ance."

"I was hoping there would be time to send men to destroy such places as
we found," said Arthur.

"There might be time, but it is far better not to do so, you see," said
the major. "As it is, we could destroy only the mountings. But if we
wait until their guns are in position, we can smash the guns as well.
It may well be that you have dealt a blow to Germany to-night more
severe than the loss of a battle and fifty thousand men would be!"

"I hope so!" said Arthur, vindictively. "They have no business coming
into peaceful Belgium, which asks only to be left alone!"

The major laughed a little bitterly.

"That is true," he said. "But our poor Belgium! They call her the
cockpit of Europe, for whenever there is a general war, it is here in
Belgium and in Flanders, both French and Belgian, that the fighting is
at its fiercest, it seems. Marlborough fought Louis the Fourteenth
here; it was near Brussels that Wellington crushed Napoleon. Blood and
fire have been known in Belgium always. But perhaps after this war our
neutrality will no longer be but a word. It may be that we shall be
able to cease to think of danger then."

Outside there was a sudden bustle. Officers were running about,
forgetful of their dignity. From the room in which they had left
General Leman there was a constant double stream of officers and
orderlies, one going in, the other coming out. Major du Chaillu looked
startled.

"There must be something new!" he said. "Wait for me a minute--I will
find out."

When he returned his face was very grave.

"A German army corps has occupied Luxembourg, against the formal
protest of the Grand Duchess Marie Adelaide," he said. "And Belgian
soil has felt the footprints of armed Germans at last! What we have
known must come has come! The German invasion of Belgium has begun!"

"That means war," said Paul.

"Yes. I am afraid that we shall be fighting them within twenty-four
hours. They will move swiftly. You had better hasten back to your
home. If there are no men left there you may be badly needed."

"Very well, sir," said Paul. "I hope, though, that we may be of some
service during the defence, after we have done what is necessary for my
aunt."

"We shall see as to that later," said du Chaillu. "You have been of
the greatest service to Belgium already. I shall order an escort for
you."

"Please don't," said Paul. "We can get along all right. There can be
no danger now.