Page 96 - A Hero of Liége

CHAPTER XI

--THE CENTRE ARCH

"You know the railway bridge over the Ourthe, at Sy, just south of
Hamoir?" the captain began, lighting a cigarette.

"Yes," said Pariset.

"A section of our sappers were told off to blow it up this morning. Their
work was only half done when they were surprised and cut up by a patrol of

Uhlans. The Germans very quickly repaired the damage, and are now using
the line to bring up troops and material against the Boncelles and Embourg

forts."

"Well?" said Pariset, as the officer paused.

"It occurred to the Chief that you who had saved one bridge might perhaps

destroy another. It is a mere suggestion, not a command. The work would
be very risky; it is not your job, and all that part of the country is in German
hands. But when the matter was mentioned I said I thought you would at

least make a reconnaissance and learn what prospect there is of a successful
attempt."

"Of course," said Pariset at once. "You don't know exactly how much
damage was done?"

"No. Perhaps a bomb or two would complete it."

"That is rather doubtful," said Pariset musingly. "The chances of hitting the
bridge at the right spot from an aeroplane flying very high at speed are

slight, and we should have to fly high to escape the German shot."

"Unless we flew in the Taube," suggested Kenneth. "In that we might get
low enough to smash the bridge before they suspected us."