No attempt was made to hinder their progress, and a landing was made almost noiselessly not far from the enclosed gardens of the chateau.
No one of the boys was willing to be left behind in charge of the airship while the others went forward into the adventure, yet it was imperative that someone should stay. After considerable heated discussion it was finally decided to draw lots. This method determined upon Buck as the one to remain behind, which he submitted to with much disappointment.
Alan, Bob and Captain von Schleinitz gripped his hand hard in a last good-bye, and slipped stealthily away into the darkness. Buck was left alone.
There was no moon visible that night. The sky lowered with the threat of storm, streamers of clouds scudded as if frightened before the strong wind. In a near-by marsh the frogs and crickets made melancholy music. Afar off to the right somewhere a dog howled mournfully.
Nine cloak-shrouded figures stood in close conference at the Spvodka turnpike, a bare ten minutes’ walk from the Chateau Schoenbrunn. Their manner was mysterious, sinister. They were impatiently waiting for someone.
Far down the road the purr of a motor could be heard, growing rapidly lower. Suddenly it ceased altogether and a tenth sepulchral figure stalked towards them through the gloom.
A subdued murmur of satisfaction greeted his approach.
“At last you are here, Count Polnych—”
A quick hand was clapped over the mouth of the big black-bearded man who spoke.