This was followed by a lurid description of the retreat of the Allies across the Marne and then over the Aisne.
"Paris, too, is in panic. The French Government, it has run away to the south of France. And our navy, it is great. Yesterday a sea battle took place. The Admiral Jellicoe's flagship the Iron Duke was sunk by our submarines——"
"Hold on!" exclaimed Kenneth. "Colonel von Koenik told us that the Iron Duke was sunk more than a fortnight ago."
Max shrugged his shoulders.
"You English are so deceitful. Ach! They must have given to another ship the same name. Dover is in flames, and London bombarded has been by our Zeppelins. Ireland is revolted, and the Irish have proclaimed our Kaiser as King——"
"Steady, Max!" exclaimed Rollo expostulatingly.
"But it is so," protested the corporal.
The next day Max's report was one of indefinite progress. During the three following he made no mention of the brilliant feats of German arms. Kenneth rallied him on this point.
"How far are the Germans from Paris to-day, Max?"
For the first time Max showed signs of irritability. By accident he had seen in Colonel von Koenik's quarters a report of the check of the German armies' progress, and of their eastward movement. Following this came the news of von Kluck's defeat and disorderly retirement across the Marne. Too stupidly honest to keep the news to himself, Corporal Max blurted out the information that the advance upon Paris had been temporarily abandoned.