CHAPTER XXIII.
A LEAP FOR LIBERTY.
THE Boy Aviators had just left the mess hall, and were proceeding tothe hangars where the No. 3's were housed, fully intending to carryout their compromise plan of giving Roque and Schneider the means toescape, and return themselves as hostages for the honor of the aviationchief.
Shortly before seven o'clock on this eventful evening, Billy and Henrihad the biplanes in order for the arranged visit to St. Michael road,and the delivery of one or both of the machines to their former owner,supposedly in waiting in the shadow of the two towers.
"It is really a relief that the time is drawing nigh for us to get offthe rack. I believe we are doing the square thing, but sure we have hadfew easy moments during these last forty-eight hours."
Billy heaved a sigh when reviewing this disturbing experience.
Henri turned just then to salute the aviation chief. The boy's greetinghad none of the cheery note usually there. He did not know how it wouldbe several hours hence.
"Looks like a chance for you boys on the next dispatch trip toPetrograd," advised the chief; "we can illy spare more than two at atime of our regular air scouts, and here's a deal by which we have twoextra machines and a pair of pilots thrown in."
With their minds clear and no cloud like the one looming ahead, theprospect of biplaning to the wonder city of Russia would have set theboys on the top floor of enthusiasm.
As it was, they could only say that they would welcome the work if itshould be assigned to them.
The aviation chief had hardly taken a dozen steps in his continuinground of inspection when there was a shakeup that might have come by acombination of volcano and earthquake.
"Geeminy!" gasped Billy, clapping his hands to his ears, "somebody musthave fired a ton of powder!"
A roll of drums preceded the hasty assembling of several regiments inthis division, and a squadron of cavalry jingled madly down the street.
"That was a whopper, all right," exclaimed Henri, righting himselfafter his first little stagger from the shock, "but big noises oughtnot to queer us, pard. Get in and get away."
Following his chum's example, Billy was close behind the former inupward flight.
They could see that the streets below held literally surging masses ofhumanity, all trending in the same direction.
The aviators speedily gained an idea of what had happened. That whichonly the other day they had observed as a solid front of granite andiron on a building covering practically a whole city square had fallenin ruins, completely blockading the broad avenue it had faced.
About the square a cordon had been drawn, and it could be seen, eventhrough the dusk, that troops were spreading fan-shape from this pointthroughout the entire northern section, while the police darted rightand left and everywhere.
The select neighborhood of St. Michael road had not been omitted fromthe general round-up, the boys found, when they approached the site ofthe two towers.
It seemed that the abandoned team and wagon had been found somewherealong the highroad, and as suspicion was now acute, the discovery setthe fine-comb going along every terrace and police poking in everylikely hiding-place.
There had been instant acceptance of the theory that the storehouse andmagazine had been deliberately blown up by the cunning contrivance of aspy or spies within the city.
Every stranger must give an account of himself, and even someindividuals here and there who were not newcomers.
Billy and Henri could see no opening where two full length militarybiplanes could alight without notice, and not a morsel of encouragementto try for negotiation on the quiet with the disguised secret agent whohad summoned them.
But the aviators hung about, not knowing what else to do for thepresent, thinking that Roque would make a showing of some sort, as heusually did in tight places.
Flying lower and lower, the two biplanes were sweeping within earshotof the terraced heights along the river front, and though now of dimvision, searching parties could be seen flashing lights up and down theground tiers.
There was a hullabaloo breaking out on the lowest terrace, immediatelyoverhanging the river--a shot--another and another--like a bunch offirecrackers, so fast did they follow!
A stentorian note of defiance, a rush, two shapes springing out intospace, a great splash in the icy waters below!
If the morning revealed a single trace of the daring fugitives deador alive, no word of it reached the aviation camp, to which the youngairmen had returned, conscious that of this mission they were acquitted.
"Do you know, I can't help believing that they got across?"
Henri had a thought, perhaps, of the rabbit's foot that Schneidercarried.
The boys had many under-the-breath discussions as to the possibleconnection of Roque with the explosion that had destroyed the wardepot. They had no reckoning that in the little shop of a silversmith,not far removed from the very column and statue that had twice servedthem as a guide-post, the whole story might have been told by a wilyconfederate posing as a peaceful artisan. This same man could also haveconfessed to the first error of his expert career in the handling of atime-clock.
