by E. J. Craine
CHAPTER XXII
INVADING THE TIGER'S DEN
TOM, just as soon as they had entered the great hall, had fixed his eyeson several old-time figures that stood in niches, each representing someperiod of the history of early France and showing the type of armor wornby the fighting knights of those days.
"Hide behind that knight there! Quick, Jack!" he now hissed into the earof his comrade.
Jack understood.
As quick as a flash both of the air service boys shot toward theirseparate goals. Shuffling footsteps sounded that told of some onecoming; but thanks to the swiftness of their movements the boys managedto conceal themselves in time.
Peeping out from behind the coats of chained mail that screened themJack and Tom fastened their eyes on the advancing figure. Just as theyexpected, it proved to be a soldier who had the task of serving whilethe general was celebrating with his friends and fellow officers.
He was carrying a tray on which were several empty bottles, and it couldbe easily guessed that the soldier had been sent for a further supply ofwine from the cellar below.
They could hear him mumbling to himself, as though not very happy,despite his opportunities to tilt the bottles up and drain the last dropleft in each. This he was doing now as the boys watched, but continuingto mutter.
Then they saw him draw his sleeve across his face, and when he took itdown to the astonishment of the watchers there were streaks of bloodmarking both cheeks and nose. Evidently General von Berthold wasconsiderable of a bully and tyrant when in his cups, even as he may havebeen a severe martinet when on duty.
Jack ground his teeth at seeing this exhibition of pettiness on the partof the general. He had heard more than once that German officers, fromsub-lieutenants upward, were terribly severe with their men, treatingthem brutally, and acting as though they were themselves of a superiorclass; but this was the first time he had actually come in contact withanything of the kind.
"What fools!" Jack muttered to himself. "Why can't they take a lessonfrom Russia, where the people have risen and put ever so many of theirformer officers to death. And Russian commanders were gentle besidethese domineering brutes. But they'll get their dose some day beforelong, that's as sure as fate. And poor little Helene!" Jack's heart washeavy as he thought of his little protege's sister.
The man picked up his tray again and went stumbling along the hall,still muttering, then chuckling half hysterically, as though somepleasant thought had flashed across his mind. Jack imagined he must beanticipating a day of reckoning that was coming--a day when old scoreswould be wiped out and the slate be made clean for a new deal.
More than ever Jack was determined that little Helene should not be leftin the charge of such an ill-tempered man. If General von Berthold couldshow such spleen because his man servant displeased him slightly he wasapt to treat a child cruelly.
But the coast being clear, Tom issued forth and beckoned to hiscompanion to come along. They hastened up the broad stairs of thechateau, reaching the second floor without mishap.
Here they found a maze of passages that would have puzzled any onelacking the ability Tom possessed for solving riddles.
"Which way next?" Jack whispered in dismay, as he turned from one toanother of the various passageways branching off from the main hall.
"Always keep to the right," answered his companion. "Remember that wingis the only one saved from the wreck."
He himself was looking at the floor, for there was sufficient light toenable him to see. Jack's eyes followed those of his chum, and he couldnot keep from uttering a low exclamation of admiration as hecomprehended the system Tom was following.
When the vandals had attempted several times to wreck the chateau in ageneral spirit of destructiveness, the dust had settled heavily overeverything. They had noticed it down below, and on the stairs as well,as they came along. It was up here, too, on the floor of the main hall,as well as those in various passages leading into unknown depths of thegreat building.
Tom was selecting that passage which he could see from the multitude offootprints had been most generally used. It was indeed a clever idea ofthe air service boy's, and one that promised to be crowned with success.
"We'll go this way, and try it out," he told Jack, commencing to movealong as he spoke.
Jack, for a wonder, was silent. Truth to tell, he found himself lost inadmiration of the cleverness shown by his chum, and of the plan which hefelt certain would never have occurred to him.
When the light became dim Tom was provided with a supply of matches,which fact further surprised and humiliated Jack, because oninvestigating his own pockets he could produce only two matches.
They went down several steps, only to mount again to the same level afew minutes later. Jack could easily believe they must have reached theextremity of that extensive right wing. He caught the sound of heavyvoices in discussion, coming from exactly below; which told him thedining-hall must be in that quarter.
So far they had fortunately met no one. Jack wondered what would happenif they should come upon a sentry standing guard, perhaps over theapartment where the general slept when he could tear himself away fromhis pleasures and his work. But his confidence in Tom had mounted tosuch heights by now that he expected his pilot would be equal to eventhat occasion.
Then Tom stopped short.
He seemed to be examining something at his feet, for he had struck onemore of his matches. Jack, seeing him look at a closed door, fanciedthat their search was in a fair way of coming to a successful end.
No sooner had the match expired than Tom gently tried the door. He didnot seem very much surprised to find it locked. Bending down he nextproceeded to examine the lock, for it seemed to be provided with one,though many of the other doors were not, such things not being ingeneral use in the centuries back, when this ancient pile of stone wasbuilt.
He turned to his companion and whispered encouragingly.
"She must be in that room, for many feet have passed in and out. Amongthe footprints close by here are several small, childish ones. We aresurely on the right track, Jack."
"H'm! but the door seems to be fast. And I suppose the key is in vonBerthold's pocket right now. How in the wide world are we going to getin there to save Helene?"
"We'll settle that," snapped Tom. "There's always a way to do a thing.On either side there's a door. Let's see if one of those happens to beunfastened."
The very first trial brought success, and Jack began to feel a glow ofcoming good fortune. If they were not interrupted in their work hebelieved that nothing could long withstand such a determined spirit asTom always injected into anything he undertook. It accounted for hissuccesses in school sports, and he carried the same characteristic withhim into army service.
They passed into the dark recesses of the room that seemed to adjoin theone of the locked door. Jack could see a window ahead, for a certainamount of light filtered through the small dusty diamond-shaped panes ofglass. He even noted a tree without, its branches moving in the breezethat crossed this ridge elevation, though they had not felt it down inthe valley.
Tom closed the door after them. Then again he struck a match, eager tosurvey their surroundings before attacking the problem that nowpresented itself.
Some old-time furniture could be seen, but in a dilapidated condition,as though vandal hands had used an ax on the rare wood, regardless ofits value. Dust lay everywhere, dust that may have come from thefrequent explosion of grenades used in the process of demolition.
The match went out, leaving Jack still staring about him. It seemed likea strange dream to him, anything but a reality. But there was Tomshuffling across to the window. Jack began to get a grip on the probablescheme that had appealed to his chum, and also a grip on himself, for hesuddenly realized that he had not been doing his part.
Why, of course, the only possible way of reaching that other room wouldbe through means of a connecting link; and this could be furnishedthrough the windows.
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p; Tom was already leaning out, and investigating affairs. It was aprecarious moment and the decision to be arrived at was important. Buthaving come this far, and taken such desperate chances, they must keepgoing until success had crowned their efforts, or it was proved thatabsolutely nothing could be accomplished.
Tom turned and beckoned to his comrade.
"It can be done, don't you think, Jack? But we must be very careful,"came in softest tones. "There's a narrow projecting ledge that willserve us for a footing; but we must make sure of every step, because atumble would break our necks."
Jack peered out and looked carefully about.
"Yes," he finally announced, "this is our only chance. But as Jeanne andHelene are my especial care I'm going first, Tom. I've already imposedon you and not done my full share since entering the chateau."
With these words Jack crawled out of the window.