A PLOT.
"What do you suppose that fellow is sneaking along like that for?" asked
Jack.
Frank shrugged his shoulders.
"Search me," he replied.
The object of the lads' conversation was hurrying furtively along one of
the narrow streets of the Russian capital, casting occasional glances
about him.
It was the afternoon of the day following that upon which they had
reached Petrograd, and Frank and Jack, together with Lord Hastings, had
only just come from the palace, where they had been given an audience
with the Czar. Upon leaving the palace Lord Hastings had been for
returning aboard the D-16 immediately, but the lads had expressed a
desire to see something of the city, and had set out by themselves. The
only instructions Lord Hastings had given them was to be aboard before
dark.
"Well," said Jack, still eyeing the little man slinking along the
street, "I'm sure that fellow is up to something. I'd like to know
what."
"I suppose the easiest way to find out," said Frank, "is to follow him."
"That suits me," replied Jack. "Come on."
A hundred yards behind they set out in pursuit of the suspect.
"What's that thing he is carrying under his arm?" asked Frank.
"Looks like it might be a bomb."
Frank laughed.
"Not much danger of that," he said.
"Oh, I don't know," was the reply. "I have read enough about Russia and
St. Petersburg to believe that all the nihilists and anarchists are not
dead yet."
"Well, I think you have this one spotted wrong. Look at him. He wouldn't
have the nerve to carry a bomb, much less throw one."
"You can't judge a man's nerve by his looks," said Jack quietly.
"Perhaps not always," agreed Frank. "But I believe I am right in this
case, at least."
"All right, but we'll have to look sharp or he'll lose us. There he goes
around the corner. Hurry up."
The lads quickened their steps and rounded the corner just in time to
see the man they were pursuing disappear in a little shop. Approaching
closer they perceived the place to be a tobacconist's, and they also
entered.
The shop keeper eyed them keenly, and to avoid any suspicion Frank
bought a package of cigarettes. Then they went out.
"Did you see him?" asked Jack.
"I thought I caught a glimpse of him in the little room in the rear of
the shop," replied Frank.
"I am sure it was he," agreed Jack. "He poked his head out just as I
glanced in that direction."
"Well, what are we going to do about it?"
"I don't know that there is anything to do. In the first place we
probably are on a wild goose chase and I fail to see why we should
bother with him any longer."
"Nor I. Still I am curious."
"My curiosity is not entirely satisfied either. What do you say? Shall
we let him go or shall we try and get in and see what it's all about?"
"Well," said Frank, "we have followed him this far. We might as well
stay for the finish, whatever it may be."
"All right, then. Let's see if we can get in."
Two doors away from the tobacco shop a narrow alleyway led toward the
rear. Making certain that no one was watching them, the boys slunk into
this and made their way to the rear of the shop.
Here they looked around carefully. Not a soul was in sight. Near by
stood a barrel. Frank dragged it close to a little window in the room
behind the shop and while Jack stood on guard, Frank climbed up and
peered in.
The blind was drawn, but it did not reach the bottom by an inch. The
opening was just level with Frank's eyes when he stood upon the barrel.
He looked in, exercising the greatest care to avoid detection. His eyes
beheld a strange sight.
Gathered about a little table in the room were four men, their heads
close together, scrutinizing an object that lay between them. At first
Frank could not make out what it was, but as one of the men leaned back
in his chair, Frank, over his shoulder, recognized it.
Quickly he jumped from the barrel and whispered to Jack.
"You were right."
"Right? How?" asked Jack.
"Bomb," replied Frank briefly.
Jack stepped back in surprise.
"A bomb!" he exclaimed.
"Yes," Frank repeated, "a bomb. They are examining it, or something. I
can't tell just what."
"Couldn't you hear what they were saying?"
"No; the window is closed."
"What do you suppose they intend to do with it?"
"You know as much about it as I do."
"Well, then, what are we going to do about it?"
