Page 139 - A Hero of Liége

"Take the rifle into the harness room," said Pariset to the wagoner.
"Another, meffrouw."

The poor woman trembled, but summoning her courage she passed again

into the room. The door at the further end was now open, and the sergeant
stood in it. He had consulted his dignity by dining alone in the parlour.

"More wine!" he shouted. "It's poor stuff, mother, but I must make the best
of it till we get to Champagne. Then we'll break a few necks--of bottles and

Frenchmen."

Roars of laughter from the men greeted this sally. One of the maids carried

a fresh bottle into the parlour. Meanwhile the housewife had taken
advantage of the diversion caused by the sergeant's pleasantry to remove

another rifle. Three more she brought out at intervals; then Pariset said it
was enough; to abstract more might lead the men to notice the diminution
of the pile. Pariset examined each of the five; there were cartridges in all.

"Do your maids know German?" he asked the woman.

"Katrinka knows a little," she replied.

"Ask her to take some wine to the men on guard outside--it is by the
sergeant's orders. You and the other maid each take a bottle too. Supply the

Uhlans in there with plenty of food first, to keep them occupied. They will
gorge themselves so long as you please."

While the women carried into the room dishes loaded with cakes and
patties, Pariset and the two others held a whispered conversation in the

harness room. On the return of the women, Pariset asked the mistress to
give the carrier a bottle of wine. The man took it in his left hand; his right
held a knife.

The inner door of the kitchen was closed. They moved quietly to a side

door opening directly on the farmyard. Rain and mist threw a murky gloom
over the scene. The women, carrying bottles, moved quickly towards the