CHAPTER V.THAT NIGHT.
The conversation having come to this point, Lord Hastings considered further words useless. He was deeply impressed by the bearing of the young French girl and he had no doubt that she would do what she said—or, at least, that it would not be her fault if she failed; nor, for that matter, had Frank or Jack.
“Well,” said Lord Hastings after a short silence, “that settles that, then. I don’t suppose you will tell me your plan?”
The girl shook her head and smiled.
“It’s hardly necessary,” she replied. “Now, if you wish, I shall have mother make a place here for you for the night. I don’t suppose you have any other place to go?”
Lord Hastings shook his head negatively, and half an hour later the three found themselves in a cozy little room on the second floor, in which there were two beds.
“You may sleep securely here,” was Madame Dulcé’s parting words.
Neither Jack, Frank, nor the commander wasted much time getting into bed, for they were all tired out and a few moments later they were asleep.
All were astir early in the Dulcé home the following morning, in spite of the lateness of the hour at which they had retired.
“I suppose you will be on your mission this morning?” asked Lord Hastings of Marie.
“No,” replied the girl with a smile. “To-night will be time enough. I shall spend the day here entertaining you.”
Lord Hastings made a gallant response, but he did not press the girl for the method she intended to pursue.
The day passed pleasantly and swiftly. Night came only too soon, thought Frank, who was beginning to admire the young French girl immensely.
Dusk fell soon after five o’clock and Marie made ready to go. Heavily cloaked and muffled, she turned in the door as she was about to leave.
“If you will venture to the café again to-night,” she said, “I shall have the papers for you. There is no other place where I can give them to you, so you will have to risk another visit.”
“We shall be there,” said Frank. “I guess we can avoid Lieutenant Holzen some way, if he should be there.”
“He is always there,” replied Marie and a moment later she was gone.
“I guess we had better wait a while,” said Lord Hastings. “Nothing was ever gained by being in a rush.”
Accordingly it was an hour later—almost half-past six o’clock—when the three came again to the little café.
Lord Hastings entered jauntily, not the slightest nervousness in his manner, though his right hand in the pocket of his great coat rested upon the butt of his revolver. Frank and Jack, close behind, also had a hand thrust into their pockets and there was no need to mention what lay within the palm of each.
A waiter approached and conducted them to a table at the far end of the room, but one removed from the one they had had the night before. Lord Hastings gave the order and then, for the first time, glanced around.
There was no sign of Lieutenant Holzen.
Across the room Marie was preparing to sing and a hush fell over the diners,—which continued until she had finished. Following came a roar of approval. It was while she was responding to an encore that Lieutenant Holzen entered.
Frank was the first to see him and gave a start. He spoke to Lord Hastings in a whisper.
“Keep your nerve, now,” was his commander’s quiet response. “If he comes over here, let me deal with him.”
Frank said nothing.
Now Marie had resumed her seat. Lieutenant Holzen, after glancing toward her, swept the room with his eyes. As he perceived Lord Hastings and his two officers, he clenched his hands and took a step forward.
For a moment Frank could see that he was plainly undecided just what to do; then the German hastily approached.
Frank gripped the table with both hands.
Before the three, Lieutenant Holzen paused. His eyes rested upon Frank.
“Last night,” he said, “when I was somewhat the worse for wear, you struck me. I demand either an apology or the satisfaction due from one gentleman to another.”
Lord Hastings answered for Frank.
“If my friend here has insulted you,” he said quietly, “it is but right that you should demand an accounting. We shall be here all evening. If you will send a friend to me, we shall arrange the details.”
The German bowed and Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack did likewise. Then turning on his heel, Lieutenant Holzen walked away.
Frank kept an eye on him and saw that the young German spent most of his time gazing at Marie. Looking in her direction, he was surprised to see the girl return the young officer’s smile. She nodded to him.
Frank mentioned the matter to Lord Hastings, and added:
“I don’t like it.”
“Ho! Ho!” laughed Jack. “So you are getting jealous, eh?”
Frank flushed.
“You know better than that,” he replied sharply. “I just don’t like it; that’s all.”