"That's the question. I suppose we might call the police, but if we did
the chances are they would find nothing when they entered the place; or
we might notify the military authorities, but the conspirators would be
gone before they arrived."
"Haven't you an idea?"
"Yes, I have an idea, but it involves considerable risk."
"Since when have you become so cautious? Risk didn't use to bother you."
"It wouldn't now, if I were sure we had a chance of success."
"What's your plan?"
"There is but one way I can think of by which we can overhear the
conversation in that room. It is impossible for us to get in this way
without being seen, and the only other entrance, so far as I know, is
through the tobacco shop. Therefore we shall have to go in that way."
"And I suppose the shopkeeper will stand right there and let us do it,"
said Jack with some sarcasm.
"We'll have to tie him up before he can give the alarm."
"Suits me," said Jack. "I am willing to take a chance if you are. Come
on."
Quickly the lads made their way back to the street, and once more
entered the store. The shopkeeper recognized them instantly by their
uniforms, and approached.
"These cigarettes you gave me," said Frank, "are no good. I want another
package."
"What's the matter with them?" demanded the storekeeper. "Let me see
them."
Frank laid the package in his hand, and as the latter turned his eyes
down to look at the package, Frank seized him about the throat with both
hands. Jack picked up a strong piece of cord from the floor, and bound
the man's hands securely, while Frank kept him from making an outcry.
Making a gag of his handkerchief, he stuffed it into the man's mouth in
such a way that it was impossible for him to utter a sound. Then they
laid him behind the counter on the floor.
"Now we shall see what we can hear," said Frank.
He approached the door to the next room noiselessly, Jack close at his
heels. For a few minutes they waited in silence, but there was no sound
from the adjoining room. At last Frank ventured to peer in. He stepped
back in astonishment.
"Gone!" he exclaimed.
"Gone," repeated Jack.
"Yes; and I would like to know where."
"Let's go in and see."
Their hands rested upon their revolvers as they advanced into the room
and looked about. From one end to the other they searched, when as they
were about to give up, Frank discovered a door behind some old barrels
in the far corner.
"Here is where they went," he whispered.
He tried the door, and it gave way before him, though not until he had
used considerable force. A pair of stairs, going down, confronted them.
"Shall we go down or not?" asked Frank, turning to Jack.
"Suit yourself," was the reply. "I'm with you either way."
Without another word Frank turned about and began to descend the stairs,
taking care to make no noise. Jack followed him.
At the bottom, where it was pitch dark, they brought up against a second
door, and making sure that his revolvers were ready for instant use,
Frank pushed it gently.
It swung open.
Seated about a table were the figures of four men. Fortunately for the
boys, perhaps, their backs were toward the door, and they did not see it
open.
Motioning to Jack to follow, Frank crept in quietly and as quietly sank
behind a pile of old boxes in the nearest corner. Jack did likewise, and
the two made themselves as comfortable as possible, without making a
sound, for there was no telling how long they might have to remain
there.
Kneeling, Jack poked up his head until he could just see over the top of
the barrel. One of the men made some remark, but it was in Russian, and
neither lad could understand what he said. No sooner had he spoken,
however, than a second man turned on him angrily.
"I thought we had agreed to speak English," he said. "Of course it makes
no difference here, but practice is good for you. Unless you get used to
speaking English you are likely to make a slip the first thing you know
in some place where it will spoil everything."
"You are right," said the first speaker. "I shall try to be more
careful."
"See that you do," growled the second speaker.
"Well," said a third voice, "this thing seems to be all right. Now about
the time."
"We have decided upon that," said the fourth man. "Czar Nicholas will
review his troops before the palace at five o'clock. Ivan and I can get
close enough for him to throw with accuracy."
"Good. Has it been decided that Ivan is to do the work?"
"Yes."
"All right. Then we may as well go. Remember, do not speak to Stephan as
you go out. It might spoil everything."
The men arose, and made their way from the room, without noticing the
lads.
The latter, being sure they were gone, arose to their feet and followed.
"Careful," whispered Frank, as they ascended the stairs.