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.