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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..837ba3f --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67642 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67642) diff --git a/old/67642-0.txt b/old/67642-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a93b841..0000000 --- a/old/67642-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6605 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Cruise of the Gyro-Car, by Herbert -Strang - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Cruise of the Gyro-Car - -Author: Herbert Strang - -Illustrator: A. C. Michael - -Release Date: March 17, 2022 [eBook #67642] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at - https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images - made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE -GYRO-CAR *** - - - - - - THE CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR - - - - - HERBERT STRANG’S ROMANCES - - _UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_ - - - KING OF THE AIR: or, To Morocco on an Airship - -“Much the best book of its kind now in existence.”--_Manchester -Guardian._ - -“The flights of the airship and final rescue of the imprisoned diplomat -are brilliantly told.”--_Journal of Education._ - -“The story goes with a fine zest and gusto, and few writers have known -as well as Herbert Strang the exact proportions to allow of amusement -and information.”--_Bookman._ - - - LORD OF THE SEAS: the Story of a Submarine - -“Mr. Herbert Strang has struck a new vein with remarkable success, and -has narrated a series of exciting adventures in the South Seas in an -effective and admirably sustained tone of humour.”--_Notts Guardian._ - -“A rattling good story, full of life and go.”--_Record._ - - - SWIFT AND SURE: the Story of a Hydroplane - -“A grand yarn about a hydroplane, in which Mr. Strang shows that he is -a new Jules Verne.”--_Hearth and Home._ - -“The excitement increases from chapter to chapter.”--_Literary World._ - - - JACK HARDY: a Story of the Smuggling Days - -“A story about a gallant young middy.... The characters are drawn with -originality and humour.”--_Bookman._ - -“Herbert Strang is second to none in graphic power and -veracity.”--_Athenæum._ - - -_Price 2/6 each._ - -HENRY FROWDE AND HODDER & STOUGHTON - - -[Illustration: THE NEW AND THE OLD] - - - - - THE CRUISE OF - THE GYRO-CAR - - BY - HERBERT STRANG - - _ILLUSTRATED BY A. C. MICHAEL_ - - - LONDON - HENRY FROWDE - HODDER AND STOUGHTON - - 1911 - - - - - BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS - LONDON AND TONBRIDGE - - - - -PREFACE - - -Albania, once a Roman highway to the East, has been for many centuries -the wildest and most inhospitable of European countries. The mountains -that had echoed to the tramp of Roman legions, and had witnessed the -culmination of the struggle between Cæsar and Pompey, became some -fifteen centuries later the scene of one of the most glorious struggles -for liberty of which we have record. For nearly a quarter of a century -Scanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with a few thousands of his -mountaineers, stemmed the advancing tide of Turkish conquest. When -at length the gallant Prince and his people were borne down by sheer -weight of numbers, and Albania became a Turkish province, this mountain -land, which had been a principal bulwark of Christendom against Islam, -served to buttress the unstable empire of her new masters. It has been -the settled policy of the Turk to keep the Albanian in a condition of -semi-independence and complete barbarism, as a kind of savage watchdog -at the gate. From time to time the dog has turned upon his master, and -in many a fierce struggle the mountaineer has shown that he has not -lost the fine qualities of courage and love of liberty that inspired -Scanderbeg and his followers. - -To the few Europeans, including J. G. von Hahn, Edward Lear, H. A. -Brown, and E. F. Knight, who at no little personal risk have made -a study of this romantic land and people, I am indebted for many -interesting particulars, and especially to Miss M. E. Durham for the -stories of “The Man and the Ass,” and the “Dismembered Cow.” The -opening up of the country under the new régime in Turkey may soon -render the visit of a motor- or gyro-car not more perilous there than -in other parts of Europe, at present of better repute. But it will be -long before the Via Egnatia, once the eastward continuation of the -Appian Way, becomes as good a highway for motor or other traffic as it -was two thousand years ago. - -My young friend, George Buckland, is at present the sole possessor of -a gyro-car, and he looks forward somewhat ruefully to the day when his -scamper across Europe will no longer have the charm of novelty. - - HERBERT STRANG. - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - - CHAPTER I - - INTRODUCES THE GYRO-CAR 11 - - CHAPTER II - - UNWELCOME ATTENTIONS 26 - - CHAPTER III - - THE YELLOW CAR 45 - - CHAPTER IV - - RUNNING THE PLANK 63 - - CHAPTER V - - ACROSS THE ALPS 76 - - CHAPTER VI - - A NARROW MARGIN 91 - - CHAPTER VII - - AN ACT OF WAR 103 - - CHAPTER VIII - - A ROMAN ROAD 115 - - CHAPTER IX - - THE HONOUR OF AN ALBANIAN 129 - - CHAPTER X - - SOME RIDDLES AND A NURSERY RHYME 142 - - CHAPTER XI - - IN THE SMALL HOURS 154 - - CHAPTER XII - - THE SWAMP 164 - - CHAPTER XIII - - A LANDSLIP IN THE HILLS 177 - - CHAPTER XIV - - A RUSH THROUGH THE RAPIDS 188 - - CHAPTER XV - - THE END OF THE CRUISE 207 - - CHAPTER XVI - - RECONCILIATION AND REWARDS 231 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - PAGE - - THE NEW AND THE OLD (_frontispiece_): _see page_ 14 - - A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT 73 - - A TENSE MOMENT 156 - - THE RAPIDS OF THE BLACK DRIN 199 - - MAP OF THE ROUTE OF THE GYRO-CAR, _to face page_ 11 - - -[Illustration: THE ROUTE OF THE GYRO-CAR] - - - - -CHAPTER I - -INTRODUCES THE GYRO-CAR - - -Among the passengers who alighted from the train at the terminus of -Shepperton, the little village near the Thames, one evening in early -summer, was a young man differing noticeably, but in a way not easy to -define, from all the rest. He was tall, but so were many; dark, but -most men are dark; bronzed, but the young men who spent idle hours in -sculling or punting on the river were as suntanned as he. Nor was it -anything in his attire that marked him out from his fellow-men, unless, -perhaps, that he was a trifle “smarter” than they. Yet many eyes had -been attracted to him as he walked down the platform at Waterloo, -and many followed him, at Shepperton station, as he stepped out of -the compartment and doffed his soft hat to a young girl, who stood -evidently awaiting him, and whose face lit up at his approach. - -“Hullo, kid!” he said, in the young Briton’s casual manner of greeting. -“Where’s George?” - -“He’ll be here in a minute or two,” replied the girl. “I _am_ glad to -see you, Maurice.” - -“Thanks. How’s Aunt?” - -“The same as ever,” said the girl with a smile. “Have you brought your -luggage?” - -“Just a valise. The porter has it. Take it to that fly, will you?” he -added, as the man came up. - -“Oh! Wait a minute,” said his sister, laying a hand on his arm. “George -will be here in a minute.” - -“That means ten, unless George has reformed. Well, well, children must -be humoured.” - -Brother and sister stood side by side chatting. The porter set the -valise down by the fence. We may take advantage of the delay to explain -that Maurice Buckland was one of the secretaries of the British agency -at Sofia, and had come home on short leave. It was nearly two years -since he was last in England. Affairs in the Balkans had been in a very -ticklish condition, the focus of interest to all the chancelleries of -Europe. A grave crisis had just been settled peaceably after a long -diplomatic game of Puss in the Corner, and Buckland was at last free to -take his well-earned holiday. - -He showed an impatience far from diplomatic as the minutes flew by, and -his younger brother George did not appear. - -“Really, Sheila----” he began after five minutes. - -“Please, a little longer,” interrupted his sister. “George has a -surprise for you.” - -“Has he, indeed! The greatest surprise would have been to find him -punctual. What is he cracking his wits on now?” - -“I mustn’t tell you. I wish he would come.” - -They stood at the gate. A hungry flyman touched his hat. The porter was -distracted between keeping one eye on the valise, the other on an old -lady who seemed determined to enter the train before it had shunted to -the up-platform. - -Five more minutes passed. - -“His surprise can keep,” said Maurice. “Porter!” - -The man shouldered the valise and carried it to the waiting fly. -Buckland and his sister entered the vehicle, the driver shut the door, -touched his hat, clambered to his seat, and drove off. He knew the -address; for the past year The Acacias, on the Chertsey Road, had -been occupied by the Hon. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene, a middle-aged widow -who kept house for her orphan nephew and niece. The fly rattled along -through the village. - -About half a mile from the station, as every one knows, the road sweeps -round in a sharp curve to the right. To the left, at right-angles with -it, stands the Anchor Hotel, with the vicarage adjacent and the old -ivy-clad church beyond. Just as the fly reached the curve, there was a -warning hoot from the opposite direction, and Buckland, glancing past -the driver, saw a motor-car of unusual shape rushing towards them -at the speed of an express train. With great presence of mind, and -a violent execration, the flyman whipped up his horse and pulled it -sharply to the near side towards the little post-office. Quick as he -was, he could not prevent an accident. The motor-car, indeed, did not -cut the horse and vehicle in two, as had seemed imminent, but merely -grazed the off hind-wheel. Its occupant let forth a shout; the flyman -had much ado to prevent his horse from bolting; and the motor-car, -swerving from the shock, and wrenched round by its driver, dashed -across the road, into the brick wall that bounds the curve, and fell -with a crash. - -“Oh! He’s killed!” cried Sheila, rising to spring from the fly. - -“Sit still,” said her brother sternly, holding her down. “Pull up, -driver.” - -“Easier said nor done,” growled the man, “with the hoss scared out of -its wits.” - -But in a few seconds he had the horse in hand, and pulled up a few -yards down the road. Buckland then helped his sister out, and rushed to -see what had become of his unfortunate brother. The landlord, ostler, -and boots of the Anchor were already on the spot; the proprietor of the -Old King’s Head opposite was running to join his rival; and as Buckland -came up, the vicar hastened out of his gate in his shirt-sleeves. - -The late occupant of the car, a young fellow of eighteen or -thereabouts, turned from contemplating his battered machine to greet -his brother. - -“Hullo, old man!” he said. “Here’s a pretty mess!” - -“H’m! No bones broken, then. Is this your surprise?” said the elder -brother in his best ironical manner. - -“More or less,” replied George with a rueful grin. “Why didn’t you wait -for me?” - -“It appears that by not doing so I narrowly escaped