CHAPTER XXI--THE ARREST
The cheerful glow was fading from the sky when Don and Bobby Dunlapstarted out in quest of mild adventure.
The boys walked leisurely--in fact so leisurely that when Don Hale hadhis first glimpse of the three majestic oaks which concealed the oldfarmhouse from view, Venus, the evening star, was making its sparklingpresence known in the bluish-gray firmament.
"See here, Donny," almost whispered Bobby, "I don't think we ought tomake this a conventional visit. In our present capacity as detectives Ifeel that we're justified in using any means at all to trap this oldcodger. Let's steal up and do a little spying ourselves."
"Just the scheme," approved Don.
The two started ahead.
The dreary, deserted aspect of the surroundings, the distant booming ofthe guns and the nature of the expedition all combined to produce atingling sensation in Don Hale's nerves.
Now they were approaching the great trees, and the boy caught his firstglimpse of the old dilapidated dwelling. In the dim shadows of the endof day, with a mystery hovering over it, it assumed in his eyes a weirdand sinister appearance. The gables and chimneys were silhouettedcrisply against the translucent tones of the ever-darkening sky. Don'seyes roved over the windows, each a dull and lifeless patch of dark.Everything gave the impression of utter desolation.
"I don't believe the mysterious peasant can be around just now," hemurmured. "And I reckon Bobby's idea in regard to Jason Hamlin isaltogether wrong."
Skirting around the old oaks, the two reached an open stretch. However,there were masses of shrubbery beyond, affording excellent places ofconcealment; so, after a moment's reflection, Don and Bobby continuedstraight along, and presently found themselves in the midst of the denseshadows not far from the entrance to the house.
A few minutes passed, and Don began to feel that such a vigil around adeserted house had in it something of the absurd and ridiculous.
"Bobby----" he began.
"Sh-h-h-h!" whispered Bobby.
Then silence between the two ensued.
And in all probability it would have remained unbroken for some time butfor the sound of human voices suddenly coming from the house. They wereraised, as though the speakers had become engaged in a heated argument.
The watchers were fairly electrified.
"Aha! What did I tell you!" blurted out Bobby, forgetting caution in hiseagerness and excitement. "I know those voices. They belong to Hamlinand the spy."
The altercation grew louder and more turbulent, then quieted down,until, finally, the quietude was as complete as before.
"I wonder what it all means!" murmured Don. "The mystery deepens. Ah!Things seem to be developing fast."
Cautiously, he stepped over to Peur Jamais' side. "What's the next movein the game, Bobby?" he inquired, sotto voce--"the point-of-the-pistolact?"
"Keep still!" commanded Bobby, fiercely. "I'm trying to hear what theyhave to say. Did you catch any of the words?"
"Not one," answered Don. Then, with a muttered exclamation indicative ofextreme surprise and annoyance, he faced about, nudged Bobby in theribs, and exclaimed in a low, suppressed tone: "As I live, some one iscoming along the road. It won't do to stay here. We'll be seen."
"And if we get around on the other side we'll most likely be observed bythe chaps in the house," burst out Peur Jamais. "Who in the world couldhave expected anything like this? By George! It must be a veritablespies' retreat."
Somewhat precipitously, Bobby began to move around the vegetation, andDon joined him a moment later on the opposite side.
Peering between the leaves, the latter could soon make out a shadowyform approaching. But the light was too dim for him to see whether theman was civilian or soldier. The boy's interest was aroused to thehighest pitch.
What could this man's errand be? Evidently he must know the mysteriouspeasant and be familiar with the grounds.
"Curious! Curious!" muttered Don.
Expectantly--anxiously, he waited until the man had passed, then beganretracing his steps, with Bobby close at his heels.
When he had resumed his former position, the boy, gazing over the top ofthe branches and leaves, was just in time to observe the man disappearin the dense shadows of the old farmhouse.
"Now what do you think of all this?" almost stuttered Bobby. "Oh, boy,but I feel kind of sorry for Jasy, though. This night's work may get himinto a whole pile of trouble."
He was evidently going to add something more, but the sound of voicesagain stopped him. They were no longer raised as if in anger, yet,nevertheless, the conversation was evidently being carried on with thegreatest seriousness.
