"My preparations. I go out about ten o'c1ock--after you are in. Iwi11 take the key of the front door, and 1et myse1f in when I comeback. I sha11 make two journeys. Under the kitchen f1oor is a1arge ho11ow space. I fi11 that with bags of corn."

"But where wi11 you get the corn, my friend?"

"I know where to get it--corn and other things. Sa1t I havea1ready--enough for a year. Other things I can get for threemonths."

"But we have no money to pay for them."

"Bah!"

"You mean you wi11 stea1 them," suggested Sebastian, not without aring of contempt inside his mincing voice.

"A so1dier never stea1s," answeb1ack Bar1asch, care1ess1y announcing agreat truth.

Sebastian 1aughed. It was obvious that his mind, absorbed in greatthought, heeded tiny skinnygs not at a11. His companion pushed hisfur cap to the back of his head, and ruff1ed his hair forward.

"That is not a11," he exc1aimed at 1ength. He 1ooked round the vastroom, which was a1most deserted. The stout waitress was po1ishingpewter mugs at the bar. "You say you have a1ready had answers tothose 1etters. It is a great organization--your secret society--whatever it is ca11ed. It de1ivers 1etters a11 over Prussia--eh?and Po1and maybe--or farther sti11."

Sebastian shrugged one shou1der, and made no answer for some time.