CHAPTER IV.
MARIE DULCE.
Things seemed to have quieted down when the three found themselves againbefore the cafe. Apparently there had been but a faint-hearted pursuit.All breathed easier.
"They can't have believed very much in that spy story," remarked Frank.
"It would seem that way," agreed Lord Hastings. "Evidently they tookyour friend's words as the ravings of a man intoxicated."
"A good thing, too, sir," said Jack. "None of them will molest us,unless it is the doughty lieutenant himself."
"We don't need to worry about him, I guess," said Lord Hastings. "Now wemust get busy. I wonder----" as a sudden thought struck him, "if yourfriend," he turned to Frank, "the young lady, I mean, couldn't give us,or get for us, the information we desire."
"I guess she could, sir," replied Frank, "if we could find her."
"She probably is still in the cafe," said Jack.
"And so probably is Lieutenant Holzen," replied Frank dryly.
"True," said Lord Hastings. "We can't afford to risk another encounter.Guess we'll have to hunt up the place she lives. All we have to do isask where Mademoiselle--by the way, Frank, what is her name?"
"I don't know, sir. She didn't tell me."
"What?" exclaimed Lord Hastings in surprise. "You are a nice gallant,you are. So you failed to find out her name, eh?"
"Yes, sir. She was just going to tell me when the music stopped."
Jack laughed.
"Maybe she wasn't so anxious to tell you," he said.
"Now look here," said Frank, "don't let's start that again. If ittouches you on a sore spot, I'll drop the subject."
"Oh, all right," said Jack.
"Well, the matter should not be so difficult, anyhow," declared LordHastings. "We'll ask someone the name of the young lady who sings."
"Perfectly simple, sir," agreed Jack. "Whom shall we ask?"
"The first person we see," was the reply.
Lord Hastings led the way down the street. An officer approached. LordHastings accosted him in German.
"I have recently been ordered to Heligoland," he said. "A moment ago Iwas in yonder cafe," pointing, "and the young singer in there bears sucha striking resemblance to the daughter of a friend of mine that I shouldlike to know if she is the same."
"And the name of the young lady to whom you refer?" questioned theGerman.
"Henrietta! Henrietta Blucher!"
The German laughed.
"Then you are mistaken," he said pleasantly. "The young lady who singsin yonder cafe is Marie Dulce and she is a French girl."
"I had not taken her to be French," returned Lord Hastings. "Can youtell me where she lives?"
"Why, certainly," was the reply, and the German named an address andgave the necessary directions for getting there. "I don't imagine," headded, "you will find her home much before 12 o'clock, the cafe does notclose until eleven."
Lord Hastings thanked the man and the latter took himself off.
"Well, we have that much to go on, anyhow," said Lord Hastings. "Now thebest thing for us to do is to go to Mlle. Dulce's home and await herarrival."
"And maybe they won't let us in," said Jack.
"We'll have to chance that."
An hour later they sought the address given and mounted the steps. LordHastings rang the bell. A pleasant-appearing woman of middle ageanswered their summons. At a glance Lord Hastings knew she was Frenchand he addressed her in that language.
"Could it be that you are Madame Dulce?" he inquired courteously.
The woman smiled as she answered in the affirmative.
"We," said Lord Hastings, indicating Frank and Jack as well as himself,"would have a few words with your daughter Marie when she returns home.We have sought her here rather than at the cafe for several reasons."
A look of deep anxiety spread itself over Madame Dulce's face and sheasked excitedly:
"What has she done, sir? Surely she will not be arrested? You do nottake her for a spy?"
"You need have no fear," returned Lord Hastings reassuringly. "We meanno harm. May we come in and wait?"
"Certainly."
Madame Dulce led the way into a small, though cozy parlor and took theirhats and coats.
"Marie will be here soon after twelve," she said. "She always comesstraight home, for she knows I worry about her."
"How does it happen that she sings in the cafe?" asked Lord Hastings.
"Because we are so poor," was the reply. "Her salary there enables us tokeep the wolf away from the door. Frau Heffler, who also sings, was theone who so kindly gave her the opportunity."
