"Enough," said Michaud quietly. "It is time to leave. André, bring thou a bar to me." A charcoal burner ran to the hole in the rocks and drew out a crowbar. Michaud took it, shoved it under the edge of the ledge, found a fulcrum, motioned the men back. Two other men threw their weight on the bar; the ledge lifted easily. Suddenly the entire parapet gave way, crashing like an avalanche into the glen below. "They shall need wings who follow us," said the old man grimly. "Monsieur," turning calmly to Guild, "if we cross the Dutch border unarmed, will they interne us?" "No, I think not." "And from there we may be free to find our way to the colours?" "Yes." "By sea?" "By land and sea to Dunkirk. I know of no easier or quicker way." "Monsieur goes with us?" "First I must stop at Quellenheim." He added, in a low voice: "By mistake my papers were sent there last night. Our King must see those papers." "Bien," said Michaud. "We bivouac near Quellenheim tonight--time for a crust, Monsieur, while you go to the house and return. Is it agreeable to Monsieur?" "Perfectly." And, to Darrel: "Take your chance while it remains and join the Courlands when they leave Quellenheim. Will you promise?" "I'll see," said Darrel, carelessly tossing his rifle across his shoulder and stepping into the silent file of men which was already starting across the ridge. CHAPTER XXIII CANDLE LIGHT It was nearly eleven o'clock at night before they bivouacked without fires in the woods behind the Lodge at Quellenheim. The circuitous forest route had wearied the men; they threw themselves on the dead leaves and moss; some slept where they lay, others groped in sacks with toil-stiffened fingers searching for crusts, which they munched slowly, half asleep. Guild drew Darrel and Michaud aside. "To go by Luxembourg and Holland is too long and too uncertain," he said. "If we could cross the railway beyond Trois Fontaines before daylight we should have a clear country before us to Antwerp." It had been days since the household at Lesse had heard any war news, but Darrel recollected that there had been rumours of a German drive toward Antwerp. Michaud nodded. "It is possible," he said. "Brussels they may have taken; I don't know; but Antwerp, never! I _know_, Monsieur; I served my time with the artillery in the Scheldt forts. No German army could pass the outer ring of fortresses; the country can be flooded. Also our King is there with his Guides and Lancers and Chasseurs-à-cheval; the entire army is there. No, Monsieur, Antwerp is open to us if you desire to take us there."