"Colonel Grau，"said he，"has been relieved of his dutieshere and transferred to another station.To you I have personally apologized.You will find my endorsement on your papers and，in addition，an order that will grant you safe conduct wherever you may wish to go.If that is not enough，make your demands and I will consider them.""Why，that is all I can expect，Your Excellencyb，underthe circumstances，"replied Mr.Merrick."I suppose I ought to thank you for your present act of justice.""No；it is your due.Good evening，Mr.Merrick."He swung around on his heel and every officer of the group turned with him，like so many automatons，all facing the door.But Mr.Merrick touched the governor upon the arm.
"One moment，Your Excellency.This young officer，Lieutenant von Holtz，has treated us kindly and courteously.I want you to know that one of your men，at least，has performed his duty in a way to merit our thanks—and yours."The governor scowled at Lieutenant von Holtz，who stood like a statue，with lowered eyes.
"Lieutenant，you are commissioned to guide Mr.Merrick as long as he remains within our lines.You will guard his safety and that of his party.When he departs，come to me personally with your report."The young officer bowed；the governor tramped to thedoor and went out，followed by his staff.Grau left the room last，with hang—dog looka，and Patsy slammed the door in the hope of bumping his wooden head.
"So we're free？"she said，turning to von Holtz.
"Not only that，Fraulein，but you are highly favored，"he replied."All German territory is now open to you.""It's about time they came to their senses，"remarkedUncle John，with a return to his accustomed cheerfulness.
"And，best of all，"said Patsy exultantlya，"they've fired that awful colonelb！"The captain thoughtfully filled and lighted his pipe.
"I wonder，"said he，"how that happened.Was it the council，do you think，Lieutenant？"Von Holtz shook his head.
"I think it was the governor，"he replied."He is a just man，and had you been able to see him personally on your arrival you would have been spared any annoyance.""Perhaps，"said Patsy doubtfully."But your governor's aregular bear.""I believe that is merely his way，"asserted Uncle John."I didn't mind the man's tone when I found his words and deeds were all right.But he—"Another rap at the door.Patsy opened it and admitted Henderson.He saluted the captain，bowed to the others and said：
"We've got her，sir."
"Mrs.Denton？"cried Patsy，delightedly.Henderson nodded.
"Yes，Miss Doyle；Mrs.Denton and the children.""The children！Why，there aren't any.""I beg your pardon，Miss；there are two.""Two children！"she exclaimed in dismay."There must be some mistake.The young people have only been married fivemonths."Henderson stood stiff as a poker，refusing to argue the point.
"A governessa，maybe，"suggested the captain.
"More likely，"said Uncle John，"young Denton married a widow，with—eh—eh—incumbrancesb.""That's it，sir，"said Henderson earnestly."What's it？""The incumbrances，sir.No other word could describe 'em."Patsy's heart sank；she was greatly disappointed.
"And she so young and pretty！"she murmured.Henderson started to smile，but quickly suppressed it."Shall I show them up，Miss？"he inquired.
"Of course，"answered Uncle John，as the girl hesitated."You should have brought her to us at once.Where is that Belgian—Rondel？""He is guarding the woman，sir.""Guarding her！""She's a little difficult to manage，sir，at times.She left Charleroi willingly enough，but she's tricky，and it is our duty to deliver her to you safely.""Get her at once，Henderson，"exclaimed Patsy，recovering her wits；"and the dear children，too."Presently there was a sound of shuffling on the stairs and through the corridor.The door opened to admit the arrivalsfrom Charleroi.
Henderson first pushed in a big woman dressed in a faded blue—checked gown，belted around the waist in a manner that made her look like a sack tied in the middle.Her head was bare，her hair awrya，her face sullen and hard；she was undeniably "fleshy"and not altogether clean.She resisted Henderson at every step and glared around her with shrewd and shifting eyes.
Following her came Monsieur Rondel leading a boy and a girl，the latter being a small replicab of the woman.The boy was viciously struggling to bite the hand of the Belgian，who held him fast.