extinction.” - -“She’s a beauty, really, you know--or was,” said George. - -“I notice a beautiful hole in the wall. But come, we are being stared -at by the whole population. What are you going to do with this -beautiful machine of yours?” - -“I shall have to put her into garage for to-night, and get her to my -workshop for repairs to-morrow. The front wheel is buckled; it’s a -wonder the whole thing isn’t smashed. If you had only waited, instead -of taking a wretched old fly, we should have been safe home by this -time.” - -“Meanwhile the fly is waiting. I will leave you to make your -arrangements, and may I beg you to be expeditious.” - -Maurice Buckland affected at times a formal mode of speech that his -brother, fresh from Winchester, found very galling. - -Maurice returned to the fly with his sister, ignoring the crowd which -had by this time gathered about the car. Having seen this wheeled by -a score of helpers into the garage attached to the Old King’s Head, -George rejoined the others, and the homeward journey was resumed. - -“Just my luck!” said George. “I was going to drive you home in fine -style. That’s my new gyro-car.” - -“Indeed!” - -“It goes like winking.” - -“So I saw,” said Maurice dryly. - -“Yes; my own idea, you know--that is, it’s an adaptation of Louis -Brennan’s mono-rail car. You saw it has four wheels tandem; it’s like a -motor bicycle. You’ve heard of the gyroscope, of course?” - -“I am not aware that I have.” - -“Goodness! Is Sofia such a dead-alive place as that? I’ll show you how -it works to-morrow.” - -“Spare me! I have seen how it plays the dickens with time-honoured -means of locomotion.” - -“But, you know, it’s a splendid----” - -“So are you, dear boy, but if you’ll allow me to say so, it was quite -time I came home. As your guardian, I must really exercise a little -restraint upon your exuberance. Your allowance is clearly far too big, -if you are squandering it in devising means for the slaughter of your -innocent fellow creatures.” - -George felt somewhat resentful of his brother’s superior attitude, and -held his peace for a minute or two. But his enthusiasm soon got the -better of him, and he began again. - -“It’s perfectly stunning, Maurice, the way she goes: isn’t it, Sheila?” - -“Yes; it really is, Maurice,” said the girl eagerly. “We have had some -splendid rides.” - -“Do I understand that you are so dead to all decency of feeling as to -endanger your only sister’s life as well as your own?” said Maurice -severely. - -“There’s no risk at all,” replied George; “that is, no more than in -an ordinary motor. It was simply a piece of rotten bad luck. The -gyroscopes are all right, but there’s a terrific amount of side thrust -in turning a corner, and they’ve watered the road recently, so that in -making allowance for the possibility of skidding----” - -“Pray don’t treat me to a lecture on mechanics. The accident, as I -conceive it, was the fault of your making an ass of yourself.” - -“Here we are,” said Sheila, before George could answer, as the fly drew -up at the gate of a large house. “We’ve got a lovely lawn, Maurice; I -hope you’ve brought your tennis racquet.” - -“My dear child, we have left the dark ages behind,” replied her brother -acidly, and the two others, as they followed him into the house, felt -that Maurice was even more insufferable than when he first put on high -collars. - -This impression was deepened at the dinner-table. The Honourable Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene was a dowager of severe and wintry aspect, who wore -pince-nez and had the habit of “looking down her nose,” as George -irreverently put it. During dinner she and Maurice exchanged notes -about common acquaintances, ignoring George until a chance mention -of the gyro-car drew upon him a battery of satire, reproof, and -condemnation. - -“I shudder for our reputation,” said the lady. “We are already, I am -sure, the talk of the neighbourhood.” - -“Judging by what I have seen,” said Maurice, “we shall be lucky if we -are not more than the talk. It will be manslaughter, at the least.” - -“And our name will be in the papers!” said Mrs. Courtenay-Greene. “I -live in a constant state of nervous terror. A motor accident on the -road is disgraceful enough, but George is actually talking of running -his ridiculous machine on the river.” - -“Well, Aunt,” began George, but the lady closed her eyes and waved her -hands as though warding off something ineffably contaminating. - -“I will not listen to your plausible impertinences,” she said. -“Maurice, shall we go and hear Tetrazzini to-morrow?” - -George looked daggers at his aunt, and stole away as soon as dinner was -finished, to talk over his grievances with Sheila. - -Next day, he went early into the village, and returned in an hour or -two, sitting on a lorry next to the driver, the damaged car behind him. -It was taken to his workshop at the foot of the garden. Maurice was -walking on the lawn, smoking a cigarette. He did not so much as lift -his eyes as the vehicle passed, and George turned his head aside: the -brothers might have been strangers. - -For several days George was hardly to be seen. He had ordered a new -front wheel and fork from the maker, and until they arrived forbore -to speak of the gyro-car, and occupied himself in repairing the -wind-screen in front, and in working at various mechanical models with -which he was experimenting. He was going up to Cambridge in October, -and the science master at his school foretold that he would take a -first-class in the engineering tripos, if he would only concentrate -himself and not dabble in things outside the curriculum. - -The new parts arrived. On the next day Maurice was strolling past the -workshop, which he had never yet deigned to enter, when his attention -was arrested by the sight of his brother’s car standing by itself on -the path. A faint humming proceeded from its interior. George was not -to be seen. In spite of himself, Maurice found himself gazing at the -machine with interest, for, though it had four wheels tandem, and was -not supported on either side, it stood perfectly upright. He glanced -round furtively to make sure that his brother was not watching, and -then walked round the car, stooping at every few paces to look beneath -it and assure himself that he was not mistaken. There were no supports; -the machine was actually balancing itself on its four wheels. - -“Rummy!” he murmured. “How’s it done?” - -He was peeping over the side of the car, when George’s voice hailed him -heartily. - -“Hallo, Maurice! Isn’t she a beauty?” - -Instantly he moved away, and began to stroll down the path as if -nothing could be less worthy of his attention. - -“Swank!” said George to himself. - -He turned the starting-handle, mounted into the car, depressed the -clutch-pedal, and having advanced the speed-lever a little, ran up the -path, out at the front gate, and disappeared. - -Maurice flung his cigarette away, looking a trifle disconcerted. He -went to his room opening on to the road, and remained at the window -until he heard the hum of the car returning. Then he slipped into the -garden, and was sauntering up and down, when George ran the machine -down the path to its garage. - -“I’ve had a jolly spin,” said George. “Nearly ran into a foreign fellow -in the village: there appears to be a little colony of foreigners -there: come to try boating, I suppose.” - -He sprang out of the car, causing it to set up a slight rocking motion, -and went into his workshop. Maurice stood at a distance of a few yards, -contemplating what was to him an embodied mystery. - -The machine was several feet longer than an ordinary motor-car, but -about half as wide, and shaped like a boat. Indeed, its general -appearance was that of a motor-cycle which had broken through the -bottom of a rowing boat. Abaft amidships there was a seat for two -persons, arranged pannier fashion, and sunk somewhat below the top of -the framework on which it rested. A little to the rear of the seat was -a glass chamber, in which were two top-like things, connected by a bar. -It was, apparently, from these that the humming proceeded, but they -were not visibly rotating, though they swayed slightly. In front was -the casing, presumably covering the motor; behind was a similar object, -but smaller. - -George came out of the workshop. - -“Hallo!” he said, as if recognising his brother for the first time. -“Taking a squint?” - -“What are those things?” asked Maurice, nodding towards the glass case. - -“Those? Oh, they’re the gyroscopes.” - -He got into the car, and let down, one on each side, two supports, -each with a small wheel at the end. Then he moved a lever to stop the -spinning of the gyroscopes, got out again, lifted the cover of the -motor, and proceeded to oil the engine. For some time not a word was -spoken. Then Maurice broke the silence. - -“Er! H’m! What, may I ask, is a gyroscope?” - -“A top.” - -“H’m! Do you think you could manage to speak in words of more than one -syllable?” - -“Well, gyroscope has three.” - -“Undoubtedly. I am still a little doubtful as to the accuracy of -your definition, or perhaps I should say, of the perfectness of my -apprehension. Will you condescend to be lucid?” - -“Oh, you want to be treated to a lecture in mechanics, do you? Are you -sure it won’t hurt you? Aren’t you afraid of your name getting into the -papers?” - -Maurice opened his cigarette-case and offered it to his brother. - -“Thanks, old man,” said George, contritely. “Got a light?” - -Maurice struck a match, replaced the box in his pocket with -deliberation, and said: - -“George, old boy, what _is_ a gyroscope?” - -“Well, old man, it’s a sort of top, as you see. They’re stopping: it -takes some time when they’re going at 5,000 a minute. You can see ’m -spinning now. They’re in a vacuum, to get rid of air resistance and -skin friction, and so you get a high velocity with a minimum of power.” - -“That is not beyond my intelligence. Proceed with your lecture, and, if -I may make a suggestion, begin with the use of this--gyroscope, I think -you said.” - -“It’s to keep the machine steady--balance it, you know.” - -“I saw that it remained upright when stationary. That is very -remarkable.” - -“But that’s not all. Having two, I can take the sharpest corners with -the greatest ease. I set them spinning in opposite directions, and they -are so linked that as one sways to one side, the other sways to the -other, so that the car doesn’t topple in turning a corner.” - -“The machine apparently goes like a bicycle, with this difference, that -you can stop dead without tumbling?” - -“Yes, but it’s better than a bicycle. A cyclist has to keep his machine -upright: the gyroscopes do that, and you can give your whole attention -to steering. The wheels being tandem, too, I can use ball-bearings. -I’ve got a petrol motor that actuates a dynamo, and so avoid the -necessity of altering the gear going up-hill, and the noise it makes.” - -In his enthusiasm he had forgotten his brother’s former aloofness, and -was now bent on instructing him. He proceeded with a piece of stick to -draw a diagram on the gravel in illustration of the scientific details -he gave. - -Maurice listened and looked patiently, but at the end of five minutes’ -technical explanation he yawned and said: - -“Ah! Very interesting, but quite