"For all that he may prove our salvation," said Dalroy quickly. "Sharp, now! Pitch our firearms and ammunition into the river. We must lift a gate off its hinges, and carry that fellow into Argenteau." Joos grinned. He saw the astuteness of the scheme. A number of Belgian peasants bringing a wounded officer to the ambulance would probably be allowed to proceed scot-free. But he was loath to part with the precious fork on which the blood of "that fat Busch" was congealing. He thrust it into a ditch, and if ever he was able to retrieve it no more valued souvenir of the great war will adorn his dwelling. They possessed neither wine nor water; but a tiny rivulet flowing into the Meuse under a neighbouring bridge supplied the latter, and the wounded man gulped down great mouthfuls out of a _Pickel-haube_. It partially cleared his wits. "Where am I?" he asked faintly. Dalroy nodded to Joos, who answered, "On the Meuse bank, near Argenteau." "Ah, I remember. Those cursed----" Some dim perception of his surroundings choked the word on his lips. "I was hit," he went on, "and crawled among the bushes." "Was there fighting here this morning?" "Yes. To-day is Tuesday, isn't it?" "No, Wednesday midnight." "_Ach, Gott!_ That _verdammt_ ambulance missed me! I have lain here two days!" This time he swore without hesitation, since he was cursing his own men. Jan came with a hurdle. "This is lighter than a gate, monsieur," he explained. Dalroy nudged Joos sharply, and the miller took the cue. "Right," he said. "Now, you two, handle him carefully." The German groaned piteously, and fainted. "Oh, he's dead!" gasped Irene, when she saw his head drop. "No, he will recover. But don't speak English.--As for you, Jan Maertz, no more of your 'monsieur' and 'madame.' I am Pierre, and this lady is Clementine. You understand?" Dalroy spoke emphatically. Had the German retained his wits their project might be undone. In the event, the pain of movement on the hurdle revived the wounded man, and he asked for more water. They were then entering the outskirts of Argenteau, so they kept on. Soon they gained the main road, and Joos inquired of an officer the whereabouts of a field hospital. He directed them quite civilly, and offered to detail men to act as bearers. But the miller was now his own shrewd self again. "No," he said bluntly, "I and my family have rescued your officer, and we want a safe conduct."