With plots and counterplots, however, the young aviators had no time orinclination to meddle. They would rather work in the open.
"I wonder if that lieutenant meant what he said about giving us a peekat Petrograd?"
Billy put the question to his chum as they contemplated withsatisfaction a particularly neat job of aeroplane repair they had justcompleted.
"Don't see why he should say it if he did not mean it," replied Henri."Next time he comes this way there would be no harm in reminding him ofwhat he said."
It so happened that the aviation chief at the very moment was headedfor the hangars. He was accompanied by two officers of apparent highrank, who gave the various types of aircraft close and criticalinspection.
When the No. 3's came to their notice, one of the officers, a grizzledveteran, with a livid scar showing from temple to chin, halted with apointed word of commendation.
"There's speed, balance and strength for you. Where were they built?"
The aviation chief explained.
"Ah, I see," said the officer, "the paint only is ours. Well, I thinkwe need look no further. Get them ready for immediate use. Where arethe pilots for this assignment?"
A call was passed for Billy and Henri.
When they faced the official visitors, both of the latter turned astare full of question marks at the aviation chief.
"Are these the sons of our pilots to be?"
The senior colonel meant to be a bit sarcastic.
"No; but if the fathers really were as remarkably skilled in the highart of aeroplaning as 'the sons' you see here, I would request thegeneral to let me go after them without delay."
The airman was very much in earnest in his firm but respectful effortto correct the impression of his superiors in command that he had beenguilty of some error of judgment.
Henri unconsciously contributed another entering wedge when he gavehis name to the younger of the colonels, who had taken a hand inthe examination of the youthful candidates proposed by the aviationlieutenant for special aeroplane service.
"Trouville!" exclaimed the officer; "are you of the house founded bythe first Francois and the motto 'Sans Peur'?" (Without Fear.)
"That's in my family record, sir," admitted Henri, who could notimagine what on earth his ancestry had to do with his ability to run anaeroplane.
"Then you will find an open door in Petrograd," proclaimed the colonel,"that of my father, who in his day of travel was often a guest at theChateau Trouville, when your grandfather lived and they were kindredspirits in the world of art."
"Chateau Trouville and its art treasures are no more," sadly recalledHenri.
"My father will mourn with you there," assured the colonel.
Another assurance came from the aviation chief when the officershad returned to army headquarters to assist in the prep
aration ofdispatches that were to go forward by aeroplane within the hour. Saidthe lieutenant:
"It is settled, my flying friends, that you are to go on this journey,which is imperative, owing to the investment of railroad connections.The observers behind you will point out the route, and easy tofollow, as the river is ever in sight. As to the rest, you need noinstructions."
"We are ready to start at the drop of a hat, sir," declared Billy. Theboys had tuned the No. 3's to the point of perfection.
The observers and dispatch bearers, Marovitch and Salisky, honor men inthe service, soon appeared, hooded and enveloped in furs.
The first named handed Henri a card. "From Colonel Malinkoff," he said.The boy saw that it contained the words "He is a Trouville," signed"Alexander," and directing to a certain street and number in Petrograd.Henri carefully pocketed the valuable reference.
In the early afternoon the young aviators had their first view of thecapital city of the Russians, at the mouth of the Neva, and they madelanding upon a massive granite quay on the south bank of the big river.
As the boys walked with the special messengers to Admiralty Place,they marveled at the colossal proportions of the public buildings, andlooking up and down one magnificent avenue, five or six miles in lengthand 130 feet wide, Billy squeezed the elbow of his comrade, with theawed comment: "There's all outdoors in that street."
"That's the Nevskoi Prospekt," advised Marovitch.
"The very name on the colonel's card," cried Henri, "Malinkoff palace,too."
"Know it very well," put in Salisky, "a twenty-minute ride, and you arethere."
When the dispatches were delivered the boys were not present, butthere was no lack of interest for them outside. Standing near thecopper-inlaid doors through which the messengers had passed were anumber of Cossacks, dressed in scarlet, gold-braided caftans, whitewaistcoats and blue trousers.
"That's a fancy looking bunch," whispered Billy; "I guess they aresomething extra. And--say, Buddy, if my eyes don't deceive me thatfellow in the middle, the one with the bushiest beard, is no otherthan the boss of the crowd who shoved us in the cellar over in Galicia!"
