"Try it again," urged Ned. "Keep the wire in both holes!"
In a moment the boys had followed out Ned's instructions and all were startled to hear again the low rumbling, grinding noise.
"Keep your wires in place!" Ned whispered. "Something's coming off here that isn't on the program! Oh, look there! Look! Look!"
As he spoke Ned pointed to a section of the wall. It was slowly swinging outward from the room, revealing a doorway. A damp, musty odor came from the opening. Beyond all was pitch blackness.
The swinging section traveled easily backward until the doorway stood wide open. A snap was heard. For a moment the slight whirring noise continued, then the door slowly swung into place again.
"Well, of all things!" gasped Jimmie, sitting up in bed.
"I see it!" cried Ned. "When the door is opened and that snap comes, the wire should be taken away. The wire, you see, forms a circuit and a concealed motor swings the door. I believe it will stay open if you take the wire away when it snaps. Try it again, boys!" he urged.
Again the wire was inserted in the holes. Again the door swung open and again the snap was heard. Quickly motioning to the boys to break the circuit, Ned was delighted to notice the whirring noise stop.
"Where are your searchlights, boys?" he asked. "Jimmie, have you still got your automatic handy? They didn't take it away, I hope."
"I dropped it when I fell from the Rat's aeroplane," confessed Jimmie. "I couldn't hang onto it all the way. Why didn't you pick it up?"
"We were busy," replied Ned in suppressed excitement. "Anybody else got a gun? I have mine and also have a searchlight."
"Here's mine," announced Jack, producing the weapon.
"And mine," echoed Harry, bringing forth his own automatic.
"Come on, then, boys," Ned invited, "but go slow and keep quiet!"
"Wait a minute, let me get my shoes on!" protested Jimmie.
"Aw, never mind your shoes!" urged Jack. "We can't wait!"
"Better let Jimmie put on his shoes," agreed Ned. "We won't want to leave anything here. Let's take all our belongings!"
"Why, where are you going, Ned?" asked Jimmie busy with the lacings of his shoes. "Aren't you coming back here?"
"Not if my suspicions are correct!" replied Ned.
"What! Going to get out and make for the Grey Eagle and hike out for Berlin?" questioned the lad incredulously.
"That's just what I plan on doing! You see, it's like this," explained Ned. "As we came up here I noticed that this rambling old building seems to have been built at different periods. Part is in good repair, but part has almost fallen down. The Germans in shelling the place added to the dilapidated conditionof the older section. On the north side a large portion of the older structure is in ruins."
"I see," interrupted Jimmie. "And when this secret door opened up, you figured that we could go down into the basement and find a passageway leading to the ruined old part that has been knocked to pieces. Then if there's a hole between the two we may be able to crawl out into daylight and be on our way before these fellows get wise to the game."
"Exactly," agreed Ned. "Now let's go carefully and keep quiet. There's no knowing whether we shall get out or not, but there's no need of disturbing these fellows in either case. Get your searchlights ready."
"But, Ned," protested Jack, "didn't this officer say he'd do all he could for us? Don't you think he'll keep his word?"
"It is not his disposition I question," Ned replied, "so much as his ability. I don't know how much influence he has."
"Guess you're right," put in Jimmie. "Let's be on our way, and get back to the little old Grey Eagle. This bed's fine, but I'd prefer sleeping on the ground under our own airship to being here."
Carefully throwing the rays of theirsearchlights on the floor of the passageway the boys silently stepped through the small door which had been found by such a peculiar accident.
After entering the passage Ned turned to examine the mechanism that operated the section of wall, and without any difficulty discovered what he sought. After a moment's careful scrutiny the lad touched a part of the apparatus and was highly pleased to notice the door swing back into place. Not a sound except the slight humming of the motor accompanied the operation. The device worked perfectly.
"Now, how can we get out again in case we have to come back?" questioned Harry uneasily. "You've got us in here for keeps!"
"That's easy," declared Ned confidently. "All that is necessary is to touch the lever completing the circuit and the motor operates. It doesn't make any difference whether the circuit is completed from the room or from this passageway. The motor operates when the circuit is closed."
"Where does the juice come from?" asked Jimmie, frankly puzzled. "They can't run motors and things without electricity!"
"Maybe the fellow that lived here had a private plant!"
"Maybe he did, but what keeps it running now that he's gone?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. Let's not worry about that!"
