CHAPTER X.
VENICE.
As the boys had feared, they were given no opportunity to make a personal appeal to the Austrian ambassador. All day long they were kept in their improvised prison. They slept a little and talked a little, but try as they would they were unable to so much as loosen their bonds. But they all agreed on one thing, as expressed by Chester:
"We'll make a break for freedom at the first opportunity, no matter what the odds against us."
One of Robard's hirelings brought them a bite to eat about noon and again shortly after 6 o'clock. Darkness fell and still Robard himself had failed to appear.
"Maybe the time for departure has been postponed," said Chester.
"Hardly," replied Uncle John. "If the ambassador has been given his passports and has made arrangements to leave Italy he'll probably go at the appointed time."
It was at this juncture that footsteps were heard without. The key turned in the lock and a moment later Robard stood before them.
"Well," he said cheerfully, "all ready for your little trip?"
"We're not what you would call ready," replied Hal, with an attempt at levity, "but if you say it's time to move, we may as well agree with you."
"Your reasoning is to be commended," said Robard. He stepped to the door and raised his voice in a shout. A moment later a second man stood beside him. "Untie these fellows while I keep them covered," he ordered, at the same time producing a brace of automatics.
The man stepped forward and with a few quick movements relieved the prisoners of their bonds. He stepped back.
"Stand up!" commanded Robard, levelling his revolvers, "and mind, no tricks."
Hal, Chester and Uncle John obeyed. It was a wonderful relief to be on their feet again and be able to stretch their cramped muscles.
"By George! this feels better," said Chester.
"Rather," agreed Hal dryly.
Robard moved to one side of the room.
"Out you go," he said, motioning toward the door with his revolver, but still keeping the three covered.
"Which way?" asked Hal, playing for time.
"Out the door is all you need to know," was the reply. "You'll find pleasant company there."
One of the revolvers covered Hal threateningly.
Hal walked toward the door, followed by Chester and then Uncle John.
Robard followed close behind, with his man at his heels.
Outside the door Hal led the way down the hall toward the front door, where he saw perhaps half a dozen other figures standing about. These proved to be more Austrians. Near the door Hal halted at a word of command from Robard and the three prisoners soon were surrounded. Their captors were all dressed in civilian attire, but from their military bearings, Hal and Chester concluded that they were Austrian army officers.
Robard turned to one who stood somewhat apart from the others.
"Everything ready?" he asked.
"All ready," was the reply. "The baggage has been sent on ahead of us and the train to Venice will leave within the hour."
"Good! And the ambassador?"
"Will be here within half an hour," was the answer.
Hal's heart leaped. Here, he thought, would be a chance to demand his freedom, and that of his companions. He was loath to believe that a man in the capacity of an ambassador would countenance such proceedings. But his hopes were doomed to disappointment.
Within the half hour mentioned, the door was flung suddenly open and a small man hurried in. He gazed quickly about him and then spoke to Robard.
"Everything ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," was Robard's answer.
The ambassador—for such the newcomer was—gazed rapidly about him. His eyes rested on Hal, Chester and Uncle John.
"Who are these?" he demanded with a wave of his hand in their direction.
"These," said Robard, taking a step forward, and throwing a warning look at the three prisoners, "are a trio who have too much knowledge of some of our plans. I thought it best to take them along, sir."
Hal took a quick step forward, but even as he opened his mouth to speak, he felt something cold pressed against the back of his neck by a hand from behind. He closed his lips and fell back.
The ambassador was silent a moment before replying. Then he said:
"You are sure you are not taking too much upon yourself? You are certain you are right in your surmise?"
"It is not a surmise, sir; it is a fact," returned Robard.
For another moment the ambassador hesitated. Then he said with a shrug of his shoulders:
"Very well then. Come; let us go."
He led the way out the door, the others following. Hal, Chester and Uncle John were kept closely in the center of the little knot of men as all made their way down the steps to where three large automobiles stood waiting at the curb. The ambassador and Robard climbed into the first, and Hal found himself separated from his friends as he was pushed into the second machine; Chester and Uncle John were in the third.
