soldier snapped at Mr. Shutliffe fiercely in a strange
tongue.

"Du bist gefangen!" he announced. "Das Dorf ist besetzt. Wo
sind unsere Leute?" he demanded.

"You'll 'ave to excuse me, sir," said Mr. Shutliffe, "but I
am a trifle 'ard of 'earing."

The soldier addressed him in English.

"What is the name of this village?" he demanded.

Mr. Shuttiffe, having lived in the village upward of eighty
years, recalled its name with difficulty.

"Have you seen any of our people?"

With another painful effort of memory Mr. Shutliffe shook his
head.

"Go indoors!" commanded the soldier, "And put out all lights,
and remain indoors. We have taken this village. We are
Germans. You are a prisoner! Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir, thank'ee, sir, kindly," stammered Mr. Shutliffe.
"May I lock in the pigs first, sir?"

One of the soldiers coughed explosively, and ran away, and
the two others trotted after him. When they looked back, Mr.