"Have you been informed that some Belgian troops are coming to Soissons to-morrow to take the train?" I asked. "To-morrow!" exclaimed the man, in amazement. "Why, the Boches are there, on the other side of the river. The station has been evacuated and...." I did not stay to hear the end of his sentence, but rushed off to the Prefecture of police, where I was assured that the German vanguards were quite near the town. "But surely there must be some military authority here in Soissons!" I said. "Perhaps you may find the Commander of arms. He lives at the house with the stone steps, in the first street to the left." I went there and found him. "Colonel," I said, "I have just come from Sermoise and have a communication for an English General whom I expected to find here. I am also to make arrangements for some Belgian troops to take the train from here to-morrow." "But, are you not aware that the Germans may enter the town from one minute to another?" he asked. "I have given orders for the bridges to be blown up as soon as they are in sight, and immediately after that I am starting for Rheims. The English Headquarters have been transferred, to-day, about ten miles away. I should advise you to take your communication there and to stay there yourself. The road is not safe...." At that very moment, I heard some loud explosions. The Aisne bridges had been blown up. "_Au revoir_," said the Colonel, getting into his motor-car, "and good luck!" I remained there a moment half dazed. The communication I had was worthless, and dangerous too, as it gave wrong information. The only thing that remained was to ride, at full speed, back to Sermoise and warn my chief there of the danger that threatened us. An hour later, I arrived there breathless. Colonel Iweins was dictating his instructions for the journey of the following day. I informed him immediately of what I had learnt at Soissons. The bivouac was at once broken up and Major Joostens set out in his motor-car to get instructions from the French Headquarters. He returned soon after with orders to start immediately for Chateau-Thierry. The main road from Sermoise to Chateau-Thierry passes through Soissons. There is another way, but it is not practicable for artillery, and it would have caused us delay at a time when every moment was precious. Colonel Iweins decided to send his horsemen to guard the passages of the Aisne. During that time the batteries and the vehicles with the accessories were to gallop through Soissons. The squadrons were to fall back and they would thus be able to protect the retreat. This plan was carried out and only just in time. The gendarmerie waggon, which was a little behind, was attacked and captured by the Germans.