“At the moment--very doubtful. Later on things will settle down somewhat no doubt. I am trying to get through by way of the south. France and Germany are quite out of the question. What are your immediate needs, Mr Luard?” “Very small. We are cutting our coat according to the cloth we have. Six francs a day pays our board and lodging,”--at which the Consul permitted himself a brief smile. “But we had to walk all the way from Innsbruck, you see, so we sent all our baggage to Meran with a Mr Lockhart, the man who writes about Tirol,”--the consul nodded--“And we really must buy some few things to go on with. Could I possibly draw on Sir Anthony through you for a small sum?” “We’ll manage it somehow. You see how I’m situated,”--with a wave of the hand towards the adjoining room full of clamorous applicants. “As far as I can I must do something for everybody. If I find you fifty francs a week at present, how will that do?” “Splendidly, and I’m ever so grateful to you. I’ve had visions of us sleeping on a seat on the quai and eating grass.” “We’ll hope it will not come to that for any of you,” smiled the consul. “If the amount grows large enough to make a small draft I will get you to sign one. But I am hoping that some arrangement will be made before long for getting you all home through mid-France. All the fighting is likely to be on the frontiers for some time to come, I should say.” “And then in Germany we will hope.” “Germany is very strong,” said the Vice-Consul cautiously. “One can’t foresee what may happen.” And so their way was to that extent smoothed for them. Board and lodging were at all events assured, and if they were not everything that could be desired they might have been much worse, though truly they could not have been much cheaper. The food, if a little rough, was well-cooked and sufficient, and Monsieur and Madame of the Estèphe and their four comely daughters grew more and more friendly under the influence of prompt and regular payments, and did all they could for their comfort. And Ray and Lois testified their gratitude to Mademoiselle of the tea-shop by having a festive cup and a chat with her every day when their rambles had not led them too far afield. Walking, since it cost nothing, was their one diversion. Fortunately they were both in good condition, and in spite of the heat they enjoyed their tramps immensely. Madame of the Pension met their wishes and provided them with portable lunches, which, if somewhat monotonous in their constitution, were undoubtedly satisfying, and she generally managed to amplify their evening meal to their entire contentment, and indeed showed herself not a little proud of the distinction such high-class guests conferred upon her establishment.