CHAPTER XII.
THE BOYS MAKE PROGRESS.
The two following days passed without incident. Frank and Jack remainedin the palatial home of Count Blowinski as honored guests. What excusethe count had given his subordinates for releasing them and giving thefreedom of the house and of the city itself, the lads did not know; itwas sufficient that he had done so. They went and came without question.
It was on the evening of the third day--shortly before the supperhour--that Jack, passing the door of the count's private office, caughta word or two from within that caused him to prick up his ears. Hestopped and listened.
"To-night at eight, then," came the words in a voice he did notrecognize.
"To-night at eight," repeated Count Blowinski. "Be there without fail. Iexpect a full attendance, for it is quite likely that plans ofimportance will be discussed. You know the password?"
"Yes, your Excellency. 'The Czar' only spoken in German."
"Exactly; and the knock?"
"Five sharp taps, a loud tap and two short taps."
"Good. At eight then."
Jack flitted silently down the hall and turned into a room just as thedoor to the count's quarters opened. The lad was afraid to take the riskof trying to get a look at the count's visitor, for had he beendetected, he did not know what might happen. He made his way to thequarters assigned him and Frank, where he sat down to await his chum'sreturn.
Seven o'clock came and Frank did not put in an appearance.Seven-fifteen, and still no sign of him. Jack began to grow uneasy.Seven-thirty, and he had not returned.
"Pshaw! I guess he can take care of himself," muttered Jack.
He donned his heavy cloak, picked up his hat and descended to thestreet. There, in the shadow of the house, he took his stand. A fewmoments later, Count Blowinski appeared in the doorway. A moment laterthe count's large automobile drew up. The Russian descended the stepsand entered the car.
As the machine moved off, Jack rushed from his hiding place, and by asprint, caught hold of the rear of the car and pulled himself up behind.The machine continued on its way for perhaps fifteen minutes. Jack keptcareful note of the direction, that he might find his way back safely.
Then the driver turned the car into a dark and narrow street and reducedhis speed. Jack dropped lightly to the ground and dashed to the shelterof the dingy buildings that lined the walks. Muffled in his huge coat,he knew he ran little risk of detection.
A short distance up the narrow street the car stopped and CountBlowinski alighted. Immediately the auto turned and sped in thedirection from which it had come.
Jack slouched toward the count.
The latter took one look at the approaching figure, and then, apparentlysatisfied, turned on his heel and walked rapidly up the street. Jackfollowed a considerable distance behind but still close enough to makesure he would not lose sight of the count.
Before a single story building, even more dingy looking than the rest,the count paused. One swift glance he gave about him, and not perceivingJack some distance behind--as the lad had slunk close to the shelter ofthe house, he disappeared down a flight of stairs into the basement.
Jack moved forward more rapidly now.
The lad had noticed that before Count Blowinski descended the stairwayhe had settled his heavy fur cap more firmly upon his head, apparentlyto conceal his features. Jack did likewise.
At the head of the steps--at the same point where the count had pausedmomentarily--Jack also paused for a second. He thrust both hands intothe pockets of his great coat and made sure that his revolvers wereready. One quick glance he cast about him and started; for he felt surethat he had perceived a form lurking in the shadows some distance back.
But it was too late to hesitate now; so, drawing a long breath, Jackdescended the steps.
Below he expected to find a door, where it would be necessary to givethe knock he had heard mentioned in Count Blowinski's rooms earlier inthe evening; but there was no door, or if there were, it was standingopen. At any rate Jack did not see a door and he passed into thedarkness beyond.
It was inky black inside, and Jack walked forward slowly, one handtouching the wall on the side as he advanced. Suddenly he brought upagainst a solid wall. He felt along in the darkness and found that thepassage turned to the left. He continued along it.
Suddenly he stumbled. His foot had struck something. He leaned down toinvestigate and discovered that the something was nothing more than aflight of stairs. He mounted them as rapidly as the darkness wouldpermit.
At the top he came to another passageway, leading off to the right. Downthis he walked in the darkness for fifty paces and then brought upagainst another solid substance. He stretched out his hands on each sideof him. There was no turn in the passageway. Apparently the obstructionthat barred his progress was a door.
Here was where it would be necessary to knock for admittance.
Jack did not hesitate. Five sharp taps he gave, followed by a singleloud tap, and then two sharp taps.
A moment later the door swung inward a trifle and a head showed itself.
"The word?" the man questioned in a deep voice.
