The chauffeur was a soldier. By his side sat the usual armed escort. Georg galloped up. Oombergen was only a mile and a half distant, and the road through the wood was in such a condition that the car was compelled to travel slowly. A cloaked staff-officer alighted. The hussars stood stiff as so many ramrods. The new-comer took their salute punctiliously, but his tone in addressing the corporal was far from gracious. "What's this unlikely tale you've sent in to headquarters?" he demanded harshly. "I don't think I'm mistaken, _Herr Hauptmann_," was the answer. "I've got that English captain and the lady wanted at Visé. They've practically admitted it." "Where are they?" "The man is sitting there against the wall. The lady is in the barn.--Stand up, prisoner!" Franz snatched away the cloak. Dalroy rose to his feet. He was smiling at the ruthlessness of Fate. He was still smiling when Captain von Halwig, of the Prussian Imperial Guard, flashed an electric torch in his face. It was unnecessary, perhaps, to render thus easy the task of recognition. But what did it matter? That lynx of a corporal was sure of his ground, and would refuse to be gainsaid even by a staff-officer and a Guardsman. Von Halwig's astonishment seemed to choke back any display of wrath. "Then it is really you?" he said quietly in English. "Yes," replied Dalroy. The torch was switched off. Dalroy's eyes were momentarily blinded by the glare, but he heard an ugly chuckle. "Where is the female prisoner?" said Von Halwig, with a formality that was as perplexing as his subdued manner. "Here, _Herr Hauptmann_." The two entered the barn. So far as Dalroy could judge, no word was spoken. The torch flared again, remained lighted a full half-minute, and was extinguished. Von Halwig reappeared, seemed to ponder matters, and turned to the corporal. "Put the woman in my car," he said. "Fall in your men, and be ready to escort me back to the village. You've done a good day's work, corporal." "Two men have gone in pursuit of Jan Maertz, sir." "Never mind. They'll have sense enough to come on to headquarters if they catch him. How is this Englishman secured?" The jubilant Franz explained. "Mount him on one of your horses. The trooper can squeeze in in front of the car. Has the female prisoner a dagger or a pistol?" "I have not searched her, _Herr Hauptmann_." "Make sure, but offer no violence or discourtesy. No, leave this fellow here at present. I want a few words with him in private. Assemble your men around the car, and take the woman there now." Irene was led out. She paused in the doorway, and the corporal thought she did not know what she was wanted for. "You are to be conveyed in the automobile, _Fräulein_," he said. But she was looking for Dalroy in the gloom. Before anyone could interfere, she ran and threw her arms around him, kissing him on the lips.