So Lois went away and brought in Frau Helse and Luise, and introduced Ray to them. They had been mightily surprised at Fräulein Lois’s news, and Frau Helse--when the two girls had gone off to finish the packing--let it be seen that she was distinctly doubtful as to the perfect propriety of allowing her to go off with this good-looking young Engländer, who was not in any way related to her. However, in the face of Mrs Dare’s letter she could scarcely raise any objection, and Ray got away as soon as he could, promising to be back in an hour. He had decided to take the friendly Saxon’s advice and make for Switzerland. He reasoned the matter out thus,--Austria and Servia were practically at war. Though no formal declaration had yet been made, the Austrian Legation had left Belgrade. Russia would almost certainly help Servia. Germany would help Austria. France would help Russia. Without doubt Germany would endeavour to strike at France quickly and heavily. She could only do that down south. So all the railway lines leading thither would be taken over by the military, and ordinary travellers--and still more especially foreigners--would meet with less consideration even than usual. So he enquired for trains for Munich, intending to get from there into Tirol, and so into neutral Switzerland. Since the first clash of arms would undoubtedly come far away to the south on the Servian frontier, it was reasonable to expect that this remote corner of Austria would still be comparatively free and open to traffic. There was a train at ten o’clock and another at half-past twelve. He decided on the earlier one, paid his bill at the hotel, and drove off to Frau Helse’s to secure his prize. Lois was waiting for him, all dressed for the journey, and the slightness of her travelling equipment evoked his surprised eulogiums. As they were making for the station, with just comfortable time to get their tickets, they passed on the sidewalk a man of unforgettable proportions. There was no possibility of mistaking him, but Ray had no desire for his further acquaintance and permitted no sign of recognition to escape him. The stout one, however, turned ponderously and looked after them, and then said a word or two to a policeman. Ray had got their tickets, and had despatched a telegram--which never reached him--to Uncle Tony, saying they were just starting for home via Munich and Switzerland; and they were waiting impatiently for the doors of the Wartesaal to be opened to let them through to their train, when a couple of police-officers came pushing through the throng to Ray and abruptly requested him to follow them. He was taken aback, but knew his Germany and its unpleasant little ways too well to make trouble. “Follow you? Certainly! But why?” But they were not there to answer questions, only to carry out orders. “Come!” they gruffly insisted, and Ray gave his arm to Lois and went.