He was in Madame Bibet's wine shop, and he was treating
everyone. Do you know what he paid with?"
"No."
"A German gold piece! That's how I know about it, because Madame Bibet
had never seen such a coin before, and she was afraid it wasn't good.
So she came out, and when she saw me she asked me, and I told her it
was good, of course."
"Well, that's nothing, Paul. We often see German money here in Liege.
Isn't it like that in all places that are near a border? I suppose
that on the other side there is a lot of French money. Why, there is,
even in Brussels."
"It may mean nothing at all, Arthur. I hope it doesn't. But I think
it's funny that that man should be staying around so. He must have
told Uncle Henri a lie when he said he didn't have money. I'd like to
know what he's up to. I'd like to be sure that he's not a German spy."
"Oh, I never thought of that! A spy! Why should the Germans have
spies around here, though, Paul?"
"It's just the place where they would have them, Arthur. The forts!
They want to find out all they can about them. Boncelles is near us;
so is the fort of Embourg. They want to know if our people are ready.
If they come through Belgium, you know, they will want to get through
as quickly as they can, to attack the French."
"But I don't see why they should want to come through Belgium at all,
Paul. Why can't they leave us alone? They can attack the French along
their own border, I should think.
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