“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[Pg 71] 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. [Pg 71] 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?” “I reckon they are after me, Herr Schaumberg. But I have done no wrong.” [Pg 72] [Pg 72] “Den you vos hafe lots of droubles for noddings, hey?” “That’s the size of it. But I haven’t time to talk. I want my bag and some other things, and I want to pay you. Will it be safe for me to go to my room?” “I dink me not—chust yet. You see, mine frau she vos a Roossian, an’ she ton’t like you mooch on dat account.” “I suspected as much.”
Prev.
Back
Top