The Boy Allies in the Baltic; Or, Through Fields of Ice to Aid the Czar

by Clair W. Hayes

  CHAPTER V.

  THAT NIGHT.

  The conversation having come to this point, Lord Hastings consideredfurther words useless. He was deeply impressed by the bearing of theyoung French girl and he had no doubt that she would do what shesaid--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 havemother make a place here for you for the night. I don't suppose you haveany other place to go?"

  Lord Hastings shook his head negatively, and half an hour later thethree found themselves in a cozy little room on the second floor, inwhich there were two beds.

  "You may sleep securely here," was Madame Dulce's parting words.

  Neither Jack, Frank, nor the commander wasted much time getting intobed, for they were all tired out and a few moments later they wereasleep.

  All were astir early in the Dulce home the following morning, in spiteof the lateness of the hour at which they had retired.

  "I suppose you will be on your mission this morning?" asked LordHastings of Marie.

  "No," replied the girl with a smile. "To-night will be time enough. Ishall spend the day here entertaining you."

  Lord Hastings made a gallant response, but he did not press the girl forthe method she intended to pursue.

  The day passed pleasantly and swiftly. Night came only too soon, thoughtFrank, who was beginning to admire the young French girl immensely.

  Dusk fell soon after five o'clock and Marie made ready to go. Heavilycloaked and muffled, she turned in the door as she was about to leave.

  "If you will venture to the cafe again to-night," she said, "I shallhave the papers for you. There is no other place where I can give themto you, so you will have to risk another visit."

  "We shall be there," said Frank. "I guess we can avoid Lieutenant Holzensome 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 wasever gained by being in a rush."

  Accordingly it was an hour later--almost half-past six o'clock--when thethree came again to the little cafe.

  Lord Hastings entered jauntily, not the slightest nervousness in hismanner, though his right hand in the pocket of his great coat restedupon the butt of his revolver. Frank and Jack, close behind, also had ahand thrust into their pockets and there was no need to mention what laywithin the palm of each.

  A waiter approached and conducted them to a table at the far end of theroom, but one removed from the one they had had the night before. LordHastings 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 thediners,--which continued until she had finished. Following came a roarof approval. It was while she was responding to an encore thatLieutenant Holzen entered.

  Frank was the first to see him and gave a start. He spoke to LordHastings in a whisper.

  "Keep your nerve, now," was his commander's quiet response. "If he comesover here, let me deal with him."

  Frank said nothing.

  Now Marie had resumed her seat. Lieutenant Holzen, after glancing towardher, swept the room with his eyes. As he perceived Lord Hastings and histwo officers, he clenched his hands and took a step forward.

  For a moment Frank could see that he was plainly undecided just what todo; 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, youstruck me. I demand either an apology or the satisfaction due from onegentleman to another."

  Lord Hastings answered for Frank.

  "If my friend here has insulted you," he said quietly, "it is but rightthat you should demand an accounting. We shall be here all evening. Ifyou will send a friend to me, we shall arrange the details."

  The German bowed and Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack did likewise. Thenturning on his heel, Lieutenant Holzen walked away.

  Frank kept an eye on him and saw that the young German spent most of histime gazing at Marie. Looking in her direction, he was surprised to seethe 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 andapproached her. The music was about to commence and Frank realized whatwas going to happen. For some reason he could not explain to himself hefelt decidedly uncomfortable and shifted uneasily in his seat.

  Jack noticed this and was about to make a remark greatly to his chum'sdiscomfort, when Lord Hastings stayed him with a gesture.

  "Quiet now," he said, "and if I am not mistaken and you look sharp, youmay see something interesting."

  The music struck up at this juncture and Marie and Lieutenant Holzenglided smoothly across the floor. Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank followedthem with their eyes.

  At last the music stopped. The young German escorted Marie back to herplace and returned to his own table.

  Time passed swiftly now for the three British officers. Again Mariedanced with the young German officer, and yet a third time. But when hecame for his fourth dance, she shook her head and inclined it towardFrank.

  The latter had been watching her eagerly and this time he did nothesitate. Getting quickly to his feet he strode across the room andoffered the girl his arm. A moment later the music struck up again andthe two glided across the floor much to the discomfiture of the youngGerman, who stood gnawing his mustache and fingering his sword belt.

  Suddenly Frank felt the girl's hand slide into his inside breast pocketand heard the faint crumple of paper. He was about to speak, but Mariesilenced 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 fromLieutenant Holzen as we danced."

  Frank made no reply, but he pressed slightly the fingers that rested solightly in his own. It was a signal and the girl understood.

  "Now go immediately," she whispered, as the music came to a stop andFrank 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 anappointment with a friend of Lieutenant Holzen."

  It was half an hour later that this friend approached them. LordHastings rose to greet him, as did Jack. Frank remained seated.

  The newcomer introduced himself and Lord Hastings gave a fictitiousname, also introducing Jack and Frank in the same manner. Then they wentinto details of the duel.

  "As the challenged party," said Lord Hastings, thinking to keep upappearances, "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 besatisfactory. The German bowed and took his departure.

  "Nothing like keeping up appearances, sir," said Jack with a smile. "Tohave heard you talk, no one would have expected that you knew the duelwas not coming off."

  "I flatter myself it wasn't done so badly," returned Lord Hastingsmodestly.

  "And how soon shall we go, sir?" asked Frank. Lord Hastings produced hiswatch.

  "Eight o'clock," he said, putting the timepiece back in his pocket. "Wehaven't much time, and yet we have considerable. I believe we had aswell stay here until half-past. We can make it in that time."

  "As you will, sir," returned Frank, and settled back in his chair toenjoy the music.

  But his enjoyment of the music was to be short-lived. Trouble camesuddenly and unexpectedly.

  Frank, chancing to glance toward Lieutenant Holzen, saw that worthy puthis hand to his breast pocket. Immediately his face turned red and hesprang 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 bettermove?"

  Lord Hastings sat still.

  "Too bad," he said calmly. "I am afraid this means trouble. We'llprobably have to fight and run. Guns ready, boys."

  The lads dropped both hands to the holsters that hung on either side oftheir belts. They were ready.

  "We'll let him start the trouble," said Lord Hastings quietly. "Thenwe'll make a break for the door."

  Lieutenant Holzen was not long starting the trouble. He sprang to hisfeet with a shout.

  "There are traitors and spies in this room!" he shouted.