Part 16 (1/2)

Dale's voice shook as he read the letter. He was obviously much upset, and, seeing it, Dubec, in his uncouth but good-hearted way, persuaded him to return with him to his home for a little while. There Madame Dubec was called to their aid, and as soon as Dale had recovered himself a little the situation was anxiously discussed. In his desperation Dale was for interrupting the execution and compelling the Germans to execute him by the side of his friend. Such an idea as that was quite foreign to Madame and Monsieur Dubec, and they refused to entertain it. As the former said, if Monsieur Dale was determined to die, it would be better to do so in trying to liberate his friend rather than in attempting to share his fate.

The reasonableness of this struck even Dale, distraught as he was, and the three settled down to discuss the possibility of rescue, of reprieve, or whatever seemed likely to put off the evil hour, if only for a day.

CHAPTER XIV

Schenk at Work Again

Max did not long allow himself to give way to weak and bitter reflections. As soon as he properly realized how much he had fallen below himself, he exerted himself to throw off all weakening thoughts and to take a better and higher view of his unfortunate position. He was about to die for his friends and for his country. Well, had he not oftentimes thought that it would be a grand and good thing so to do? Was he now going to go back on those cherished ideals, and regret the heavy blows he had inflicted upon a brutal enemy and the succour he had given to his friends?

Indignant with himself, Max braced himself to a more wholesome frame of mind, and tried to prepare himself for the last scene of the drama of the Durend workshops--a drama in which he had been one of the princ.i.p.al actors since the war began. He would, he told himself, do his best to finish worthily the last and greatest task destiny had set him.

His self-uplifting efforts had met with a considerable measure of success, and he had almost completely regained his usual quiet, steady frame of mind, when his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden challenge of the sentry outside. The challenge was apparently answered satisfactorily, for the door was almost immediately unbolted, and a man entered. It was with very mixed feelings that Max recognized the manager, M. Schenk.

”You do not seem pleased to see me, Monsieur Max,” observed the manager, smiling in an ingratiating manner that to Max was more objectionable at that moment than open triumph.

”Have I reason to?” queried Max shortly.

”I think so. But that depends as much upon you as upon me. You are aware that you die to-morrow?”

The almost casual manner in which the manager spoke struck Max as being doubly horrible. He seemed to think nothing at all of the execution of a fellow-creature, and one who had been closely a.s.sociated with him for a good many years.

”I am aware of it,” replied Max as quietly as he could.

”Well, it seems a pity. Such a young fellow, and one so energetic and keen in his business, and with a brilliant future before him,” said the manager in a smooth, velvety voice that Max had known him use to influential business men when he was specially anxious to gain his point. ”I have, in fact, Monsieur Max, been talking your unfortunate case over with the governor. I have told him that, serious as this offence of yours undoubtedly is, you are really the tool of others. He is, of course, much incensed against you for the destruction of so important a workshop, but is ready to be merciful--upon conditions.”

”Ah! and what conditions?”

”Not hard ones,” replied M. Schenk, obviously pleased by the eagerness with which Max spoke. ”You stole some plans of mine a month or so ago----? Yes? I thought it must be you, and I am ready to go to some lengths to get them back.”

”They have left my hands, Monsieur Schenk.”

”Where are they?”

”In the hands of the English Government.”

”You rascal!” shouted M. Schenk furiously, his smooth, easy manner utterly giving way. ”You--you--but, after all, I thought as much; and they were really of no great value,” he ended lamely, recovering himself with an obvious effort.

”I thought they were,” replied Max coldly.

”No; but what I want to know is about the other papers. Did you hand over _all_ you took to the English Government?”

Max thought a moment. Should he give Schenk the information he so evidently desired? So far as he knew, the papers had no particular value, though he had not really examined them with any care; but they might have. Still, they were safe enough, he thought, for he had seen them handed over into the possession of the bank.

”No--only the plans. The others seemed only business papers, and I had them put away in safety against the time when the Durend works should again be mine.”

”It hardly looks as though they ever will be, does it, Monsieur Max? But I am going to make you an offer. Among those papers are letters that pa.s.sed between the Imperial Government and myself in the days before the war. They are valueless, really, but I do not wish them to get into enemy hands, as they will damage me in the eyes of my Imperial master.