nsul, who has worked hard all day, has had to give it
up," added the man. "He is closing his office."

Just then a harbour official, minus his cap, and with coat badly torn
during a violent passage through the mob, strode by, breathless but
hurried.

Dalroy recognised him, having had much business with the port
authorities during the preceding week.

"Is it true that a steamer is in sight?" he asked.

"Monsieur, what am I to say?" and the accompanying gesture was eloquent.
"It is only a little cargo boat, an English coaster. If she nears the
quay there will be a riot, and perhaps thousands of lives lost. The
harbour-master has sent me to ask the mayor if he should not signal her
to anchor outside until daylight."

Prompt decision and steadfast action were Dalroy's chief qualities. If
luck favoured him he might set his own project on foot before the
mayor's messenger burked it by a civic order. He thanked the man and
rode off.

Happily the tram came from Blankenberge without undue delay. He had only
dismounted when the engine clanked into the station square. Already his
soldier's eye had noted that the Gordons and some of the Belgian
soldiers had retained their rifles and bayonets.

"Get your crowd into motion at once," he said to the doctor, as soon as
the latter alighted. "Nothing you have gone through during the last two
months will equal the excitement of the next quarter of an hour. But, if
your cripples can fix bayonets and show a bold front, we have a fighting
chance--no more. And unless we leave Ostend before to-morrow morning
it'll be a German prison for you and a firing party for me."

Men who have smelt war and death, not once but many times, do not
hesitate and argue when a staff officer talks in that strain.

With an almost marvellous rapidity the members of the mission and the
wounded able to walk were formed up, stretchers were lifted, and the
march began. Dalroy and the doctor headed the procession with the
Gordons, and the mere appearance of a Highlander enforces awe in any
part of Europe.

Dalroy explained matters as they went, and impressed on the escort the
absolute necessity of showing a determined front. On nearing the packed
mass of people clamouring outside the Gare Maritime he vociferated some
sharp orders, the rifles came from the "slope" to the "ready," and those
on the outskirts of the throng saw a number of war-stained kilties
advancing on them with threatening mien.

By some ma