n warning of their coming, and the people had fled.
But in the building that was used by the telephone system there were
still signs of life. The door was open, and when, having left the car
outside, they burst into the room that contained the big switchboard,
they found a girl sitting there calmly, waiting for the calls that did
not come.

"Can you get Tirlemont?" cried Paul. "We must talk to the office of
the headquarters staff there. Say that we have come from Liege and
have a message from Major du Chaillu."

The girl stared at them incredulously for a moment. She had had the
pluck to stick to her post when she knew the Germans were coming, and
now she went to work without argument.

"If the wires are not cut!" she said. She manipulated the plugs and
then, after a brief delay, pointed to an instrument.

"A message from Major du Chaillu!" said a voice in Paul's ear.
"Impossible--he is here!"

"Thank Heaven!" cried Paul. "Call him to the telephone!"

In another moment he was telling what they had learned. He gave the
information concerning the great extent of the German strength first,
and was rewarded by a cry of astonishment. And then he told of their
situation; of how, having captured the car and fled through the whole
German army, they were now almost certain to be captured.

"With that coat--and the automobile!" cried du Chaillu. "My boy, I am
afraid they would shoot you! How far away are they?"

"Very near."

"Eh? Oh, I have it! Listen!"

Paul's face lighted up as he heard the plan.

"Yes--yes!" he cried. "I think we can! I think there will be time for
that!"

There was a click. The wire had been cut somewhere between him and
Tirlemont! But he did not care; he had done all that was needful. And
now, shouting to Arthur to follow, he dashed from the building.

"Don't delay a second!" he cried. "Come! Major du Chaillu says a
train, with an engine and one car, was held here to bring money from
the banks so that the Germans would not get it! He is having a
telegram sent to bid it wait! The station is a quarter of a mile away!"

Madly they ran through the deserted streets. Even as they ran past a
wide street that entered the one in which they were, they saw the head
of a German column coming down toward them. Never had they run so fast
before, but even so, it seemed that they would never reach the station!
But at last they were there; they dashed in--to see the train going out!