The people fled into their houses and shut the doors. Only the curé and the smith were visible, the latter standing at his door leaning on his hammer, with an angry frown upon his swarthy face. Within the smithy Burton was making a rapid change of dress. He rolled up his own clothes and equipment and threw them into a corner behind a heap of old iron, and donned the dirty outer garments hurriedly provided by the smith. After a moment’s hesitation he ferreted out his revolver case from the bundle, and slipped the revolver inside his blouse. "If they search me, I’m done for," he thought. "But they would shoot the smith if they found the thing here, so it’s as broad as it is long. The case must go up the chimney." Then, completely transformed, he came to the door in time to see a troop of the Death’s Head Hussars gallop up the street. They reined up at the door of the smithy. "Now, you dog, answer me," said the major in command. "And tell the truth, or I’ll cut your tongue out. Have you seen an aeroplane hereabout?" "Oui da, mon colonel," replied the smith, with an ironical courtesy that delighted Burton. "I did see an aeroplane, it might be an hour ago. It came down close to those poplars yonder, but rose in a minute or two and sailed away to the west." "Go and see if he is telling the truth," said the officer to two of his men. "And you, smith, look to my horse’s shoes. Who is this young fellow? A deserter? a coward?" "Oh, he’s brave enough, mon colonel," the smith answered. "But the poor wretch is deaf and dumb, a sore trouble to himself and his friends. You may shout, and he will not hear you; and as to asking for his dinner, he can’t do it. I only employ him out of compassion." The officer glanced at Burton, who was trying to assume that pathetically eager expression, that busy inquiry of the eyes, which characterises deaf mutes. "If he were a German we’d make him shoot, deaf or not," said the major. "You French are too weak. Well?" The troopers had returned, and sat their horses rigidly at the salute. "Without doubt an aeroplane descended there, Herr Major," one of them reported, "and it flew up again, for there are no more tracks." "It is not worth while continuing the chase. Night is coming on. Quarter yourselves in the village--and keep the people quiet. No one is to leave his house." The troopers saluted and rode off, leaving a captain, two lieutenants, and four orderlies with the major. "Look alive, smith," cried that officer, in the domineering tone evidently habitual with him. "Are the shoes in good order?" The smith turned up the hoofs one after another, and pronounced them perfectly shod. "Very well; if any of the troopers’ horses need shoeing, see that it is done promptly, or it will be the worse for you. Now for the château, gentlemen; monsieur le marquis will be delighted to entertain us."