beyond me. In other respects the thing -is an ordinary motor-car?” - -“Yes, but as much faster as a bicycle is faster than a tricycle. I can -go faster than a four-wheeled motor of double the horsepower.” - -“A doubtful advantage. The temptation to exceed the speed limit must be -rather distressing.” - -“Besides, being so much narrower, it can go where a motor cannot.” - -“That would certainly be an advantage in a tight place, but I presume -they don’t allow you to run on the pavement? By the bye,” continued -Maurice, “I see that your gyro-car, as you call it, has no doors, and -you have to vault over the side in getting in and out. That strikes me -as being somewhat of an inconvenience, and an unnecessary one, to boot.” - -“Not a bit of it. The car is built so low that it doesn’t matter. -Besides, it’s an amphibious animal, old man; any sort of opening in the -sides would hardly tend to increase its sea-worthiness.” - -“You don’t mean to say that the thing goes in the water too?” said -Maurice, genuinely surprised. - -“Aha! I thought I’d surprise you. I tell you what, Maurice, we’ll go -for a spin this afternoon, and I’ll show you how it goes, both on land -and water: that is, if you’re not afraid to trust your precious skin to -me.” - -“My dear boy, I have made my will. Let us wait and see the condition of -my pulse after luncheon.” - - - - -CHAPTER II - -UNWELCOME ATTENTIONS - - -The gyro-car ran that afternoon with such easy speed that Maurice -Buckland was stirred out of his carefully cultivated indifference. -Before it had gone a quarter of a mile he had ejaculated “By George!” -three times in a crescendo of admiration, and gave a hearty assent to -George’s assertion that “she” was a spanker. Nor was he perturbed when -she narrowly shaved a foreign-looking man hanging about at the corner -of the road that led to the Weybridge Ferry. After half an hour’s -spin George suggested that they should try her on the water, but then -Maurice relapsed into his former sceptical manner, and declared that he -had had enough for one day. - -On the way back they again passed the foreigner, who stood aside and -watched the strange car as it flashed by. - -“Did you notice the greedy look on that fellow’s face?” said George. - -“I am not in the least interested in him,” replied Maurice coldly. - -“I suppose not. You see foreign Johnnies every day. He looked as if he -wished the car were his. Will you come on the river to-morrow?” - -“No. I am going to Town.” - -“You’ll let me drive you to the station?” - -“By all means, if you’ll promise to go carefully round the corner.” - -“Rather! Those old flies are dangerous, and ought to be abolished.” - -Next afternoon George had the pleasure of driving his brother to the -station. As they passed the Anchor they noticed a large motor-car -with a yellow body standing at the door of the little hotel. -Several foreigners were lounging on the garden seat in front of the -coffee-room. They broke off their conversation as the gyro-car ran -by, looking after it with curiosity. A minute after it arrived at the -station the motor-car dashed up. Two men alighted from it, and went -into the booking-office, where Maurice had just taken his ticket. -George did not leave the gyro-car or wait to see the train off, but -called a good-bye to Maurice over the fence, and promised to meet him -on his return. - -Maurice came back by the train arranged. The gyro-car was awaiting him. -Behind it stood the yellow motor-car, and Maurice was followed out of -the gate by the two foreigners who had travelled by the up train. - -“One of those fellows is a Count something or other,” said George as -they drove back. “A general too. The village is quite excited about -him.” - -“British snobbishness!” said Maurice. “They came down in my -compartment: don’t know our ways, I suppose.” - -“How do you mean?” - -“There was another smoker two compartments off, quite empty, but they -came in with me: don’t know we prefer to travel alone when we can.” - -“British standoffishness!” said George with a smile. “Did they speak to -you?” - -“Yes. It was rather amusing. They spoke in French about all sorts of -subjects, and by and by got on to ‘le cricket,’ as they called it--with -the deliberate purpose of attracting my attention, I believe. They -talked the most fearful tosh. By-and-by one of them turned to me. ‘I -beg your pardon, sir,’ he said, in excellent English, ‘but I see that -Kent has beaten Yorkshire by three wickets. Will you have the goodness -to explain precisely what that means?’” - -“What did you say?” asked George. - -“Oh! I explained to them that the wickets were three stumps stuck in -the ground, and without waiting for any more, the man turned to his -companion and said, ‘Eh bien! Je l’ai bien dit. Les vainqueurs rossent -les vaincus avec les stomps.’” - -“Construe, construe, old man: they didn’t speak French like that at -school.” - -“More’s the pity. What he said was: ‘I told you so. The winners whack -the losers with the stumps.’” - -“By gum!” said George with a laugh. “That stumped ’em. What happened -next?” - -“Oh! I buried myself behind my paper. I dislike extremely being -disturbed in that way.” - -“There are about half a dozen altogether,” said George. “The Count -and another are at the Anchor: the rest, servants, I suppose, have -overflowed into the Old King’s Head. Rather hard on the boating-men, -isn’t it? Several couldn’t get rooms to-day.” - -“Really, George, I hope you are not becoming a Paul Pry.” - -“Of course not. Sheila went into the post-office to get some stamps, -and had it all thrown at her by the girl there. Foreign counts are a -rarity in Shepperton. What in the world brought them here? They don’t -appear to go in for boating.” - -“My dear fellow, does it matter?” - -“Well no, but it’s funny, that’s all.” - -Mrs. Courtenay-Greene agreed with her elder nephew that it was -undesirable to pay any attention to the strangers, even though one of -them was a count and a general. - -“It is perfectly shocking,” she said, “the way we are being eaten up by -aliens.” - -To Maurice Buckland’s great annoyance, however, it proved impossible -to avoid the foreigners. If he walked to the village, he was bound to -meet some of them. Whenever he went to Town, it appeared that one or -more of the party had business there too. Sometimes they returned by -the same train, and then, no matter how many empty compartments there -might be, his privacy was sure to be invaded. Once, when the train was -full, the man whom he supposed to be the count entered the compartment -at the last moment, and stood between Maurice and the passenger -opposite, courteously apologising for the inconvenience he caused. -Room was made for him when some of the passengers got out at Clapham -Junction, and he seated himself next to Maurice, and remarked on the -immensity of the station. His manner was so polite and conciliatory -that it was impossible to snub him outright, but Maurice took refuge in -a cold reserve that discouraged further advances. - -One day George persuaded his brother to attempt a spin on the river. -They ran the gyro-car down on to the ferryboat, and George having made -the necessary adjustments, took the water and proceeded up stream -in the direction of the lock. Only a minute or two afterwards the -yellow motor-car came dashing down the road. Three of the foreigners -dismounted from it, hired a boat, and followed in the wake of the -gyro-car, which had by this time entered the lock. The gates were still -open; the lock-keeper thought it hardly worth while to fill and empty -for the sake of one toll. Consequently, as the gyro-car lay against -the side, waiting, the Bucklands saw the foreigners’ boat coming in at -the lower gates, and zigzagging in a manner that proved its occupants -to be inexperienced watermen. - -George smiled as he watched the men’s clumsy movements. The boat -entered the lock, the gates were shut, and the lock-keeper ran along -the side to let in water at the upper end. When the vessels lay -opposite to each other, with only a narrow space between them, it was -natural enough that a word or two should be exchanged between their -occupants; and George, who was free from any taint of standoffishness, -responded readily to the distinguished-looking stranger in the stern of -the boat when he said: - -“This is a very remarkable car of yours, sir. I have seen it once or -twice, and always with great admiration.” - -At the same time he made a courteous salute to Maurice, who -acknowledged it freezingly. - -“Yes, it _is_ rather useful,” said George, flattered by the stranger’s -attentions. A conversation ensued between them, in which George -described his mechanism with some minuteness. The gyro-car was simply -a hobby; he had no idea of making a secret of it; and the stranger’s -interest was so genuine, and yet so devoid of inquisitiveness, that -George was soon on friendly terms with him. - -While they were talking, the upper sluices were opened, and the water -poured with rush and whirl into the lock. The mechanism formed another -topic of conversation, which lasted until the lock was filled, the -keeper had collected the toll, and there was free access to the higher -reach. - -“I am very much interested,” said the stranger. “Permit me, sir.” He -handed George a card. “I am staying with my secretary at the Anchor -Hotel, and I shall be charmed if you will do me the honour to call -on me there. And you also, I need not say, sir,” he added, bowing to -Maurice. - -“Thanks awfully,” said George. - -“I am exceedingly obliged,” said Maurice. - -Salutations were exchanged; the gyro-car ran smoothly out of the lock, -and the boat followed slowly, watched with a quizzical eye by the -keeper. - -“General Count Slavianski,” read George from the card. “Russian, -Maurice?” - -“Or Polish. You will not call on the man?” - -“I don’t see why not.” - -“Oh, well, do as you please, but don’t drag me with you. I am fed up -with continentals.” - -George called next day on Count Slavianski at the hotel, and was -charmed with his new acquaintance, and also with Major Rostopchin, his -secretary. He would have liked to return their hospitality, but Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene refused to have anything to do with them, so that -the budding friendship did not develop. One of the Count’s servants -scraped acquaintance with the under-gardener at the Acacias, who told -his fellow-servants that the foreigner was a decent chap, and a dab at -billiards, as he had discovered at the Old King’s Head. - -Three weeks went by. One Monday morning Maurice received a letter from -the Foreign Office requesting him to call that afternoon on important -business. He took the 2.10 train to Waterloo, carrying a black official -bag in which he had a few unimportant papers that he intended to leave -at the office. Just as the train was on the point of starting, two of -the Count Slavianski’s servants rushed through the gate and sprang into -the nearest third-class compartment. Maurice congratulated himself that -they were not the Count himself and his secretary; he was a little -tired of the too-frequent company of those gentlemen. - -At Waterloo he entered a taxi-cab, which landed him within a few -minutes at the door of the Foreign Office in Whitehall. He was somewhat -surprised when he learnt that his