten like that, are you? cried Noreen;
human
Don't, Noreen, it's her pater.
gpt
I'm all right--only it's ... it's so heavenly. _Did_ you hear, Father's _alive_!
human
Yes, I heard, and it wasn't heartlessness, only you did look funny for a minute. Joey, I _am_ glad; and isn't it queer and topping that everything's gone and happened like this. If there had been no flood, or John had driven us to Deeping Royal as he intended, we should have been up the twin towers with the rest, and you would never have heard this.
gpt
And if I hadn't been caught in the sea-roke that Sunday, and known you were down the trap-door, I shouldn't have known where to look for you when you called 'Help!'
human
And if you had not risked your life to rescue me, Mademoiselle Joey, I should never have talked again,
gpt
And if we hadn't been Joey's special friends and waited for her at the reservoir, I suppose the old Professor would have got away, and most of this wouldn't have happened, Gabrielle suggested seriously.
human
We're all very wet, and Matron _will_ be cross to-morrow; but it's all been gloriously worth while.
gpt
Hasn't it just! Joey cried ecstatically.
human
And now, if Jean doesn't mind, let's get up that ladder. You bet John will be looking out for us as soon as he has settled the Professor, and I know he had some plan when he said he would drive him.