"Hist! I am a Belgian," whispered Pariset hurriedly in Flemish. "My friend is an Englishman." The man looked at them narrowly, only half believing. "It is true," said Pariset. "We want to save the prisoners. Do you know the place? Will you help?" Convinced by their appearance and by Pariset’s Flemish the man said: "My word! will I help! One of them is my brother; two are my cousins. Only tell me what I can do, mijnheer. But not here; it is not safe; come to the back." "Wait!" said Pariset, pointing to a door at the further end of the stable. "Where does that lead to?" "Into the harness room." "And beyond that?" "The kitchen." "Who are in the kitchen?" "I do not know; maybe the mistress and the women servants. They cook the meals for those hogs." "Is the door unlocked?" "Most likely; it is never locked during the day." "Then creep into the kitchen and tell the women we are here. Quickly! We will hide in the harness room. And find out where the Germans have stacked their rifles, and how many there are." The man passed through the door, followed by Pariset and Kenneth, who remained among the harness while the wagoner went on to the kitchen. "It’s a frightful risk, Remi," whispered Kenneth. Pariset set his teeth. "I’m a Belgian," he said. "It’s not your job. Go back to----" "Rubbish!" Kenneth interrupted. "We sink or swim together.... Here he comes!" "I saw the mistress," said the man. "They have caught the master; she is frantic. There are ten Uhlans in the big room; the sergeant is alone in the parlour beyond. The maids are serving them." "The rifles?" said Pariset. "They are not stacked, mijnheer. There is no room between the wall and the big table. They are laid anyhow in the corner near the kitchen door." For a minute or two Pariset and Kenneth conversed in rapid whispers. While they were speaking the farmer’s wife, a large capable Flamande, came to the door, an expression of mingled agitation and hope on her broad red face. "We try it?" said Pariset to Kenneth. "Yes." The three men entered the kitchen. "If you can save my husband and my son--" began the good woman imploringly. Pariset cut her short. She had the appearance of abundant energy. "We want your help, meffrouw," he said. "Courage! Can you smuggle some of the rifles out of the room? Not all." "I will try, mijnheer," she said quietly, with the firm look of the Flemish housewife. There was much noise from the room beyond. The troopers were eating and drinking hard. Pariset and Kenneth stepped behind a large Dutch clock when the women pushed open the door, carrying a dish of steaming stew. They saw her recoil a little when the Germans hailed her appearance with boisterous shouts. She beckoned to her two maids, stout Flamandes like herself, then disappeared towards the right.