As Clarence walked down the road, the excited voice of a newspaper-boy came to him. Presently the boy turned the corner, shouting, "Ker-lapse of Surrey! Sensational bowling at the Oval!" He stopped on seeing Clarence. "Paper, General?" Clarence shook his head. Then he uttered a startled exclamation, for his eye had fallen on the poster. It ran as follows:-- SURREY DOING BADLY GERMAN ARMY LANDS IN ENGLAND Chapter 2 THE INVADERS Clarence flung the boy a halfpenny, tore a paper from his grasp, and scanned it eagerly. There was nothing to interest him in the body of the journal, but he found what he was looking for in the stop-press space. "Stop press news," said the paper. "Fry not out, 104. Surrey 147 for 8. A German army landed in Essex this afternoon. Loamshire Handicap: Spring Chicken, 1; Salome, 2; Yip-i-addy, 3. Seven ran." Essex! Then at any moment the foe might be at their doors; more, inside their doors. With a passionate cry, Clarence tore back to the house. He entered the dining-room with the speed of a highly-trained Marathon winner, just in time once more to prevent Mr. Chugwater lowering his record. "The Germans!" shouted Clarence. "We are invaded!" This time Mr. Chugwater was really annoyed. "If I have told you once about your detestable habit of shouting in the house, Clarence, I have told you a hundred times. If you cannot be a Boy Scout quietly, you must stop being one altogether. I had got up to six that time." "But, father----" "Silence! You will go to bed this minute; and I shall consider the question whether you are to have any supper. It will depend largely on your behaviour between now and then. Go!" "But, father----" Clarence dropped the paper, shaken with emotion. Mr. Chugwater's sternness deepened visibly. "Clarence! Must I speak again?" He stooped and removed his right slipper. Clarence withdrew. Reggie picked up the paper. "That kid," he announced judicially, "is off his nut! Hullo! I told you so! Fry not out, 104. Good old Charles!" "I say," exclaimed Horace, who sat nearest the window, "there are two rummy-looking chaps coming to the front door, wearing a sort of fancy dress!" "It must be the Germans," said Reggie. "The paper says they landed here this afternoon. I expect----" A thunderous knock rang through the house. The family looked at one another. Voices were heard in the hall, and next moment the door opened and the servant announced "Mr. Prinsotto and Mr. Aydycong." "Or, rather," said the first of the two newcomers, a tall, bearded, soldierly man, in perfect English, "Prince Otto of Saxe-Pfennig and Captain the Graf von Poppenheim, his aide-de-camp." "Just so--just so!" said Mr. Chugwater, affably. "Sit down, won't you?" The visitors seated themselves. There was an awkward silence. "Warm day!" said Mr. Chugwater. "Very!" said the Prince, a little constrainedly. "Perhaps a cup of tea? Have you come far?"