f. Why should we not begin to cast shells instead of rails,
and see whether we cannot make rifles and machine-guns instead of
machinery? There are many things we could do at once, and many others in
a little while."

"That is true, sir, and you will find that I have not been behindhand. I
have already seen the commandant, and our casting-shops are almost ready
to begin casting shells. I am not letting the grass grow under my feet,
I can assure you, and in a week or two we shall be able to do great
things in the defence of the town. Come down to the works with Monsieur
Dale, and see the preparations we are making for turning out shells for
big guns. You will see that the Durend workshops are going to be well to
the fore here as elsewhere, and I prophesy that they will be so until
the end of the war."

As they made the tour of the works, Max was both astonished and
delighted at the evidence he saw of the energy and ability displayed in
turning over the vast manufacturing resources of the firm from peace to
war. The rapidity with which the works had been transformed was indeed
remarkable, and his opinion of M. Schenk's capacity, already great,
became almost profound.

"Now, Dale, what are you going to do?" demanded Max as the two friends
parted company with the manager at the door of the last shop. "I think
you had better get clear while you can. This place is my home and I must
stand by it, but you are not concerned and ought to get out of it, if
only for your people's sake."

"My people! My uncle and aunt, you mean. _They_ won't bother their heads
about me," replied Dale decidedly. "No, Max, I came over here to see the
sights, and I am going to see 'em, come what may. If England is in it,
well and good; it will then be my quarrel as much as yours, and we will
work or fight against Germany together. Hurrah!"

Max grasped his friend's hand. "I ought not to encourage you, Dale, but
I can't help it, and I'm jolly glad. Let us go into this business
together--it will seem like old times. D'ye remember the fight we put up
for Benson's?"

"Who could forget it?" cried Dale with enthusiasm.

"And how it ended?"

"Aye--and it was fixity of purpose that did it, so said Benson. Well,
let us do something of the sort again. Hark! d'ye hear that?"

"Rifle-shots. The fun has commenced. Come along, and we will see what we
can of it before the day is out. To-morrow I am going to start work in
the casting-shops, and I hope you wi