Page 70 - A Hero of Liége

"Perhaps he could tell us of another way into the mill, so that we could do it
ourselves."

"That could only be in the darkness, and they may fire the mine before

night. I see nothing for it, after all, but to bring some cavalry from
Charleroi and take care the men don't escape. We can do that, if we can't
save the bridge."

"Why not wait a little? If the order to fire the mine comes suddenly, any

time before night, we can't prevent it. But if it doesn't come before night,
we still have a chance. In any case we ought to get some lancers over, to be
in the neighbourhood at nightfall. It won't take long for one of us to get into

Charleroi and back."

"That would be risky after that fellow's question about the aeroplane. The
best course will be to send in a message by the drayman. I'll write a note as
soon as we get back."

The drayman readily agreed to carry Pariset's note to the commandant of

the Charleroi garrison. When he had departed, the miller was taken into
consultation.

"Is there any other entrance to the millhouse besides the front door?" asked
Pariset.

"There is a door to the stables, but that has long been nailed up," the old
man replied.

"Describe the interior as well as you can."

"Well, monsieur, I lived there fifty years, so I ought to know something
about it. You go in by the door; well, first there's the lobby; beyond that,

straight ahead, is the kitchen, and beyond that again, looking on the stream,
is the storeroom with the mill above. To the left of that is the hoist; and this

side of it, overlooking the yard, is the big room, dining-room and parlour in
one. There you have the ground-floor; the bedrooms are upstairs."