Suddenly, in response to a smile from Marie, Lieutenant Holzen arose and approached her. The music was about to commence and Frank realized what was going to happen. For some reason he could not explain to himself he felt decidedly uncomfortable and shifted uneasily in his seat.
Jack noticed this and was about to make a remark greatly to his chum’s discomfort, when Lord Hastings stayed him with a gesture.
“Quiet now,” he said, “and if I am not mistaken and you look sharp, you may see something interesting.”
The music struck up at this juncture and Marie and Lieutenant Holzen glided smoothly across the floor. Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank followed them with their eyes.
At last the music stopped. The young German escorted Marie back to her place and returned to his own table.
Time passed swiftly now for the three British officers. Again Marie danced with the young German officer, and yet a third time. But when he came for his fourth dance, she shook her head and inclined it toward Frank.
The latter had been watching her eagerly and this time he did not hesitate. Getting quickly to his feet he strode across the room and offered the girl his arm. A moment later the music struck up again and the two glided across the floor much to the discomfiture of the young German, who stood gnawing his mustache and fingering his sword belt.
Suddenly Frank felt the girl’s hand slide into his inside breast pocket and heard the faint crumple of paper. He was about to speak, but Marie silenced him with a warning: “Sh-h-h.”
Half a moment later she whispered:
“The papers you are after are in your pocket. I took them from Lieutenant Holzen as we danced.”
Frank made no reply, but he pressed slightly the fingers that rested so lightly in his own. It was a signal and the girl understood.
“Now go immediately,” she whispered, as the music came to a stop and Frank led her back to her place.
But first Frank must needs lean over her hand again to say good-bye.
“I shall see you again, some time,” he said.
Marie smiled, but said nothing. Frank returned to the others.
“I have the papers,” he said quietly to Lord Hastings.
“Good! I had surmised as much,” was his commander’s reply.
“She said that we had better go immediately,” said Frank.
“We can’t do that,” said Lord Hastings. “You may remember we have an appointment with a friend of Lieutenant Holzen.”
It was half an hour later that this friend approached them. Lord Hastings rose to greet him, as did Jack. Frank remained seated.
The newcomer introduced himself and Lord Hastings gave a fictitious name, also introducing Jack and Frank in the same manner. Then they went into details of the duel.
“As the challenged party,” said Lord Hastings, thinking to keep up appearances, “we have the choice of weapons.” The German bowed. “Then,” said Lord Hastings, “we name revolvers at twenty paces.”
“Good. And the time?”
Lord Hastings seemed to consider for a moment. At last he said:
“In the morning at six o’clock.”
“And the place?”
“That shall rest with you.”
The man designated a spot and Lord Hastings announced that it would be satisfactory. The German bowed and took his departure.
“Nothing like keeping up appearances, sir,” said Jack with a smile. “To have heard you talk, no one would have expected that you knew the duel was not coming off.”
“I flatter myself it wasn’t done so badly,” returned Lord Hastings modestly.
“And how soon shall we go, sir?” asked Frank. Lord Hastings produced his watch.
“Eight o’clock,” he said, putting the timepiece back in his pocket. “We haven’t much time, and yet we have considerable. I believe we had as well stay here until half-past. We can make it in that time.”
“As you will, sir,” returned Frank, and settled back in his chair to enjoy the music.
But his enjoyment of the music was to be short-lived. Trouble came suddenly and unexpectedly.
Frank, chancing to glance toward Lieutenant Holzen, saw that worthy put his hand to his breast pocket. Immediately his face turned red and he sprang to his feet. Hurriedly he thrust his hands into all his pockets. Then his face turned from red to white.
Frank nudged Lord Hastings.
“Holzen has discovered his loss, sir,” he said quietly. “Had we better move?”
Lord Hastings sat still.
“Too bad,” he said calmly. “I am afraid this means trouble. We’ll probably have to fight and run. Guns ready, boys.”
The lads dropped both hands to the holsters that hung on either side of their belts. They were ready.
“We’ll let him start the trouble,” said Lord Hastings quietly. “Then we’ll make a break for the door.”
Lieutenant Holzen was not long starting the trouble. He sprang to his feet with a shout.
“There are traitors and spies in this room!” he shouted.