"
Passing through the entrance to the old castle, the four broke into a
run, and turning to the right in accordance with their instructions,
increased their speed.
For a considerable distance they sped along under the shelter of the
castle wall. Just as they reached the end of the wall a whispered voice
brought them to a halt.
"Hyah, sah!" came the unmistakable voice of Uncle Billy.
Turning, they saw the old negro, who had been hidden from their sight,
standing under the far wall of the castle.
"Follow me!" he whispered, and led the way a short distance along the
wall, to where were picketed four horses.
Turning, he motioned the companions to mount.
"Which way?" asked the lieutenant, when all were in the saddle.
"Straight north, I suppose," said the captain.
"No, sah, no, sah," broke in Uncle Billy. "Yo'al can't get free
that-a-way. Since de Emp'ror declared wah on Belgin an' Englan' dun
declare wah on Germany, all de no'th coast am hev'ly guarded."
"What!" exclaimed the French captain. "War on Belgium!"
"England has declared war?" asked the young lieutenant, in surprise.
"Yassah, yassah. I jes' hearn erbout it."
"Then which way shall we go?"
"Yo'al must go that-a-way," came the answer, and Uncle Billy pointed
toward the southwest, in the direction of the faraway frontier of The
Netherlands.
"But Holland is a long ways off, and the country between must be overrun
with troops," protested the Frenchman.
"Mos' all de troops am at de front," explained the old negro.
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