ce an enormous and inestimable service--saved,
indeed, our left flank from being crumpled up and driven in on the
centre, helped to save Paris, and finally helped to defeat von Kluck's
army. It wasn't only by pluck and endurance that British officers and
soldiers did that; it was by a considerable display of self-sacrifice.
What's this but a self-sacrificing plan on your part? And you think
that we are going to agree?--that Jules and I will accept the proposal,
and leave you here alone to face all the difficulties of escaping from
Germany--you, who besides being big, as we have already said, hardly
know a word of the language? Fool wasn't the word that I was going to
use, Stuart, it was something stronger. Shake hands again. Jules and
I refuse to leave the place unless you come with us."

There was silence for a while, and then the three set to work again to
discuss plans for leaving the factory. It seemed, indeed, that Henri
had made quite a find in the manager's office, and that he had already
selected a dress for Jules which would suit that young gentleman
splendidly; and at length it was decided that Stuart should be dressed
in a suit of good material--such as might be worn by a dependant--and
that he should accompany the party as if he were a male nurse looking
after the aged Henri. That night, indeed, having raided the manager's
office again, and relieved him of things essential to their journey,
the three set off from the place, and about eleven o'clock on the
following day were to be observed on an adjacent railway station. An
old gentleman, who peered through round goggles, who stumbled as he
walked, and whose shoulders and head were bent and wobbling, traversed
the platform on the arm of a girl of fascinating appearance; while in
the rear came a huge, ugly fellow, with reddish hair and brilliant
complexion, on whose head was thrust a hat which overhung and darkened
his features, and who carried a bag--none other than the one in which
the manager of the sugar factory had been wont to carry his possessions.

A train came in, and the three embarked upon it. The whistle sounded
shrilly, smoke issued from the engine, and in a trice they were off on
another stage of their adventurous journey.

CHAPTER VI

Changing their Direction

"Crikey! What a do! What a performance! Who'd have thought it?"
gasped the huge Stuart, flinging himself back on the seat in the
compartment and staring out of the w