Part 46 (1/2)
he commanded shortly. ”Search them for weapons first.”
Hal and Chester realized the futility of resistance. They held their arms high, as did the others, and were relieved of their weapons without a word. Then, surrounded by a guard, they were marched away.
An hour later they stood before the Bulgarian commander, where the officer who had captured them related his story. General Blozle eyed them keenly.
”Have you anything to say?” he asked when the colonel had presented the case against them.
Chester stepped forward.
”Just this, general,” he said quietly. ”Miss Ellison here is in no way concerned in anything we may have done. We had never seen her until last night, as she told the colonel. Also, I would like to speak a word for Mr. Stubbs here. He is, as my friend has said, an American war correspondent. That's all, sir.”
The lad resumed his place.
”Bah!” exclaimed the general. ”You as much as admit you are a spy. If you are a spy, so are the others. You are a lot of spies. You English hounds!
If it were not for the English, Bulgaria would now have what was rightfully hers. You shall all be shot at sunrise! Take them away!”
The prisoners were marched out with scant ceremony. They were taken to a large tent, with ample room for all of them. There they were securely bound and a guard stationed without.
”Well,” said Stubbs quietly, with nothing of the fear of other days in his manner, ”I guess we have come to the finish line at last.”
”It looks that way, Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester sadly. ”I am sorry that we have implicated you in this.”
”Oh, that's all right,” replied the little man. ”I'm not blaming you. But I would have liked to go back to New York once more.”
Chester turned to Helen.
”And you, Miss Ellison,” he said. ”I hardly know what to say. If it had not been for me, you would not have been in this serious predicament.”
Helen smiled at him.
”Say no more about it,” she said quietly. ”You saved me once. I am not the girl to whine now.”
”Now that you people have all decided you are going to die, I would like to say a few words.”
It was the voice of Nikol.
The others looked at him in surprise.
”What's the matter with you?” demanded Stubbs. ”Want to berate us, I suppose, for getting you into this fix.”
Nikol eyed Stubbs somewhat scornfully.
”I,” said Nikol, ”wish to say that while there is life there is hope.”
”Good for you, old man,” cried Hal. ”You have expressed my thoughts exactly.”
”Suppose you tell us how, securely tied as we are, we are going to get out of here?” Stubbs addressed Nikol.
”Very simple,” said Nikol. ”First I want to say this. I am no strategist.
I can unloosen us all, if some one else will show us the way out.”
”You do your part, Nikol, and I'll try and do mine,” said Hal quietly.