And just about this time the two disciples of Sherlock Holmes saw a verydim light appear in one of the windows of the first floor, which,flashing in an erratic fashion, rapidly grew stronger, as though someone were bringing a lamp into the room.
Very soon the last vestige of day had disappeared, and overhead thestars and constellations were shining and twinkling with that wonderfulbrilliancy which they only possess when viewed far from smoke-filledtowns. The boys no longer feared discovery. Night, with all its mystery,all its weirdness and majesty, was upon them, and though his fellowpilot was only a few yards away Don could no longer distinguish hisform.
Easy in mind, therefore, they were able to give their undividedattention to the house. Now and again the light was blotted out, asfigures momentarily passed in front. It was all very interesting,invoking in the mind thoughts of plots, of mysteries and of themachinations of spies.
"If we could only hear what they are saying," groaned Bobby.
"I know a way," declared Don.
"How?"
"I'm going to crawl right up beneath the window and listen."
"Bravo, Donny! I'm with you there."
Carefully as the two proceeded, it was impossible, in the darkness, toavoid making some noise; and each time both involuntarily halted intheir tracks, half expecting to hear some one come rushing out of thehouse to investigate.
"Great Scott!"
The young combat pilot could not repress this exclamation, and, at thesame instant, he heard a low whistle coming from the unseen Bobby closeat hand.
Both had been caused by a peculiar action of one of the occupants of theroom. Lamp in hand, he had approached the window, and, thrusting thefeeble light outside, moved it up and down and sideways several times.
Mystified--puzzled, Don Hale felt that any further advance under thepeculiar circumstances would be entirely too risky, and he was about towhisper this opinion to Bobby when a very faint sound from the rearcaused him to turn quickly. A peculiar tingling sensation shot throughhim. Yet he could not quite explain the reason why. What was it he hadheard?--a footfall? Or, in the excitement, had his imagination beentricked by the rustling of the vegetation?
In the darkness and mystery of the night the unseen often assumes in theimagination formidable proportions, carrying with it curious,undefinable fears.
And while Don Hale stood there, irresolute, his ears distinctly caughtthe sound of footsteps. Then followed a sharp, metallic click.
A stream of whitish light was fantastically streaking across the groundtoward the boys.
An involuntary exclamation escaped Don's lips. He felt himself almostshivering.
But a few paces away stood a man. And, clearly, the electric torch whichhe carried was seeking them out. What was the meaning of it all? How hadthey been so unerringly tracked?
Nearer and nearer came the brilliant white rays; then leaving the groundthey shot upward, wavered forth and back erratically and presently fellsquarely upon his face.
"Make no move, Messieurs!" exclaimed a strong, firm voice. "You areunder arrest!"
"Under arrest!" gasped Don, literally astounded. "Who--who are you?"
"I don't--I don't understand!" quavered Bobby Dunlap. Rather feebly,sepulchrally he echoed Don Hale's query: "Who are you?"
The white light suddenly desc
ribed a circle in the air, and flashed forone brief, solitary instant, upon a silver shield. The man was holdinghis coat open, thus allowing it to be seen.
"What--what does this mean?" stuttered Peur Jamais, while Don Hale, moresurprised, more nonplused than he had ever been in his life, vainlystrove to see the features of the mysterious person before them.
"It means that, as a member of the French secret service, I am carryingout my orders," came the astonishing rejoinder. "Let me repeat: you areunder arrest."
"But why? What for?" almost exploded Bobby, who had found his voice andnerve. "You have made some extraordinary mistake. Aha! Now I think Iknow what it means--you've got the wrong people, that's it. Those youare seeking are in that house,--in that house, do you understand! Quick,now, before they get away."
To further increase Bobby's agitated and disturbed state of mind the manuttered a gruff laugh, following this with a loud whistle.
Almost instantly, as if in answer, footsteps sounded, and, on turningquickly, Don and Bobby saw three men just leaving the house; the beamsfrom a swinging lantern carried by the foremost now and then throwingweird splotches of light upon their forms, one instant bringing them outin sharp relief, the next allowing the darkness to again gather them inits folds.
