Book: The Boy Allies in Great Peril

C >> Clair W. Hayes >> The Boy Allies in Great Peril




"Well, we had better go and have a look. I don't believe they will harm
Uncle John, but he probably is beginning to be worried by this time."

He led the way and Chester followed him. Hal mounted the steps without
hesitancy and turned the knob of the door. The door opened and the lad
stepped inside, where he halted with a cry of surprise. Chester peered
over his shoulder.

"Looks like a cyclone had struck this place," Hal ejaculated.

It did indeed. Robard was lying upon the floor, with a man on either side
of him, and a fourth lay some distance away, his skull crushed in.

"Uncle John probably was the cyclone," said Chester briefly. "I have
heard that he used to be considerable of a fighter in his younger days."

"And still he could hardly have done all this," said Hal.

"Remember Alexis," said Chester sententiously.

"That's different," replied Hal.

"Well, maybe so, but--"

Chester broke off and grabbed Hal by the arm.

"Sh-h-h," he whispered.

Hal listened attentively for a few seconds. The faint sound of footsteps
could be heard approaching from further back in the house. At the same
moment Robard groaned, moved about and sat up. The hands of the two lads
dropped to their pockets.

But before they could draw their weapons, they were startled by a voice
behind them.

"Hands up!" it said.

There was no mistaking the menace in the quiet tones and Hal and Chester
realized that the owner of the voice meant business.

"Good work, Fritz," came the voice of Robard, and he pulled himself to
his feet with some difficulty and advanced toward the boys. "I'll thank
you for your guns," he said. "No, I'll get them myself," he added as both
boys moved their hands toward the weapons.

He suited the action to the word and relieved the lads of their
automatics.

"Now stand back there against the wall," he commanded.

The boys obeyed.

Robard now gave his attention to the injured men on the floor. Two of
them showed signs of returning consciousness and soon were able to get to
their feet. The other could not be revived, and at a command from Robard,
he was carried to another room.

"Well, I've got you this time," said Robard to Hal and Chester, "and this
time I'll guarantee you don't get away."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," said Hal with a smile. "We are pretty
hard to hold on to."

"I'll hold on to you, never fear," was the response. "I'd like to get my
hands on the other."

"Then he has gotten away?" queried Chester.

"Oh, yes, he got away all right," said Robard with a frown. "He's as
strong as an ox, and a real fighter."

"Then he was responsible for all this human wreckage we found when we
came in?" demanded Hal.

"He was," was the grim reply, "but the next time I get my hands on him
there will be a different story to tell. Why, he's a madman when he
gets started."

"Then I would advise you to keep away from him," said Hal.

The sound of footsteps outside the door prevented Robard from replying.
Levelling a revolver at the lads, he motioned them to be silent, and took
up a position at the side of the hall, where he would be concealed by the
door when it swung inward.

A hand turned the knob and the door swung back. Uncle John's face
appeared in the doorway. He saw Hal and Chester immediately and advanced
with a smile.

"So here you are," he said. "Your mothers--"

The sentence died on his lips as Robard, who had stepped quietly from
behind the door, brought the butt of his heavy revolver down upon his
head. Uncle John dropped to the floor like a log.

The action had been so sudden that neither Hal nor Chester had time to
give a cry of warning, though both would have done so, in spite of
Robard's command for them to remain quiet. As Uncle John fell, Chester
stepped forward, but he was confronted by the barrel of Robard's gun.

"Stand back," said the Austrian.

Chester obeyed. There was nothing else he could do in the face of certain
death should he refuse.

Now Robard called two of his men, and Uncle John was carried into an
adjoining room. Robard motioned Hal and Chester in also.

Uncle John was laid upon the bed, and at a command from Robard, was
tightly bound. Hal and Chester were also tied to chairs, after which
Robard took his leave, saying:

"I'll see you the first thing in the morning."

"What are you going to do with us?" demanded Chester.

"I haven't decided yet," was the reply. "But wait. If you will return me
the paper you took from me I shall let you all go now."

"It's too late," said Hal quietly. "I gave the paper to General Ferrari."

"I had surmised as much," said Robard. "Well, good-night."

He waved a hand airily and stepped from the room. Then he turned and
poked his head back through the door.

"A word more," he said. "In case you should unloose your bonds, I would
advise you not to try to escape. There will be a man on guard here in the
hall all night, and another outside, so you cannot leave by the window."

"Thanks," said Hal dryly.

