“How about a chauffeur?” asked Dr. Gys, who was already bringing out bandages and supplies for the ambulances.

“If we can’t find a man, I’ll drive you myself,” declared Ajo.

“But you don’t know the country.”

Gys turned to the little Belgian.

“Can’t you find us a driver?” he asked.  “We want a steady, competent man to run our ambulance.”

“Where are you going?” asked Maurie.

“To the firing line.”

“Good.  I will drive you myself.”

“You?  Do you understand a car?”

“I am an expert, monsieur.”

“A waiter in a restaurant?”

“Pah!  That was five years ago.  I will show you.  I can drive any car ever made—­and I know every inch of the way.”

“Then you’re our man,” exclaimed Mr. Merrick, much relieved.

As the yacht swung slowly alongside the dock the Belgian said: 

“While you get ready, I will go ashore for news.  When I come back—­very quick—­then I will know everything.”

Before he ran down the ladder Patsy clasped around his arm a band bearing the insignia of the Red Cross.  He watched her approvingly, with little amused chuckles, and then quickly disappeared in the direction of the town.

“He doesn’t seem injured in the least by his accident,” said the girl, looking after him as he darted along.

“No,” returned Gys; “he is one of those fellows who must be ripped to pieces before they can feel anything.  But let us thank heaven he can drive a car.”

Mr. Merrick had no difficulty in getting all the assistance required to lower the two ambulances to the dock.  They had already been set up and put in order, so the moment they were landed they were ready for use.

A few surgical supplies were added by Dr. Gys and then they looked around for the Belgian.  Although scarce an hour had elapsed since he departed, he came running back just as he was needed, puffing a little through haste, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.

“Albert is there!” he cried.  “The king and his army are at Nieuport.  They will open the dykes and flood all the country but the main road, and then we can hold the enemy in check.  They will fight, those Germans, but they cannot advance, for we will defend the road and the sand dunes.”

“Aren’t they fighting now?” asked Jones.

“Oh, yes, some of the big guns are spitting, but what is that?  A few will fall, but we have yet thousands to face the German horde.”

“Let us start at once,” pleaded Maud.

Maurie began to examine the big ambulance.  He was spry as a cat.  In ten minutes he knew all that was under the hood, had tested the levers, looked at the oil and gasoline supply and started the motor.

“I’ll sit beside you to help in case of emergency,” said Ajo, taking his place.  Dr. Gys, Dr. Kelsey and the three girls sat inside.  Patsy had implored Uncle John not to go on this preliminary expedition and he had hesitated until the last moment; but the temptation was too strong to resist and even as the wheels started to revolve he sprang in and closed the door behind him.