"The Czar," replied Jack firmly in German.
"Enter," said the voice.
The door swung back farther.
Settling his cap firmly on his head, Jack once again felt of hisrevolvers and stepped inside. Before him another long passagewaystretched out. Apparently the man who had opened the door at the lad'sknock was some distance from the rendezvous.
Jack asked no questions, but walked ahead.
Several more turns and another flight of stairs he traversed beforebringing up before another door. Here again he found it was necessary toknock, but he ran the gauntlet safely and a few moments later foundhimself inside, thinking to himself as he gazed upon the circle of menwho sat about the room:
"Certainly they are careful enough not to be discovered."
Within the room there were fully half a hundred men gathered about. Theroom was only dimly lighted and it was next to impossible for Jack tomake out the features even of the man immediately next to him on eitherside. In spite of this, however, the lad was careful to keep his coatwell up around his chin and his cap down over his ears. This attractedno undue attention, however, for it seemed to be the purpose of everyman in the room to keep his identity hidden.
Apparently the meeting, or whatever it was, had not been called to orderyet, for the men were simply sitting or standing about quietly. Theyseemed to be awaiting the arrival of some one.
And a few moments later the some one came.
A big man he was, taller and heavier than Count Blowinski himself, andhe walked into the room with the air of a man born to command. He passedto the far end of the room, where he turned to face the others. CountBlowinski approached and stood by his side. The faces of these two alonewere plainly visible.
A Russian was Count Blowinski, it could be told at first glance, butJack experienced a shock of surprise when he obtained his first clearview of the other man. The latter was a German. There could be nodoubting his Teutonic features. Jack wondered how he could roam aboutMoscow at large without being picked up by the Russian authorities.
Count Blowinski was the first to speak.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I have the pleasure to inform you that the timeto strike has come. To-morrow the Czar comes to Moscow. I shall expecteach one of you to do your duty. There is no need to discuss our plans.Each man here knows the work that has been assigned to him. In my pocketare all your names. The man who fails shall have me to reckon with and Iassure you that Siberia is an unpleasant country.
"The Czar comes to Moscow to-morrow only with his personal bodyguard. Heis relying upon me to furnish the men who shall protect him. I shall doso, though in a way that possibly will surprise him. That is, I shall doso with your assistance. If you are still with me, you will please say'aye.'"
"Aye!" came in subdued voices fr
om the other conspirators. Even Jackjoined in.
"We shall seize the Czar," continued the count, "as he addresses histroops on the palace grounds. Aside from the Czar's personal bodyguard,the troops will be mine, carefully selected by you. I shall expect themto do their work.
"Herr von Louden here tells me that, half an hour after the timeappointed for the Czar to address my troops, a fleet of half a hundredGerman airplanes, together with a score of Zeppelins, will appear overthe city. At the same moment, a German fleet, which has pushed throughthe Baltic to the Gulf of Finland, will force an entrance and bombardPetrograd. Further south, the allied Teutonic armies will begin agigantic offensive at almost the same moment. The Russian troops will beforced back upon all sides. The people will cry for peace, and I, havingassumed my new role under the protection of his Majesty Wilhelm II ofGermany, shall give them peace. They will thank me, and you, gentlemen,for bringing peace to our troubled country. That is all, except thatHerr von Louden is present to-night to vouch for the truth of my wordsand to reassure you that the Emperor of Germany will keep his royalword."
The German then spoke a few words, after which Count Blowinski said:
"Now, if there are no remarks, I shall declare this meeting adjourned."
There were no remarks. Apparently no man present had anything to say.
"But before you go, to begin your respective tasks," said the count, "Ishall ask each man present to pass before me and remove his hat, that Imay make sure there is no traitor nor spy among us to-night. I shouldknow the face of every man present and I should know whether he isentitled to be here. You will please walk before me on your way out."
"Great Scott!" muttered Jack to himself. "I'm in for it now. I am sureto be recognized and the count will hardly accept any explanation I maymake. Worse, if discovered, I shall be unable to give the warning andthe plot will succeed."
The lad's lips set grimly.
"There is always a fighting chance," he told himself quietly,remembering the remark Lord Hastings had so recently made to Frank."Well, they'll know I have been here before I go down."
He thrust his hands into his pockets and grasped a revolver securelywith each. Then he followed the line of men who were passing beforeCount Blowinski.
The single light in the room was right above the count's head and itfell squarely upon each man's head as he passed before the count. BehindJack came other men.