“Then I shall wait for you.”

“What!  Then how about the letter to General Givet, at Louvain?”

“It will have to wait.”

Chester raised himself feebly on one elbow and looked at Hal in surprise.

“A fellow like you to say a thing like that?” he exclaimed.  “That letter must be delivered at once.  You and I are of secondary importance.  If you had been wounded instead of me I should have gone on without you, much as I should have hated to do so.  The letter must be delivered immediately.”

“You are right, as usual,” replied Hal, after a pause.  “The letter must come first.  But I hate to leave you here alone.”

“Alone?” exclaimed Edna, who up to this time had remained silent.  “Do not I count for something?”

“I beg your pardon,” said Hal.  “I spoke thoughtlessly.  I am sure he will receive the best of attention at your hands.”

“There is no question about that,” replied Chester.

“Well, I must be going, then,” said Hal.  “I have delayed too long already.”

“You will stop by on your return, will you not?” asked the girl.

“Yes, if I come this way; and I see no reason why I should not.”

“I shall be ready to travel when you return,” said Chester.

“All right,” replied Hal.  “But, if I have not returned in three days, you will know something has happened to me, and you will make your way back to Liege alone.”

Chester agreed to this, the two lads shook hands, and Hal left the house and set out upon his journey to Louvain.

CHAPTER XVI.

In the hands of the enemy.

Although it had been a trying morning for Hal, and he was very tired, the lad continued on his way as swiftly as possible.  From time to time, as he hastened along, he heard the sound of distant firing, and he proceeded with the greatest caution; but he encountered no more of the enemy.

It was late afternoon when he made out in the distance the town of Louvain.  He quickened his pace, and soon came upon the outposts.

“I have a communication for General Givet,” he told the soldier who stopped him.

The soldier lowered the weapon, with which he had barred the lad’s progress, and called a nearby officer.  The latter led Hal to the general’s quarters.

Hal gave General Givet the letter, and stood at attention.  The general read in silence.  Then he turned to Hal.

“All right,” he said briefly, signifying that Hal might go.

“But, general,” said the lad, “I was ordered to bring back your answer.”

The general looked at him in surprise.

“Do you mean you intend to go back to-night?” he demanded.

“I thought I would start along about midnight,” replied Hal.  “I would sleep until that time.”

The general was silent for some moments, musing.