"Ah，well，"said Rondel，first sighing and then turningwith a smile to face the lieutenant，"we have performed our mission.But heaven guard us from another like it！"Patsy stared hard at the woman.
"This cannot be Mrs.Denton，"she gasped，bewildered."Indeed？"answered Rondel in English."She declares thatis her name.Question her in French or Flemish，Miss Doyle."Patsy addressed the woman in French but could elicitc no reply.She stood impassive and silent.
"How did you make the mistake？"asked the girl，lookingreproachfully first at Henderson and then at Rondel，both of whom were evidently astonished to find themselves at fault.
"I have seen a photograph of Mrs.Andrew Denton，taken recently，and she is young and pretty and—and—rather small."Monsieur Rondel cleared his throat to answer：
"It happened in this way，mademoiselle：We searched one whole day in Charleroi for Mrs.Denton but could not find her.My friends，on whom I had relied for assistance，had unfortunately moved away or joined the army.The townspeople were suspicious of Monsieur Henderson，who is a foreigner.We could get no information whatever.I appealed to the burgomaster and he said he would try to find Mrs.Denton for us the next day.In the morning came to us this woman，who said she was the person we sought.If we promised her safe conduct to Dunkirk，she would go with us.She had wanted to go to Dunkirk for some weeks，but the Germans would not let her pass the lines.We suspected nothing wrong，for she admitted she was aware that her husband is in Dunkirk，and she wanted to get to him.So we brought her to you."Patsy faced the woman resolutely and said in French："Why did you wish to get to Dunkirk？""He has said it.To find my husband，"replied the woman in a surly tone.
"What is your name？"
No reply."Answer me！"
The woman eyed her obstinately and remained silent.
"Very well.Release those children，Monsieur Rondel.Madam，you have imposed upon us；you have tricked us in order to get to Ostend at our expense.Now go，and take your children with you."She pointed dramatically at the door，but the woman retained her position，only moving to cuff a the boy，who was kicking Henderson on his shins.Then，setting her hands on her hips she said defiantly：
"They promised me passage to Dunkirk，and they must take me there.""Who promised you？""Those men，"pointing to them，"and the burgomaster.""Yes，"admitted Henderson，"we agreed with the burgomaster to take her out of the country.We signed a paper to that effect.""But she is a Belgian.And she is not the person she claimed to be."To this neither Rondel nor Henderson had an answer.
"See here，"said Uncle John，"I'll untangle this matter in a jiffyb.Here is money；give it to the woman and tell her to get out—or we'll ejectc her by force."The woman grabbed the money eagerly，but after placing it in an ample pocket she said："I will go no place but Dunkirk.I will not leave you until you take me there."But here the lieutenant interfered.He suddenly faced the woman，who had not noticed his presence before，and she shrank back in fear at sight of his uniform.The boy and girl both began to cry.
"I know you，"said von Holtz sternly."You are the wife ofa spy who has been condemned to death by both the Belgians and the Germans，since he betrayed them both.The last time you came to Ostend to annoy us you were driven out of the city.There is still an edicta against you.Will you leave this room peaceably，or shall I order you under arrest？""Dog of a German！"she hissed，"the day is coming whenI will help to drive you out of Belgium，even as you now drive me.Brave soldiers are you，to make war on women and children.Guh！I would kill you where you stand—if I dared."With venomousb hate she spat upon the floor，then seized her wailing children，shook them and waddled out of the room.
There was a general sigh of relief.
"You may return to the launch，Henderson，"said the captain.
"Monsieur Rondel，"said Uncle John，grasping the youngBelgian's hand，"we are grateful to you for your kindness.The failure of your mission was not your fault.We thank you.The governor has given us our liberty and permission to travel where we please，so to—morrow we will go to Charleroi ourselves to search for Mrs.Denton.""My motor car is at your disposal，sir，and my services.""To—morrow？Oh，let us go to—night，Uncle！"criedPatsy.
Mr.Merrick looked inquiringly at the Belgian."I am ready now，"said Rondel with a bow.
"Then，"said Patsy，"we will start in half an hour.You see，we have wasted two whole days—two precious days！I hope Dr.Gys will keep his promise，and that we shall find poor Denton alive on our return."