It seemed a risky business to let themselves be seen anywhere in
that condition, but finally Max chose a lonely farm-house, and, after
cleaning himself up as much as possible, managed to make a purchase of a
good supply of food. They then tramped on for another mile or two, ate a
good meal, hid themselves in a dry ditch, and instantly dropped asleep.

It was ten o'clock when they awoke, and after some discussion they
decided to make the few miles between them and the border at once, and
then to purchase cycles and press for home. This they did exactly as
they planned, and, though often delayed and compelled to make wide
detours to avoid bodies of German cavalry, they managed to reach Liege
safely in the evening of the same day.

The sights that met their gaze on the latter part of their journey made
them doubly eager to get within the safety of the ring of forts
surrounding Liege. Peasants were fleeing from the frontier villages, and
their tales of what the Germans had done to their homes and dear ones
made the blood of Max and his friend alternately freeze with horror and
boil with rage. Their tales were a long catalogue of deeds of ruthless
barbarity, cold-blooded cruelty, lust, and rapine. The smoke of burning
houses seen in the distance gave emphasis to their tales of horror, and
Max and Dale at last felt as though the world must be coming to an end.
Indeed, the world of make-believe German civilization was coming to an
end in a wild outburst of unrestrained cruelty and lust.

But at Liege, they told one another, things would be different. There
the invaders would come against something more than villages peopled
with frightened peasants and trustful countryfolk, and would realize in
their turn something of the terribleness of war.

CHAPTER V

The Fall of Liege

Arrived at his home, Max was astonished to find that his mother and
sister had fled over the border to Maastricht, taking two of the
servants with them. A letter had been left for him, however, and this he
tore feverishly open. In a few words his mother explained why she, as an
Englishwoman and one getting on in years, preferred to seek safety in
Holland to remaining in a city which obviously would soon be the
storm-centre of a terrible struggle. She then reminded Max that he had
not yet reached a man's age, and could not be expected to take a man's
part. Would he not leave the affairs of the firm to M. Schenk and join
her in Holland? But his c