Page 29 - A Hero of Liége

"Indeed! On what charge?"

"As a suspect."

"Suspected of what?"

"Of spying."

This took Kenneth's breath away. Mechanically he walked a few steps

beside the officer, the two constables following. Then realising the nature
of the charge against him, he stopped short.

"It is false!" he cried. "I am no spy. Where is your warrant? What right
have you to arrest me?"

"No warrant is needed," replied the sergeant, courteously enough. "You
will no doubt clear yourself if you are innocent."

"Of course I am innocent. My friends will prove that. Oh! I won't give you

any trouble: the sooner I get to the police-station, the better."

"That is reasonable," said the sergeant.

They marched on. Kenneth looked eagerly at all the passers-by in the hope

of finding a friend who would vouch for him; but he recognised no familiar
face. On reaching the station he was searched, but deprived of nothing
except his pocket-book and the letters it contained.

"They are only private letters," he explained. "The whole matter is

ridiculous. You will let me write a note to a friend, who will speak for me?"

"Certainly," said the officer, "provided I see what you say."

Kenneth quickly scribbled a note to Max Finkelstein, and handed it to the

officer, who remarked that it had nothing suspicious about it, and placed it
in an envelope which Kenneth addressed.