"Hands up!" he repeated, imitating Kenneth's accent as well as he could.
But they recognised now that he was a foreigner, and seeing at this moment Granger dragging the helpless form of the important Herr Brinckmann down the steps they surrendered.
"Get down, and don't stir a step for your lives," Kenneth commanded. "Drop your arms."
Pariset kept guard over them while Granger bundled Hellwig into the car and Kenneth started the engine.
"I didn't like to leave Brinckmann behind," explained Granger smoothly as he squeezed himself into the seat beside Hellwig. "We are just in time."
Just as the helmets of the approaching troopers showed above the park wall a furlong away, Kenneth sprang after Pariset into the car, and let in the clutch. The car moved forward, swung round into the drive, shaved the gatepost, and sped northward down the road.
[CHAPTER XVIII--RUNNING THE GAUNTLET]
The sound of the starting car brought two of the troopers up at a gallop. The sight of the Uhlan helmets did not at first inspire them with distrust, but merely with curiosity that Uhlans should have been employed in unusual work. The three men left in front of the house, however, came running to the gates, shouting somewhat incoherently. The words "Spionen!" and "Belgen!" were distinguishable. Their cries were taken up by the troopers, and vociferated to their comrades riding leisurely along. At the prospect of a spy hunt they pricked their horses to a gallop, and set off in chase of the car, now almost out of sight.
"The German camp is in this direction, you told us?" said Kenneth to Granger.
"Yes; there is a by-road just before we reach it. The enemy are not likely to be coming towards us."