"That's it," said the other Prussian officer. "Don't be an ass, von Senborn."
Von Senborn turned to Ian.
"You can go."
Ian burst into a shout of joy. Father Constantine fell upon his knees and thanked God for this miraculous escape.
XV
Towards dawn a shell fell near the house. It was followed by another, and yet another, but these were nearer the village. Ian went out, to try and see if he ought to send his household into the cellars. At the front door he found von Senborn, struggling with complicated locks and bolts. He said he was going out to reconnoiter. Ian let him go alone, having no wish for his company. He knew that the Russians were in telephone communication with Lipniki at any rate, if not with the more distant centers they had occupied during the last few days.
As the sun rose and the household began to stir, Martin, the faithful old butler, being first on the scene, a couple of maids following, von Senborn came back. He took no notice of Ian except to ask where the baron's window was. It happened to be over the spot where they stood. Von Senborn aroused his friend with a shout. In the fullness of time a shock-head appeared at the window.
"Come down," von Senborn cried in his native tongue. "The Russians have made a stand."
"Where?" asked the baron sleepily.
"God knows. They are shelling Lipniki like the devil. Our losses are already heavy. I'm going back to the telephone."