would
simplify matters immensely, and, as Max was naturally familiar with the
building in which the manager's office was situated, the enterprise was
one which seemed likely to succeed if resolutely attempted. The safe, he
knew, ought to contain all the money and securities of the firm, unless,
indeed, Schenk had already handed them over to the Germans. This did not
seem likely, however, and Max would not allow so disappointing a thought
to interfere with his calculations.

Monsieur Dubec's eldest daughter was promptly dispatched to Madame
Durend with a letter asking for the key. Max entered into no details,
and his mother may possibly have supposed that M. Schenk's failure to
send her the money he had promised was due to the loss of the original
key. At any rate, to the delight both of Max and Dale, the key duly
arrived the following day.

Tools were needed, and these were of course easily obtained. Max, as we
have seen, had been through most of the shops in the Durend concern, and
knew how to use almost any tool as well as the best of the firm's
mechanics. No difficulties, therefore, were to be anticipated on that
score. In fact, the more the details of the scheme were discussed the
more feasible it seemed and the more the spirits of the two plotters
rose.

The third night after the break with Schenk, Max and Dale set out from
their lodging at midnight and made their way to the Durend workshops.
Dale was carrying a good-sized bag, in which was a lantern and an
assortment of tools and other articles, one or two of them of such a
nature that to be stopped and the bag examined would have been fatal to
their liberty of movement for many a long day. It was, therefore,
necessary for them to move with caution, and Max accordingly went on a
hundred yards ahead, ready to give the agreed signal--a stumble forward
on the pavement--whenever it was advisable for Dale to disappear.

The offices of the Durend Company were situated in a separate building
just inside the main entrance gates. The latter were ordinarily guarded
by a watchman, but since the Germans had entered Liege a guard of German
soldiers had been established there, and the sentinel on his beat passed
within view of the front and two sides of the offices. It was pretty
obvious, therefore, that the rear of the building would have to be the
part attacked.

It was close on one o'clock when Max and Dale scaled the outer wall well
away from the entrance, and moved c