"It's the railway they're after, that line runs between Namur and Tirlemont," said Paul. "Well, we've got to risk it now. Perhaps they will catch us, but if we have any luck we'll get our messages through."
They came into a town that was almost wholly deserted, as it seemed. The Germans had given warning of their coming, and the people had fled. But in the building that was used by the telephone system there were still signs of life. The door was open, and when, having left the car outside, they burst into the room that contained the big switchboard, they found a girl sitting there calmly, waiting for the calls that did not come.
"Can you get Tirlemont?" cried Paul. "We must talk to the office of the headquarters staff there. Say that we have come from Liege and have a message from Major du Chaillu."
The girl stared at them incredulously for a moment. She had had the pluck to stick to her post when she knew the Germans were coming, and now she went to work without argument.
"If the wires are not cut!" she said. She manipulated the plugs and then, after a brief delay, pointed to an instrument.
"A message from Major du Chaillu!" said a voice in Paul's ear. "Impossible—he is here!"
"Thank Heaven!" cried Paul. "Call him to the telephone!"
In another moment he was telling what they had learned. He gave the information concerning the great extent of the German strength first, and was rewarded by a cry of astonishment. And then he told of their situation; of how, having captured the car and fled through the whole German army, they were now almost certain to be captured.
"With that coat—and the automobile!" cried du Chaillu. "My boy, I am afraid they would shoot you! How far away are they?"
"Very near."