CHAPTER XIII
TARDY JUSTICE
The courtesy of Lieutenant von Holtz was beyond criticism. He obtainedfor his charges a comfortable suite of rooms in an overcrowded hotel,obliging the landlord to turn away other guests that Mr. Merrick's partymight be accommodated. The dinner that was served in their cosy sittingroom proved excellent, having been ordered by von Holtz after he hadrequested that privilege. When the young officer appeared to see that itwas properly served, Patsy invited him to join them at the table and helaughingly consented.
"You are one of our party, by force of circumstances," said the girl,"and since we've found you good-natured and polite, and believe you arenot to blame for our troubles, we may as well be friendly while we aretogether."
The young man was evidently well pleased.
"However evil your fortune may be," said he, "I cannot fail to beimpressed by my own good luck. Perhaps you may guess what a relief thispleasant commission is to one who for days has been compelled to patrolthose vile smelling docks, watching for spies and enduring all sorts ofweather."
"To think," said Uncle John gloomily, "that _we_ are accused of beingspies!"
"It is not for me," returned von Holtz, "to criticize the acts of mysuperiors. I may say, however, that were it my province to decide thequestion, you would now be free. Colonel Grau has an excellent recordfor efficiency and seldom makes a mistake, but I suspect his judgmentwas influenced by the general, whose son was once jilted by an Americangirl."
"We're going to get even with them both, before this affair is ended,"declared Patsy, vindictively; "but although you are our actual jailer Ipromise that you will escape our vengeance."
"My instructions are quite elastic, as you heard," said the lieutenant."I am merely ordered to keep you in Ostend, under my eye, until yourcase has been passed upon by the commandant or the general staff. Sinceyou have money, you may enjoy every luxury save that of travel, and Iask you to command my services in all ways consistent with my duty."
"What worries me," said Patsy to Uncle John, "is the delay. If we arekept here for long, poor Denton will die before we can find his wife andtake her to him."
"How long are we liable to be detained?" Uncle John asked the officer.
"I cannot say. Perhaps the council of the general staff will meetto-morrow morning; perhaps not for several days," was the indefinitereply.
Patsy wiped away the tears that began to well into her eyes. She had sofondly set her heart on reuniting the Dentons that her disappointmentwas very great.
Von Holtz noticed the girl's mood and became thoughtful. Captain Carghad remained glum and solemn ever since they had left the colonel'soffice. Uncle John sat in silent indignation, wondering what could bedone to influence these stupid Germans. Presently the lieutenantremarked:
"That sailor whom you left with the launch seemed an intelligentfellow."
Patsy gave a start; Uncle John looked at the young man expectantly; thecaptain nodded his head as he slowly replied:
"Henderson is one of the picked men I brought from Sangoa. He is bothintelligent and loyal."
"Curiously enough," said von Holtz, "I neglected to place the man underarrest. I even forgot to report him. He is free."
"Ah!" exclaimed Patsy, her eyes lighting.
"I know a civilian here--a bright young Belgian--who is my friend andwill do anything I ask of him," resumed von Holtz, still musingly. "Ihad the good fortune to protect his mother when our troops entered thecity, and he is grateful."
Patsy was thinking very fast now.
"Could Henderson get to Charleroi, do you imagine?" she asked. "He has apassport."
"We do not consider passports of much value," said the officer; "but aRed Cross appointment--"
"Oh, he has that, too; all our men carry them."
"In that case, with my friend Rondel to guide him, I believe Hendersoncould accomplish your errand."
"Let us send for him at once!" exclaimed Uncle John.
Carg scribbled on a card.
"He wouldn't leave the launch without orders, unless forced by theGermans," asserted the captain, and handed the card to von Holtz.
The young lieutenant took his cap, bowed profoundly and left the room.In ten minutes he returned, saying: "I am not so fortunate as I hadthought. All our troops are on the move, headed for the Yser. There willbe fighting, presently, and--I must remain here," he added despondently.
"It won't be your last chance, I'm sure," said Patsy. "Will thatdreadful Colonel Grau go, too?"
"No; he is to remain. But all regiments quartered here are now marchingout and to-morrow a fresh brigade will enter Ostend."
They were silent a time, until someone rapped upon the door. Von Holtzadmitted a slim, good-looking young Belgian who grasped his hand andsaid eagerly in French:
"You sent for me?"
"Yes. You may speak English here, Monsieur Rondel." Then he presentedhis friend to the Americans, who approved him on sight.