Cautiously proceeding along the passageway a short distance, the boys came to a flight of rude stairs cut into the wall. There was but little room on the narrow steps, and if they had not been guided by the flame from their electric torches they must have suffered a fall.
Beyond the stairs lay a black opening from which came a damp, musty odor. Jimmie sniffed distrustfully and shook his head.
"Come back, Ned," he urged. "You're going to the slaughter house where the old Duke kept pigs and things!"
"No, don't go back yet!" protested Jack. "Let's push on and see what there is ahead. Maybe Ned's conjecture is correct!"
Without further parley Ned took a few steps along the passage until he came to a turn. Here he paused to wait for his companions.
"Look here, boys," he announced. "Thispassage splits. One goes straight ahead and the other turns to the left. I fancy that one runs back toward the rising ground at the rear of the castle."
"Then we don't want to take that," decided Harry.
"If we go straight ahead," Ned continued, "I figure that we shall come out near the wrecked portion of the building."
"Straight on, then," spoke up Jack, and as this seemed to be the decision of all, Ned turned to proceed.
A tremendous splash mingled with a choking cry from the leader. Ned was floundering about in water, throwing showers of spray over his companions, who came crowding forward, all excitement.
"What's the matter, Ned?" cried Jack. "Do you need help?"
As he spoke he turned the shaft of light from his electric toward his chum, revealing the lad dripping wet, standing in water a little more than knee deep. His hat and torch were gone.
"Come out of that!" commanded Jimmie, laughing.
"Guess I will, thank you," replied Ned. "Ifailed to see that water until I was in it. The rock is so black and the water runs so smoothly I neither saw nor heard it."
Examination revealed a stream of water issuing from the tunnel to the left and flowing along the one in which they now found themselves. At one side a narrow shelf afforded foothold.
After securing Ned's searchlight which, owing to its waterproof covering, was not damaged, the boys proceeded more cautiously.
In a short time they found the passage partly blocked by huge masses of stone, evidently the remains of masonry dislodged by the invaders' shells. A faint odor of powder clung to the place.
"Here's where the opening to the old portion of the castle was located, or I'm no good guesser!" ventured Jimmie.
Although careful search was made for an opening none was discovered, and the party continued along the tunnel-like place. Directly Ned paused and held out a warning hand, stopping the advance.
"I heard a noise," he explained, "and could not make out what it might be. Can any of you tell what that noise is?"
Listening carefully, the boys distinctly heard a whirring rumble, but could not determine its cause nor what it indicated.
"Oh, I've got it!" gleefully announced Jimmie directly. "The Duke de Wun Lung had nothing else to do, so he installed his own power plant! This stream of water comes from a spring in the hill back there somewhere, and the old chap just led it along here. It runs through a water wheel, and the waste water runs out a nice little hole in the cellar wall! Pity he didn't put in a ram and have water in the house!"
"I believe you're right, Jimmie!" agreed Ned. "Let's see!"
Following the passage a short distance, the boys discovered that Jimmie's guess had been correct. A complete apparatus was found, operated by the power of the stream flowing through the tunnel.
"But that doesn't help us any," Harry protested. "There is no opening to the outside world except for the water!"
"Let's go along back and look over the walls more carefully," offered Francois. "Maybe we overlooked an opening in the hurry!"
Accordingly the boys slowly retraced theirsteps, examining every inch of the walls. Shortly after passing the place where Ned had fallen into the current of water, Jimmie, who had been in the lead, turned back with a muffled hiss. He snapped the switch on his searchlight.
"What is it, Jimmie?" queried Jack, following the leader.
"I see a light in the passage!" replied Jimmie. "It flickers like a candle light and seems to be dodging about.
"Maybe it's the Duke's private ghost!" whispered Jack with a grin.
"Hush!" hissed Jimmie. "Cut out that nonsense!"
Proceeding cautiously, the boys indeed saw a faint reflection on the side wall. In a moment they heard voices.
The light came from a small opening about shoulder high. Through this opening also came the sound of conversation. In an instant Jimmie was peering through the hole. He dropped back shaking with excitement.
"Guess who the ghosts are!" he gritted in a whisper. "You'd never believe it! The Rat and our old friend Hungry are in there!"
Astonished, the boys crept carefully to theopening to peer through and to listen. It was as Jimmie had said. The Rat and the man who had followed the boys in New York were standing near the middle of a small apartment. On the floor sputtered and flickered a candle.
As the boys gathered about the opening The Rat was speaking.