"It's all utterly beyond me," muttered Don Hale, as he viewed thestrange little procession approaching.
The man with the lantern was the mysterious peasant. And, strangelyenough, he showed no more surprise at finding the two American aviatorsso close to his door than if such a visit were the most ordinary andcommonplace thing in the world. One of those accompanying him was JasonHamlin; the other the boys had never seen before.
Jason Hamlin was the first to speak.
"And so we meet under rather peculiar circumstances!" he remarked,harshly. "Let me say, Peur Jamais, that----"
"Let me say something first," interrupted Bobby, savagely. "Do you knowwhat he tells us?"--he jerked his finger in the direction of the manwith the electric torch--"that we are under arrest."
"So am I," exclaimed Hamlin, in a voice which shook with suppressedanger.
"You, too, under arrest!" gasped Don. "By Jove, this is certainly aweird night!"
"And how about that chap parading around in a peasant's blouse andwooden shoes?" cried Peur Jamais. "If any one ought to be arrested he'sthe one." He turned to the secret service man. "I demand that you takehim into custody. He's an impostor--a--a----"
"Softly--softly, my young friend," broke in the mysterious peasant. "Ideeply regret that an unpleasant duty had fallen to my lot, particularlyas our country has every reason to be grateful to America."
He threw open his thin blue blouse, at the same instant raising hislantern. And as the yellow light shone on another shield preciselysimilar to the one which adorned the breast of the other man, both DonHale and Bobby Dunlap gave voice to exclamations of the greatestsurprise and wonderment.
"So you, too, belong to the secret service!" cried Don.
"Can--can you beat it!" came from Bobby, weakly.
"I think it would be a rather hard job," broke in Jason Hamlin."And----"
He was interrupted by the third man, who had been a silent witness tothe proceeding.
"Let me put in a word," he exclaimed, authoritatively. "I also belong tothe secret service; and I wish to say to you young Americans that youare at liberty to return to the villa--the headquarters of the LafayetteEscadrille. Under no circumstances, however, are you to leave it untilthis affair has been entirely cleared up. I and my camarades are nothere to answer questions. Your captain has already been notified.Remember, you are technically prisoners. This may seem harsh,ungrateful, and unappreciative perhaps of the work you have done forFrance, but the law knows no sentiment; it is cold and pitiless. Now youmay go." Addressing his compatriots, he added: "Come, Messieurs."
Thereupon the three secret service men, with words of adieu, turnedtoward the house.
"I never was so angry, so wilted with surprise and disgust in the wholecourse of my life!" fumed Bobby Dunlap. "Not here to answer questions,eh! Never even had the politeness to say why we were pinched. It's anoutrage--that's what it is!"
"Prisoners, eh!" remarked Don, with a dry laugh.
"And the comedy has to have still another act!" broke in Jason Hamlin,ironically. "You are right, Bobby: it is an outrage. But what you meanis not exactly what I mean."
And, with this enigmatic remark, the aviator started to make his waytoward the road. The two other "prisoners" followed.
CHAPTER XXII--THE TRIAL
The Hale-Hamlin-Dunlap case certainly created a sensation among thepilots of the Lafayette Escadrille--indeed it created a great deal moretalk than the fact that the Germans had begun to paint theirbattleplanes in colors of the most extraordinary and brilliant hue.
No one could understand the affair; it appeared a most unfathomablemystery, and especially so when the captain of the squadron politelyinformed Victor Gilbert that he, too, was technically a prisoner.
"Oh, chains and dungeons! I suppose, the next thing, they'll bearresting the whole squadron!" cried Bobby Dunlap when apprised of thisnew and singular development in the _cause celebre_. "Goodness gracious,but I wish that last act would begin!"
The patience of the "prisoners" was not to be severely taxed, however;for, on the following morning, they received a summons to appear in thereception hall of the villa.
Entering, they found what appeared to be a court about to open itssession. Seated on one side of a long table was the captain of thesquadron and a gray-haired military man, a lieutenant, as was revealedby his uniform. Opposite to them sat the secret service men, the former"peasant" scarcely recognizable in his civilian's clothes. Numerouspapers of an official character were strewn about the table, greatlyheightening the appearance of a court procedure.
