"Still, they ought to know every inch of the probable theatre of war," he said, "and may spot the place at once." "We’ll see in the morning," said Kenneth. "Meanwhile we had better take watch and watch about during the rest of the night. I don’t suppose any one will come by while it’s dark, but it’s as well to be on the safe side. I’ll take first watch." "Very well. It will be light in less than five hours. I’ll snooze for a couple of hours; wake me then." The night was warm, and Kenneth, in his policeman’s coat, suffered no discomfort. His watch passed undisturbed, and he was very sleepy when he roused Granger. About five o’clock he was wakened from a sound sleep by a nudge from his companion. "Sorry to disturb you," said Granger, "but there’s a group of peasants approaching with scythes. Evidently they are going to mow the meadow." Kenneth started up. "Belgians?" he asked. "Or Dutch," replied Granger. "We shall soon know." The peasants, more than a dozen in number, came straight towards the aeroplane. Recognising the German uniforms, as the two men rose from the ground, they halted, consulted for a moment or two, then advanced, holding their scythes threateningly. "I fancy they’re Dutch," said Granger. "My good friends," he called in Dutch, "will you tell us where we are?" On hearing their own tongue the men consulted again. Then one of them left the party, and hurried back by the way he had come. The rest advanced slowly, keeping close together, not replying to the question, and wearing an air of suspicion and hostility. "They have sent a man back to his village to warn the authorities," said Granger. "We must find out where we are." The peasants halted at a little distance, and stood in an attitude of watchfulness. "We are not Germans, in spite of our dress," Granger continued. "As a matter of fact, we are Englishmen who have lost our way." The stolid Dutchmen looked round upon one another with a knowing air as much as to say "We have heard that story before." Granger tried again. "Come, come, it is the truth, I assure you. All we want is to know where we are; then we will pursue our journey." There was again a consultation among the group. Then one of them said, pugnaciously: "You are near Weert, as you know very well." "Weert is some few miles north-east of Maestricht," Granger remarked to Kenneth. "We don’t want to know any more. I think we had better be off. They don’t believe we are not Germans, and as neutrals they will hold us up if we wait until the village authorities arrive. I hope they won’t show fight, for we are absolutely unarmed, and those scythes are rather formidable implements." "We’re in an awkward hole, certainly," said Kenneth. "By the look of them they’ll set on to us as soon as they see us making ready to go." "The police took my revolver when they searched me," said Granger; "otherwise we might intimidate them."