Robard withdrew his head and a key grated in the lock.

"Well, now what are we going to do?" asked Hal.

"You've got me," replied Chester. "Say, do you know this reminds me of
old times--of the days in France, Belgium and Russia."

"You bet," agreed Hal, "and those were the good old days."

At this juncture Uncle John moaned feebly and his eyelids fluttered. A
moment later the lids opened and he gazed at Hal and Chester curiously.
Then the light of comprehension dawned upon his face and he spoke:

"So they have got us all, eh?"

"Yes, they've got us," replied Chester.

"The trouble will be to keep us," said Hal. "How do you feel, sir?"

"Not much," replied Uncle John. "What did he hit me with, a crowbar?"

"No, just a revolver butt," replied Chester, grinning.

"How did they happen to capture you boys?"

"We came back here looking for you, as soon as Hal had delivered the
paper to General Ferrari," Chester explained.

"Your mothers are worried almost to death," said Uncle John.

"I'm afraid they will worry a whole lot more before we get out of here,"
said Chester. "I don't know what Robard will do with us."

"Perhaps we may see the Austrian ambassador," said Hal hopefully.
"Certainly he would stand for no such work as this."

"I don't know about that," said Chester. "They are likely to all
be alike."

"Well, we shall just have to make the best of it," said Hal.

"By the way, Uncle John," said Chester, "you must be considerable of a
fighter. You laid these fellows out in great shape a while ago."

"I did do a pretty fair job," admitted his uncle, "but they made me mad."

"I vote that we try to get a little sleep," said Hal. "It won't be very
comfortable here in these chairs, but we shall have to make the best of
it. Perhaps with the coming of daylight something will turn up."

Chester tugged at his bonds in vain.

"Can't budge 'em," he said.

Hal closed his eyes.

"I'm going to try to get forty winks," he said. "Good night."

Chester followed his friend's example, and Uncle John also composed
himself to sleep. And in spite of their uncomfortable positions,
presently all slumbered.

Hal was the first to awaken. The key turning in the lock of the door
aroused him. Sunlight streamed in through the closed window. The face of
Robard appeared in the door, and he entered the room.

"Good morning," he said.

At the sound of his voice, Chester and Uncle John opened their eyes.

"Good morning," replied Hal. "I trust you have come to liberate us."

"Of your bonds, yes," was the reply; "but I regret to say that I cannot
set you free."

"What are you going to do with us?"

"Take you to Austria."

"To Austria! Great Scott! What for?"

"For no particular reason," said Robard, and his face suddenly took on
a savage look, "except that you have thwarted me, and for that you
shall pay. I shall probably lose my rank for my failure to obtain the
papers, and if I do I want some one to take my spite out on. Do I make
myself clear?"

"Perfectly," replied Hal quietly. "It is very like a coward."

Robard took a threatening step forward.

"A coward, am I?" he cried in a loud voice.

He made as though to strike the lad, then suddenly changed his mind.

"I'll wait," he said. "I promise you shall regret those words before I am
through with you."

"And when do we start?" asked Chester.

"To-night; after dark. A special train will be ready for the Austrian
ambassador and his suite. You shall go with us. Of course the ambassador
shall know nothing of your presence, for he would not permit me to work
out a personal grudge in this way. I shall keep you out of his sight."

"The ambassador has been given his passports then?" asked Chester.

"He has, to Italy's sorrow. We shall wipe her off the map."

"Don't forget you have a pretty sizable job on your hands
already," said Hal.

Robard made no reply, but turning on his heel, strode from the room.




CHAPTER X.

VENICE.


As the boys had feared, they were given no opportunity to make a personal
appeal to the Austrian ambassador. All day long they were kept in their
improvised prison. They slept a little and talked a little, but try as
they would they were unable to so much as loosen their bonds. But they
all agreed on one thing, as expressed by Chester:

"We'll make a break for freedom at the first opportunity, no matter what
the odds against us."

One of Robard's hirelings brought them a bite to eat about noon and again
shortly after 6 o'clock. Darkness fell and still Robard himself had
failed to appear.

"Maybe the time for departure has been postponed," said Chester.

"Hardly," replied Uncle John. "If the ambassador has been given his
passports and has made arrangements to leave Italy he'll probably go at
the appointed time."

It was at this juncture that footsteps were heard without. The key turned
in the lock and a moment later Robard stood before them.

"Well," he said cheerfully, "all ready for your little trip?"

