Part 28 (1/2)
So saying, Dacres produced his purse, and extracting five twenty-franc pieces forced them into Kenneth's hand, abruptly checking the lad's mingled protestations and thanks.
”Rollo, old man, I've brought someone to see you,” announced his comrade, as he opened the door of the room in which Rollo was lying in bed.
”Hulloa, Barrington!”
”Hulloa, Dacres!”
That was the prosaic greeting, nothing more and nothing less; yet there was a wealth of cordial surprise in the interchange of exclamations.
The time Dacres had at his disposal was only too short. He was, he explained, a sub-lieutenant in one of the recently-raised naval brigades, and had accompanied an officer of rank upon an important mission to Belgium. More he was unable to say. He had already been to Ostend, and was now about to proceed to Antwerp.
”We're returning home to-night,” he concluded. ”If you like to entrust me with a letter, I'll see that it's posted safely the moment I set foot ash.o.r.e in England. If I've time I'll look your people up and let them know you're doing your little bit. It all depends upon whether I can get leave, but we are hard at it whipping recruits into shape.”
”Awfully decent chap,” commented Kenneth, when d.i.c.k Dacres had taken his departure. ”He would insist upon lending me a hundred francs.
Otherwise, old man, we would be on the rocks--absolutely. I've drawn three blanks--no uniforms obtainable, no tidings of the Resimont family, and no letters from home. I think we ought to hang on here a little while until your ankle's fit. We may see the beastly Germans marching through the city, for the burgomaster has gone, so I hear, to obtain terms of capitulation.”
”Where are the Belgian troops?”
”Mostly in Antwerp.”
”Then if I were you, I'd make tracks for Antwerp while there's time.”
”Are you fit, then?”
”I wasn't referring to myself. This ankle will keep me here some days longer, I'm afraid. But you go, and if I have a ghost of a chance I'll find you again within a week.”
Kenneth shook his head.
”Can't be done,” he declared. ”I mean to stand by you till you're well again. It would be interesting to watch how those Germans behave in Brussels.”
”It's risky,” remarked Rollo.
”So is everything connected with this business, old man. Besides, we are acting under the orders of Captain Doublebois, so that settles it.”
CHAPTER XXI
Denounced
The morning of the 20th August--a fateful day in the history of Belgium--dawned, accompanied by a drizzling rain. The sky seemed to be shedding tears of sympathy at the impending fate of Brussels, for, according to the terms of the agreement made between the German commander, Sixtus von Arnim, and the Belgian burgomaster, the invading troops were to march in unopposed.
When the triumphant Prussians entered Paris after the siege of 1870, their pageant-like progress was witnessed only by a few exasperated Parisians from behind the shuttered windows of their houses. The streets along the line of route were practically deserted. Had the Bruxellois adopted a similar plan, much of the effect of the gaudy display of Germany in arms would have been thrown away.
But the citizens of Brussels acted otherwise. In spite of their fear and trembling they a.s.sembled in vast, silent throngs. Curiosity had got the better of their national pride. Those who had good reason to doubt the plighted word of a Prussian took courage at the high-spirited yet conciliatory proclamation of the debonair M. Max, the burgomaster:
”As long as I live, or am a free agent, I shall endeavour to protect the rights and dignity of my fellow-citizens. I pray you, therefore, to make my task easier by refraining from all acts of hostility against the German soldiery. Citizens, befall what may, listen to your burgomaster. He will not betray you. Long live Belgium, free and independent! Long live Brussels!”
Accordingly the citizens, amongst whom were few able-bodied men, a.s.sembled in crowds ten or twelve deep along the princ.i.p.al thoroughfares. Amongst them was Kenneth Everest, who, in his civilian garb, attracted no attention from those who stood near him. Since a dignified silence seemed to brood over the humiliated Belgians, Kenneth had no occasion to speak, and thus disclose his nationality. He knew, by reports from his hostess, that there were spies innumerable mingled with the throng; but he was unaware that he was already marked for denunciation to the German authorities as soon as the Prussian rule was established in Belgium's capital.
Presently a wave of dull expectancy swept through the heavy-hearted populace. It was now early in the afternoon. From the south-east and east came the faint discord of military bands playing one against the other. Louder and louder grew the noise, till the strident tones of ”Deutschland uber Alles”, played by the leading regimental band, drowned the chaotic blare of the next.