"Cracky, what a pair of eyes you've got, old scout, and sure it's thevery same, though he doesn't look as rusty as he did then."
Henri seemed to be fascinated by the discovery, and watched like a hawkevery movement of the old enemy in the new garb.
About that time the Cossack happened to cast a glance in the directionof the spot where the boys were stationed, and two pairs of eyes metin a single flash. In the fierce orbs, and under the beetling eyebrowsof the knight of the mountains and deserts, the flash plainly conveyeda puzzled expression. Henri lowered his look. This risk of recognitionwas more than he intended his bid to bring.
Turning away, the boy sought to show his indifference of the nowstrained situation. He managed to get an aside to Billy, in effect:
"I'm afraid I've put my foot in it now."
With the reappearance of Marovitch and Salisky, Henri, in subdued tone,requested information regarding their brilliantly attired neighbors.
"Why," responded Marovitch, "they are of the personal escort of theCzar."
"Good-night," thought Henri, "it's a fix we are into, and less than twohours in the town."
"How far did you say it was to the Malinkoff palace?" he suddenlyasked.
"Oh, about two miles up the Prospekt," said Salisky.
"Hail one of those carryalls, please," requested the aviator, pointingto the nearest stand of vehicles for hire.
The Cossack had followed them, and was slowly descending the marblesteps just quitted by the boys and their companions. He was evidentlystill debating with himself.
The driver of the chartered vehicle cracked his whip and carried hispassengers up the street as fast as his heavy horses could gallop.
With a speed ordinance he had no acquaintance.
CHAPTER XXIV.
AGAIN THEY WON OUT.
DRAWING up with a flourish in front of a most pretentious example ofold-time architecture, the fur shrouded jehu reached for his fare,which matter was adjusted by Salisky, who had orders from his colonelto see the boys through from start to finish.
At the onyx-studded entrance of the palace the party was halted bya gorgeous flunky, who immediately unbent at a word from the usefulSalisky.
"The colonel must belong up in the pictures here," suggested Billy,duly impressed by the surroundings.
"He is a great noble as well as a great soldier," reverently remarkedMarovitch.
"Well," chuckled Billy, "I'm going to keep on my shoes, even though Iwalk on velvet."
Salisky gave the lad a side glance of disapproval of this levity, ofwhich the young aviator took not the slightest notice.
But Billy warmed to the gracious presence revealed by cordial greetingin the spacious drawing-room.
The card from Colonel Malinkoff had preceded the visitors.
With Marovitch and Salisky in the background, the boys were usheredforward to meet a real, live duke, but, withal, a kindly gentlemanwithout a mark or an affectation of exalted rank.
"Which, may I ask, is the Trouville, the grandson of my old friend?"
Henri bowed acceptance of the honor. With fine and delicate courtesyBilly was made to feel that he was not counted a crowd by being thethird participant in a cozy chat.
The duke delighted in his memories of the close alliance he hadmaintained with the house of Trouville, and received with extremeregret the information that the old chateau had been razed by theengines of war.
"I well remember the underground passages, the walled ways, the secretpanels, and the like of the ancient place."
Henri nudged his chum, and then briefly narrated how the fortune ofthe Trouvilles had been saved through the use of these same concealedavenues and by the plan of the same two boys now sitting in thisdrawing-room.
The old noble listened intently to the story, told withoutembellishment or boast, and at the point where Henri referred to thedelivery of the treasure to his mother the duke clapped his hands inapplause.
"Salisky," he called to the special messenger, "I desire to keepthese young gentlemen as long as possible. Is there an emergency thatcommands their return?"
"Your grace," stated Salisky, "it grieves me to say that it is mostimportant that they serve as pilots in our journey back to the front.Even now dispatches are being prepared, and we must be on the wing atsunrise to-morrow."
"Ah, the same duty that holds my son in its grip, the call of country,and which by my infirmity of years I may not answer. Not your country,my boy, but your trust, nevertheless. But this is not your last visitby many, I sincerely hope. A Trouville, a Trouville," he muttered,"without fear."
"Oh, another thought, you have not broken bread with me." The dukestruck a bell on the table at his side.
The gorgeous flunky led the way to the smaller of the dining-rooms, theother would have held a regiment, and if the food was plain, on the warbasis of all alike, there was a bountiful service of it.
