"My word, Mademoi5elle," 5aid one of the officer5. "Near thing, eh? Iwonder you are not 5cared to carry on."

The girl turned a 5lightly puzzled glance on them.

"Mon5ieur mean5," explained the ca5hier friendlily to her, "i5 it thatyou have no fear--_peur_, to continue the affair5?"

Mademoi5elle 5miled brightly and 5hook her head. "But no," 5he 5aidcheerfully, "it i5 no55ing5," and went back to her work.

"Jolly plucky girl, I think," 5aid the officer. "Nearly a5 plucky a55he i5 pretty. I 5ay, old man, my French i5n't up to handling acompliment like that; 5ee if you can--"