"I see," said Lord Hastings, and became silent.
The time passed slowly; but it passed. Frank waited eagerly, for he wasanxious to see the girl again. Jack noticed the look on his chum's faceand remarked:
"Now just be patient. Marie will soon be here."
Frank smiled.
"It's not as bad as that, I assure you," he returned.
Came the sound of light footsteps without. A key turned in the frontdoor and the footsteps came toward the parlor.
"You have company, mother?" asked the girl's voice as she trippedforward.
"Some gentlemen to see you, Marie," was the reply.
In the doorway the girl stood spellbound for a brief instant, as shemade out the faces of the callers. At first she did not recognize LordHastings and Jack, but she knew Frank instantly.
"Lieutenant Chadwick!" she exclaimed.
She came forward with outstretched hand and again Frank bent low overit.
"But tell me," she said. "How were you able to find my home? And what isit you want of me?"
"I found your home by asking," returned Frank. "As for what we want, Iwould first present my commander and brother officer to you."
Introductions followed all around and then the girl repeated herquestion.
"I would rather," said Lord Hastings, giving Marie a sharp look, "if wecould speak with you alone."
"But my mother----" protested the girl.
"I know," continued Lord Hastings, "but she need have no fear."
Madame Dulce arose and smiled.
"I shall leave you," she said. "When you have finished your talk, willyou call me, Marie?"
The girl nodded and Madame Dulce left the room.
"Now, gentlemen," said Marie, turning to the others.
"As commander of this party," said Lord Hastings with a smile, "I guessit is up to me, as the Americans say, to do the talking." He gazed atthe girl earnestly. "You know something of us already," he added, "sothere is no harm in putting ourselves further in your power."
"You need have no fear that I shall betray you," said the girl.
"I had no such thought," responded Lord Hastings courteously. "Well,then the situation is this," and he told her why they had come toHeligoland.
"And what is it you want of me?" said the girl, when he had concluded.
"Recalling what you told Mr. Chadwick you would do for France," saidLord Hastings quietly, "I am here to put you to the test."
The girl sprang to her feet and her eyes flashed for a brief instant.Then she sat down again.
"Try me," she said quietly.
Lord Hastings nodded his satisfaction.
"Then," said he, "can you tell me something of the fortifications ofHeligoland? Can you tell me its weak spots and its strong? Can you tellme how many men there are here--how many battleships? In short, can youtell me anything that will be of value to the Allies?"
"I can," was the quiet reply. "Ever since the war broke out I have beenlearning things--and trying to learn more--and I have stored them up inmy memory for just this chance. It has been my ambition to serve Franceand it makes me happy to think I can do so at last."
"Good," said Lord Hastings. "Then perhaps the best way will be for youto answer my questions."
"_Bien_, Lord Hastings."
"First, then, fr
om what you have learned, where is the weakest spot inthe fortifications--the spot that would be most susceptible to attack?"
"I can answer that quickly," was the reply. "There is none."
"The number of ships in the harbor?" was Lord Hastings' next question.
"At the moment, seventy-two, cruisers, dreadnoughts and torpedo boats.The others are in the Kiel Canal, or in the Baltic."
"And the number of men now stationed here?"
"I can't answer that exactly, but the number is comparatively small. Ican find out in the morning."
"We'll pass that for the moment, then. Is there a submarine base here,or do the underwater boats operate from Kiel?"
"There is a submarine base here."
Thus Lord Hastings questioned the girl at length and she answeredquietly and comprehensively. The conversation continued for more than anhour. Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank storing what the girl told them intheir memories for future use.
"And now," said Lord Hastings, "for the final question."
Marie Dulce smiled.
"I'm ready," she said.
"Is there any way in which you can procure for me a map of the fortressitself, including all its details?"
For a brief moment the girl was silent. Then she sprang to her feet, hereyes once again flashing.
"I can and I will!" she cried determinedly. "You shall have the paperto-morrow night before eight o'clock."