Henderson came a few minutes later and listened respectfully to the planMiss Doyle unfolded. He was to go with Monsieur Rondel to Charleroi,find Mrs. Denton, explain that her husband was very ill, and bring herback with him to Ostend. He would report promptly on his return and theywould tell him what to do next.
The man accepted the mission without a word of protest. Charleroi was incentral Belgium, but that did not mean many miles away and Rondelassured him they would meet with no difficulties. The trains werereserved for soldiers, but the Belgian had an automobile and a Germanpermit to drive it. The roads were excellent.
"Now, remember," said Patsy, "the lady you are going for is Mrs. AlbertDenton. She lives with her mother, or did, the last we heard of her."
"And her mother's name and address?" inquired Henderson.
"We are ignorant of either," she confessed; "but it's not a very bigtown and I'm sure you'll easily find her."
"I know the place well," said Rondel, "and I have friends residing therewho will give me information."
Uncle John supplied them liberally with money, impressed upon them thenecessity of haste, and sent them away. Rondel declared the night timewas best for the trip and promised to be on the way within the hour, andin Charleroi by next morning.
Notwithstanding the fact that they had succeeded in promoting by proxythe mission which had brought them to Belgium, the Americans found thenext day an exceedingly irksome one. In the company of Lieutenant vonHoltz they were permitted to walk about the city, but they found littlepleasure in that, owing to the bustle of outgoing troops and the arrivalof others to replace them. Nor did they care to stray far from theirquarters, for fear the council would meet and they might be sent for.
However, no sign from Colonel Grau was received that day. Patsy went tobed with a nervous headache and left Uncle John and the captain to smokemore than was good for them. Both the men had now come to regard theirsituation as serious and as the American consul was at this time absentin Brussels they could think of no way to secure their freedom. No oneknew when the consul would return; Mr. Merrick had been refused theprivilege of using the telegraph or mails. During one of their strollsthey had met the correspondent of an American newspaper, but when theman learned they were suspects he got away from them as soon aspossible. He did not know Mr. Merrick and his own liberty was tooprecarious for him to argue with Colonel Grau.
"I'm beginning to think," said Uncle John, "that we're up against a hardproposition. Letters and endorsements from prominent Americans seem tohave no weight with these Germans. I'd no idea our identity could everbe disputed."
"We must admit, sir," returned the captain, reflectively, "that the spysystem in this war is something remarkable. Spies are everywhere; cleverones, too, who adopt every sort of subterfuge to escape detection. I donot blame Grau so much for caution as for lack of judgment."
"He's a blockhead!" cried Mr. Merrick testily.
"He is. I'm astonished they should place so much power in the hands ofone so slow witted."
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bsp; "He has insulted us," continued Uncle John. "He has dared to arrestthree free-born Americans."
"Who came into a troubled country, occupied by a conquering army,without being invited."
"Well--that's true," sighed the little millionaire, "but what are wegoing to do about it?"
"Wait," counseled the captain.
The next day dawned dark and rainy and the weather had a depressingeffect upon the prisoners. It was too damp to stir out of doors and theconfinement of the hotel rooms became especially irksome. Not only werethey anxious about their own fate but it was far past the time when theyshould have heard from Henderson and Rondel. Patsy's nerves were gettingbeyond her control; Uncle John stumped around with his hands thrust deepin his pockets and a frown wrinkling his forehead; the captain smokedinnumerable pipes of tobacco and said not a word. Von Holtz, noting theuneasiness of his charges, discreetly forbore conversation and retiredto a far corner where he hid behind a book.
It was nearing evening when a commotion was heard on the stairs,followed by the heavy tramp of feet in the corridor. A sharp rap soundedon the door of their sitting room. Uncle John stepped forward to openit, when in stalked a group of German officers, their swords and spursclanking and their cloaks glistening with rain-drops. At sight of theyoung girl off came cap and helmet and with one accord they bowed low.
The leader was a tall, thin man with a leathern face, hooked nose andpiercing gray eyes. His breast glittered with orders. It was vonKargenbrut, the military governor.
"Pardon our intrusion," he said in English, his harsh voice having aguttural accent. "Which gentleman is Mr. John Merrick?"
"I am John Merrick."
The eagle eyes swept over him with a swift glance.
"We owe you our apology," continued the governor, speaking as fiercelyas if he were ordering Uncle John beheaded. "I have been too busy totake up your case before to-day, when I discover that we have treatedyou discourteously. You will consider our fault due to these troubledtimes, when mistakes occur in spite of our watchfulness. Is it not so?"
"Your error has caused us great inconvenience," responded Mr. Merrickstiffly.