interview was to be, not with one of -the principal clerks, but with the Foreign Secretary himself, and still -more surprised at the communication which that great man made to him. - -“Good afternoon, Mr. Buckland,” he said. “I am sorry to cut short your -leave, but you must return to Sofia at once. I have a despatch of -the highest importance for your chief, and you must start to-morrow. -I wanted to see you myself, for this reason: it will be better for -you to go by some route that does not pass through Austrian or German -territory. That is unfortunate on the score of time, for the quickest -way is undoubtedly by Vienna; but you will remember that during the -last crisis a Montenegrin Minister was stopped and searched by the -Austrians--a flagrant violation of the etiquette of civilised nations, -but one that Montenegro was not strong enough to resent.” - -“I understand, sir,” said Buckland. - -“I need not enter into particulars with you,” pursued the Secretary. -“It is enough to say that things are once more looking exceedingly -black in the Balkans--so black that I do not care to trust to the -telegraph. The despatch will be written to-night, and you will call for -it to-morrow in time to catch the day train for Paris. Probably your -best course will be to go straight to Brindisi, where I will arrange -for a torpedo-boat to meet you and convey you to Constantinople. From -Constantinople you will go by train to Sofia. The Paris train leaves -Charing Cross at 2.20, as you know; you will find the despatch ready -for you by 11.” - -The Secretary was a man of few words. He had given his instructions, -and had nothing more to say. Buckland withdrew, left his papers with -one of the clerks, and, looking at his watch, saw that he had plenty of -time to catch the 5 o’clock train from Waterloo. - -When he left the Foreign Office, the news-boys were crying the evening -papers, and on one of the bills Buckland read, in large block letters, -the words BALKAN CRISIS. It was clear that the foreign correspondents -had already got hold of something. He wished that the Secretary had -been more communicative; it was tantalising to carry an important -despatch of whose contents he knew nothing. No doubt it was an -instruction as to the policy of the British Government. He bought two -or three papers to see what the rumours were, then turned into the -National Club to wait until it was time to return to Waterloo. Just as -he entered the door he saw one of Count Slavianski’s men, who had come -up by the same train from Shepperton, walking along from the direction -of Trafalgar Square. The man gave him a salute and passed on. - -The few men in the club smoking-room were talking about the news -from the Balkans. Buckland, an infrequent visitor, was unknown to -them, and they went on with their conversation, while he sat by the -window reading his papers. He smiled as he caught an oracular remark -occasionally, in a keen discussion as to what the British policy would -be. As to that he knew no more than they, but his knowledge of the -general situation enabled him to listen to their random shots with -amusement. - -What he knew was as follows. - -Austria, having absorbed the Bosnian provinces some years before, -and digested them with more or less satisfaction to herself, was now -hungry for another meal. The raids of a number of Servian bands into -the discontented portion of the annexed territories had given her a -cause of complaint against Servia. The Serbs of Montenegro had been -implicated in these raids, and it was common knowledge that Austria had -long fixed a covetous eye on the little mountain principality which -had lately become a kingdom. The papers now announced that three army -corps were mobilising on the south-eastern frontier of the empire, -threatening Belgrade and Cettinje. It was not announced, but all -well-informed people knew, that behind Austria in these movements, as -in the earlier annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the second -member of the Triple Alliance--Germany. - -The question that interested journalists, clubmen, and the Services -was, what attitude would Britain take up in face of this menacing -action? She had not shown up very well when Bosnia and Herzegovina -were absorbed; would she do anything now to protect the tiny kingdom -of Montenegro against her powerful neighbour? Buckland suspected that -these questions would be answered in the despatch which he was to -receive for conveyance to his chief. He hoped and believed that the -answers would satisfy all who cherished the prestige of Britain. The -British Cabinet would probably make a firm stand. Russia was now much -more able to stiffen her back than she had been during the previous -crisis, when she was only beginning to recover from the strain of -the war with Japan. Turkey, too, was in a better position to resist -the southward movement by which Austria was creeping to her ultimate -goal--Constantinople. An improved government, and a general overhauling -of the army and navy, had made her a power to be reckoned with. The -third member of the Triple Alliance--Italy--certainly had no interest -in seeing an Austro-German Empire extend from the Balkans to the -Bosphorus, perhaps, indeed, to the Euphrates. Britain might therefore -expect support from the Powers which had formerly been helpless. - -One unfortunate element in the situation was the probability that -Austria would have assistance from the mountaineers of Albania. These -had always looked with suspicion on the reforms in Turkey, and their -distrust had of late been carefully fomented by Austrian agents. - -This being the general situation, the attitude of Bulgaria was of the -highest importance in the calculations of each of the Powers concerned. -It was rumoured that Austria was tempting Bulgaria with promises of -large territorial gains when the projected dismemberment of Turkey -became an accomplished fact. Bulgaria had an excellently appointed -army; her support would be of great value to Montenegro; and the -diplomacy of the interested Powers was therefore keenly engaged in the -attempt to sway the counsels of the Government at Sofia. Buckland’s -despatch would without doubt convey the advice of the British Cabinet, -through their representative. - -Such were the facts, and such the speculations, discussed in the papers -on that July afternoon. Buckland had a cup of tea in the club, and at -4.40 hailed a taxicab to drive him to Waterloo. The 5 o’clock train was -not crowded. Many of its usual passengers were holiday-making; it was -too early for the rush of men returning from business. Buckland settled -himself in the near corner of an empty first-class compartment, placing -his official bag on the seat next to him. A few moments before 5, Count -Slavianski and his secretary strolled down the platform, smoking very -fat cigars, and entered the compartment in which Buckland was seated. - -“A beautiful day, is it not?” said the Count genially, as he stepped -past Buckland. - -“Rather hot in town,” replied Buckland, burying his face in his -newspaper. Really, these intrusive Russians were very annoying. - -The two foreigners occupied the far corners of the compartment, and -chatted to each other on subjects in which Buckland took no interest. -The train crawled down the line; it takes forty-seven minutes to -perform its short journey of nineteen miles; and Buckland felt rather -sleepy. At Sunbury, just as the guard’s whistle sounded, the two -foreigners suddenly jumped up, the Count saying to his secretary in -French, “We must get out here.” There was a moment of hurry-scurry; -the train was already in motion when the two men sprang on to the -platform. The Count waved his hand to Buckland, with a hurried “Bon -soir, monsieur!” and Buckland wondered for a brief moment why they had -alighted a station short of Shepperton. But he was so little interested -in them that before he reached his own station he had forgotten them. - -When the train drew up, he rose and took up the black bag from the -seat. An unaccustomed something in the feel of the handle caused him to -look at it. It was exactly similar to his own bag, but it was not his. - -“I suppose I took up the wrong bag at the Foreign Office,” he said to -himself; “though I didn’t notice anything in the feel of it before.” - -The bag was not locked, and he opened it There was nothing in it but a -morning newspaper. - -The household at the Acacias was variously sorry when Buckland -announced his immediate departure. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene was regretful -at losing the company of a man of the world; Sheila was fond of her -brother when he allowed his natural self to appear; and George had -found him a very pleasant companion since he had become interested in -the gyro-car. - -“How rotten!” said the boy on hearing the news. “Why can’t they let you -enjoy your holiday in peace?” - -“My dear George,” replied Maurice, “our little private concerns are as -dust swept by a broom when world-forces are at work. You’ll learn that -some day.” - -George merely snorted. - -Before dinner Maurice made all his preparations for leaving by the 10 -o’clock train in the morning. After coffee and a game of billiards he -scribbled a note to an old college friend with whom he had arranged -to spend a few days in the following week, and went out with George -to post it at the little post-office opposite the Anchor Hotel. When -they reached their gate they saw a man walking slowly up the road, and -at the second glance recognised him by the light of a gas-lamp as one -of the servants of Count Slavianski. He turned at the sound of their -footsteps, but immediately faced about and went on more quickly towards -the village. - -Maurice Buckland was not by nature a suspicious man, but the sight of -the foreigner brought to his recollection the incidents of the day and -of the past fortnight, and for the first time he wondered whether he -was being dogged. The arrival of the foreigners in the village a few -days after his own; their apparent want of occupation; their frequent -visits to town, going and returning by the same trains as himself; -their persistent endeavours to improve their acquaintance with him: -all these incidents, which appeared to have no special significance -when they happened, seemed now, in the light of the European situation, -to gain importance. He recalled the strange matter of the bag, and, -thinking backward, fancied he remembered that the Count’s secretary had -a black bag when he entered the carriage at Waterloo. If in the hurry -of their departure at Sunbury they had taken his bag by mistake, surely -it would have been returned by this time; his name was in it. Short -though his experience in the diplomatic world had been, he was alive to -the dangers of espionage; was it possible that Count Slavianski and his -subordinates were agents of one of the Powers? - -“A penny for your thoughts,” said George suddenly. - -Maurice slackened his pace. - -“What would you say to your friend the Count being a spy?” he replied -in a low tone. - -“I say, do you mean it?” said George. “What a lark! Who is he spying -on?” - -“Speak low, and I’ll tell you what I suspect.” - -He told George some of the essential facts of the situation, winding up -with the incident of the bag. - -“It’s