arsely, using the
_argot_ of the barrack-room, and she was far too frightened to see in
his satyr-like features a certain intellectuality. So, in her distress,
she blundered twice.

"Leave me alone!" she said shrilly, trying in voice and manner to copy
Leontine Joos.

"Now don't be coy, pretty one," chuckled the trooper, beginning to urge
her forcibly in the direction of the barn.

Dalroy and Jan Maertz had remained stock-still when the hussar came up.
Suddenly the Belgian sheered off, and ran like a hare into the dense
wood surrounding the small cleared space in which stood the barn. The
building had evidently been meant to house stock only. There was no
dwelling attached. It had served, too, as a rallying-point during some
recent scrimmage. The outer walls were chipped with bullets; the doors
had been torn off and burnt; it was typical of Belgium under German
rule--a husk given fictitious life by the conqueror's horses and men.

Irene had seen Jan make off, while Dalroy lurched slowly nearer. She
could not hear the fierce whisper which bade their sturdy ally bolt for
the trees, and, if he got away, implore a strong Belgian patrol to come
to the rescue. But she knew that _some_ daring expedient had been
devised on the spur of the moment, and gathered all her resources for an
effort to gain time.

The corporal heard Jan break into a run. Letting go the girl, he swung
on his heel and raised the carbine.

Dalroy had foreseen that this might happen. With a calm courage that was
superb because of its apparent lack of thought, he had placed himself in
the direct line of fire. Standing with his hands in his pockets and
laughing loudly, he first glanced over his shoulder at the vanishing
Maertz, and then guffawed into the hussar's face.

"He's done a bunk!" he cried cheerfully. "You said he might go, _Herr
Unteroffizier_, so he hopped it without even saying '_Auf wieder
sehn_.'"

Meanwhile, as he was steadily masking the German's aim, he might have
been shot without warning. But the ready comment baffled the other for a
few precious seconds, and the men in the barn helped unconsciously by
chaffing their comrade.

"You've got your hands full with the girl, Franz," said one.

"What's she like?" bawled another. "I can only see a pair of slim ankles
and a dirty face."

"That's all you _will_ see, Georg," said Franz, believing that a scared
Belgian peasant had merely bolted in panic. "This little bit is mine by
the l