For Maertz's benefit he gave the corporal precise instructions. "If this fellow's story is proved true, and you find the man and the woman he says he brought from Aachen, return here with the three of them, and full investigation will be made. If no such man and woman have arrived at the mill, and the prisoner is shown to be a liar, shoot him out of hand."
A young staff-officer, a lieutenant of the Guards, stretching his legs while his chauffeur was refilling the petrol-tank, overheard the loud-voiced order, and took a sudden and keen interest in the proceedings.
"One moment," he said imperatively, "what's this about a man and a woman brought from Aachen? Who brought them? And when?"
The other explained, laying stress, of course, on the fractured skulls of two of his best men.
"Hi, you!" cried the Guardsman to Maertz, "describe these two."
Maertz did his best. Dalroy, to him, was literally a railway employé; but his recollection of Irene's appearance was fairly exact. Moreover, he was quite reasonably irritated and alarmed by the trouble they had caused. Then the lamp and sabots were produced, and the questioner swore mightily.
"Leave this matter entirely in my hands," he advised his confrère. "It is most important that these people should be captured, and this is the very fellow to do it. I'll promise him his life, and the safety of his friends, and pay him well into the bargain, if he helps me to get hold of that precious pair. You see, we shall have no difficulty in catching and identifying him again if need be. Personally, I believe he is telling the absolute truth, and is no more responsible for the killing of your men than you are."
Lieutenant Karl von Halwig's comparison erred only in its sheer inadequacy. The communications officer's responsibility was great. He had failed to control his underlings. He was blind and deaf to their excesses. What matter how they treated the wretched Belgians if the road was kept clear? It was nothing to him that an old woman should be murdered and a girl outraged so long as he kept his squad intact.
"So now you know all about it, monsieur," concluded Maertz. "When I met you in the ravine I thought you were escaping, and let out at you. God be praised, you got the better of me!"