"It is pretty clear," Max summed up, "that the Germans have put a cordon of soldiers all about the works, and clearer still"--a little ruefully this--"that their orders are to shoot first and make enquiries afterwards." "We must chance it and try to get over somewhere," responded Dale. "No--too risky. The moment we top the wall we show up plainly against the light of the fire behind us. We should be noticed at once. We must try another plan." "What's that?" "The river." "Ah--swim across?" "Yes--or, better still, float down until we get beyond the roads about the works." "But what about Dubec? Can he swim?" "I don't suppose so. Can you, Monsieur Dubec?" The answer was a decided negative, and Max went on: "But it doesn't matter. Dubec doesn't need to leave in the unorthodox way that Schenk has forced upon us. He is a _bona fide_ workman, and has been working in the shops for the last three days. He is safe enough." It was so arranged, and soon the party had gained the shelter of the bushes at the spot where their stock of shells had been hidden. Max and Dale then waded waist-deep into the Meuse, and, with a whispered farewell to M. Dubec, allowed themselves to float down with the stream. For some yards out the edge of the river was in deep shadow from the bank, and beyond a gentle movement of the hands to keep them within its shelter, the two lads let themselves drift at will. The water was warm and they felt no discomfort, and in half an hour they were beyond what they considered the danger zone. Clambering out of the river, they wrung as much of the water as possible out of their clothes and made rapid tracks for their lodging. As was to be expected, the destruction of the power-house and the burning of one of the largest workshops at the Durend works created a great sensation among both the Germans and the Liegeois. The former looked upon it, rightly enough, as a determined attempt to interfere with their exploitation of the manufacturing resources of the city for the benefit of the invading armies; the latter, as a patriotic and successful demonstration of the hatred of the Belgians for their temporary masters and of their determination to hinder them by every means in their power. It gave the spirit of the people a fillip, and, despite the redoubled severity of the Germans, the Liegeois went about their businesses with a prouder air, as if conscious that, though temporarily overcome, they were very far from being beaten.