CHAPTER XXI.
FRANK'S BOLD MOVE.
The professor declined to go out. He returned to bed, and the boys leftthe hotel.
"Where away, Frankie?" asked Barney.
"I don't know," replied Frank, helplessly. "There is not one chance inmillions of finding the lost Flower Queen, but I feel that I must moveabout. We'll visit the old French quarter by night. I have been there inthe daytime, and I'd like to see how it looks at night. Come on."
And so they made their way to the French quarter, crossing Canal Streetand turning into a quiet, narrow way, that soon brought them to a regionof architectural decrepitude.
The streets of this section were not overlighted, and seemed very silentand lonely, as, at this particular time, the greater part of theinhabitants of the quarter were away to the scenes of pleasure.
The streets echoed to the boys' feet. There were queer balconies onevery hand, the stores were mere shops, all of them now closed, and manywindows were nailed up. Rust and decay were on all sides, and yet therewas something impressive in the almost Oriental squalor of the place.
"It sames loike we'd left th' city intoirely for another place, so itdoes," muttered Barney.
"That is true," admitted Frank. "New Orleans seems like a human beingwith two personalities. For me this is the most interesting part of thecity; but commerce is beginning to crowd in here, and the time is comingwhen the French quarter will cease to be an attraction for New Orleans."
"D'ye think not, Frankie?"
"It is a certain thing."
"Well, we'll get our look at it before it is gone intoirely."
A few dark figures were moving silently along the streets. The night waswarm, and the shutters of the balcony windows were opened to admit air.
At a corner they halted, and, of a sudden, Frank clutched the arm of hiscompanion, whispering:
"Look--see that man?"
"Yes, me b'y."
"Did you see his face?"
"Nivver a bit."
"Well, I did, and I do not believe I am mistaken in thinking I have seenit before."
"Whin?"
"To-night."
"Pwhere?"
"In the alley where I was trapped by Manuel Mazaro and his gang."
"It wur darruk in there, Frankie."
"But I fired my revolver, and by the flash I saw a face."
"So ye soay."
"It was the face of the man who just passed beneath this light."
"An' pwhat av thot, Frankie?"
"He might lead me to Manuel Mazaro."
"Pwhat do yez want to see thot spalpane fer?"
"Mazaro knows a good deal."
"Fer instance, pwhat?"
"Why I was attacked, and the object of the attack. He might be inducedto tell."
"It sure wur a case av intinded robbery, me b'y."
"Perhaps so, perhaps not. But he knows more. He knows all about RolfRaymond and Colonel Vallier."
"Well?"
"Rolf Raymond and Colonel Vallier know a great deal about the lostFlower Queen. It is possible Mazaro knows something of her. Come on,Barney; we'll follow that man."
"Jist as ye say, me lad."
"Take the other side of the street, and keep him in sight, but do notseem to be following him."
They separated, and both kept in sight of the man, who did not seem tofear pursuit or dream any one was shadowing him.
He led them straight to an antiquated story and a half Creole cottage,shaded by a large willow tree, the branches of which touched the sidesand swept the round tiles of the roof. The foliage of the old tree halfconcealed the discolored stucco, which was dropping off in many places.
Over the door was a sign which announced that it was a cafe. The doorwas open, and, in the first room could be seen some men who were eatingand drinking at a table. There was another room beyond.
The man the boys had followed entered the cottage, passed through thefirst room, speaking to the men at the table, and disappeared into theroom beyond.
Frank and Barney paused outside.
"Are yez goin' to folly him, Frankie, b'y?" asked the Irish lad.
"To be sure I am."
"There's no tellin' pwhat koind av a nest ye will get inther."
"I'll have to take my chances on that."
"Thin Oi'm wid yez."
"No, I want you to remain outside, so you will be on hand in case I needair."
"How'll I know ye nade it?"
"You'll hear me cry or shoot."
"Av Oi do, you'll see Barney Mulloy comin' loike a cyclone."
"I know I may depend on you, and I know this may be a nest of assassins.These Spaniards are hot-blooded fellows, and they make dangerousrascals."
Frank looked at his revolver, to make sure it was in perfect workingorder, dropped it into the side pocket of his coat, and walked boldlyinto the cottage cafe.
The men in the front room stared at him in surprise, but he did not seemto give them a glance, walking straight through into the next room.
There he saw two Spanish-looking fellows talking in low tones over atable, on which drinks were setting.
One of them was the man he had followed.
They were surprised to see the boy coolly walk into the room, andadvance without hesitation to their table.
The one Frank had followed seemed to recognize the lad, and he appearedstartled and somewhat alarmed.
With the greatest politeness, Frank touched his cap, asking:
"Senor, do you know Manuel Mazaro?"
The fellow scowled, and hesitated, and then retorted:
"What if I do?"
"I want to see him."
"And you have come here for that?"
"Yes."
"I will see if he be here. Wait."
At one side of the room was a door, opening on a dark flight of stairs.Through this doorway and up the stairs the fellow disappeared.
Frank sat down at the table, feeling the revolver in the side pocket ofhis coat.
The other man did not attempt to make any conversation.
In a few minutes the one who had ascended the stairs reappeared.
"Senor Mazaro will soon be down," he announced.
Then he sat at the table, and resumed conversation with his companion,speaking in Spanish, and not even seeming to hear the "thank you" fromFrank.
It was not long before Mazaro appeared, and he came forward withouthesitation, smiling serenely, as if delighted to see the boy.
"Oh, senor!" he cried, "yo' be not harm in de scrape what we run into?"
"I was not harmed, no, thanks to you, Mazaro," said the boy, coolly. "Itis a wonder that I came out with a whole skin."
"Senor, you do not blame me fo' dat? I deed not know-a it--I deed notknow-a de robbares were there."
"Mazaro, you are a very good liar, but it will not work with me."
The Spaniard showed his teeth, and fell back a step.
"De young senor speak-a ver' plain," he said.
"It is my way. Mazaro, we may as well understand each other first aslast. You are a scoundrel, and you're out for the dollars. Now, it ispossible you can make more money by serving me than in any other way. Ifyou can help me, I will pay you well."
Mazaro looked ready to sink a knife into Frank's heart a moment before,but he suddenly thawed. With the utmost politeness, he said:
"I do not think-a I know what de senor mean. If he speak-a litt'lplainer, mebbe I ondarstan'."
"Sit down, Mazaro."
The Spaniard took a seat at the table.
"Now," said Frank, quietly, "order what you wish to drink, and I willpay for it. I never drink myself, and I never carry much money with menights, but I have enough to pay for your drink."
"De senor is ver' kind," bowed Manuel, and he ordered a drink, which wasbrought by a villainous-looking old woman.
Frank paid, and, when Mazaro was sipping the liquid, he leaned forwardand said:
"Senor Mazaro, you know Rolf Raymond?"
> "Si, senor."
"And Colonel Vallier?"
"Si, senor."
"And the Queen of Flowers?"
"I know of her, senor; I see her to-day."
"You know more. She has disappeared, and you know what has become ofher."
It was a chance shot, but Frank saw it went home.