Twenty minutes later the three prisoners found themselves in a first class section on the special express for Venice, vigilantly guarded by two Austrians, who had been placed in charge of them after they had been securely tied up at Robard's command. Robard himself had entered another compartment with the ambassador.
"You'll be safer this way," the Austrian had said with a smile, after testing their bonds to make sure they were secure.
"Looks like we were pretty safe any way you might put us," replied
Hal grimly.
"You Americans are pretty slippery customers; I won't take any chances with you," was the rejoinder, and Robard took his leave.
A few moments later a slight motion told the prisoners that the train had started.
"Well, here we go," said Chester with a laugh. "We've been started for the enemy's country in this manner before."
"Only on previous occasions our destination was Berlin instead of
Venice," replied Hal.
"Which is not our destination after all," said Uncle John. "Our true destination is back to the hotel where we left your mothers."
"And I am sure we shall reach it eventually," said Hal hopefully.
"How long does it take to get to Venice?" asked Chester.
"I don't know exactly," replied Uncle John. "But we shall be there by daylight surely."
"Perhaps we may get a chance to make a break for liberty," said Chester.
"Don't bank on that, Chester," replied Hal. "It looks as though these fellows do things a little more thoroughly than their German cousins. Still there is always a chance."
"While there's life there's hope, eh?" said Uncle John. "We'll see."
"In the meantime," said Hal, "we may as well try to get a little sleep."
"A good idea," agreed Chester. "Here goes."
He closed his eyes and was soon in the land of dreams. Hal and Uncle John followed suit.
How long they slept they did not know, but they were awakened by rough hands shaking them and the sound of gruff voices. Hal opened his eyes. Daylight streamed in through the windows of the compartment.
"Get up!" commanded a harsh voice.
Hal rubbed his eyes and called to Chester and Uncle John.
"What's the matter?" asked the latter sleepily.
"Venice, I guess," was the reply.
Again their bonds were removed, and under cover of the revolvers of their captors, which the latter kept concealed in their coats but which the three prisoners knew were ever ready, Hal, Chester and Uncle John stepped from the car.
The Austrian ambassador and Robard had alighted before them, and Hal could see them talking and gesticulating excitedly.
"Wonder what's up?" he muttered.
"Which way from here, do you suppose?" asked Chester.
"Trieste, I should say," replied Uncle John. "They will want to get over the border as soon as possible, and I guess they will head in that direction."
"My idea, too," agreed Hal.
What was their surprise, then, when, instead of boarding another train, as Hal had confidently believed would be done, the ambassador led the way into the station and then to the street beyond. Here Robard disappeared for a brief moment, and returning, motioned the ambassador and others to follow him.
Again the prisoners found themselves shoved into a large touring car, which started immediately in the wake of the one which bore Robard and the ambassador.
"Some funny business here, as sure as you're born," said Chester excitedly.
"Must be," declared Hal grimly. "Robard and the ambassador have something up their sleeves. Wonder if the Italian authorities are not on their guard. There is no telling what these fellows may do."
"I don't imagine the Italian authorities are watching them any too closely," remarked Uncle John. "You know men in such positions are supposed to be men of honor."
"Which the ambassador undoubtedly is," said Chester. "If there is anything wrong, you can take my word that Robard is the gentleman who is responsible for it."
"You have hit the nail on the head there, old fellow," agreed Hal.
After a ten-minute drive the machine came to an abrupt stop.
"Out you go," said a gruff voice in very poor English.
It was the voice of one of their captors and the prisoners obeyed.
Ahead, the ambassador and Robard were walking down the steps to the canal, and a few moments later a large closed gondola came toward them.
The ambassador entered, followed by Robard, and the prisoners found themselves aboard also a moment later. The gondola moved off.
"Well, what next?" demanded Chester.
"It's too deep for me," was the reply. "But we are going to learn something; that's sure. Perhaps it's a good thing we were captured and brought along. Who knows? we may be able to avert some mischief."
"Let us sincerely hope so," said Uncle John earnestly. "I know that you boys are experienced in this line of work, but you can count on me to the last ditch."
"You didn't need to tell us that, Uncle John," said Chester. "We knew it."
The gondola stopped.