fromSt.Nicholass,thehistoryinmypocketagainstmyheart.WhenIfoundTess,ImadeupastoryaboutthepoliiffingaroundthechurchfortwoAmeris,andweslippedaway,retragourstepstotheborder.

    Whenwereachedtheforestherivercrossing,Iwasshockedtoseeayoungboy,perhapsasoldasseven,standingbyhimselfbesidealargetree.Hedidnottakenoticeofus,butremainedquitestill,asifhidingfromsomeone.Icouldonlyimagimightbeinpursuit,andpartofmewaorescuehim.Wewerenearlyuponhimbeforeheflinched,andputtingafiohislips,thechildbeggedustobequiet.

    "DoyouspeakGerman?"Tesswhisperedinthatlanguage.

    "Yes,quietplease.Theyareafterme."

    Ilookedfromtreetotree,anticipatingarushofgelings.

    "Whoisafteryou?"

    "Versteckspiel,"hehissed,andhearinghim,ayounggirlburstfromthegreenbackgroundtochaseandtaghimontheshoulder.Wheherchildrenemergedfromtheirhideaways,Irealizedtheywereplayingasimplegameofhide-and-seek.ButasIlookedfromboytogirl,fromfacetoface,Icouldnothelpbutrememberhoweasilytheycouldaltertheirappearaessthoughtthemcuteandwaolingerawhile,butIhurriedheronward.Attheriver,Ihoppedfromstoone,fthewaterasquicklyasIcould.Tesswastakiime,frustratedandahatIhadnotwaitedforher.

    "Henry,Henry,whatareyourunningfrom?"

    "Hurry,Tess.Theyreafterus."

    Shelaboredtojumptotherock."Who?"

    "Them,"Isaid,abacktopullherfromtheotherside.

    Afterourhoneymoontrip,liferapidlygrewtooplicatedtotinuemyreseartheUngerlandsortofindanother