CHAPTER XXV. The Musketeer's Mistake.
At the western side of the castle, close against its massive wall, a great carved chair from the drawing room had been placed. In it was seated an officer examining a pile of papers placed on a small table by his side. About him were grouped several officers and an orderly.
Lighted by the rays of the setting sun, the towers and embrasures of the old castle, with clinging ivy hiding the rough stones, presented a beautiful picture to the lads as they stepped out that afternoon to meet the officer who would inquire into their case and decide their fate.
The great lawn, dotted here and there with clumps of shrubs, was to all appearances deserted save only for the group beside the wall. Because of the peculiar features of the case, it had been brought to the notice of the officer who had been on his way to the firing line, where his presence was required. He had consented to pause at the castle for a short time to consider the case.
As the boys, escorted by the soldier, approached the group the officer rose, and with a smile extended his hand to Ned.
"I'm glad to meet you again so quickly," he said. "I enjoyed my breakfast immensely," he added. "You have most excellent cooks!"
"Thank you," answered Ned, recognizing him as another of their early morning guests. "We Boy Scouts try to prove capable in that line."
"I can testify to your ability in that direction," answered the officer, turning to the one in charge of the castle. "You, also, can bear testimony in the cook's favor, can you not?"
"Gladly!" replied the other. "I am delighted to see the practical results of the Boy Scout training. It possesses much merit!"
"I agree with you," said the first speaker. "But here come the prisoners. Let us get this disagreeable business finished!"
Ned's hands clenched and his face turned a shade paler as he observed the little group which now approached. He drew his comrades back a step until they were almost against the massive walls of the castle.
"Boys," he whispered, "you better stand a little farther to one side. If anything should happen, you know, it might——"
"Shut up!" snapped Jimmie. "We didn't come all this way to back out now. If he starts anything, I'll plug him!"
Further conversation was impossible, for the officer held up a warning hand to the boys. He turned to greet the newcomers.
Between two heavily armed soldiers marched The Rat and Hungry, who approached the place with vindictive glances at the boys. The Rat's surprise at seeing Jimmie well and grinning had turned to rage.
Scarcely acknowledging the pleasant greeting of the officer, The Rat at once launched into a long story, using the German tongue. Ned could not follow the speech, but judged from the gestures and glances in their direction that the man was accusing the boys of some misdemeanor.
"You may speak English," directed the officer, "for the benefit of our young friends here who do not understand your present language."
"You have understood what I have just told you," sulked The Rat.
"Your statement will be accepted for what it is worth," was the reply. "Just now we are inquiring with special regard to your presence here. It has been stated that you came in an airship from France, that you landed near our lines, and that you have on your person certain documents of interest to this country. All this, if true, would indicate that you are here as a spy in the interest of France. Also, if that is true, there is but one course for me to pursue. Can you refute the charge?"
Overcome with rage at the evident reversal of his plans, The Rat choked a moment, while he glared at the officer. Then, shaking his fist at Ned and his companions, he burst out in a torrent of abuse.
"Those fellows are the spies!" he cried. "I can prove to you that they came from the United States to enlist in the French aviation corps, and have that other boy, who is a native of France, to help them gather information which they will sell to your enemy!"
"Startling, if true," calmly answered the officer, apparently not in the least disturbed by the statement. "But, concerning yourself, I have heard and seen quite enough to justify me in holding you for further examination on the original charge of being a spy. Have you anything further to say on that subject?" he questioned.
"Yes, just this!" shouted The Rat, making a swift movement toward his coat pocket. "You'll never try me as a spy!"
Withdrawing his hand quickly he swung his arm, launching toward Ned the deadly stick of dynamite. Instantly he and his companion sprang away, racing across the lawn, their paths separating as they went.
Jimmie had not forgotten his baseball tactics. Just as the man swung his arm the lad jumped into the air, waving his arms. He let out a yell that would have been envied by fandom from coast to coast. It had the desired effect. The Rat's aim was spoiled.
With wonderful dexterity The Wolf leaped forward and caught the stick of dynamite in midair! Whirling about as he seized the dangerous missile, he regained his feet, holding at arm's length the object which meant destruction if The Rat had carried out his intention.
Involuntarily the little group about the officer had dodged, as they realized that the explosive thrown against the hard wall would bring about a catastrophe in which they did not wish to share.
As Jimmie, with a grin on his freckled face, turned to deposit the missile on the table, the officer in command gave a quick order to the two guards who had accompanied The Rat and his friend Hungry.
"Get the man with the plans!"
Rifles were swung to shoulders and the two shots rang out as one. Astonished beyond measure, the little group heard a deafening explosion and saw a cloud of smoke appear where The Rat had but a moment before been running. A slow smile spread over the face of one marksman.
Hungry tripped, fell at full length, and lay as he had fallen.
Running forward, the two soldiers examined the spot where The Rat had last been seen by the little group. Shaking their heads the two men returned to the prostrate Hungry. He was helped to rise and then, supported between the pair, conducted back to the little knot of men near the castle.
"You are a good marksman," commented the officer, as the soldiers came to a halt and saluted, "but you were never furnished bullets such as that one you fired just now. Where did you get it?"
"I fired a bullet from my regular supply, sir," answered the soldier, still smiling, as he lifted his hand in salute.
