"That means that the Germans have seized the road," said the Captain. "Where is your informant?" he asked.
One of the men, who lived in the immediate neighborhood, came forward and he was carefully questioned. He could give no news as to the reason for the delay in trains.
"How far is it to the nearest station?"
"One kilometer to the east, Captain. I will undertake to go there and try to get some information."
"Go at once, and Corporal Antonio will accompany you."
Antonio was the non-commissioned officer who had charge of the other party in their movement around the village.
They hurriedly departed, and the Captain then disposed of the company, by ordering them to line the hedges along the embankment, and to remain perfectly quiet, until ordered to move.
After a wait of twenty minutes the corporal reappeared and reported that the Germans held the approach to the northern side of the bridge, and that a troop train had left Tongres less than a half hour ago.
"Then we must march to the north at once," said the Captain.