"——And so," the boys heard, "I settled for the red head. No person could survive a fall like that. But they got us after all, by shooting into the machinery. We had to land. Then the soldiers got me and brought me here. I'm mighty glad you happened to show up!"
"Yes," replied the one whom the boys had named "Hungry," "I felt you'd want me. After landing at Antwerp I made good time, but I was surprised when they nipped me and put me in here with you!"
"Now," continued The Rat, "they're waiting the arrival of some high officer, so they can have a trial. The boys will get theirs. Maybe I'll be searched, and I don't want them to find this package."
As he spoke he drew from its place of concealment at his waist a flat package about the size of a long business envelope.
"What I want you to do is to carry this for me until after the examination is over," The Rat went on. "I think you'd better let me hang it down your back. It will be out of the way there!"
Intently the boys watched the adjustment of the flat package. Ned greedily eyed every movement, with fingers itching to get possession of the parcel. However, he knew that the opening through which they peered was too small for him to negotiate, and it was out of the question to expect The Rat to hand him the envelope. Again The Rat spoke:
"Now, if my story goes with this new man, and they hold the boys and let us go, we'll be all right. If, however, they decide to let the boys go and hold us, I'll have this dynamite handy in my pocket," here he indicated his coat pocket, which bulged suspiciously, "and at a favorable moment I'll throw it. If I can get Ned Nestor, so much the better. The red head is out of the way, and that'll settle the two who are most dangerous. In the excitement, we'll slip through the crowd."
"Good scheme!" agreed Hungry. "And you say your pilot is at work repairing the damage to the machine?"
"He claimed that he would be able to repair it in an hour. He will wait for me at the spot I described to you. I rely upon him!"
"And then we'll be off! There's a market for the plans?"
"I should say there is!" declared The Rat. "Three different governments are dickering for them right now! We'll make our pile on this!"
"When is this officer expected to arrive?"
"Any minute now. He's late, as it is. Now, don't give yourself away! Just stick close to me and remember the arrangements!"
Jimmie tugged at Ned's sleeve. Turning away from the opening, the boys returned quickly toward the room in which they had been placed for rest and safe keeping. Ned easily found the lever to operate their secret door and the lads passed again into the chamber.
As Jack closed the door with the short length of wire, Jimmie said:
"Well, you see, boys, I'm a dead one! Won't The Rat be shocked?"
"Yes, and I'm about the same!" replied Ned soberly. "That fellow certainly is a rascal. He's planning on dynamiting me!"
"No, he isn't," protested Jimmie. "He's planning on a fiasco or my dream book is wrong. Remember your motto, Scout, and 'Be Prepared'! We'll give him a mighty big surprise when the time comes!"
"Thank you, Jimmie," replied Ned, smiling faintly.
A soldier was rapping on the door.
"The young gentlemen are wanted by the court," he announced.
At the western side of the castle, close against its massive wall, a great carved chair from the drawing room had been placed. In it was seated an officer examining a pile of papers placed on a small table by his side. About him were grouped several officers and an orderly.
Lighted by the rays of the setting sun, the towers and embrasures of the old castle, with clinging ivy hiding the rough stones, presented a beautiful picture to the lads as they stepped out that afternoon to meet the officer who would inquire into their case and decide their fate.
The great lawn, dotted here and there with clumps of shrubs, was to all appearances deserted save only for the group beside the wall. Because of the peculiar features of the case, it had been brought to the notice of the officer who had been on his way to the firing line, where his presence was required. He had consented to pause at the castle for a short time to consider the case.
As the boys, escorted by the soldier, approached the group the officer rose, and with a smile extended his hand to Ned.
"I'm glad to meet you again so quickly," he said. "I enjoyed my breakfast immensely," he added. "You have most excellent cooks!"
"Thank you," answered Ned, recognizing him as another of their early morning guests. "We Boy Scouts try to prove capable in that line."
"I can testify to your ability in that direction," answered the officer, turning to the one in charge of the castle. "You, also, can bear testimony in the cook's favor, can you not?"
"Gladly!" replied the other. "I am delighted to see the practical results of the Boy Scout training. It possesses much merit!"
"I agree with you," said the first speaker. "But here come the prisoners. Let us get this disagreeable business finished!"
Ned's hands clenched and his face turned a shade paler as he observed the little group which now approached. He drew his comrades back a step until they were almost against the massive walls of the castle.