"Messieurs," exclaimed the military man, looking up gravely, "kindlytake seats at the table."
He looked like a stern old judge as he spoke. His eyes were cold andhard, the lines on his face grim and set and his closely cropped whitishmoustache revealed a mouth indicating determination and strength ofcharacter.
Bobby Dunlap as a rule was not disposed to take things seriously, butunder the present circumstances the silence in the big room, the frigidatmosphere, the formality and the gravity expressed upon the faces ofthe military men had its effect, making him feel ill at ease,uncomfortable and nervous.
"Messieurs, we are now ready to proceed," announced the lieutenant atthe head of the table. "Let me affirm in the beginning that we have nodoubt of your loyalty or devotion to the cause which you espouse. At thesame time I must explain that the military authorities as well as thesecret service officials never allow the most trivial circumstance topass without the most thorough investigation. In numerous caseseverything is, of course, found to be entirely right, but it may happenthat the hundredth will turn out otherwise, and perhaps that whichappeared futile--a waste of time--may be revealed, under the searchinglight of truth, as a dangerous intrigue of our enemies."
"Indeed, most extraordinary cases have come to our attention," put inthe captain.
"We will hear Monsieur Robert Dunlap first," continued the officer incharge of the proceedings. "Monsieur Dunlap, kindly stand up."
At this, Peur Jamais, whose general appearance and manner belied thename bestowed upon him by his friends, obeyed.
The interrogation began.
"Is it true," asked the officer, "that on several occasions you made useof this expression in reference to Jason Hamlin: 'other games are justas dangerous'?"
"Yes, Monsieur the Lieutenant," gulped Bobby, red and confused.
"In using that expression what did you infer?"
"Well, I--I--you see----" Peur Jamais, finding his tongue gettingtangled, abruptly paused. Then, having mastered in a measure hisuncomfortable feelings, he resumed: "I heard Monsieur Victor Gilbertmake this observation, as well as several others to Monsieur Hamlin, allseeming to indicat
e----"
Bobby halted again; the flush on his cheek deepened.
"Continuez, Monsieur," commanded the lieutenant.
"That--that he might be a German spy," exclaimed Bobby, desperately. "Iheard so many stories about the espionage system from old Pere Goubain,of the Cafe Rochambeau, near our training camp, that perhaps I becameunduly suspicious."
The man whom the boys had formerly called the "mysterious peasant"looked up with a smile.
"With Monsieur the Lieutenant's permission," he exclaimed, "I willexplain, though I do not wish the fact to be generally known, thatMonsieur Goubain is affiliated with the secret service and has given usmuch valuable information."
"Oh--oh!" gasped Bobby, while all the other Americans in the roomuttered suppressed exclamations.
"His object in speaking so freely was not only to show you the dangersthat existed but to get you to keep your eyes open." The man smiled. "Inone case, at least, he evidently succeeded."
"You have no evidence against Monsieur Hamlin?" continued thelieutenant, addressing Bobby.
"No, Monsieur the Lieutenant," responded Peur Jamais.
"That will do. You may sit down. Monsieur Gilbert."
When the former college student rose to his feet he showed none of theperturbation which had affected Bobby.
"Monsieur Gilbert," began the lieutenant, "it will be necessary for youto explain your entire connection with this affair, which, as our reportindicates, began long before you came to France and joined the LafayetteEscadrille."
"Yes, Monsieur the Lieutenant," returned Gilbert. In an easy,conversational tone he began: "Before hostilities broke out in 1914 myfather and Jason Hamlin's were firm friends, as well as businesspartners. Mrs. Hamlin was born in Germany, and her husband himself haddistant relatives living there. The war had not continued very longbefore disputes began to arise between my father and his partner onaccount of the latter's ardent championship of the cause of Germany."Gilbert glanced in the direction of Jason Hamlin. "His son, too, wasequally disposed to favor that country. And as our fathers had heatedarguments so did we. Both of us, I may say, were at work for the firm.Finally the differences became so acute that after a particularlyviolent altercation, Mr. Hamlin, Senior, announced his intention ofwithdrawing from the firm, which he shortly did. His son, too, went withhim; and, from the closest of friends, we became so estranged as to beconsidered enemies."
