At headquarters there was no English red tape or delay.
"Good," said the officer, "we can use you." He went into an inner room and returned a moment later. "Take this!" he said, and gave Horace directions and orders.
The boy shot off through the streets of Paris, thronged with refugees. Signs of the French high-spiritedness were not lacking. On one store window was written:
"Closed until after my visit to Berlin!"
Another, a watchmaker's, referring to the difference in time between France and Germany, had a sign which read:
"Gone to put German watches right!"
The streets leading to the railway stations were thronged, but, as he reached the outskirts of the houses, the streets were empty. The Sorbonne glowered upon streets of empty shops. The workmen were on the battlefield, the schools were closed, many of them turned into hospitals.
Here was a gate, with a real control of traffic, but small show of armament.
"Dispatches from General Gallieni!"
"Pass!"