Trotting along the road was a squadron of German cavalry. The enemy had made a totally unexpected raid upon the town of Tongres. "It won't do for us to be seen," exclaimed Kenneth, "especially in uniform. And those fellows are particularly certain to make a bee-line for the various inns as soon as they break ranks. Let's clear out." Just then up ran the landlord, who had taken the precaution of closing and barring his doors, an example which many of his neighbours hastened to follow. "Do not remain here, messieurs, I implore you," he began in rapid sentences punctuated with excited gestures. "If the Bosches find men in uniform in my house they will be furious with me." "All right," said Kenneth reassuringly. "If we can get our cycles out by the back way we'll clear off and give the alarm. Two regiments ought to be sufficient to trap these fellows." "It is impossible to escape, messieurs. The Germans are holding all the approaches to the town." "Then what do you suggest?" asked Rollo calmly. "The roof, monsieur; thence you can make your way along by the parapets of many houses, till you reach the roof of the _chapelle_. There you ought to be safe, unless these rascals take it into their heads to burn the town." "Very well; show us the way," agreed Rollo. "Only see if you can manage to hide our motor-cycles." Having shown the lads the exit on to the roof, their host left them to their own devices. It was a comparatively easy matter to creep along the gutters, for they were hidden from observation by the parapets of the various adjacent buildings. The only difficult part of the journey was crossing the gap between the end house and the roof of the _chapelle_--a distance of about five feet in width. Sixty feet below there was a narrow alley, through which several terrified townsfolk were hurrying, all too intent to gaze skywards as the lads made their daring leap. "Now we're safe for the present," exclaimed Kenneth. "We can even look over the parapet and see what's going on." "Right-o! only take your cap off. It might attract attention," cautioned Rollo. "If we keep close to this pinnacle it ought to be as safe as anything, unless some fool of a civilian starts taking pot-shots at those fellows."