"Six months," said the old woman. "Du lieber Himmel! but it seemed like six years. Wilhelm was in long clothes when you went, and when you came back he was running about. Ah! may God bring him back safe and sound!" "Listen! What is that?" cried the children’s mother. A humming sound, like the buzzing of a monster bee, floated in through the open window. The children ran to the door. "An aeroplane! An aeroplane!" they shouted. "See! it is coming down in the meadow." The household flocked to the door and window. "A Taube!" said the old man. "Run and see what the airmen want, Karl." A boy of twelve ran across the farmyard into the meadow. The monoplane had alighted, and a tall man in the uniform of a German captain was hastening towards the house. "Have you any petrol, boy?" asked the airman. The country boy looked up with awe, and said nothing. The sight of a German officer afflicted him with shyness. He ran back to his grandfather. "The Herr Captain needs petrol," he said. "That is unlucky, Herr Captain," said the old man, saluting the officer. "We have no petrol; I doubt whether you will get any in Erkelenz; it has all been bought for the army." "Well, give me something to eat and drink." Kenneth tried, without great success, to adopt the German officer’s peremptory manner. "No, I won’t come in," he added. "Bring it to me here; I’ve no time to spare." The women hastened to bring him of their best. "And the Herr Captain’s companion--shall we take something to him?" one of them asked. "He cannot eat or drink with his face bandaged like that," said Kenneth, glancing back at the aeroplane. Pariset, who could not speak German, had swathed his jaw in a linen bandage. "Ach, lieber Gott! he is wounded," said the old man. "We have had an exciting trip," replied Kenneth laconically. "I suppose I shall have to go on to Crefeld. Is anything happening here? I notice that transport is being diverted from the main road to a by-way. Why is that?" "An accident, Herr Captain," said the man. "A traction engine, drawing a very heavy load, slipped over the edge of the causeway three miles yonder. Something broke; it was late last night, and I heard they had to send to Crefeld for a steam crane to lift it. Maybe it is done by now." "It was drawing an ammunition wagon, I suppose?" "It did not look like that, Herr Captain. I walked over to see. But I could not guess what it was, for it was covered all over with tarpaulin." "Lend me a horse; I’ll ride over. Perhaps there’s some petrol in the baggage train." "I am sorry, Herr Captain; all the horses are taken." "I must walk then. This boy can come and show me the way, and carry back the petrol." "Surely, mein Herr." "Keep a look-out, will you? If you see any one approaching, warn the Herr Lieutenant. There may be spies about."