Part 35 (1/2)

The time of departure drew nearer. I had already been pa.s.sed down by the stealthy guards and through the numerous locked and barred gates to the subterranean docks where Grauble's vessel, the _Eitel 3_, rested on the heavy trucks that would bear her away through the tunnel to the pneumatic lock that would float her into the pa.s.sage that led to the open sea.

My supplies and apparatus were stored on board and the crew were making ready to be off. But three hours were left until the time of our departure and these hours I had set aside for my final leave-taking of Marguerite. I hastened back through the guarded gates to the elevator and was quickly lifted to the Royal Level where Marguerite was to be waiting for me.

With fast beating and rebellious heart I rang the bell of the Countess'

apartment. I could scarcely believe I heard aright when the servant informed me that the Princess Marguerite had gone out.

I demanded to see the Countess and was ushered into the reception-room and suffered unbearably during the few minutes till she appeared. To my excited question she replied with a teasing smile that Marguerite had gone out a half hour before with Admiral von Kufner. ”I warned you,”

said the Countess as she saw the tortured expression of my face, ”but you would not believe me, when I told you the Admiral would prove a dangerous man.”

”But it is impossible,” I cried. ”I am leaving for the Arctic mines. I have only a couple of hours; surely you are hiding something. Did you see her go? Did she leave no word? Do you know where they have gone or when they will return?”

The Countess shook her head. ”I only know,” she replied more sympathetically, ”that Marguerite seemed very excited all morning. She talked with me of your leaving and seemed very wrought up over it, and then but an hour or so ago she rushed into her room and telephoned--it must have been to the Admiral, for he came shortly afterwards. They talked together for a little while and then, without a word to me they went out, seeming to be in a great hurry. Perhaps she felt so upset over your leaving that she thought it kinder not to risk a parting scene. She is so honest, poor child, that she probably did not wish to send you away with any false hopes.”

”But do you mean,” I cried, ”that you think she has gone out with von Kufner to avoid seeing me?”

”I am sorry,” consoled the Countess, ”but it looks that way. It was cruel of her, for she might have sent you away with hope to live on till your return, even if she felt she could not wait for you.”

I strove not to show my anger to the Countess, for, considering her ignorance of the true significance of the occasion, I could not expect a full understanding.

Miserably I waited for two hours as the Countess tried to entertain me with her misplaced efforts at sympathy while I battled to keep my faith in Marguerite alive despite the damaging evidence that she had deserted me at the last hour.

I telephoned to von Kufner's office and to his residence but could get no word as to his whereabouts, and Marguerite did not return.

I dared not wait any longer--asking for envelope and paper, I penned a hasty note to Marguerite: ”I shall go on to the Arctic and come back to you. The salvation of Berlin must wait till you can go with me. I cannot, will not, lose you.”

And then I tore myself away and hastened to the elevator and was dropped to a subterranean level and pa.s.sed again through the locked and guarded gates.

~5~

As I came to the vessel no one was in sight but the regular guards pacing along the loading docks. I mounted the ladder to the deck. The second officer stood by the open trap. ”They are waiting for you,” he said. ”The Admiral himself is below. He came with his lady to see you off.”

I hastened to descend and saw von Kufner and Marguerite chatting with Captain Grauble.

”Why the delay?” asked von Kufner. ”It is nearly the hour of departure, and I have brought the Princess to bid you farewell. We have been showing her the vessel.”

”It is all very wonderful,” said Marguerite with a calm voice, but her eyes spoke the feverish excitement of a great adventure.

”The Princess Marguerite,” said von Kufner, ”is the only woman who has ever seen a submarine since the open sea traffic was closed. But she has seen it all and now we must take our leave for it is time that you should be off.”

As he finished speaking the Admiral politely stepped away to give me opportunity for a farewell word with Marguerite. Grauble followed him and, as he pa.s.sed me, he gave me a look of gloating triumph and then opened the door of his cabin, which the Admiral entered.

”I am going with you,” whispered Marguerite. ”Grauble understands.”

There was the sound of a scuffle and a strangled oath. Grauble's head appeared at the cabin door. ”Here, Armstadt; be quick, and keep him quiet.”

I plunged into the cabin and saw von Kufner crumpled against the bunk; his hands were manacled behind him and his mouth stuffed with a cloth.

With an exulting joy I threw myself upon the man as he struggled to rise. I easily held him down, and whipping out my own kerchief I bound it tightly across his mouth to more effectively gag him.

Then rolling him over I planted my knee on his back while I ripped a sheet from the bunk and bound his feet.