rummy, certainly,” said George, considerably excited. “But do -you think it’s likely? Why should half a dozen foreigners spy on you? -What reason have they to suppose that you would have any information of -importance to them?” - -“Only this; that I am the only member of our agency at present in -London. These foreigners do things very thoroughly; it is not at all -unlikely that they would keep me under observation. The Count did not -travel up with me to-day, but two of his men did. I wonder whether you -could find out discreetly, in the village, when the Count went up?” - -“Oh! I can tell you that. I went down to the village this afternoon to -arrange for some petrol to be sent up. I was standing near the door of -the King’s Head, when I saw a telegraph boy go into the Anchor with a -telegram, and a minute afterwards the Count and his secretary came out, -got into the motor, and rushed off full pelt to the station, just in -time for the 4 o’clock.” - -“Sharp work!” said Maurice. “Those fellows must have handed in a -telegram directly we got to Waterloo. No doubt they heard me tell the -taxi-driver to drive to the Foreign Office, and the Count hurried up -to see what he could get. He couldn’t have reached Waterloo more than -five minutes before the down train started. He must have arranged for -the car to meet him at Sunbury, so that there would be no inquiries -about the exchange of bags here. My bag was empty; it’s lucky the -Secretary hadn’t his despatch ready.” - -By this time they had reached the post-office. Maurice slipped his -letter into the aperture, and threw a look round. The man who had -preceded them along the road had disappeared. There were lights in the -Anchor, but no one was in sight. - -“I say, Maurice,” said George as they returned, “would a nobleman -descend to such dirty work as spying?” - -“If he’s a spy, he’s no more a count than I am,” Maurice replied. “He’s -probably some clever rascal with a turn for languages; certainly his -appearance and manner would pass muster anywhere. Of course I may be -utterly mistaken; but seeing this is an important business, it will be -just as well to take a few precautions to cover my departure to-morrow. -We’ll suppose they are actually spying on me. Well, if I leave the -house with baggage they’ll know I’m off on a journey, and will dog me. -I’ll go up by the 10 o’clock without my valise, and one or more of -those fellows will come too, you may be sure. They won’t watch you in -my absence; you can bring up my valise by your gyro-car, and meet me -in the lounge of the Grand Hotel at Charing Cross after I’ve left the -Foreign Office. You can leave the car in the garage. Don’t go through -the village, and they won’t be any the wiser.” - -“I say, this is jolly. It will be no end of a lark to do them. But look -here, old boy, if they are spies, they must keep watch night and day.” - -“I daresay they do. We’ll find that out.” - -About midnight the brothers, wearing overcoats and slippers, left the -house by the backdoor, stole along the shrubbery that bounded it on -one side, and so came to the hedge dividing the garden from the road. -George crawled through the hedge at the bottom where the foliage was -thinnest, and peered up the road towards the village. Nobody was in -sight. But as they went up to their bedrooms they glanced out of a -window on the staircase, overlooking the field on the other side of the -road. A full moon threw its light from behind the house. Just beyond -the hedge of the field opposite they caught sight of a man smoking a -cigar. - -“There’s our proof,” said Maurice quietly. - -“By gum! we’ll dish them,” cried his brother. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE YELLOW CAR - - -Next morning Maurice left the house at half-past nine, and walked -through the village to the station, carrying his black bag. Seeing -Count Slavianski and his secretary on the bench in front of the hotel, -he saluted them with a shade less coolness than usual, fully expecting -to hear the motor-car behind him before he was half-way to the station. -To his surprise, however, none of the foreigners arrived in time for -the train, and he supposed that he was to be allowed for once to make -the journey to London unshadowed. This idea was dispelled as soon as -he reached Sunbury. When the train drew up, he saw the Count and his -secretary on the platform. They entered a compartment some little -distance away. - -At Waterloo he stood at the bookstall for a few moments, looking out -for the Russians with sidelong glances. He saw nothing of them. Hailing -a taxi-cab, he was driven to the Foreign Office, which he reached at -a quarter-past eleven. On entering, he was taken this time to the -Under-Secretary’s room. - -“Good morning, Mr. Buckland,” said the official; “I am sorry to say -that the despatch is not yet ready. News came early this morning which -caused the Secretary to modify his instructions to your chief. He has -drafted a new despatch, which is in course of being translated into -cipher. I am afraid it will not be ready for a couple of hours yet.” - -“That will give me time to make a few purchases,” said Buckland. “I -shall be able to catch the two-twenty?” - -“I hope so. It will be a pity to lose half a day.” - -“I will leave my bag with you, then, and return in good time. By the -way, you don’t happen to have heard of a gang of Austrian spies in -London?” - -“Not a word. Why do you ask?” - -“A number of foreigners have been living at Shepperton for a week or -two, and I’ve an idea they may be shadowing me. The chief of them -passes as a Count Slavianski.” - -“I never heard of him. Wait a minute.” - -He touched a bell, and a clerk appeared. - -“Ask Mr. Rowlands if he knows anything of a Count Slavianski, now -lodging at Shepperton.” - -The clerk soon returned. - -“Mr. Rowlands heard of the Count this morning, sir,” he said, “and has -sent Williams down to inquire.” - -“Thank you.” The clerk disappeared. “We shall know more presently. -Perhaps you had better have a detective or two with you, as far as -Dover at any rate.” - -“I think not. They would only draw attention to me and show the -importance of my journey. These fellows, if they are spies, no doubt -have agents abroad, and would put them on the qui vive. I had better go -quietly, and try to find some means of throwing them off the scent.” - -“Just as you please,” said the Under-Secretary, with a smile. - -Buckland went up Whitehall into the Strand, made his purchases, and -started back again to the National Club. There was no sign of the -foreigners. He took an early lunch, and returned to the Foreign Office -at half-past one. The despatch still not being ready, he sat down to -wait. While so doing an idea struck him. He got some Foreign Office -paper, and amused himself by writing an imaginary despatch in the usual -cipher, jotting down the first words that came into his head. This he -sealed up in a long envelope like those that were ordinarily used, but -took the precaution to make a small mark on it, by which he would be -able to distinguish it from the real despatch. - -The minutes flew by. Two o’clock came. Holding his watch in his hand, -he began to doubt his chance of catching the Paris train. At a quarter -past he gave it up. It was half-past before he was summoned to the -Secretary’s room. - -“You have lost the train,” said the Minister. “It was unavoidable, and -is perhaps not altogether unfortunate. The police have just reported a -number of suspicious characters hanging about the termini.” - -“I fancy I have been shadowed this morning, sir,” said Buckland. “A -Count Slavianski has been living at Shepperton for some weeks, with a -suite. A detective has been sent down to make inquiries.” - -“Indeed! Then it will certainly be inadvisable to charter a special -train and hold up the boat at Dover. We must do nothing to attract -attention. I leave the route entirely to your discretion. A -torpedo-boat will be at Brindisi on Friday, but should circumstances -render it necessary for you to choose some other route, you are -perfectly at liberty to do so. One thing is essential: that you should -lose no time.” - -“Might I have an Admiralty launch to put me across the Channel?” asked -Buckland. - -“Certainly. What is your idea?” - -“To dodge these fellows, if I can, and join the slow train to Dover at -some little station down the line. Then I could slip out at Dover Town -station, and cut off to the launch.” - -“That sounds promising. I will telephone to the Admiralty at once.” - -The arrangement was quickly made. Buckland shook hands with the -Secretary, locked the despatch in his bag, and left the building. - -Glancing down Whitehall, he saw one of Count Slavianski’s underlings -forty or fifty yards away on the opposite side of the street. He began -to walk in the other direction towards Trafalgar Square, and was not -much astonished to see another of the foreigners hanging about, in -an apparently aimless manner, nearly the same distance away. As he -went slowly towards the Grand Hotel, this man moved on also. Buckland -crossed the road, and halted to look in at a bookseller’s window. A -glance to the left showed him that the other man had followed him at -about the same pace. There was no longer the least room for doubt. He -was being dogged. - -He went on, and glanced down Northumberland Avenue, on arriving at -the corner. At the entrance of the Victoria Hotel stood a large -racing motor-car, with a yellow body. It was empty, and neither Count -Slavianski nor any of his party was to be seen. But Buckland felt -certain that it was the Count’s car. “A very keen lot,” he thought. -Keeping a careful guard over himself so that he should not betray any -sign of consciousness that he was surrounded by watchers, he walked -into the hall of the Grand Hotel. - -“I thought you were never coming,” said George, springing up to meet -him. “I’ve been here hours. You have lost the train.” - -“Yes. Speak low, and don’t look towards the door. I’ll tell you all -about it.” - -They seated themselves on chairs, placing them where there was no -danger of being overheard. Buckland lit a cigarette. - -“I had to wait while a new despatch was ciphered,” he said. “There’s no -doubt that I’m being shadowed, George. The Count and his secretary got -in at Sunbury; their car’s outside; and I’ve just seen two of their men -in Whitehall.” - -“By gum! the two others are somewhere about. I drove across country -to Richmond, but I believe I saw the yellow car behind me as I came -through Putney. It was a good way behind, and I couldn’t be sure of it. -I had enough to do to steer clear of the traffic from Putney on; but, -you may depend on it, they had their eye on me, and they know I’ve got -your baggage.” - -“Well, it’s pretty clear that they mean business. They’re bent on -intercepting my despatch. We know there are six of them; how many more -we can’t tell; but it looks as if they’ve made their plans on a pretty -large scale.” - -“It must cost a heap of money,” said George. - -“That’s a small matter compared with the value of the information they -hope to get. For every hundred they spend in obtaining news they may -save a million. They mean by hook or crook to find out what England’s -next move is to be, and when they take a matter of that sort in hand -they don’t do things by halves. I’m