“Quiet now,” he said, “and if I am not mistaken and you look sharp, you may see something interesting.”
The music struck up at this juncture and Marie and Lieutenant Holzen glided smoothly across the floor. Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank followed them with their eyes.
At last the music stopped. The young German escorted Marie back to her place and returned to his own table.
Time passed swiftly now for the three British officers. Again Marie danced with the young German officer, and yet a third time. But when he came for his fourth dance, she shook her head and inclined it toward Frank.
The latter had been watching her eagerly and this time he did not hesitate. Getting quickly to his feet he strode across the room and offered the girl his arm. A moment later the music struck up again and the two glided across the floor much to the discomfiture of the young German, who stood gnawing his mustache and fingering his sword belt.
Suddenly Frank felt the girl’s hand slide into his inside breast pocket and heard the faint crumple of paper. He was about to speak, but Marie silenced him with a warning: “Sh-h-h.”
Half a moment later she whispered:
“The papers you are after are in your pocket. I took them from Lieutenant Holzen as we danced.”
Frank made no reply, but he pressed slightly the fingers that rested so lightly in his own. It was a signal and the girl understood.
“Now go immediately,” she whispered, as the music came to a stop and Frank led her back to her place.