"Boys," he whispered, "you better stand alittle farther to one side. If anything should happen, you know, it might——"
"Shut up!" snapped Jimmie. "We didn't come all this way to back out now. If he starts anything, I'll plug him!"
Further conversation was impossible, for the officer held up a warning hand to the boys. He turned to greet the newcomers.
Between two heavily armed soldiers marched The Rat and Hungry, who approached the place with vindictive glances at the boys. The Rat's surprise at seeing Jimmie well and grinning had turned to rage.
Scarcely acknowledging the pleasant greeting of the officer, The Rat at once launched into a long story, using the German tongue. Ned could not follow the speech, but judged from the gestures and glances in their direction that the man was accusing the boys of some misdemeanor.
"You may speak English," directed the officer, "for the benefit of our young friends here who do not understand your present language."
"You have understood what I have just told you," sulked The Rat.
"Your statement will be accepted for whatit is worth," was the reply. "Just now we are inquiring with special regard to your presence here. It has been stated that you came in an airship from France, that you landed near our lines, and that you have on your person certain documents of interest to this country. All this, if true, would indicate that you are here as a spy in the interest of France. Also, if that is true, there is but one course for me to pursue. Can you refute the charge?"
Overcome with rage at the evident reversal of his plans, The Rat choked a moment, while he glared at the officer. Then, shaking his fist at Ned and his companions, he burst out in a torrent of abuse.
"Those fellows are the spies!" he cried. "I can prove to you that they came from the United States to enlist in the French aviation corps, and have that other boy, who is a native of France, to help them gather information which they will sell to your enemy!"
"Startling, if true," calmly answered the officer, apparently not in the least disturbed by the statement. "But, concerning yourself, I have heard and seen quite enough to justify me in holding you for further examination onthe original charge of being a spy. Have you anything further to say on that subject?" he questioned.
"Yes, just this!" shouted The Rat, making a swift movement toward his coat pocket. "You'll never try me as a spy!"
Withdrawing his hand quickly he swung his arm, launching toward Ned the deadly stick of dynamite. Instantly he and his companion sprang away, racing across the lawn, their paths separating as they went.
Jimmie had not forgotten his baseball tactics. Just as the man swung his arm the lad jumped into the air, waving his arms. He let out a yell that would have been envied by fandom from coast to coast. It had the desired effect. The Rat's aim was spoiled.
With wonderful dexterity The Wolf leaped forward and caught the stick of dynamite in midair! Whirling about as he seized the dangerous missile, he regained his feet, holding at arm's length the object which meant destruction if The Rat had carried out his intention.
Involuntarily the little group about the officer had dodged, as they realized that the explosive thrown against the hard wall wouldbring about a catastrophe in which they did not wish to share.
As Jimmie, with a grin on his freckled face, turned to deposit the missile on the table, the officer in command gave a quick order to the two guards who had accompanied The Rat and his friend Hungry.
"Get the man with the plans!"
Rifles were swung to shoulders and the two shots rang out as one. Astonished beyond measure, the little group heard a deafening explosion and saw a cloud of smoke appear where The Rat had but a moment before been running. A slow smile spread over the face of one marksman.
Hungry tripped, fell at full length, and lay as he had fallen.
Running forward, the two soldiers examined the spot where The Rat had last been seen by the little group. Shaking their heads the two men returned to the prostrate Hungry. He was helped to rise and then, supported between the pair, conducted back to the little knot of men near the castle.
"You are a good marksman," commented the officer, as the soldiers came to a halt and saluted, "but you were never furnishedbullets such as that one you fired just now. Where did you get it?"
"I fired a bullet from my regular supply, sir," answered the soldier, still smiling, as he lifted his hand in salute.
"There is something peculiar about this matter!" declared the officer. "When I order you to shoot a man, why should he explode?"
"I think perhaps I can explain the matter," volunteered Ned, stepping forward. Then, as the officer turned attentively toward the lad, he continued: "When the man started to run he threw, as you know, this stick of dynamite at me. I believe he had more dynamite on his person somewhere and the soldier's bullet accidentally struck it!"
"Quite reasonable!" agreed the officer. "I believe you!"
"But not by accident, sir!" interrupted the soldier. "When I saw him start away I also noticed his pocket still bulging. I suspected that he had more dynamite in there, and I aimed at the object inside his coat—and hit it!" he concluded, somewhat proudly.
"Most excellent marksmanship!" was the officer's comment. "But will you tell me why you aimed at the dynamite?"