"We're not what you would call ready," replied Hal, with an attempt
at levity, "but if you say it's time to move, we may as well agree
with you."

"Your reasoning is to be commended," said Robard. He stepped to the door
and raised his voice in a shout. A moment later a second man stood beside
him. "Untie these fellows while I keep them covered," he ordered, at the
same time producing a brace of automatics.

The man stepped forward and with a few quick movements relieved the
prisoners of their bonds. He stepped back.

"Stand up!" commanded Robard, levelling his revolvers, "and mind,
no tricks."

Hal, Chester and Uncle John obeyed. It was a wonderful relief to be on
their feet again and be able to stretch their cramped muscles.

"By George! this feels better," said Chester.

"Rather," agreed Hal dryly.

Robard moved to one side of the room.

"Out you go," he said, motioning toward the door with his revolver, but
still keeping the three covered.

"Which way?" asked Hal, playing for time.

"Out the door is all you need to know," was the reply. "You'll find
pleasant company there."

One of the revolvers covered Hal threateningly.

Hal walked toward the door, followed by Chester and then Uncle John.
Robard followed close behind, with his man at his heels.

Outside the door Hal led the way down the hall toward the front door,
where he saw perhaps half a dozen other figures standing about. These
proved to be more Austrians. Near the door Hal halted at a word of
command from Robard and the three prisoners soon were surrounded.
Their captors were all dressed in civilian attire, but from their
military bearings, Hal and Chester concluded that they were Austrian
army officers.

Robard turned to one who stood somewhat apart from the others.

"Everything ready?" he asked.

"All ready," was the reply. "The baggage has been sent on ahead of us and
the train to Venice will leave within the hour."

"Good! And the ambassador?"

"Will be here within half an hour," was the answer.

Hal's heart leaped. Here, he thought, would be a chance to demand his
freedom, and that of his companions. He was loath to believe that a man
in the capacity of an ambassador would countenance such proceedings. But
his hopes were doomed to disappointment.

Within the half hour mentioned, the door was flung suddenly open
and a small man hurried in. He gazed quickly about him and then
spoke to Robard.

"Everything ready?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," was Robard's answer.

The ambassador--for such the newcomer was--gazed rapidly about him. His
eyes rested on Hal, Chester and Uncle John.

"Who are these?" he demanded with a wave of his hand in their direction.

"These," said Robard, taking a step forward, and throwing a warning look
at the three prisoners, "are a trio who have too much knowledge of some
of our plans. I thought it best to take them along, sir."

Hal took a quick step forward, but even as he opened his mouth to speak,
he felt something cold pressed against the back of his neck by a hand
from behind. He closed his lips and fell back.

The ambassador was silent a moment before replying. Then he said:

"You are sure you are not taking too much upon yourself? You are certain
you are right in your surmise?"

"It is not a surmise, sir; it is a fact," returned Robard.

For another moment the ambassador hesitated. Then he said with a shrug of
his shoulders:

"Very well then. Come; let us go."

He led the way out the door, the others following. Hal, Chester and Uncle
John were kept closely in the center of the little knot of men as all
made their way down the steps to where three large automobiles stood
waiting at the curb. The ambassador and Robard climbed into the first,
and Hal found himself separated from his friends as he was pushed into
the second machine; Chester and Uncle John were in the third.

Twenty minutes later the three prisoners found themselves in a first
class section on the special express for Venice, vigilantly guarded by
two Austrians, who had been placed in charge of them after they had been
securely tied up at Robard's command. Robard himself had entered another
compartment with the ambassador.

"You'll be safer this way," the Austrian had said with a smile, after
testing their bonds to make sure they were secure.

"Looks like we were pretty safe any way you might put us," replied
Hal grimly.

"You Americans are pretty slippery customers; I won't take any chances
with you," was the rejoinder, and Robard took his leave.

A few moments later a slight motion told the prisoners that the train
had started.

"Well, here we go," said Chester with a laugh. "We've been started for
the enemy's country in this manner before."

"Only on previous occasions our destination was Berlin instead of
Venice," replied Hal.

"Which is not our destination after all," said Uncle John. "Our true
destination is back to the hotel where we left your mothers."

"And I am sure we shall reach it eventually," said Hal hopefully.

"How long does it take to get to Venice?" asked Chester.

"I don't know exactly," replied Uncle John. "But we shall be there by
daylight surely."