"There is something peculiar about this matter!" declared the officer. "When I order you to shoot a man, why should he explode?"
"I think perhaps I can explain the matter," volunteered Ned, stepping forward. Then, as the officer turned attentively toward the lad, he continued: "When the man started to run he threw, as you know, this stick of dynamite at me. I believe he had more dynamite on his person somewhere and the soldier's bullet accidentally struck it!"
"Quite reasonable!" agreed the officer. "I believe you!"
"But not by accident, sir!" interrupted the soldier. "When I saw him start away I also noticed his pocket still bulging. I suspected that he had more dynamite in there, and I aimed at the object inside his coat—and hit it!" he concluded, somewhat proudly.
"Most excellent marksmanship!" was the officer's comment. "But will you tell me why you aimed at the dynamite?"
"Because I had heard these young men say, and also heard your statement that the man had plans of a fortification in his pocket. I thought that he would carry the document in a belt about his body, and that if the dynamite exploded it would destroy the plans, and thus assist the young men in their efforts to prevent their country's secrets falling into improper hands. I did not intend to disobey your orders!"
"You were very considerate," spoke up Ned, "and we appreciate your kindness very much, indeed. But you made a mistake!"
"A mistake?" questioned the soldier. "No, I shot straight!"
"You made a slight mistake, nevertheless," replied Ned. "The plans are on that man there between you two. He has them on his back!"
"It's a lie!" yelled Hungry, looking about as if speculating on his chances for making another attempt at escape.
"That man has the packet of plans that The Rat gave him not more than half an hour ago. We saw the exchange made!"
"It's a lie!" again declared Hungry. "He had the plans all the time. They are blown to bits now, and you'll never see them!"
"How do you know this?" questioned the officer, turning to Ned.
Omitting details, Ned described the incidents leading up to the time the boys saw the exchange of plans from The Rat to Hungry in the underground room. As he finished the recital he smiled a bit and said:
"I must admit, sir, that we were really trying to get away from this place and return to the Grey Eagle. I did it, however, because I was very anxious to get to Berlin ahead of that fellow out there!"
"You are not to be blamed for your zeal!" consoled the officer kindly. "Do not blame yourself for the attempt. It shall not be remembered against you." Then turning to the soldiers he continued:
"Search this man and see if he has the packet!"
A hand was thrust down Hungry's collar and the packet brought forth. With an inconsiderate jerk the soldier broke the string and handed the parcel to his officer. Hungry's consternation was complete.
"Pardon me, gentlemen," the officer apologized to Ned and his friends. "I think I shall have to examine the contents!"
Peering over the officer's shoulder as he unfolded the contents of the little package, Ned gave a shout of joy.
"Hurrah!" he cried, jumping about. "Hurrah! The Rat fooled himself! Those are not the plans of a fortification after all!"
"What?" incredulously gasped Jimmie, pressing forward.
"Not a bit of it!" declared Ned. "This is a plan of the harbor at Colon, showing the proposed breakwater and sea wall, with locations for the scows that carried away the dirt from the Panama Canal!"
"Then they would have no value to any other country?" asked Jack.
"Not the least, except perhaps after the canal is opened to general traffic they might be useful to a captain in bringing his ship up to the entrance. But other charts will be issued of far greater value."
Gladly the boys shook hands, overjoyed to think that the efforts of The Rat had failed to bring about international difficulties between their country and any other nation.
"And now," continued the officer, as the matter seemed to be settled, "I must hasten forward. I have some disagreeable work before me, and cannot spare more time. I will, however, give you a pass that will afford you protection into neutral territory."
"Can we take the Grey Eagle with us?" queried Jimmie anxiously.
"You may dismantle it and take it as freight only," replied the officer. "We cannot allow you to operate it in this territory under the present conditions. It is too dangerous an undertaking!"
"We want to thank you for the kindness you have shown us!" declared Ned, as the officer prepared to depart. "You have been most kind!"
"I have but tried to be fair with you," was the reply. "Your example of loyalty to country and devotion to duty have been exceeded only by your bravery under trying circumstances. I shall always remember the Boy Scouts with pleasure."
Before nightfall the boys were again at their beloved Grey Eagle.
Arrangements had been made for packing cases in which to ship the aeroplane, and in a few hours they were on their way toward Holland. From ports in that country, which was neutral territory, they would arrange to take ship for home.
"Well, I'm glad to get my face turned toward little old New York again," grinned Jimmie, as the train in which they rode bumped along.
"Just the same, I vote three cheers for those officers!" put in Jack. "They treated us finely. I like 'em all. Both the French and Germans were fine! When we get home," he continued, "the boys will be delighted to hear about the adventures that befell us when we were 'Under Fire in Flanders'!"
"Yes," added Harry, "and I'm glad the 'Musketeer's Mistake' let us start for home so quickly. I've had about enough of this fighting business. War is not a nice game!"
But the boys were not destined to reach home as quickly as they thought, neither had they seen the last of war. In fact, they had not proceeded far until they met further adventures that commanded their entire attention and made them better acquainted with the unpleasant side of war.
What happened to them will be told in the next volume of this series, entitled: Boy Scouts in the North Sea, or The Mystery of U13.
THE END.