"Oh, yes, Aunt Abigail would fight. So would Father, especially if, like me, he'd seen the Germans blind Deschamps, burn Mme. Maubin alive, massacre the curé and kill little Jacques. I don't see any other decent way out of it, Croquier, I've got to fight." "I never doubted that you would," the hunchback replied. "Very well, then," said the boy, squaring his shoulders, "it's for France, then. How do we get there?" "I've been working it all out," said the hunchback, "and keeping my ears open. We've got to go either by Namur or Dinant." "I thought the Germans were going there." "They are," Croquier agreed. "That shows they expect to face the French army there. If we want to join the French, it is necessary for us to be there before the Germans take up positions. Every hour makes it harder. With the fall of the forts, the railway lines are open to the Germans for troop transport. Besides that, several days ago, we saw divisions marching by to the southward, not stopping to join in the Liége attack. We've got to creep through or go round them. One must move quickly, for Namur won't hold long." "I thought Namur was stronger than Liége." "From the talk I've overheard this last week, while I've been hiding," the hunchback replied, "Von Buelow won't attack Namur with his infantry until the forts are smashed by their heavy siege guns. Those have gone on ahead." "I guess they lost too heavily at Liége to want to repeat the dose," said Horace. "It is that, exactly. So, what we've got to do is to slide through the German armies while they are on the march and before they take up definite positions on the battle-line. After that, a rat won't be able to get through." [Illustration: ROYAL BOY WARRIORS. _British Official Photograph._ Captain the Prince of Wales, who fought with his regiment at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle. _Courtesy of "The Graphic."_ Prince Umberto of Italy, who has joined the colors, now that his kingdom has been invaded.] "Can we do it?" asked the boy, anxiously. "If we were Red Indians, I would say 'yes,'" Croquier answered; "being what we are, I only say, 'I don't know.' We may be killed if we go, but we'll have a chance to fight for ourselves and for France; we're sure to be killed if we stay, and we won't have a chance to fight." "What's your plan?" "To travel through woods and on by-paths. The armies crowd every road which is wide enough to take a wheeled wagon. We can dodge them if we go carefully and fast." "When do we start?" "Have you got your shoes on?" "Yes." "Then we start now." The hunchback went to the well-head and peered out cautiously. "All's quiet," he said, returning, "and, so far as I can see, your house is safe. They haven't burned it down, in any case. Now, fill your pockets with food as full as you can hold. We don't want to waste time looking for provisions. Are you ready?" "Ready," said Horace, soberly, realizing the peril into which he was plunging.