certain they have made very -complete arrangements to shadow and run down any one passing between -the Foreign Office and our agency at Sofia.” - -“By Jove!” was all that George could utter for a moment. His notion of -it’s being what he had called a “lark” had quite vanished. “What will -you do, old man?” he asked at length. - -“I think I had better slip out by the back entrance in Craven Street, -and make a dash in a taxi for Herne Hill. You stay here till I ’phone -you from the station; then send the porter with my valise to Charing -Cross and tell him to book it through to Paris by the 9 o’clock. I’ll -wait at Herne Hill for the next Dover train.” - -“That sounds all right. But did they see you come in?” - -“You may be sure they did.” - -“Well, they’ll watch for you to come out again.” - -“They may not know of the back entrance. I’ll go and see.” - -He rose and left the hall. In less than five minutes he was back again. - -“One of the fellows is standing at the corner of Craven Street and the -Strand,” he said quietly. “There’s another, whom I don’t recognise, -strolling a little way down the street, and near him there’s a taxi -with its flag down.” - -“Just what you might have expected. You can’t get away without being -seen, that’s clear.” - -“Well, I must simply go openly, and take my chance. Where’s the -gyro-car, by the way?” - -“In the garage.” - -“Then this is what we’ll do. I’ll engage a taxi, and tell the chauffeur -to drive northward, and zigzag for a quarter of an hour or so through -the streets between here and Oxford Street. If he’s up to his work, it -will be impossible for the Count’s motor to keep the taxi in sight. -When we’re clear, we’ll drive straight to Herne Hill. You must get away -as soon as you can without attracting attention; then run out and make -for Herne Hill too. You’ll get along faster than any ordinary motor, -because you can squeeze through the traffic. I hope that I shall draw -them all off, so that they won’t trouble about you; but if they see -you, you must come on as fast as you can, with due regard to the speed -limit. Pick me up at Herne Hill, and run me down to Dover; an Admiralty -launch will be waiting for me there. Have you plenty of petrol?” - -“Enough to drive from here to Edinburgh. This is going to be great -sport after all.” - -Maurice beckoned the hall porter and asked him to call a taxi. In half -a minute it was at the door. Maurice walked out slowly, threw the end -of his cigarette away, and, as he stepped in, told the chauffeur to -drive to 73, Cavendish Square, the first number and address that came -into his head. - -“Beg pardon, sir, there is no number 73,” said the driver. - -“Oh no! Thirty-seven. Drive slowly.” - -At a glance towards the Victoria Hotel, Buckland saw that the yellow -car was no longer there, but he caught sight of it in a moment drawn -up on the south side of Trafalgar Square, opposite the offices of the -Hamburg-American Line. Looking over the lowered tilt of the taxi-cab -he failed to see the car in pursuit, but on reaching the Haymarket he -noticed another taxi-cab about forty yards behind, and behind that, -rapidly overhauling it, a small private motor-car. He was not sure that -these were on his track, and determined to put it to the test. - -“Driver,” he said through the speaking tube, “I think that taxi behind -is following me, and I want to shake it off. Take all the side streets -you come to; never mind about Cavendish Square; a sovereign if you do -it.” - -The cabman winked. He ran up the Haymarket, was checked by a policeman -at Coventry Street; then, when the traffic was parted, cut across into -Windmill Street, swept round into Brewer Street, turned the corner -into Golden Square at a speed that caused an old gentleman to shake -his stick and call for the police, and so by Beak Street into Regent -Street and presently into Savile Row. Long before this the taxi-cab -which had followed was lost in the traffic. - -“Well done,” said Buckland. “Now turn back and hurry to Blackfriars -Bridge, and then to Herne Hill. Choose the quietest streets.” - -He sat well back in the cab, congratulating himself on the success of -his stratagem. The driver made his way by a roundabout course to the -Strand, down Arundel Street to the Temple, and along the Embankment. -At the entrance to De Keyser’s Hotel Buckland noticed a man standing -with his hands in his pockets beside a stationary taxi-cab. No sooner -had Buckland passed than the man darted towards the cab, and said a -few words to a person inside. The vehicle instantly started in pursuit -across the bridge, the man who had given the alarm dashing into the -hotel. - -“Well I’m hanged!” said Buckland to himself; he had watched these -movements intently. The pursuers had evidently guessed that he might -make for one of the southern stations, and had set a watch probably -at all the bridges. He had no doubt that the man who had run into the -hotel was now telephoning to his friends, and the taxi-cab following -close behind would keep him in view. The number of his own cab had -almost certainly been noted as soon as he entered it. - -The affair promised to become even more serious than he had expected. -Considering the best course to follow, he decided that there was -nothing better than to make all speed to Herne Hill, and then get -George to drive him straight to Dover. The Admiralty launch would be -there awaiting him. He could cross the Channel at once, while the -pursuers would have to wait for a boat. - -The chances of the traffic, and the eagerness of the cabman, enabled -him to outstrip the pursuing cab as soon as he had passed the Elephant -and Castle, and it was not in sight when he reached Herne Hill. There -the gyro-car was awaiting him. It was surrounded by an admiring crowd, -and Buckland wished that he could have chosen a less conspicuous -vehicle. Having paid and tipped his driver he sprang into the car. - -“Straight for Dover, George!” he cried. - -“Right. I have kept the gyroscopes working, in case anything happened. -Are they on your track?” - -“Yes. There’s a taxi after me: there it is, not a hundred yards away.” - -“Well, they can’t interfere with you openly. There’s no hurry. They’ll -be sold when they find that you are not going into the station. -Couldn’t we have them arrested?” - -“There’s no time. I should be wanted as a witness. Besides, there’s no -policeman. Now for Dover: you know the road?” - -“Yes. We’ll give them a run, at any rate.” - -The taxi-cab had by this time pulled up, but no one had as yet -alighted from it. George started the gyro-car, and the crowd gave a -cheer as it ran forward at ten miles an hour. The occupant of the -pursuing cab had now stepped out, and stood on the pavement watching -the departing car with ill-concealed chagrin. He was a foreigner, but -not one of those whom the Bucklands had previously seen in the suite of -Count Slavianski. - -“He sees he is no match for us,” said George gleefully. “I think we are -safe now.” - -The suburbs were soon left behind, and as soon as the gyro-car came -into the main Dover Road, away from the bewildering traffic of London, -he increased the speed to twenty miles an hour. - -“Remember the limit,” said Maurice warningly. “We don’t want to be held -up.” - -“We’ll chance it,” replied George. “In any case, they’ll only take our -name and address, and the Government won’t mind paying the fine, I -fancy.” - -The gyro-car ran with much less noise than a motor-cycle, and being -also much less cumbersome than an ordinary motor-car, it was able to -travel at a high speed without attracting too much attention. Its -unusual shape did indeed arouse a certain curiosity and excitement -among pedestrians and carmen, but they were more interested in the -vehicle itself than in any calculation of its speed. There might, of -course, be police traps on the road, but it was probable that before -the police became aware of the approach of a car at excessive speed, it -would have shot past them. - -When they had passed through Gravesend, George ventured to increase the -speed to thirty-five miles. - -“I can get eighty or more out of it, if you like,” he said, and in -truth he was itching to put it to its maximum speed, in defiance of all -regulations. - -“I am quite satisfied as it is,” said Maurice with a smile. “We are -going faster than the ordinary train, and there’s no pursuit.” - -Here and there the speed had to be reduced in order to avoid the -traffic, but the narrowness of the vehicle enabled it to pass with much -less delay than a motor-car. - -“We’re nearly halfway,” said George, as he slowed down on approaching -Sittingbourne. “I say, old man, why shouldn’t I take you all the way to -Brindisi?” - -“My dear fellow----” - -“Oh, I mean it. I can send a wire to Aunt, and get some pyjamas and a -toothbrush in Paris. It would be the jolliest thing out.” - -This suggestion, which Maurice was at first inclined to scout, started -a train of thought. There was very little doubt that Count Slavianski -would take the first train to Dover, in the expectation of crossing the -Channel by the ordinary boat with Buckland. Having made such elaborate -arrangements, he would not stick at trifles to gain his end. On the -9 o’clock train from Charing Cross there would probably be the Count -himself and several of his men. They would cling to his track as he -journeyed across France, and not until he joined the torpedo-boat at -Brindisi could he feel safe. - -Moreover, when he remembered the outrages that had been committed with -impunity on the continental trains, he could not doubt that he would -meet with his greatest dangers on the other side of the Channel. Three -or four desperate men could certainly find or make an opportunity -of attacking him during the long and tedious journey to Brindisi, -especially on the Italian portion of it, when the train, as he well -knew, crawled along for twenty-two hours at an average speed of twenty -miles. He had his revolver, but that would avail him little if the -attack were of the nature of a surprise, as it assuredly would be. -If the train journey could by any means be avoided, he would have a -much better chance of eluding the trackers, keeping a whole skin, and -ensuring the safety of his despatch. - -“I don’t see why we shouldn’t try it,” he said after a minute’s -consideration. - -“Good man!” cried George, delighted. - -“Don’t be in a hurry,” proceeded Maurice. “Your licence doesn’t run in -France.” - -“Of course it doesn’t; but don’t you remember I spent the Easter -holiday in Normandy on a motor-bicycle? I wrote you, didn’t I? I’ve got -my licence for that in my pocket-book, and we’ll make that do.” - -“I foresee the necessity for a little diplomacy,” said Maurice, -laughing. “But you haven’t any licence at all for Italy.” - -“That’s true, but the Italians will do anything for a tip, won’t they? -I hope you’ve got plenty of money with you: there’ll be import and -octroi duties to pay.” - -“I think I can manage them. As for the licence, we shall see.” - -“Yes, and I shall say you are not fit for your job if you can’t manage -a trifle like that. It will be great fun. With luck we should get to -Brindisi as soon as the train: and if you’re game to do without sleep, -or take turns with me at snatching a nap, we’ll beat the train.” - -“The roads in south Italy are