eleven o'clock
at night
After some discussion the boys agreed that , next morning , they should dress themselves in the change of clothes they had brought -- which were ordinary shooting suits -- and should leave their other clothes behind ; and then walk as far as Spa , twenty miles to the north . They would excite no suspicion in the minds of anyone who saw them arrive ; as they would merely be taken for three Englishmen , staying at one of the numerous hotels there , returning from a walk . Their feet however were so much swollen , the next morning , that they were glad to remain another day quiet in the cottage ; and the following day they started , and walked gaily into Spa . After strolling about the place , some time , they went to the railway station at the time the evening train started for Brussels ; asked for tickets -- in very English French -- and , at eleven o'clock at night , entered Brussels . Here their troubles were over . A good night 's rest , in a good hotel , completely set them up again and , the next morning , they left by train for Dunkirk . There they reported themselves to the French officer in command ; and received permission to go on board a Government steamer which was to leave , the next morning , for Cherbourg .