Briefly Hal explained that they had just escaped through the German lines, and then asked:
"Where are we? What troops are these?"
"This is a troop of Belgian light cavalry," came the reply, "a reconnoitering force. We were attacked by a strong force of the enemy, and are falling back upon our lines."
"But where are we?"
"About five miles from Liège."
"Liège!"
"Yes; where did you think you were?"
"We had not the faintest idea, other than that we were beyond the
German lines."
All this time the troop had been retreating slowly, firing as they went, the boys being led along by the officer.
"It will be necessary for me to place you under arrest," declared the Belgian officer. "I shall turn you over to the commanding general when we regain our lines."