pretty bad, you know.” - -“So are the railways, I’ll go bail. Besides, we don’t want such a good -road as the ordinary motor. I’m sure we can do it.” - -“Very well; I’m game, as you put it. There’s this advantage, that if we -come to grief----” - -“My dear chap, we shan’t come to grief; that is, unless we are smashed -up by some scorching motorist.” - -“I wasn’t thinking of a smash-up. We may find ourselves held up for -want of a licence, you know, and have no end of trouble. What I was -going to say was that we can join the train anywhere _en route_. -If they find we don’t leave Paris by it, they’ll not travel by it -themselves. We’ve several hours’ start of them, allowing for the -Admiralty launch, and if we go straight ahead we shall be a good many -miles on our way before the train starts, even; the Turin train doesn’t -leave Paris until 2.10 to-morrow afternoon. We shall have time for a -rest in Paris, and even then start several hours ahead.” - -“Ripping, old man. This will be better sport than going to Scotland -with Aunt Muriel. Here’s Harbledown; we shall be in Dover in another -three-quarters of an hour.” - -It was a quarter to four when they left Herne Hill. At twenty minutes -past six they arrived at Dover. They ran straight down to the Admiralty -harbour, where the launch, with steam up, was awaiting them. It was -a temporarily awkward matter, getting the gyro-car on to the launch, -for no preparations had been made for that. But British tars are handy -fellows. At a word from the lieutenant ten men, five on each side, -lifted the vehicle bodily and carried it on to the deck. Maurice gave -a hurried explanation to the officer, and scribbled a telegram to Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene to say that George would not be home for a few days. -He handed this to one of the harbour men, the vessel cast off, and the -two brothers mounted to the bridge at the lieutenant’s invitation. - -Just as the launch was getting under way, George suddenly called -Maurice’s attention to a large motor-car dashing down the hill above at -a somewhat dangerous speed. It was coloured yellow. - -“Hanged if old Slavianski isn’t on our tracks already!” he cried. “By -Jove! I wonder how many policemen he has knocked over!” - -The car ran straight on to the quay and pulled up. - -“Can you lend me a telescope?” asked Maurice of the officer. - -In a few moments a seaman brought a glass from below. Looking through -it, Maurice saw Count Slavianski, his secretary, and two other men -standing beside the car, and speaking to a policeman, whose right arm -was outstretched towards the launch. - -“It’s rather a joke to think of these foreigners applying to a British -bobby for information about us,” said Maurice, handing the glass to his -brother. - -Next moment the men sprang into the car again, and drove quickly in the -direction of the inner harbour. - -“I hope we’ve seen the last of them,” said George. - -“You may be sure we haven’t,” replied Maurice, who more fully realised -the seriousness of this headlong pursuit. “We must make the most of -our start. The Calais boat lands passengers in time for the train that -reaches Paris at 5.50 in the morning. We shan’t have more than a couple -of hours at the most.” - -“What’s in the wind?” asked the lieutenant, whose curiosity had been -aroused by the appearance of the odd-looking gyro-car and the evident -interest of his passengers in the proceedings on shore. And Maurice -Buckland told him as much as he thought proper of the story. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -RUNNING THE PLANK - - -The Admiralty launch made the Harbour of Calais about a quarter-past -eight. There was a train for Paris waiting at the Gare Maritime, but -learning that it did not arrive until 4.15, the Bucklands decided to -stick to their plan of riding through the night. The production of -George’s card of membership of the Automobile Club, and a short and -pleasant interview between the naval lieutenant and the Custom House -officer, sufficed to frank the gyro-car without the payment of import -duty. Having enjoyed a meal on board the launch, the brothers were -ready to start at once, and with cordial good-wishes from the officer, -and amid many “Hé’s” and “Ah’s” and other exclamations from the -onlookers, they set off on their journey. - -The distance from Calais to Paris is a hundred and eighty odd miles. -George had cycled over the route in the previous spring, and knew its -general features. It would be easy, he thought, to maintain an average -speed of at least twenty-five miles on a highway kept in such admirable -repair as are all the French main roads, even allowing for slowing -down when passing through villages and towns. The sky was clear, and -illuminated by a half-moon, and the powerful acetylene lamp which he -carried at the front of the car shed its rays many yards ahead. The -interior of the car was lit by two small electric lamps, one on each -side. - -“There’s no chance of their catching us, is there?” said George, as the -car spun merrily along. - -“I think not,” replied Maurice. “They will have to wait for the train, -which doesn’t get to Paris until 5:50. We ought to be there before -four, so that at the worst we shall have an hour and a half before they -can arrive.” - -Before they had been two hours on the road, they were glad to think -that they had so much margin. George was not accustomed to steering the -car at a rapid pace by night, and Maurice’s experience was even less -than his brother’s, so that they found it by no means easy to maintain -the speed that George had mentioned. Until they reached Béthune they -had a clear run, but thenceforward they had to slow down more often -than they wished. There were _octroi_ barriers, where they were halted -and examined, much to George’s disgust. He found also that the places -through which they passed had quite a different aspect at night from -what he remembered of them by day, and more than once he had to stop -to allow Maurice to ask the way of a gendarme or an innkeeper. At such -times the curiosity excited by the unusual appearance of the car found -expression in questions which had to be evaded rather than answered. - -It was growing light by the time they reached the Porte Maillot. Here -they had to submit to an interrogatory by the officer of the gate, -and George smiled discreetly as he witnessed for the first time his -brother’s diplomatic manner. - -“I never knew you could be so polite,” he said, as they ran down the -Avenue de la Grande Armée. “Perhaps it sounds politer in French than it -really is. But it’s rotten to have to pay a tax on the petrol we carry.” - -A few yards from the gate they saw a taxi-cab standing at the side of -the road. The driver was in his seat, and two men were entering the cab -as the gyro-car sped by. - -“Early birds--or late,” said Maurice. - -The street cleaners paused in the work to wonder and admire, and when -the car came to the Place de l’Etoile Maurice turned about to glance -back at an old fellow whose comical expression of face amused him. He -noticed the taxi-cab coming at a good pace behind them; but the road -was so broad, and so clear of traffic, that George drove the gyro-car -through the Champs Elysées at a much higher speed than he would have -dared in Hyde Park, and moment by moment it increased. He turned left -into the Rue Royale, then to right into the Rue St. Honoré, and ran the -car into the garage of the Hotel St. James where he and Maurice had -both stayed during previous visits to the city. Having arranged for the -replenishment of the petrol tanks and the cleaning of the car, they -went into the hotel to get a wash and brush up, which they much needed -after their long journey over dusty roads. It was half-past four. - -Few of the hotel staff had as yet risen, and the travellers might -perhaps have been received with less consideration had not their former -visits, and their generous tips, been remembered. But a few minutes -after they descended to the _salle à manger_ an appetizing little -breakfast was put before them. - -“What a difference from England!” said George. “I say, Maurice, I’ll -just run into the garage to see that things are going all right. The -fellow looked rather sleepy. Pour out my coffee, will you? I shan’t be -a minute.” - -While he was in the garage, he heard the clatter of a horse’s hoofs and -the hum of a motor-car in the street; the sounds struck his ear all the -more forcibly because of the peacefulness of the neighbourhood. In mere -unreflecting curiosity, he stepped to the door and glanced out. Next -moment he started back, pushed the door outwards until he felt that he -could not be seen, and peeped out through the narrow opening just as -the motor-car passed. There were three vehicles. The first was a large -racing motor, not unlike that with which he had become so familiar at -home, but its colour was a bright green. In it were seated--and the -sight sent a strange thrill through him--Count Slavianski and Major -Rostopchin, his secretary. Behind it came a taxi-cab, and a few yards -in the rear of this a _fiacre_, the driver of which was gee-hoing and -whipping up his horse to its best pace, with the evident intention of -keeping up with the motors in front. Within this two men were seated. -One of them George recognised as a servant of the Count’s; the other’s -head was at the moment turned away. - -George was thunderstruck. By what means had these persistent foreigners -arrived in advance of the mail? - -“Tell me,” he said in his best French to the man who was rubbing the -car down, “is there a train from London at this hour?” - -“Ah non, monsieur,” replied the man, “but there is a train from Calais. -It arrives at the Gare du Nord at 4:15, an hour and a half before the -London mail.” - -“A slow train?” - -“Certainly, monsieur, a very slow train.” - -“It must be the train we saw at Calais,” said George to himself. “Those -fellows must have caught it: but how on earth did they cross the -Channel so soon?” - -He had the presence of mind to show no sign of his consternation and -anxiety, but strolled out of the garage and then dashed into the _salle -à manger_. - -“I say, Maurice”--he began, but then remembering that the garçon had a -thorough command of English, he checked his impetuous tongue, and sat -down beside his brother, who had already started upon his breakfast. - -“Send him to fetch something,” he said in a low tone. - -“Bring me an _omelette aux fines herbes_,” said Maurice to the waiter. - -“Certainly, sir, in five minutes.” - -“What is it?” asked Maurice, when the man had gone. - -“Those fellows are on our track,” said George breathlessly. “The whole -gang by the look of it. I have just seen a large green motor, a taxi, -and a _fiacre_ go down the street. The Count and his secretary were in -the first.” - -“They went by?” said Maurice in amazement. - -“Yes.” - -“Then they don’t know our whereabouts, yet,” said Maurice, heaving a -sigh of relief. “But it won’t be long before they do. The place is -full of German spies, and if this so-called Russian is a German, as I -suspect, he’ll soon learn from one of his agents about the appearance -of an odd-looking thing like the gyro-car. Indeed, I shouldn’t be -surprised if those fellows I saw get into a taxi just this side of the -Porte Maillot