Page 179 - A Hero of Liége

learn. One extraordinary story, by the way, will amuse you. It was
rumoured in Cologne that a French airman had run off with one of our

Taubes, a feat which you, knowing Cologne, will recognise as impossible. I
believe it as little as I believe that the Irish are in revolt.

"I am glad for our sake that recruiting is a failure in England. People here
are very bitter against the English, but I explain that you have been

hoodwinked by those awful Russians. Your statesmen are so easily taken
in. After the war your people will admit it.

"Keep the London business together as well as you can. Next year I dare
say I shall settle in London myself, and nothing shall interfere with our

plans for a partnership. Write to me if you can."

"Poor old Max!" thought Kenneth. "Of course, like all Germans, he thinks

they will win: professors and the General Staff have drummed that into
their foolish heads. He'll have a shock when I tell him I have joined the

army. Now for Frieda."

"Was it you?" he read. "I daren't suggest it to Father; he scoffs at the mere

idea that any one could do so audacious a thing. But when you didn't come
back for your luggage I was anxious and went down to the station, and the
stationmaster told me that you had gone away with your ticket and hadn't

come for your seat that he had engaged for you, and when I heard the
rumour about the French airman I couldn't help thinking it was just the mad

sort of thing you would delight in. Do tell me if I am right.

"This is a terrible war, isn't it? What is the good of you English fighting?

Father says your army is too small to do anything, and you can't get recruits
because all your young men want to play football. I am so sorry for you.

Father says you will give it up when we take Paris, and then you will have
to give us some of your colonies. You have so many that I am sure you can