Part 21 (1/2)

”Still a blaze up there, Tom, showing that the conference isn't over yet.”

Presently Tom straightened up.

”That is all done,” he announced, in a satisfied tone. ”And done well in the bargain. Now bring along your gas, and be careful how you pour it in. By good luck I've got a funnel that can be used. I'll hold it while you start things going, Jack. Easy now, no hurry; every drop is precious remember!”

The contents of the little pail was presently successfully transferred into the reservoir which Tom had so adroitly mended after its rough treatment at the hands of the Huns who worked the ”Archies,” or anti-aircraft guns.

Tom gave a sigh of relief when that part of the proceeding was finished.

He had entertained a little fear that Jack, in his haste to get things over with, might spill the precious fluid on which so much depended.

Afterwards Tom examined for himself, and was satisfied.

”Not a sign of a leak yet, and there isn't going to be either,” he told his companion, not exultantly, but nevertheless with confidence that a belief in the staying qualities of his own work justified.

”Now we can get going on the second part of our programme,” Jack returned, as he once more cast a steady look toward the height on which the chateau stood.

”No need of staying here another minute, Jack. n.o.body knows just what's going on over there, or how long those visitors mean to stay.”

”All the same,” the other air service boy mentioned, as if casually, ”General von Berthold is giving his guests a regular jolly time of it.

In these days of war I reckon the Huns are missing pretty much all their favorite drinks, and when they do strike a cellar full--and I guess they have it here--it's like drawing teeth to pry them loose. Listen, don't you hear them at it now?”

Indeed, it would have been impossible for any one with ordinary hearing, when within half a mile of the chateau, not to have heard what Jack referred to. Some one was singing at the top of his voice, and a heavy voice he had in the bargain. He kept time with the rhythm of his song by repeated poundings on a table with what might have been a stein.

”Well, what nerve!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Jack. ”It's the _Watch on the Rhine_ he's trolling, as sure as you live!”

”And with the whole bunch joining in the chorus in the bargain,” added Tom, as the burst of singing suddenly grew stronger in volume. ”They utterly refuse to believe they're whipped flat, even with the Americans ready to step over into Germany and mop 'em up all the way to Berlin.”

”Huh!” snorted Jack disdainfully, ”we'll soon be the ones keeping watch on the Rhine, see if we'll not. Only sillies with their wits flabbergasted by pride would shut their eyes to the handwriting on the wall. But I'm not sorry, for if they keep on enjoying themselves in that way we'll find it an easy job to roam all over the old shack, looking for Helene.”

They were walking briskly along while exchanging these remarks in guarded tones. Greatly to their satisfaction they met no one while on the road. They had both wondered whether General von Berthold did not have a bodyguard camped somewhere near his headquarters, some of whom were likely to be moving about; though, to be sure, the hour was late for that sort of thing.

When they arrived at the scene of their previous escapade it was to find that one of the military chauffeurs had returned, and was even then taking a look at the engine of his car, for he struck several matches, and was thrusting his head down close to the machinery.

They halted to watch. A minute afterwards he tidied things up again, and Jack, hearing his loud yawn, decided he could not have discovered that some one had been meddling with his petrol supply.

Then the soldier vanished inside his big car, as though to find a comfortable seat, if his masters chose to linger an hour longer in celebrating with General von Berthold.

Tom led the way around, now approaching the building from an angle where they would be screened from the observation of the driver, did he chance to have his eyes open. They also took care to be ready to duck and lie low, in case the other chauffeur came from the back of the chateau.

But nothing happened to endanger them, and presently they were seeking a means of entering the castle. This proved the easiest thing possible, for there were no locks or bars attached to the door they tried. Once this barrier had been pa.s.sed, they found themselves in a great hall, just such as Jack had always believed, from his reading, must be connected with every such old-time castle.

A light burned low. It was in itself a quaint lamp, and at another time the boys might have found themselves very much interested in it as a relic of times long since past.

Of course there could be no system of modern lighting in use at such an isolated habitation. Besides, electricity would have seemed sadly out of place in connection with so much that belonged to bygone days.

The tall lamp on the newel post at the foot of the broad stairway gave enough light to show one where to walk; and just then the two prowlers asked for nothing more.