Thus it came about that both Dalroy and Irene were back in the kitchen, and clothed in garments fully in keeping with their new rôles, when a commissariat wagon entered the yard. A Bavarian corporal did not trouble to open the door in the ordinary way. He smashed the latch with his shoulder. "Why is this door closed?" he demanded fiercely. "Monsieur----" began Joos. "Speak German, you swine!" "I forgot the order, Herr Kaporal. As you see, it was only on the latch." "Don't let it happen again. Load the first wagon with hay and the second with flour. While you're at it, these women can cook us a meal. Where do you keep your wine?" "Everything will be put on the table, _mons_--Herr Kaporal." "None of your lip!--Here, you, the pretty one, show me the wine-cupboard. I'll make my own selection. We Bavarians are famous judges of good wine and pretty women, let me tell you." The corporal's wit was highly appreciated by the squad of four men who accompanied him. They had all been drinking. It is a notable fact that during the early days of the invasion of Belgium and France--in effect, while wine and brandy were procurable by theft--the army which boasts the strictest discipline of any in the world was unquestionably the most drunken that has ever waged successful war. Irene was "the pretty one" chosen as guide by this hulking connoisseur, but she knew how to handle boors of his type. "You must not talk in that style to a girl from Berlin," she said icily. "You and your men will take what is given you, or I'll find your _oberleutnant_, and hear what he has to say about it." She spoke purposely in perfect German, and the corporal was vastly surprised. "Pardon, _gnädiges Fräulein_," he mumbled with a clumsy bow. "I no offence meant. We will within come when the meal is ready. About--turn!" The enemy was routed. The miller and his man worked hard until dusk. The fat officer turned up, and lost no opportunity of ogling the two girls. He handed Joos a payment docket, which, he explained grandiloquently, would be honoured by the military authorities in due course. Joos pocketed the document with a sardonic grin. There was some fifteen thousand francs' worth of grain and forage stored on the premises, and he did not expect to see a centime of hard cash from the Germans, unless, as he whispered grimly to Dalroy, they were forced to pay double after the war. Meanwhile the place was gutted. Wagon after wagon came empty and went away loaded. Driblets of news were received. The passage of the Meuse had been achieved, thanks to a flanking movement from Argenteau. Liège had fallen at the first attack. The German High Sea Fleet was escorting an army in transports to invade England, where, meanwhile, Zeppelins were destroying London. Visé, having been sufficiently "punished" for a first offence, would now be spared so long as the inhabitants "behaved themselves." If a second "lesson" were needed it would be something to remember.