"We are ignorant of either，"she confessed；"but it's not a very big town and I'm sure you'll easily find her.""I know the place well，"said Rondel，"and I have friendsresiding there who will give me information."Uncle John supplied them liberally with money，impressed upon them the necessity of haste，and sent them away.Rondel declared the night time was best for the trip and promised to be on the way within the hour，and in Charleroi by next morning.
Notwithstanding the fact that they had succeeded in promoting by proxya the mission which had brought them toBelgium，the Americans found the next day an exceedingly irksomea one.In the company of Lieutenant von Holtz they were permitted to walk about the city，but they found little pleasure in that，owing to the bustle of outgoing troops and the arrival of others to replace them.Nor did they care to stray far from their quarters，for fear the council would meet and they might be sent for.
However，no sign from Colonel Grau was receivedthat day.Patsy went to bed with a nervous headache and left Uncle John and the captain to smoke more than was good for them.Both the men had now come to regard their situation as serious and as the American consul was at this time absent in Brussels they could think of no way to secure their freedom.No one knew when the consul would return；Mr.Merrick had been refused the privilege of using the telegraph or mails.During one of their strolls they had met the correspondent of an American newspaper，but when the man learned they were suspects he got away from them as soon as possible.He did not know Mr.Merrick and his own liberty was too precariousb for him to argue with Colonel Grau.
"I'm beginning to think，"said Uncle John，"that we're up against a hard proposition.Letters and endorsements from prominent Americans seem to have no weight with these Germans.I'd no idea our identity could ever be disputed.""We must admit，sir，"returned the captain，reflectively，"that the spy system in this war is something remarkable.Spies are everywhere；clever ones，too，who adopt every sort of subterfuge to escape detection.I do not blame Grau so much for caution as for lack of judgment.""He's a blockhead！"cried Mr.Merrick testily.
"He is.I'm astonished they should place so much power in the hands of one so slow witted.""He has insulted us，"continued Uncle John."He hasdared to arrest three free—born Americans.""Who came into a troubled country，occupied by a conquering army，without being invited.""Well—that's true，"sighed the little millionaire，"but what are we going to do about it？""Wait，"counseled the captain.
The next day dawned dark and rainy and the weather had a depressing effect upon the prisoners.It was too damp to stir out of doors and the confinementa of the hotel rooms became especially irksome.Not only were they anxious about their own fate but it was far past the time when they should have heard from Henderson and Rondel.Patsy's nerves were getting beyond her control；Uncle John stumped around with his hands thrust deep in his pockets and a frown wrinkling his forehead；the captain smoked innumerable pipes of tobacco and said not a word.Von Holtz，noting the uneasiness of his charges，discreetlyb forbore conversation and retired to a farcorner where he hid behind a book.
It was nearing evening when a commotiona was heard on the stairs，followed by the heavy tramp of feet in the corridor.A sharp rap sounded on the door of their sitting room.Uncle John stepped forward to open it，when in stalked a group of German officers，their swords and spurs clanking and their cloaks glistening with rain—drops.At sight of the young girl off came cap and helmet and with one accord they bowed low.
The leader was a tall，thin man with a leathern face，hooked nose and piercing gray eyes.His breast glittered with orders.It was von Kargenbrut，the military governor.
"Pardon our intrusion，"he said in English，his harsh voice having a guttural accent."Which gentleman is Mr.John Merrick？""I am John Merrick."The eagle eyes swept over him with a swift glance.
"We owe you our apology，"continued the governor，speaking as fiercely as if he were ordering Uncle John beheaded."I have been too busy to take up your case before to—day，when I discover that we have treated you discourteously.You will consider our fault due to these troubled times，when mistakes occur in spite of our watchfulness.Is it not so？""Your error has caused us great inconvenience，"responded Mr.Merrick stiffly.
The governor whirled around."Colonel Grau！"he called，and from the rear of the group the colonel stepped forward.His face still wore the expression of comical surprise."Return to Mr.Merrick his papers and credentials."The colonel drew the packet of papers from his breast pocket and handed it to Uncle John.Then he glanced hesitatingly at his superior，who glared at him.
"He cannot speak the English，"said the governor to Mr.
Merrick，"but he owes you reparationa."
"Grau's stupidity has been very annoying，to say the least，"was the ungracious reply."We came here on important business，and presented our papers—all in proper order—on demand.We had the right to expect decent treatment，as respectable American citizens engaged in humanitarian work；yet this—this—man，"pointing an accusing finger at the colonel，"ordered us detained—arrested！—and kept our papers."The governor listened coldly and at the end of the speech inclined his head.