Chapter XXVI

@@@@Dear Mrs. Otway,
@@@@"I am so very glad to be able to send you
@@@@the enclosed. Of course I have not read it. In fact I
@@@@do not know German. But I gather that it contains
@@@@news of Major Guthrie, and that it is written with a
@@@@kindly intention. It was probably intended to arrive
@@@@for Christmas.
@@@@@@@@"Yours very truly,
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@"Annabel Gaunt.
@@@@"P.S. -- Any letters you write in answer must be
@@@@left open."

The envelope enclosed by Mrs. Gaunt, which bore
the Censor's stamp, had come from Switzerland, and
had been forwarded by favour of the Geneva Red
Cross.

With an indescribable feeling of suspense, of longing,
and of relief, Mrs. Otway drew out the sheet of
paper. It was closely covered with the cramped German
characters with which she was, of course, familiar.

@@@@"MINDEN,
@@@@"15 December, 1914.
@@@@
@@@@"DEAR MADAM,
@@@@
@@@@"As Medical Superintendent of the Field Lazarette
@@@@at Minden, I write on behalf of a British prisoner of

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v?