The governor whirled around. "Colonel Grau!" he called, and from therear of the group the colonel stepped forward. His face still wore theexpression of comical surprise. "Return to Mr. Merrick his papers andcredentials."
The colonel drew the packet of papers from his breast pocket and handedit to Uncle John. Then he glanced hesitatingly at his superior, whoglared at him.
"He cannot speak the English," said the governor to Mr. Merrick, "but heowes you reparation."
"Grau's stupidity has been very annoying, to say the least," was theungracious reply. "We came here on important business, and presented ourpapers--all in proper order--on demand. We had the right to expectdecent treatment, as respectable American citizens engaged inhumanitarian work; yet this--this--man," pointing an accusing finger atthe colonel, "ordered us detained--arrested!--and kept our papers."
The governor listened coldly and at the end of the speech inclined hishead.
"Colonel Grau," said he, "has been relieved of his duties here andtransferred to another station. To you I have personally apologized. Youwill find my endorsement on your papers and, in addition, an order thatwill grant you safe conduct wherever you may wish to go. If that is notenough, make your demands and I will consider them."
"Why, that is all I can expect, your Excellency, under thecircumstances," replied Mr. Merrick. "I suppose I ought to thank you foryour present act of justice."
"No; it is your due. Good evening, Mr. Merrick."
He swung around on his heel and every officer of the group turned withhim, like so many automatons, all facing the door. But Mr. Merricktouched the governor upon the arm.
"One moment, your Excellency. This young officer, Lieutenant von Holtz,has treated us kindly and courteously. I want you to know that one ofyour men, at least, has performed his duty in a way to merit ourthanks--and yours."
The governor scowled at Lieutenant von Holtz, who stood like a statue,with lowered eyes.
"Lieutenant, you are commissioned to guide Mr. Merrick as long as heremains within our lines. You will guard his safety and that of hisparty. When he departs, come to me personally with your report."
The young officer bowed; the governor tramped to the door and went out,followed by his staff. Grau left the room last, with hang-dog look, andPatsy slammed the door in the hope of bumping his wooden head.
"So we're free?" she said, turning to von Holtz.
"Not only that, Fraulein, but you are highly favored," he replied. "AllGerman territory is now open to you."
"It's about time they came to their senses," remarked Uncle John, with areturn to his accustomed cheerfulness.
"And, best of all," said Patsy exultantly, "they've fired that awfulcolonel!"
The captain thoughtfully filled and lighted his pipe.
"I wonder," said he, "how that happened. Was it the council, do youthink, Lieutenant?"
Von Holtz shook his head.
"I think it was the governor," he replied. "He is a just man, and hadyou been able to see him personally on your arrival you would have beenspared any annoyance."
"Perhaps," said Patsy doubtfully. "But your governor's a regular bear."
"I believe that is merely his way," asserted Uncle John. "I didn't mindthe man's tone when I found his words and deeds were all right. Buthe--"
Another rap at the door. Patsy opened it and admitted Henderson. Hesaluted the captain, bowed to the others and said:
"We've got her, sir."
"Mrs. Denton?" cried Patsy, delightedly.
Henderson nodded.
"Yes, Miss Doyle; Mrs. Denton and the children."
"The children! Why, there aren't any."
"I beg your pardon, Miss; there are two."
"Two children!" she exclaimed in dismay. "There must be some mistake.The young people have only been married five months."
Henderson stood stiff as a poker, refusing to argue the point.
"A governess, maybe," suggested the captain.
"More likely," said Uncle John, "young Denton married a widow,with--eh--eh--incumbrances."
"That's it, sir," said Henderson earnestly.
"What's it?"
"The incumbrances, sir. No other word could describe 'em."
Patsy's heart sank; she was greatly disappointed.
"And she so young and pretty!" she murmured.
Henderson started to smile, but quickly suppressed it.
"Shall I show them up, Miss?" he inquired.
"Of course," answered Uncle John, as the girl hesitated. "You shouldhave brought her to us at once. Where is that Belgian--Rondel?"
"He is guarding the woman, sir."
"Guarding her!"
"She's a little difficult to manage, sir, at times. She left Charleroiwillingly enough, but she's tricky, and it is our duty to deliver her toyou safely."
"Get her at once, Henderson," exclaimed Patsy, recovering her wits; "andthe dear children, too."
Presently there was a sound of shuffling on the stairs and through thecorridor. The door opened to admit the arrivals from Charleroi.
Henderson first pushed in a big woman dressed in a faded blue-checkedgown, belted around the waist in a manner that made her look like a sacktied in the middle. Her head was bare, her hair awry, her face sullenand hard; she was undeniably "fleshy" and not altogether clean. Sheresisted Henderson at every step and glared around her with shrewd andshifting eyes.