"After the entrance of America into the war did the Hamlins still remainpro-German?" queried the officer.
Victor Gilbert smiled.
"I have never had any conversation with the Mr. Hamlin, Senior, sincethat time," he replied, "and I do not know what his opinions are.Frankly, I must say that in regard to the son it seemed incomprehensibleto me that one with such strong German proclivities could so change hisopinions as to come over here and fight for the Allied cause."
"May I speak?" interjected Hamlin, somewhat heatedly.
"Your turn will come in a few minutes, Monsieur," said the presidingofficer. "Continuez, Monsieur Gilbert."
"I was astounded when Hamlin came to the aviation school. And, judgingfrom many things he had said, I feared that perhaps he might actually bea spy. And in some of our altercations--altercations that interestedMonsieur Dunlap--I intimated just as much."
"You certainly did," jeered Jason Hamlin, with an angry glare. "And ifyou'd only had sense enough to----"
"Silence--silence!" interrupted the lieutenant.
"Naturally, words may be said in the heat of anger which would not beuttered when cooler judgment prevails," continued Victor, doggedly."Why, I ask, shouldn't I have been suspicious? And when I remarked toHamlin that 'other games are just as dangerous' it was meant as awarning for him to go a bit slow."
"Has your opinion been altered?" asked the lieutenant.
Victor Gilbert nodded.
"Yes, Monsieur the Lieutenant," he replied. "And the reason is becauseof Hamlin's very excellent record since he joined the squadron."
Jason Hamlin now had the opportunity to explain his side of the case. Ashe began speaking his manner was decidedly different from that of theother two witnesses. He was clearly angry--aggressive, and his voice,raised high, rang through the room.
"I am very willing to admit that I was pro-German, as Monsieur Gilberttold you," he declared. "But, as events change so can one's opinionschange with them. Before America became involved in hostilities I had aperfect right to favor Germany; but to have done so afterward would havebeen disloyal--indeed a traitorous act. No one has the right to goagainst his own country. And when I learned that Victor Gilbert hadjoined an aviation school in France I determined to show him, as well asany others who might have doubted my patriotism, that they were entirelymistaken. And as words without action count for little, I decided tofollow his example and become an aviator."
At this point Jason Hamlin's stern expression deepened. He clenched hisfists; and when he spoke again it was in even louder tones than before.
"My friend Monsieur Dunlap may think that he alone pierced the disguiseof the peasant, but, if so, he is in error; and, surmising that I mightbe under suspicion, I made it a point to cultivate the man'sacquaintance. At last the feelings which injustice always arouse causedme to decide that it was time to make an end of the farce--hence myvisit to the farmhouse. I boldly told the secret service man that I knewwhat was going on; I said he could strip off his peasant's disguise andwork to better advantage elsewhere. I declared that I was receiving avery poor reward for daily risking my life for the Allied cause. We hadsome words, which were brought to an end by the appearance of thatsecret service man sitting there." With a wave of his hand, Jason Hamlincontinued: "The rights of an individual are as sacred as the rights ofthe government." He drew himself erect. "I ask--I demand to know if youhave the slightest evidence against me?"
His flashing eyes, the fearlessness of his manner, the righteousindignation expressed in his voice brought a strong and dramatic touchto the situation.
Following his words there came a silence, curious and impressive.
Bobby Dunlap, fearing that in the judicial atmosphere this outburstmight bring a stern rebuke, stared almost open-mouthed at thelieutenant. The latter, however, showing neither surprise nordispleasure, remarked, calmly:
"We have no evidence against you, Monsieur Hamlin. And I may say thatreports received from our agents in America are thoroughly satisfactory.Kindly take your seat while we listen for a few moments to MonsieurCastel of the secret service."
Smilingly, the ex-peasant stood up.
"It won't take very much time," he announced. "I am glad indeed thateverything has terminated so satisfactorily for all concerned. Thiscase, I may say, was all brought about by remarks being overheard.Sometimes a whisper is enough to set the secret service in action. Myconfreres and I immediately began an investigation, and all of you youngMessieurs have been under surveillance for some time."
"Oh--oh! Can you beat it!" muttered Peur Jamais.
