滞留期间，大家在霍尔茨中尉的帮助下找到了一位名叫亨德森的人去寻找丹顿的妻子。然而，这位被找来的女人又胖又丑，还领着三个不懂规矩、令人厌烦的孩子，与照片上年轻瘦削的丹顿之妻绝非一人……
The courtesy of Lieutenant von Holtz was beyond criticism.He obtained for his charges a comfortable suite of rooms in an overcrowded hotel，obliging the landlord to turn away other guests that Mr.Merrick's party might be accommodated.The dinner that was served in their cozy sitting room proved excellent，having been ordered by von Holtz after he had requested that privilege.When the young officer appeared to see that it was properly served，Patsy invited him to join them at the table and he laughingly consented.
"You are one of our party，by force of circumstances，"said the girl，"and since we've found you good—natured and polite，and believe you are not to blame for our troubles，we may as well be friendly while we are together."The young man was evidently well pleased.
"However evil your fortune may be，"said he，"I cannot fail to be impressed by my own good luck.Perhaps you may guess what a relief this pleasant commission is to one who for days has been compelled to patrol those vilea smelling docks，watching for spies and enduring all sorts of weather.""To think，"said Uncle John gloomily，"that we areaccused of being spies！""It is not for me，"returned von Holtz，"to criticize the acts of my superiors.I may say，however，that were it my province to decide the question，you would now be free.Colonel Grau has an excellent record for efficiency and seldommakes a mistake，but I suspect his judgment was influenced by the general，whose son was once jilteda by an American girl.""We're going to get even with them both，before this affairis ended，"declared Patsy，vindictivelyb；"but although you are our actual jailer I promise that you will escape our vengeancec.""My instructions are quite elastic，as you heard，"saidthe lieutenant."I am merely ordered to keep you in Ostend，under my eye，until your case has been passed upon by the commandant or the general staff.Since you have money，you may enjoy every luxury save that of travel，and I ask you to command my services in all ways consistent with my duty.""What worries me，"said Patsy to Uncle John，"is the delay.If we are kept here for long，poor Denton will die before we can find his wife and take her to him.""How long are we liable to be detained？"Uncle John askedthe officer.
"I cannot say.Perhaps the council of the general staff will meet to—morrow morning；perhaps not for several days，"was the indefinite reply.
Patsy wiped away the tears that began to well into her eyes.She had so fondly set her heart on reuniting the Dentons that her disappointment was very great.
Von Holtz noticed the girl's mood and became thoughtful.
Captain Carg had remained glum and solemn ever since they had left the colonel's office.Uncle John sat in silent indignation，wondering what could be done to influence thesestupid Germans.Presently the lieutenant remarked：
"That sailor whom you left with the launch seemed an intelligent fellow."Patsy gave a start；Uncle John looked at the young manexpectantlya；the captain nodded his head as he slowly replied："Henderson is one of the picked men I brought fromSangoa.He is both intelligent and loyal.""Curiously enough，"said von Holtz，"I neglected to place the man under arrest.I even forgot to report him.He is free.""Ah！"exclaimed Patsy，her eyes lighting.
"I know a civilian here—a bright young Belgian—who is my friend and will do anything I ask of him，"resumed von Holtz，still musingly."I had the good fortune to protect his mother when our troops entered the city，and he is grateful."Patsy was thinking very fast now.
"Could Henderson get to Charleroi，do you imagine？"she asked."He has a passport.""We do not consider passports of much value，"said theofficer；"but a Red Cross appointment—""Oh，he has that，too；all our men carry them.""In that case，with my friend Rondel to guide him，I believe Henderson could accomplish your errand.""Let us send for him at once！"exclaimed Uncle John.Carg scribbleda on a card.
"He wouldn't leave the launch without orders，unlessforced by the Germans，"asserted the captain，and handed the card to von Holtz.
The young lieutenant took his cap，bowed profoundly andleft the room.In ten minutes he returned，saying："I am not so fortunate as I had thought.All our troops are on the move，headed for the Yser.There will be fighting，presently，and—I must remain here，"he added despondentlyb.
"It won't be your last chance，I'm sure，"said Patsy."Will that dreadful Colonel Grau go，too？""No；he is to remain.But all regiments quartered here are now marching out and to—morrow a fresh brigadec will enter Ostend."They were silent a time，until someone rapped upon thedoor.Von Holtz admitted a slim，good—looking young Belgian who grasped his hand and said eagerly in French：
"You sent for me？"
"Yes.You may speak English here，Monsieur Rondel."Then he presented his friend to the Americans，who approved him on sight.
Henderson came a few minutes later and listened respectfully to the plan Miss Doyle unfolded.He was to go withMonsieur Rondel to Charleroi，find Mrs.Denton，explain that her husband was very ill，and bring her back with him to Ostend.He would report promptly on his return and they would tell him what to do next.
The man accepted the mission without a word of protest.Charleroi was in central Belgium，but that did not mean many miles away and Rondel assured him they would meet with no difficulties.The trains were reserved for soldiers，but the Belgian had an automobile and a German permit to drive it.The roads were excellent.
"Now，remember，"said Patsy，"the lady you are goingfor is Mrs.Albert Denton.She lives with her mother，or did，the last we heard of her.""And her mother's name and address？"inquired Henderson.
