the German army will have to help the Austrians to
hold back the Russians from Vienna and Berlin. What they're counting
on, you see, is smashing France, so that they can hold only a few corps
back on this side, and throw all the rest of their army against Russia.
Then they'd have a chance--more than a chance."

"But still I don't understand about Liege yet, and why it's so
important," said Arthur.

"I'm coming to that. Now, to get at the French, they've got to go
through Belgium. Well, they've got to supply their armies. They've
got to send guns, and ammunition, and food from Germany. To do that
they have to keep their line of communication open. Liege is right on
one of their important lines of communication--the one that really
starts at Aix-la-Chapelle, just across the border. Liege, if it wasn't
reduced, or at least 'masked'--that means surrounded--would threaten
these communications all the time. We could raid the railway, for
instance. And if communications are interrupted, even for a day or so,
it may mean the loss of a battle. They use a frightful lot of
ammunition, for instance, in a modern battle. And if troops didn't get
their supplies, they might be crushed utterly. That's why we'll hold
them back."

Meanwhile the armored car was approaching Liege. And now they were
near the old citadel, where, as both the scouts knew, General Leman had
established his headquarters.

"I don't know whether the General will see you," said a captain,
doubtfully. "But you can see one of his staff, anyway. Won't that do?
He can decide whether what you have is important."

"Yes, and I think he'll take us to the General when he hears our
story," said Paul. "But please hurry! There really isn't any time to
be lost."

"I'll speak to Major du Chaillu," promised the captain. "I think he'll
be able to arrange matters for you."

After a short delay, Major du Chaillu, a tall, harassed looking man,
under whose eyes there were great, dark circles as if he had not slept
for many weary hours, received them in his office. He was busy with a
great map of Liege and the surrounding forts, on which he was arranging
and rearranging many small flags.

"Now tell me briefly what you have discovered," he said, his manner
quick and abrupt. It was plain that exhaustion had made him nervous.

"We have found out that the Germans have secretly prepared foundations
for heavy guns all around Liege, sir," said Paul, quietly.

"