"All; and, stay—I believe on the side of the French also."
And he pointed to an officer who was entering.
"Gentlemen," cried the officer, "we have just heard that the French are marching toward the city."
"To arms!" cried the burgomaster.
"To arms!" cried all.
"One moment, gentlemen," cried monseigneur; "I have to give one direction more important than all the rest."
"Speak!" cried all.
"The French will be surprised; it will not be a combat, nor even a retreat, but a flight. To pursue them you must be lightly armed. No cuirasses, morbleu! It is your cuirasses, in which you cannot move, which have made you lose all the battles you have lost. No cuirasses, gentlemen. We will meet again in the combat. Meanwhile, go to the place of the Hotel de Ville, where you will find all your men in battle array."
"Thanks, monseigneur," said William; "you have saved Belgium and Holland."
"Prince, you overwhelm me."