"'I fear you will not find such a man,' answered one of his
lieutenants. 'All the men of this section, of course, are fighting.'

"'Young Henri can do it,' suggested another officer.

"'A civilian who has been attached to the army unofficially for some
few weeks.' Henri had made himself so useful that his presence with
the army was not only permitted, but welcomed. While he was but
thirteen years of age, he was very strong, alert and active. The
colonel told his aide to summon the boy so the commander might look
him over.

"'Why do you follow the army?' demanded the colonel, after observing
the boy critically.

"'Our home has been destroyed by the Germans, my father has been taken
prisoner by them and my sisters have fled to other provinces,' he
answered simply. 'That is why I am trying to serve my country in every
way I can.'

"The colonel nodded approvingly.

"'It is a most important mission and a very dangerous one on which I
must send a man. Do you think you can go through with it?'

"'Yes, sir.'

"'You may fall into the hands of the Prussians. In that event what
would you do with the letters I shall entrust to your care?'