Page 47 - A Hero of Liége

"That's worth a few hours' delay. What you say confirms my own
knowledge of the extraordinary minuteness of the German plans.

'Somewhere in Belgium,' you say. You don't know where?"

"No. The name of the river was not mentioned either by Hellwig or— "

"Hellwig! Does his Christian name happen to be Kurt?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

"I have crossed swords with him--not literally, you understand, though
nothing would please me better than a bout with him with the buttons off. I

have one or two scores to settle with him. His Christian name would be
more truly descriptive with the loss of a T. But how in the world did you

come across him? He's not the kind of man I should expect to meet in your
company."

"He's the cousin of my poor father's partner, Max Finkelstein. Max gives
him a salary; he doesn't earn a penny of it, but Max is a kind-hearted

beggar. He wouldn't do it if he knew that Hellwig was a--secret agent."

"Don't mind my feelings, my dear fellow," said Granger, with a laugh.

"We're a very mixed lot, I assure you. Do you mind repeating what you
overheard, as nearly as you can remember it?"

When the story was told, Granger acknowledged that ignorance of the
position of the bridge was an obstacle to forewarning the Belgian

authorities.

"Still, they ought to know every inch of the probable theatre of war," he
said, "and may spot the place at once."

"We'll see in the morning," said Kenneth. "Meanwhile we had better take
watch and watch about during the rest of the night. I don't suppose any one

will come by while it's dark, but it's as well to be on the safe side. I'll take
first watch."