Page 66 - A Hero of Liége
P. 66
The premises were surrounded by an old and dilapidated wall, but they
noticed that along its top ran a row of formidable spikes, apparently of
recent date. The front door of the mill-house faced the road. It was stoutly
built of oak studded with nails, and was flanked on both sides by barred
windows. The smuggling miller who built the place had evidently made
himself secure against surprise.
When the dray drew up before the door, Pariset sprang down and jerked the
iron bell-pull. From the driver's seat Kenneth saw a face appear for an
instant at one of the windows. After a short interval the bolts were
withdrawn, the door opened, and a man stood on the threshold. Kenneth
tingled; he had recognised him instantly as the man who had been in
conversation with Hellwig. He turned his head so as not to show his full
face, pulled his hat lower over his eyes, and hoped that the recognition had
not been mutual. And he listened anxiously, wondering how Pariset would
acquit himself in his novel part, and wishing for the moment that Granger
was in his place.
Pariset, however, was cool and collected. He took the bull by the horns.
"I am sorry I am late, monsieur," he said, "but the fact is that all our carters
are called up for transport purposes. Being anxious not to disappoint a
valued customer, my master has sent us out of the office. We shan't be able
to come again, for we're called up ourselves--all through those pigs of
Germans, who are said to be across the frontier. We shan't be able to
deliver any more beer, I'm afraid. It's a wonder we've any horses left."
The German merely grunted in answer to this.
"We're in for a very bad time," Pariset went on, as he hoisted the end of the
cask on to the doorstep. "Hadn't you better go back to Switzerland,
monsieur? Pardon the suggestion, but we don't know what may happen. If
these German pigs come south--- "
"Just roll it into the lobby," interrupted the German. "Here's the money. By
the way, have you seen an aeroplane in the neighbourhood?"