"Perhaps we may get a chance to make a break for liberty," said Chester.

"Don't bank on that, Chester," replied Hal. "It looks as though these
fellows do things a little more thoroughly than their German cousins.
Still there is always a chance."

"While there's life there's hope, eh?" said Uncle John. "We'll see."

"In the meantime," said Hal, "we may as well try to get a little sleep."

"A good idea," agreed Chester. "Here goes."

He closed his eyes and was soon in the land of dreams. Hal and Uncle John
followed suit.

How long they slept they did not know, but they were awakened by rough
hands shaking them and the sound of gruff voices. Hal opened his eyes.
Daylight streamed in through the windows of the compartment.

"Get up!" commanded a harsh voice.

Hal rubbed his eyes and called to Chester and Uncle John.

"What's the matter?" asked the latter sleepily.

"Venice, I guess," was the reply.

Again their bonds were removed, and under cover of the revolvers of their
captors, which the latter kept concealed in their coats but which the
three prisoners knew were ever ready, Hal, Chester and Uncle John stepped
from the car.

The Austrian ambassador and Robard had alighted before them, and Hal
could see them talking and gesticulating excitedly.

"Wonder what's up?" he muttered.

"Which way from here, do you suppose?" asked Chester.

"Trieste, I should say," replied Uncle John. "They will want to get over
the border as soon as possible, and I guess they will head in that
direction."

"My idea, too," agreed Hal.

What was their surprise, then, when, instead of boarding another train,
as Hal had confidently believed would be done, the ambassador led the way
into the station and then to the street beyond. Here Robard disappeared
for a brief moment, and returning, motioned the ambassador and others to
follow him.

Again the prisoners found themselves shoved into a large touring car,
which started immediately in the wake of the one which bore Robard and
the ambassador.

"Some funny business here, as sure as you're born," said Chester
excitedly.

"Must be," declared Hal grimly. "Robard and the ambassador have something
up their sleeves. Wonder if the Italian authorities are not on their
guard. There is no telling what these fellows may do."

"I don't imagine the Italian authorities are watching them any too
closely," remarked Uncle John. "You know men in such positions are
supposed to be men of honor."

"Which the ambassador undoubtedly is," said Chester. "If there is
anything wrong, you can take my word that Robard is the gentleman who is
responsible for it."

"You have hit the nail on the head there, old fellow," agreed Hal.

After a ten-minute drive the machine came to an abrupt stop.

"Out you go," said a gruff voice in very poor English.

It was the voice of one of their captors and the prisoners obeyed.

Ahead, the ambassador and Robard were walking down the steps to the
canal, and a few moments later a large closed gondola came toward them.

The ambassador entered, followed by Robard, and the prisoners found
themselves aboard also a moment later. The gondola moved off.

"Well, what next?" demanded Chester.

"It's too deep for me," was the reply. "But we are going to learn
something; that's sure. Perhaps it's a good thing we were captured and
brought along. Who knows? we may be able to avert some mischief."

"Let us sincerely hope so," said Uncle John earnestly. "I know that you
boys are experienced in this line of work, but you can count on me to the
last ditch."

"You didn't need to tell us that, Uncle John," said Chester. "We knew
it."

The gondola stopped.




CHAPTER XI.

A PLOT IS FOILED.


"Out with you," commanded one of their captors, when he saw that the
ambassador and Robard had made their way up the short flight of steps.

No urging was necessary. The prisoners, closely followed by their guards,
made their way in the same direction. A hundred yards ahead, they were
suddenly turned to the left, where they caught sight of a small house.
Into this they were marched and then on into a room at the far end of the
short hall.

"Guess you'll be safe enough in there. No need to tie you up," said the
voice of Robard, who came up at this moment.

The door slammed, a key grated harshly and the prisoners were left alone.

"Now what in the name of all that's wonderful do you suppose this means?"
asked Chester. "Think they are going to leave us here to starve or perish
of thirst?"

"No, I guess not," was the reply. "My opinion is that Robard is up to
something funny, and that he has enticed the ambassador here on some
pretext or another."

"What do you think he is up to?" demanded Chester.

"If I knew I'd have told you a long while ago," said Hal. "Now, if we--"

He paused as Chester held up a warning hand. The latter moved toward the
wall at the far end of the room as Hal eyed him curiously. The lad placed
his ear against the wall, and listened intently for a moment; then he
motioned Hal and Uncle John to approach.

