my that
wouldn't have time to bring up its siege artillery."

"Yes, that's true enough. But, just the same, I think we can help.
I'm so sure of it that I'm going to take these plans into Liege
to-night and try to get them to General Leman."

"I'm with you, Paul! Are we to go now?"

"Not quite yet. I'm interested in this house, too. I want to find out
whatever we can about it before we go in. Don't you see what our
finding that gun mounting means, Arthur? Finding it just where we
did--in a field that belongs to that house?"

"You mean there may be spies there now?"

"I don't say that they're there now. But I think they have been there.
And I know I'm going to find out all we can."

"All right. I think we ought to do that, too. Let's get along! It'll
be awfully late when we get into Liege, I'm afraid."

The house that had suddenly assumed such an air of mystery, so great an
importance, was dark as they approached. Not a light showed from its
windows. But they took no chances, none the less. They got very close
to it without detection; they were able to go up to the windows. And,
listening there, they heard not a sound inside to indicate that anyone
was within.

"I'm going in," said Paul, suddenly. "Let me have your light, Arthur."

"Can't I come in, too?"

"One of us must stay outside and keep watch," said Paul. "It's the
hardest part of the job, Arthur. If you stay outside, watch carefully,
especially near the door. Hide, so that you won't be seen, but in a
place where you can see anyone who comes. And if anyone is coming,
call like a quail. I'll be listening, and I'll slip out of this back
window and get back to you. But if they catch me, go back and get the
plans, and then hurry into Liege. Tell General Leman, if you can get
to him, or a staff officer, if you can't, everything that has happened
since we found these papers, whether it seems important to you or not.
Something that may not seem to mean anything at all may really be very
important."

"But it seems to me you're taking all the risk," protested Arthur.
"That isn't fair."

"It's just as risky outside as in," said Paul. "Here goes! Off with
you, now, and find a good place to hide! We haven't any time to lose,
I can tell you. If there's no one inside now, they won't leave a place
like this deserted very long, I'm sure."

Arthur went off reluctantly, but, as usual, he obeyed Paul to the
letter. He found a clump of bushe