"Messieurs Glenn and Dunlap's actions on the occasion of their visit tothe house were rather peculiar, especially that of this young Monsieurhere." He pointed to Bobby. "It could be readily seen that his curiositywas not merely the expression of a youthful desire to see the house,and, when he, in the company of Monsieur Hale, started off on their walkyesterday afternoon they were shadowed by my fellow detectives here. Andtheir actions, of course, were so suspicious--a fact which theythemselves must admit--that there was nothing to do but place them underarrest. While Monsieur Boulanger came into the house to inform me thatthe boys were in the garden, Monsieur Brion, who knew where they wereconcealed, kept track of their movements, and, at a signal which I gaveby means of the lamp, he brought the matter to a climax. I believe thereis nothing more for me to add."
Bobby Dunlap and Don Hale were now called upon for an explanation, whichthey gave to the entire satisfaction of those conducting theexamination.
At its conclusion the stern-faced lieutenant, with a suspicion of asmile,
exclaimed:
"You have all been found not guilty, and, in accordance with that fact,Messieurs Gilbert and Hamlin, I sentence you to shake hands and forgetwhatever differences may have existed between you. Human nature isfallible, and, had the case been reversed, you, Monsieur Hamlin, wouldhave acted in a precisely similar manner to that of Monsieur Gilbert.Let me take this occasion to thank and compliment you for the noble workwhich you have been doing in the cause of humanity and justice."
The two young aviators nodded, in recognition, and each, in turn,thanked the lieutenant.
Then, without a remaining trace of animosity, they clasped each other'shands.
And in this happy fashion ended the case of Hamlin and the peasant,which was a nine-days' wonder in the escadrille.
But, though it was ended, the conversation about it by no means came tosuch an abrupt termination. The principals came in for many banteringremarks, and had to stand a great deal of good-natured chaffing. Ofcourse Bobby Dunlap was the principal victim.
"I say, Peur Jamais," laughed George, "can you now almost hear thecommander saying 'My brave and loyal friends, in the name of mycountrymen, I thank you'?"
"Joke if you like," grinned Bobby, good-naturedly. "Anyway, I made a fewtruthful predictions."
"How?"
"I said it wasn't going to be a laughing matter to some one."
"Correct, old chap."
"And, after all, it certainly did mean an astonishing sequel."
And so speaking, Bobby chuckled mirthfully.
Several weeks later, in the spacious grounds of a chateau occupied bythe military authorities, a lively and spectacular scene was beingenacted. Soldiers were drawn up in a hollow square. And there, wheredanger did not exist, could be seen all the pomp and pageantry ofwarfare, so lacking in the actual operations. The warm, clear sunshineshone on generals' uniforms, on military motor-cars and on high-spiritedhorses, champing at their bits.
And besides the military there were present a few men in civilian dress,the most prominent among them being an extremely ponderous man with amost beaming face whom all the former students at the Ecole Militaire deBeaumont recognized as old Pere Goubain, the proprietor of the CafeRochambeau.
What was the occasion of all this festivity?
It was because a number of airmen, Red Cross ambulance drivers andsoldiers had so distinguished themselves as to earn the gratitude of theFrench Republic that they were to be awarded the Croix de Guerre andother decorations.
Among those who were recipients of the War Cross were Don Hale and T.Singleton Albert. It was Don Hale's feat in saving the Caudronphotographic machine and his subsequent destruction of the observationballoon which had brought him the coveted honor.
And after a general had pinned the Croix de Guerre to his breast and theproceedings were over the first to shake his hand was old Pere Goubain.
"Ah! La France can never lose with such young men as you enlisted in hercause," he exclaimed. "And now, mon ami, what are your plans?"
"I hope to be transferred to the American air service as soon aspossible," returned the smiling Don Hale.
"I knew that would be the answer," cried old Pere Goubain. "And I amvery certain that Monsieur Don Hale with the Yanks will be as successfulas he was with the Lafayette Squadron, and make a name for himself thatwill carry beyond the seas."
The Stories in this Series are: DON HALE IN THE WAR ZONE DON HALE OVER THERE DON HALE WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON DON HALE WITH THE YANKS (in press)
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