human
I am indeed glad to know two such gallant lads, he said.
gpt
I felt sure when I first saw you that there must be some mistake in your cases.
human
But they stole my paper!
gpt
That is not true, said Major Derevaux.
human
I can vouch for their loyalty.
gpt
But who can vouch for you? demanded the colonel.
human
How is General Ferrari to know that you, too, are not a spy, coming to him with false credentials?
gpt
I can answer that question, replied the general.
human
As it happens, I have known Major Derevaux for years. He has often visited at my home, he and his parents. You owe these lads an apology, colonel.
gpt
He knocked me down,
human
So he did, said the general,
gpt
I bear you no ill will,
human
I have done you and your friend an injustice, he said.
gpt
I am sorry.
human
Say no more about it,
gpt
But what of my paper?
human
I can give you a description of the man who took it,
gpt
Hans Robard!
human
You know him, then?
gpt
Rather, said the general dryly.
human
He is an Austrian, and attached to the Austrian embassy here. Of course there has as yet been no formal declaration of war between Italy and Austria, but it has been known for days that war was sure to come. Colonel Fuesco here has been entrusted with important documents relating to troop movements, and it is this document that Robard has stolen. It must be recovered.
gpt
We are willing to help all we can, said Chester.
human
With a little forethought we should have been able to recover it ourselves. Robard made monkeys of us.
gpt
He made a monkey of me, too,
human
The thing to be done, said Chester,
gpt
That's easy enough, was the reply.
human
He can be found at the embassy; but he will deny that he has the paper. Also, we cannot arrest him. Being a member of a foreign embassy, in times of peace he is immune from arrest.
gpt
And he will take the paper with him when he leaves Italy,
human
It was stolen once, said Hal thoughtfully.
gpt
Why cannot it be stolen again?
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Just what I say. Robard stole the document from you. Some one must recover it from Robard without his knowledge.
human
An excellent idea! exclaimed General Ferrari.
gpt
But who will do this work?
human
We shall be glad to undertake it, your excellency,
gpt
You! But you are so young for such a piece of work.
human
Don't you believe it, general, Major Derevaux interrupted.
gpt
If the papers can be recovered, these lads can get them. You could not put the mission in better hands.
human
But the danger--
gpt
We have been in danger before, sir,
human
So be it! he exclaimed.
gpt
And if you are successful, Italy will know how to reward you.
human
We seek no reward, sir, said Hal quietly.
gpt
Then we are at liberty to go now, sir?
human
Yes. I shall not hamper you with instructions.
gpt
All we wish to know, sir, said Hal,
human
He is, was the reply,
gpt
Can I be of any assistance?
human
If you can, we shall call on you,
gpt
Good, said the colonel, and, drawing out a card, he scribbled an address on it.
human
You will find me there, he said.
gpt
I shall remain at my quarters in the hopes that I may be given a hand in the game.
human
Wait a moment, boys, said Major Derevaux.
gpt
I want a few words with the general, and then I shall be at liberty to go with you.
human
If it is all the same to you, Major Derevaux, said the general,
gpt
I would prefer to postpone our conference until this evening. I have several matters that require my immediate attention.