Again the interpreter spoke.
"Shall I take 'im to Yper and 'and 'im to the gendarmes, sare?"
"Not a bad idea," said the Colonel, "and have him——"
What further order he was going to give is immaterial, for at that moment he looked at the Belgian, and from that villainous old ruffian he received the most obvious and unmistakable wink.
"Er—thank you, interpreter; I will send him later under a guard."
The interpreter saluted and retired, the Major looked surprised, the Colonel regarded the Belgian with an amazed frown. Then suddenly the old villain spoke.
"Thank you, Colonel. Those Ypres gendarmes would have been a nuisance."
"Great Scot!" gasped the Major. "What the——"
"What the devil is the meaning of this masquerade, sir?" The Colonel was distinctly angry.
"I wanted to see if I'd pass muster as a Belgian, sir. The interpreter was an invaluable proof."