"The ambassador and Robard are in the next room," he whispered. "I can
hear them talking. Listen."

Hal and Uncle John also laid their ears to the wall.

"But," and the ambassador's voice came faintly to them, "such a thing as
you suggest is dishonorable."

"What has that to do with it, sir?" came Robard's reply. "Our enemies
would do the same thing had they the opportunity. All's fair in war, you
know, sir."

"Not that," said the ambassador. "You must remember that until I have
crossed the frontier I am still the ambassador to Italy. I am upon my
honor to leave the country peaceably."

"But no one would know you had a hand in the matter, sir."

"That is not the point," was the reply.

"But I have made all arrangements," protested Robard. "Everything is
ready. The chief of the Italian general staff is in Venice at this
moment, and at noon will inspect the large stores of ammunition at the
northern outskirts of the city. A word from you and ammunition, chief of
staff and all will be destroyed."

"I will give no such word," was the angry response. "Besides," and the
ambassador considered a moment, "why do you wish a word from me in this
matter? It could have been done without my consent."

"Well, sir, I--we--I," stammered Robard, evidently at a loss for a
convincing reply.

There came the sound of a blow, as though a hand had struck a table and
the ambassador's voice rose angrily.

"Robard," he said sternly, "I can see through your plot. You would have
me stand sponsor for this crime, that you might disqualify me upon my
return to Vienna."

"I assure you, sir--" began Robard.

"Enough," replied the ambassador. "I have not forgotten that you were
ever my enemy--at least until this war brought us closer together and put
an end to all our disputes--at least, so I believed. Now I know better."

"Sir--" Robard began again.

"I have told you I would have no hand in it," declared the ambassador.
"What is more, I forbid it! Do you understand, I forbid it!"

Now Robard's voice rose angrily.

"You forbid it!" he exclaimed. "You forbid it! Well, little good will
that do. I will see that the work is carried out if I have to do it
myself. And what is more, I will see that the blame falls on you. You are
right. I have plotted to discredit you, and I shall do it, or my name is
not Robard."

"I shall see that your actions are brought to the attention of the
emperor," declared the ambassador. "And more than that, I shall
immediately notify the Italian authorities of your plans, that they may
be on their guard."

"You will never do that," replied Robard, and his voice was so low that
the listeners could scarcely catch the words.

"Robard," said the ambassador sternly, "you may consider yourself
under arrest."

There was the sound of a scraping chair and heavy footsteps moving in the
room beyond.

"Another move and I shall fire," came Robard's voice.

"Man, you don't know what you are doing," came the surprised voice of the
ambassador.

"Don't?" said Robard, with a sneer in his voice. "I'll show you."

Again there came to the listeners' ears the sounds of heavy footsteps,
followed by the noise of a struggle.

"Great Scott! They are fighting!" exclaimed Hal. "What can we do? He
might kill the Ambassador."

"There is nothing we can do, old man," replied Chester quietly. "We'll
have to let them fight it out."

They listened intently.

The struggle continued, and occasionally the listeners could catch the
sound of fierce ejaculations. Then, suddenly, there came the sound of a
shot. Then silence, followed a moment later by a voice:

"There! I guess now you will know better than to interfere with me."

"Robard," said the voice of the ambassador, very weak now, "you shall pay
for this."

"I don't know whether I have done for you or not," came Robard's voice
after a pause, "and I don't care. In fact, I hope I have. Now, just to
blacken your reputation a bit, if I have killed you, I shall go through
with my plan."

The boys could hear him stalk heavily across the room. A moment later a
door slammed.

Hal rose to his feet and passed a hand across a moist brow.

"And to think that we were unable to lend a hand," he muttered.

"He's a black villain," declared Uncle John.

"And now," said Chester, "he is on his errand of mischief. Can we do
nothing to thwart him?"

"I can't see how," declared Uncle John.

"Nor I," said Hal.

"Wait a moment, though," said Chester.

"Well?" queried Hal anxiously.

"I think it can be done," replied Chester quietly. "At least there is
a chance."

"Let's have it," demanded Hal eagerly.

"Well, here is the idea. We'll stir up a racket in here. Naturally some
of our captors will come to see what it is all about. We won't quiet down
until he opens the door. Now you will notice that the door swings inward.
That will help. Also that from outside it is impossible to see this side
of the room. I'll stand behind the door. You and Uncle John remain on
this side and stay here until the man comes into the room. Then I'll jump
him, or them, as the case may be."

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