saw that he was regaining control over his feelings, and, by the time
they reached the works, he seemed his usual self again. The only
evidence of his past emotion was to be found in his somewhat gloomy
looks and in lips tightly compressed as though to hold in check feelings
that struggled for an outlet.

CHAPTER IX

The Opening of the Struggle

The manager was in his room, and stared in some alarm at Max and his
friend as they strode unceremoniously in. Then he touched a bell and his
secretary entered.

"Remain at the door, Erbo. I shall want you in a moment," he said
coolly.

It was a declaration of distrust, if not war, and both sides knew it. It
robbed Max's words of any circumlocution he might otherwise have used,
and he went straight to the point.

"You have not sent my mother the money that she instructed you to send,
Monsieur Schenk. Why is that?"

The manager cleared his throat. "The German commander has forbidden any
moneys to be sent out of the country, Monsieur Max, and it is
unfortunately now impossible for me to do so."

"I have not heard of any such order. But why did you not do it before
the Germans entered? You had ample time."

"I gave instructions, but the tremendous pressure a day or two before
the Germans entered--you know how I worked to cast shells for our armies
and the garrisons of the forts--caused it to be overlooked. I regret
this very much, but it is now too late to do anything."

The manager looked squarely and unblushingly at Max as he boasted of the
way in which he had aided the Belgian troops, and the latter was hard
put to it to keep back the torrent of wrathful words that rose to his
lips. But other and more pressing matters claimed attention just now,
and, choking down his indignation, he replied temperately:

"It is _not_ too late, Monsieur Schenk. Hand me the necessary moneys or
securities and I will convey them to Maastricht. My mother must not be
left destitute."

The manager shook his head decidedly. "No, Monsieur Max, I cannot do
that. You would be certain to be taken, and I should have to pay the
greater share of the penalty. No, I cannot think of it; but there _is_ a
way out of the difficulty which would indeed simplify matters in another
direction. You are in great danger here and are doing no good. Go to
Maastricht and support your good mother. I will obtain for you a
passport through the Germans and a letter to a friend of mine who will
see that you