"Because I had heard these young men say, and also heard your statement that the man had plans of a fortification in his pocket. I thought that he would carry the document in a belt about his body, and that if the dynamite exploded it would destroy the plans, and thus assist the young men in their efforts to prevent their country's secrets falling into improper hands. I did not intend to disobey your orders!"
"You were very considerate," spoke up Ned, "and we appreciate your kindness very much, indeed. But you made a mistake!"
"A mistake?" questioned the soldier. "No, I shot straight!"
"You made a slight mistake, nevertheless," replied Ned. "The plans are on that man there between you two. He has them on his back!"
"It's a lie!" yelled Hungry, looking about as if speculating on his chances for making another attempt at escape.
"That man has the packet of plans that The Rat gave him not more than half an hour ago. We saw the exchange made!"
"It's a lie!" again declared Hungry. "Hehad the plans all the time. They are blown to bits now, and you'll never see them!"
"How do you know this?" questioned the officer, turning to Ned.
Omitting details, Ned described the incidents leading up to the time the boys saw the exchange of plans from The Rat to Hungry in the underground room. As he finished the recital he smiled a bit and said:
"I must admit, sir, that we were really trying to get away from this place and return to the Grey Eagle. I did it, however, because I was very anxious to get to Berlin ahead of that fellow out there!"
"You are not to be blamed for your zeal!" consoled the officer kindly. "Do not blame yourself for the attempt. It shall not be remembered against you." Then turning to the soldiers he continued:
"Search this man and see if he has the packet!"
A hand was thrust down Hungry's collar and the packet brought forth. With an inconsiderate jerk the soldier broke the string and handed the parcel to his officer. Hungry's consternation was complete.
"Pardon me, gentlemen," the officerapologized to Ned and his friends. "I think I shall have to examine the contents!"
Peering over the officer's shoulder as he unfolded the contents of the little package, Ned gave a shout of joy.
"Hurrah!" he cried, jumping about. "Hurrah! The Rat fooled himself! Those are not the plans of a fortification after all!"
"What?" incredulously gasped Jimmie, pressing forward.
"Not a bit of it!" declared Ned. "This is a plan of the harbor at Colon, showing the proposed breakwater and sea wall, with locations for the scows that carried away the dirt from the Panama Canal!"
"Then they would have no value to any other country?" asked Jack.
"Not the least, except perhaps after the canal is opened to general traffic they might be useful to a captain in bringing his ship up to the entrance. But other charts will be issued of far greater value."
Gladly the boys shook hands, overjoyed to think that the efforts of The Rat had failed to bring about international difficulties between their country and any other nation.
"And now," continued the officer, as the matter seemed to be settled, "I must hasten forward. I have some disagreeable work before me, and cannot spare more time. I will, however, give you a pass that will afford you protection into neutral territory."
"Can we take the Grey Eagle with us?" queried Jimmie anxiously.
"You may dismantle it and take it as freight only," replied the officer. "We cannot allow you to operate it in this territory under the present conditions. It is too dangerous an undertaking!"
"We want to thank you for the kindness you have shown us!" declared Ned, as the officer prepared to depart. "You have been most kind!"
"I have but tried to be fair with you," was the reply. "Your example of loyalty to country and devotion to duty have been exceeded only by your bravery under trying circumstances. I shall always remember the Boy Scouts with pleasure."
Before nightfall the boys were again at their beloved Grey Eagle.
Arrangements had been made for packingcases in which to ship the aeroplane, and in a few hours they were on their way toward Holland. From ports in that country, which was neutral territory, they would arrange to take ship for home.
"Well, I'm glad to get my face turned toward little old New York again," grinned Jimmie, as the train in which they rode bumped along.
"Just the same, I vote three cheers for those officers!" put in Jack. "They treated us finely. I like 'em all. Both the French and Germans were fine! When we get home," he continued, "the boys will be delighted to hear about the adventures that befell us when we were 'Under Fire in Flanders'!"
"Yes," added Harry, "and I'm glad the 'Musketeer's Mistake' let us start for home so quickly. I've had about enough of this fighting business. War is not a nice game!"
But the boys were not destined to reach home as quickly as they thought, neither had they seen the last of war. In fact, they had not proceeded far until they met further adventures that commanded their entireattention and made them better acquainted with the unpleasant side of war.
What happened to them will be told in the next volume of this series, entitled: Boy Scouts in the North Sea, or The Mystery of U13.
THE END.