"Surely," I said, "there must be some mistake, as there is an English General at Soissons."
"We beat a retreat in a south-westerly direction," replied the officer, "and we form the extreme left rear."
I went at once to the station and found that all the rolling stock had been removed. After some time, I found one of the station officials.
"Have you been informed that some Belgian troops are coming to Soissons to-morrow to take the train?" I asked. "To-morrow!" exclaimed the man, in amazement. "Why, the Boches are there, on the other side of the river. The station has been evacuated and...."
I did not stay to hear the end of his sentence, but rushed off to the Prefecture of police, where I was assured that the German vanguards were quite near the town.
"But surely there must be some military authority here in Soissons!" I said.
"Perhaps you may find the Commander of arms. He lives at the house with the stone steps, in the first street to the left."
I went there and found him.
"Colonel," I said, "I have just come from Sermoise and have a communication for an English General whom I expected to find here. I am also to make arrangements for some Belgian troops to take the train from here to-morrow."
"But, are you not aware that the Germans may enter the town from one minute to another?" he asked. "I have given orders for the bridges to be blown up as soon as they are in sight, and immediately after that I am starting for Rheims. The English Headquarters have been transferred, to-day, about ten miles away. I should advise you to take your communication there and to stay there yourself. The road is not safe...."