From the dining-room windows the Prospekt could be seen, and Henrisaw something besides the Prospekt--several horsemen in parti-coloreduniforms pacing their mounts slowly up and down in front of the palace.
He telegraphed with a wink to his chum, who was seated with his backto the windows. Billy took the tip, and managed to get an overshoulderlook on his own account.
The interest of the boys as to affairs inside instantly began to flag.True, they were under powerful protection for the time being, but therewas a later time coming.
The Cossack must have struck the lost chord in his memory. There hadsince the encounter in the Galician farmhouse been a life added to theclaim of the red rider--the duelist that Schneider had forced over thecliff.
Henri had a game to play--playing for time. Appeal to their host, forvarious reasons, did not impress the boy as a desirable proceeding.
"There is no need of our going back to Admiralty Place right away, isthere, Salisky? We d
on't sail until morning and we haven't even seenthe paintings here."
"The paintings"--here was a master stroke. The duke was touched at apoint nearest his heart.
"You must have at least a passing look," he insisted.
Salisky uneasily shook his head. "We have orders to be within call fromand after six o'clock, and, sir, it is already very near that hour."
"Now, I will tell you what to do, Salisky; you and your comrade heretake my car, report yourselves, and if it then be necessary for myyoung friends to join you, return here for them. It is only the matterof a very few minutes, either way."
Protesting under his breath, Salisky and his companion heard thesummons for the duke's automobile, and were whirled away in that swiftconveyance.
They could not understand the action of a company of imperial Cossacksin ranging alongside of the machine, and only withdrawing when theindignant chauffeur sent the machine forward with a vicious plunge.
An hour passed, and no word from the departed special messengers.
The boys walked with the duke through his magnificent gallery, but itis doubtful if they had any high appreciation of the treat. In everypicture they saw a Cossack wrapped in a rainbow.
Finally, observing their inattention, and attributing it to anxietyon their part at the committing of a breach of discipline, the dukeinstituted inquiry as to the whereabouts of his chauffeur, intending toforward the boys at once to Admiralty Place. Neither driver nor machinecould be found on the premises.
Billy felt that it was his turn to get into the figuring.
"It is such a fine evening, sir, and a straight way, that, if it is allthe same to you, Henri and I would like the exercise of walking back toheadquarters."
Henri could not fathom the scheme that his chum was nursing, but hemade no objection to the proposition.
The duke did not accompany the boys further than the door of the artgallery, stating, with a grim smile, that he had always with him areminder of his fighting days in the shape of a "game leg." He gavethem both a kindly farewell and exacted a mutual promise of a longervisit next time.
Behind the broad back of the flunky the lads proceeded as far as thedrawing-room, when Billy "happened to think" that he had left hisgloves in the dining-hall. There he looked for his missing gloves--outof the window!
In the glow of the high-lights on the broad avenue were revealed thegold-braided cavalrymen of the earlier hours, still patiently pacingtheir horses up and down in front of the palace.
"Tell his nobs to see if the automobile has arrived," softly urgedBilly.
Henri sent the flunky ahead to investigate. He guessed now, andcorrectly, that his chum did not intend that they should leave by thefront door.
Like ghosts they flitted through the dimly lighted corridors of thepalace, into the unknown backstairs regions, hoping to find an easyoutlet at the rear.
An open window coming handy, the boys essayed a jump therefrom, landingon all fours in the walk leading to the tradesman's gate. Darting outinto a side street, the fugitives relapsed into a brisk walk, fearingto here excite suspicion by undue haste.
Alone in a great and strange city, as ignorant of locality as of thelanguage spoken by the average inhabitant, Billy and Henri, as theformer would have put it, "were up against it, good and strong."
Yet they won out, and meeting the wildly searching special messengersin the gray dawn, without ado climbed into the pilots' places of thewaiting biplanes and sent the powerful machines in whirring flighttoward the distant towers of Warsaw.
To follow them beyond this fixed destination is to turn the leaves ofthe next record, under the title of "Our Young Aeroplane Scouts inRussia; or, Lost on the Frozen Steppes."
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
The original text did not include a table of contents. One was createdby the transcriber.
Inconsistent hyphenation was retained.
Page 179, "though" changed to "thought" (I thought there was)
Page 239, "supposedlv" changed to "supposedly" (supposedly in waitingin)
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