rner measures."

The car moved on, and the workmen addressed stopped obediently where
they were and began discussing the affair in low, excited tones.

"This sort of thing won't suit us, Dale," whispered Max, as he edged out
of the crowd and began moving away from the gates. "Examinations are not
a strong point with us at present."

"No, we require to study a little more--in strict seclusion," replied
Dale in the same spirit, as they got away from the crowd into the
blackness between a long workshop at a distance from the burning
building and the outer walls.

"Where now, Master," asked Dubec, looking at Max enquiringly as the
three came to an involuntary halt.

"Over the walls and away, I think. We have done enough for one night,
and I fancy Schenk will think so too--eh, Dale?"

"Aye, and say so, if ever he gets the chance," replied the latter.

The party moved to the walls at the darkest point they could find and
prepared to clamber over. The wall was here nearly ten feet high, and it
was necessary for Dubec to plant himself against it and allow Max,
assisted by Dale, to climb on his back. He could then help Dale up also
before clambering on to the top. The rest would be easy enough. But a
rude awakening was in store for them, for Max had no sooner put his head
above the wall than he was greeted by a rifle-shot from the road below,
and a bullet whizzed close overhead.

"Down, Max, down!" cried Dale, clutching at his friend in sudden
consternation.

"I'm all right, old man," replied Max, who, needless to say, had lost no
time in bobbing down below the level of the wall. "But we can't get over
here," he added as he lowered himself gently to the ground. Dale
followed suit, and the three men stood at the foot of the wall and
anxiously debated their next move.

"It is pretty clear," Max summed up, "that the Germans have put a cordon
of soldiers all about the works, and clearer still"--a little ruefully
this--"that their orders are to shoot first and make enquiries
afterwards."

"We must chance it and try to get over somewhere," responded Dale.

"No--too risky. The moment we top the wall we show up plainly against
the light of the fire behind us. We should be noticed at once. We must
try another plan."

"What's that?"

"The river."

"Ah--swim across?"

"Yes--or, better still, float down until we get beyond the roads about
the works."

"But what about Dubec? Can he swim?"

"I don't suppose so. Can yo