Part 23 (1/2)
”Monsieur!” Indignantly ”You think that I would--”
”Then you _are_ the wireless operator?”
”I was” Francois spoke more calmly ”His excellency has had the apparatus destroyed He will take no chances of other spies or detectives being aboard who ht understand its use”
The prisoner hardly heard the last words; for the moment he was concerned only with his disappointment A sudden hope had died almost as soon as it had been born ”Too bad!” he et here?”
”The third officer has the keys and our cabins are adjoining I seized an opportune moment, slipped in, and took a wax impression of what I wanted Then with an old key and a file--Monsieur is a great detective, perhaps, but I, too,” with Gaston boastfulness, ”can aspire to a little cleverness”
”A great deal,” said Mr Heatherbloom, the while his brain worked rapidly Betty Dalry her thus far Thrift, as well as sentiment, seemed to shi+ne from Francois'
eloquent dark eyes Could he be induced to espouse her cause yet further?
”Monsieur must not think I would prove disloyal to his excellency,what had been passing through the other's mind ”There could be no harm in a mere inquiry as to monsieur's state of health”
”None at all,” assented the prisoner quickly ”Though”--a sudden inspiration caencies may arise when one can best serve those who e them”
”I don't understand, Monsieur,” said Francois cautiously
”The prince is athe enmity of his Imperial Master he would rush on to his own destruction Suppose by this misalliance, the very ed?”
The words sounded portentous, and Francois stared He had iirl had told hi detective He spoke now even as an eh lord, close to the throne These were deep waters The youth looked troubled; Mr Heatherblooht he had inspired to sink in
”What is our first port?” his voice, more authoritative, now demanded
Francois et there?”
”We are near it to-night but on account of the rocks and reefs, I heard the captain say ould slon, so as not to enter the harbor until daybreak”
Daybreak! And then? Mr Heatherblooain opened thenant emotion that had swept over him ”What time is it now?”
”About ten”
”My jailer--the third officer, you say--visits this cell once every night Do you knohat time he comes?”
”I shouldn't be here, Monsieur, at this moment, if I didn't know that
He comes in an hour, after his watch is over, with the bread and water--al fare And now”--those apprehensions,to Francois--”I will bid monsieur--”
”Stay! One”You must--in the name of the czar!--for the prince's sake!--for hers--for--for the reward--”
”Monsieur!” Again that flicker of indignation
Mr Heatherbloom swept it aside ”She has asked you to help her escape?”
he demanded swiftly
Francois did not exactly deny There were no listeners here ”It would be impossible for her to escape,” he answered rather sullenly