Following her came Monsieur Rondel leading a boy and a girl, the latterbeing a small replica of the woman. The boy was viciously struggling tobite the hand of the Belgian, who held him fast.
"Ah, well," said Rondel, first sighing and then turning with a smile toface the lieutenant, "we have performed our mission. But heaven guard usfrom another like it!"
Patsy stared hard at the woman.
"This cannot be Mrs. Denton," she gasped, bewildered.
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"Indeed?" answered Rondel in English. "She declares that is her name.Question her in French or Flemish, Miss Doyle."
Patsy addressed the woman in French but could elicit no reply. She stoodimpassive and silent.
"How did you make the mistake?" asked the girl, looking reproachfullyfirst at Henderson and then at Rondel, both of whom were evidentlyastonished to find themselves at fault. "I have seen a photograph ofMrs. Andrew Denton, taken recently, and she is young and prettyand--and--rather small."
Monsieur Rondel cleared his throat to answer:
"It happened in this way, mademoiselle: We searched one whole day inCharleroi for Mrs. Denton but could not find her. My friends, on whom Ihad relied for assistance, had unfortunately moved away or joined thearmy. The townspeople were suspicious of Monsieur Henderson, who is aforeigner. We could get no information whatever. I appealed to theburgomaster and he said he would try to find Mrs. Denton for us thenext day. In the morning came to us this woman, who said she was theperson we sought. If we promised her safe conduct to Dunkirk, she wouldgo with us. She had wanted to go to Dunkirk for some weeks, but theGermans would not let her pass the lines. We suspected nothing wrong,for she admitted she was aware that her husband is in Dunkirk, and shewanted to get to him. So we brought her to you."
Patsy faced the woman resolutely and said in French:
"Why did you wish to get to Dunkirk?"
"He has said it. To find my husband," replied the woman in a surly tone.
"What is your name?"
No reply.
"Answer me!"
The woman eyed her obstinately and remained silent.
"Very well. Release those children, Monsieur Rondel. Madam, you haveimposed upon us; you have tricked us in order to get to Ostend at ourexpense. Now go, and take your children with you."
She pointed dramatically at the door, but the woman retained herposition, only moving to cuff the boy, who was kicking Henderson on hisshins. Then, setting her hands on her hips she said defiantly:
"They promised me passage to Dunkirk, and they must take me there."
"Who promised you?"
"Those men," pointing to them, "and the burgomaster."
"Yes," admitted Henderson, "we agreed with the burgomaster to take herout of the country. We signed a paper to that effect."
"But she is a Belgian. And she is not the person she claimed to be."
To this neither Rondel nor Henderson had an answer.
"See here," said Uncle John, "I'll untangle this matter in a jiffy. Hereis money; give it to the woman and tell her to get out--or we'll ejecther by force."
The woman grabbed the money eagerly, but after placing it in an amplepocket she said: "I will go no place but Dunkirk. I will not leave youuntil you take me there."
But here the lieutenant interfered. He suddenly faced the woman, who hadnot noticed his presence before, and she shrank back in fear at sight ofhis uniform. The boy and girl both began to cry.
"I know you," said von Holtz sternly. "You are the wife of a spy who hasbeen condemned to death by both the Belgians and the Germans, since hebetrayed them both. The last time you came to Ostend to annoy us youwere driven out of the city. There is still an edict against you. Willyou leave this room peaceably, or shall I order you under arrest?"
"Dog of a German!" she hissed, "the day is coming when I will help todrive you out of Belgium, even as you now drive me. Brave soldiers areyou, to make war on women and children. Guh! I would kill you where youstand--if I dared." With venomous hate she spat upon the floor, thenseized her wailing children, shook them and waddled out of the room.
There was a general sigh of relief.
"You may return to the launch, Henderson," said the captain.
"Monsieur Rondel," said Uncle John, grasping the young Belgian's hand,"we are grateful to you for your kindness. The failure of your missionwas not your fault. We thank you. The governor has given us our libertyand permission to travel where we please, so to-morrow we will go toCharleroi ourselves to search for Mrs. Denton."
"My motor car is at your disposal, sir, and my services."
"To-morrow? Oh, let us go to-night, Uncle!" cried Patsy.
Mr. Merrick looked inquiringly at the Belgian.
"I am ready now," said Rondel with a bow.
"Then," said Patsy, "we will start in half an hour. You see, we havewasted two whole days--two precious days! I hope Dr. Gys will keep hispromise, and that we shall find poor Denton alive on our return."