Part 31 (1/2)

The Count was now laughing and explaining to Jones what was going to happen to him, to the United States, and especially to Edestone, and Jones was beginning to look as if he thought there might be some truth in what he was saying.

It was nearly half-past eight when the long-expected ring at the front door came. The Count laughed out loud in triumph.

”Mr. Edestone,” he said, ”don't you think that it is just about time to ask for terms? It is not too late even now. You are a game man, and I hate to see you go to destruction when it is not necessary.”

The ring was followed by another longer than the first.

Edestone was leaning well over the table and looking at the Count with a light in his eyes like that in those of a tiger about to spring.

”I return the compliment,” he said.

There was now heard on the outside much noise and confusion. The bell was rung again and the sound of someone violently shaking the front door was followed by the breaking of the gla.s.s in the iron grille. Above this din, which was really not so great as it seemed to the overwrought nerves of the three men who had sat looking at each other for the last forty minutes, there came the unmistakable rattle of machine-guns, which at first was distant and light in volume, but with incredible rapidity increased until it was a roar that seemed like a great wave rolling up from the southern part of the city.

Edestone, who knew that this meant that the Little Peace Maker must have been sighted by the German look-outs on the roofs, ran to the window.

The Count hesitated for just one moment, as if there were two forces within him fighting for mastery, and then with a quick movement he made a jump for the door.

”Sit down, you dog!” cried Edestone turning just in time to see him, and he sent a bullet cras.h.i.+ng through the door just above the Count's hand where it rested on the k.n.o.b.

Count von Hemelstein stopped, and turning braced himself to receive the ball that he thought must certainly follow.

”Come back and sit down, you poor thing. If you cannot keep your word without help, I will help you next time.”

But the soldiers on the outside, on hearing the shot, redoubled their efforts to get in, and now could be heard running around the house and trying the other doors. In the midst of all this uproar, Lawrence came down, and in imitation of one of his favourite characters, the sailor who announced to Captain Sigsbee the sinking of the _Maine_, said:

”Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been sighted on our starboard bow.” Then throwing off his a.s.sumed character he added: ”Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a minute!

”And what are you going to do with this?” he asked on seeing the Count. ”Don't you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka bibble.”

”No.” Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: ”Good-bye, William,” he called over his shoulder. ”I am sorry to have given you so much trouble.”

When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started for the roof.

”Where are all of those who are going with us?” asked Edestone.

”They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!” Lawrence interrupted himself, ”Fred is still down in the front hall.”

”We must go for him,” said Edestone, halting the car and starting it down.

”Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him.”

”No, they won't stop at anything.” Edestone shook his head.

By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was running up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to the soldiers who had their guns through the grille:

”Shoot that man!”

There was the report of several rifles in quick succession, and the Bowery boy, who was now at the top of the great monumental stairs, fell dead. His body rolled to the bottom and lay there perfectly still.