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.