“It’s a wonder to me your name is not on the death list,” replied Chester.

“Indeed it is,” agreed Hal.  “We watched you through a glass from the fort.  Your action was magnificent.  France can well be proud of you.  Believe me, you will not remain a captain long.”

“As for that,” replied the young Frenchman, “I have just learned that I have been recommended for promotion.”

The boys congratulated him, but he waved them aside laughingly.

“It is no more than you would do for your own America,” he declared; “no, nor no more than you both did only the other day.  Whatever I do,” he added softly, “I do for France!”

CHAPTER XIX.

The death of A Hero.

For almost a week now the strong Liege fortresses had withstood the fierce bombardment of the great German guns.  Attack after attack had been beaten back, with heavy losses to both sides.  Time after time the German cavalry had charged, only to be hurled back by the fierce and deadly fire of the Belgians.

But the forts had not gone unscathed.  The heavy German guns had done great damage to the fortifications behind which Hal and Chester had taken shelter, and the possibility was now being seriously considered as to whether the fort could withstand another assault.

General Simon, the commander of the fort, had decided in his own mind to blow it up rather than surrender it to the enemy.  Many prisoners had been captured by the defenders, and these crowded the fort, occupying every inch of available space.  And now the next assault of the Germans was at hand.

Day and night the bombardment of the fort had continued.  Under the protection of the heavy cannonading, the Germans moved once more to the attack.  Three times did the enemy charge heroically, and as many times were they driven back, with fearful losses.  With the fall of darkness they had given up the attempt to take the fort by storm.

But the Belgian commander knew that the Germans would come again on the morrow; and he also knew that he could not hold forth against them.  He made his plans accordingly.

Under cover of the darkness he had his prisoners marched to the nearest fort, more than a mile away.  Then he ordered all civilians to the safety of the other fortifications.

His plans for keeping his fortifications from falling into the hands of the enemy already made, he set about fulfilling them.  He examined the magazine and had everything in readiness.  Then he ordered all his troops to report to the general commanding the nearest fortress, placed a fuse to the magazine, lighted it, and sat down to wait.

Hal and Chester, strolling about the fort, in some unaccountable manner had been left behind.  Suddenly, for the first time, they noted the utter desolation of the place.

“Strange,” muttered Hal.  “Where has everyone gone?”