Now that Gilbert was about to leave Port Arthur he was anxious to see what he could of the preparations for war, and when he left the furniture shop at dark he did not move directly for Herr Schaumberg’s hotel, but took a circuitous route which brought him near to some of the forts.
That the Russians were doing all in their power to render the port safe against an attack there could be no doubt. Every fort was being strengthened, and from the talk of some soldiers he learned that some hills behind the town were likewise being fortified.
“They are afraid the Japs will land and come up in the city’s rear,” he told himself, and this was the truth. The work of fortifying Port Arthur went on day and night for a long while, and great quantities of stores were brought in, to use in case of a siege.
By the time Gilbert reached the vicinity of the German hotel it was long after dark. He did not go to the front entrance, but took to an alleyway on the left which led to some stables in the rear. This brought him past a window of the private dining room and there he saw Herr Schaumberg and his wife and three children sitting at the table, partaking of their evening meal.
The ex-lieutenant felt that he could trust the German, but he was not so sure of Frau Schaumberg, who, it will be remembered, was of Russian birth. It was possible the lady had relatives in the Russian army, and it would be a feather in their cap if the American was caught by them.
The meal in the private dining room was about over, and presently Gilbert saw the hotel keeper get up and put on his hat. Then he came out of a side door and walked towards the stables.
“Herr Schaumberg!” Gilbert called softly, and hurried toward the man.
“Who vos it?” queried the hotel keeper, coming to a halt, and peering into the darkness. “Vell, I neffer! I dink you vos no comin’ pack no more, Mr. Bennington.”
“What made you think that?”
“I hear dem say you vos a schpy. Dem Roossian soldiers vos after you, not so?”