were his men.” - -“But how did they get here in the time?” - -“They must have had a swift vessel with steam up waiting at Dover. -There’s no end to their resources when anything big is at stake. We’re -in for a race, George.” - -“You take it pretty coolly,” said George, who was quivering with -excitement. - -“That’s the first lesson I learnt from my chief. ‘Never get flustered,’ -he dinned into me. We shall have to trust to the speed of your car. -They don’t know where we are, nor which way we are going, which is one -to us. Get on with your breakfast; I’ll think it out.” - -He ate his omelet with an air of abstraction. After a few minutes he -called the waiter. - -“Have you got a road-guide?” he asked. - -“Yes, sir: I will fetch it.” - -He soon returned with a copy of the Guide Taride. Maurice glanced -at the title page: “Les Routes de France, à l’usage des conducteurs -d’automobiles et cyclistes.” - -“The very thing. I will buy this, waiter; the proprietor can easily -replace it. It gives everything we want, George.” - -He turned over the pages until he came to the section dealing with the -roads out of Paris. - -“They’ll watch the bridges, as they did in London,” he said, “but they -can’t watch all the gates, unless they have a much larger number of -men than is likely. We mustn’t cross the river, so we can’t take any -of the three roads to Marseilles; they all go by the Porte de Choisy, -and that’s on the other side of the Seine. Here we are: Paris to Melun, -forty kilometres. They don’t recommend the first route, by the Porte -Daumesnil and the Bois de Vincennes, so we’ll choose that. We shall -join the direct road at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, thirteen kilometres -distant. And the sooner we start the better. Go and set your gyroscopes -working, while I pay the bill.” - -It took several minutes to set the gyroscopes running at full speed. -Maurice was anxious to start before this, but George pointed out that -they had better not appear in the street until the car was thoroughly -ready, in case any of the Slavianski scouts were on the watch. - -A few minutes after 5 o’clock they set off, running back through the -Rue Royale thence into the Rue de Rivoli, until, having crossed the -Place de la Bastille, they struck into the Avenue Daumesnil. There was -little traffic as yet in that broad thoroughfare, except for the wagons -of tradesmen and market gardeners coming into the city from the suburbs. - -“We mustn’t go too fast while we’re within the walls,” said George, -“but as soon as we’re outside I’ll let her rip, old man. Keep your eye -on the map and tell me how to steer.” - -Maurice had opened the map of Paris and spread it on his knees. -Directed by him, George turned into the Rue de Charenton, left the -city at the Charenton gate, after exchanging a pleasant word with the -officer, and then set the car spinning along until they came to the -bridge over the Canal de Marne. Being now beyond the probable risk of -interference, George increased the speed to thirty-five miles an hour, -which he maintained for forty minutes, until they reached the outskirts -of Melun. There the road made a sharp descent. - -“Slow down here,” said Maurice anxiously. “This hill is dangerous, -according to the Guide, and the _pavé_ is rather slippery with dew. A -sideslip here would break us up.” - -Reducing speed to fifteen miles an hour, they ran down the hill. Before -they had reached the foot of it they saw, on turning a bend, that -the road about two hundred yards ahead was broken for mending on the -right-hand side--the side on which they were travelling, according to -the rule of the road in France. A thin rope was stretched half-way -across the road, supported on a light iron rod, from which hung a -lantern, that had, no doubt, been lit during the night. It was not yet -6 o’clock, and no labourers were on the spot; but on the left-hand -side of the road, where there was a space between the excavation and -a wall just wide enough for the passage of an ordinary market cart, -a small motor-car was approaching the gap in the same direction as -the gyro-car at a low speed. There was plenty of time for it to pass -through the narrowed portion of the roadway before the gyro-car -overtook it, so George did not reduce his speed any further, but -sounded his hooter as a measure of precaution. - -The motor-car crawled on towards the gap, the chauffeur throwing a -glance over his shoulder, as if to see whether he had time to win -through before the vehicle behind overtook him. Moment by moment the -space between the two cars diminished. The gyro-car was within a few -yards of the narrow portion of the road, when suddenly the motor -stopped dead, completely blocking the passage, and the chauffeur sprang -from his seat towards the wall bordering the road on the near side. -George involuntarily let out a cry. There was no time to consult with -Maurice, nor even to hesitate between two courses. The momentum of -the gyro-car was so great that it could not be checked before dashing -into the stationary vehicle. To the left was the wall, to the right an -excavation several feet deep. Across it lay a narrow plank, used, no -doubt, by the workmen in wheeling their barrows from one side of the -hole to the other. - -[Illustration: A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT] - -It was supported on the nearer side upon some loose earth that had been -thrown up from below. What the support on the further side was George -could not pause to determine. His brother had waxed satirical about -his unpunctuality, but in this critical moment, when there was only an -instant of time for decision, the boy showed a surprising quickness. -There was one desperate chance of avoiding a collision, which, even if -it did not result in personal injury, might at least cripple the car. -He steered straight for the plank. - -There was a jolt, a sudden dip, and the sixteen-foot plank sagged -under the weight of the car. A moment of suspense; then there was a -more serious jolt as the front wheel apparently left the plank and -struck the bank of earth on the further side, just high enough to -make a passage for itself through the loose soil at the edge. The two -front wheels were through. Alter an almost imperceptible interval the -third wheel dropped from the end of the plank on to the earth, and -immediately afterwards the fourth wheel. The gyro-car was safely across. - -Almost before either George or his brother could fully realise the -narrow escape they had had, the car was forty or fifty yards down the -road. - -“Shall we stop?” asked George, panting with relief. “I’d like a word -with that ass.” - -“No, go on,” said Maurice quietly. He was looking back towards the gap. -“They are there!” - -“The Count?” - -“I don’t see him, but there are others. You were too busy to notice -them, but just as we came to the gap I saw several men jump up from -behind the wall and help to hoist the chauffeur over. The whole thing -was planned.” - -“Great Scott! How in the world did they get there in time?” - -“I expect they wired or ’phoned from Calais last night. They knew we -must take this road if making for Italy, and their agents must have -left Paris early to find a convenient place for waylaying us. They -couldn’t have chosen a better one, though, of course, the opening in -the road was purely accidental You’re a wonder, George. I should never -have had the nerve to do it.” - -“My dear chap, you would run the car across Niagara on a tight-rope if -you knew it as well as I do. But hang it all!--I hope it isn’t damaged. -Don’t you think we might pull up for a minute to have a look?” - -“We had better go on. The Count will be here before long to see how his -trap had succeeded, and the sooner we are beyond his lordship’s reach -the better. We are not out of the wood yet.” - -“Can’t we stop at Melun and put the authorities up to collaring the -fellows as German spies?” - -“We’ve no proof that they are, and it would never do for me, in my -position, to set France and Germany by the ears. It would mean delay, -too. No: our job is to get to Brindisi as soon as we can. Run a few -miles farther; then we’ll halt to examine the car; but it goes so -easily that I don’t think much damage is done.” - -“All right. Are they after us?” - -“There’s no sign of them. We win the trick.” - - - - -CHAPTER V - -ACROSS THE ALPS - - -It was still so early in the morning that the gyro-car ran through -Melun without attracting attention, except from a few market-people and -a priest on the way to church. Maurice inquired the way to Sens of a -wagoner, and they mounted the hill towards the village of Sivry at a -speed of twenty miles an hour. On reaching level ground again George -increased the speed, and before 7 o’clock arrived at the crest of the -long hill descending to Montereau. The morning sun shed a brilliance -over the town, which had scarcely yet awaked to activity; and as the -travellers coasted down the hill, they forgot their excitement for a -few moments as their eyes delighted in the spectacle of river, church, -and castle. - -There being still no sign of pursuit, they halted at a blacksmith’s and -alighted. The clang of hammer on anvil ceased, and the smith, attracted -by the sound of the engines, came to his door. - -“Hé, messieurs!” he said on beholding the gyro-car balanced on its four -wheels, “comment ce diable de machine se tient-il debout?” - -Maurice laughingly explained, while George stopped to examine the -wheels. He found that the tyre of the foremost of them was gashed. -Luckily he had a spare tyre in the car, and, replacing the injured one -with assistance from the smith, he was ready to set off again in a few -minutes. - -On leaving Montereau they spun along the excellent road at the rate of -thirty-five miles an hour. - -“I presume they have a speed limit in France,” said Maurice, warningly. - -“Oh yes, thirty kilometres. Every town can fix its own, I believe, and -it’s as low as six kilometres in some, but we needn’t bother about -that. There are no bobbies on the roads here, with stop-watches.” - -“But there’s a penalty, I suppose?” - -“No doubt, but I don’t believe they prosecute unless you do some -damage. Far more sensible than our ridiculous regulations.” - -“Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir,” said Maurice. - -“What’s that mean?” - -“Your ignorance is deplorable. Haven’t you heard that prevention is -better than cure?” - -“That’s all rot: you don’t have all your teeth pulled to prevent -toothache. I wonder the French have such a proverb. It’s our confounded -British caution that let them get ahead of us in motoring and aviation. -And look here, Maurice, don’t for goodness’ sake talk French to me. -Keep it for emergencies. I can’t stand it.” - -At Sens they waited only to purchase a spare tyre and to swallow a -plate of soup at the Buffet. Then they set off again, intending to get -a substantial _déjeuner_ at Dijon. Both were rather sleepy, and as the -temperature increased Maurice began to doze. George took advantage of -this to spin along at a much higher speed than before. The road was so -good, running almost all the way through a valley, that the gyro-car -travelled with as little vibration, noise and dust as a motor-car of -the best make going at half its speed. - -It was a little past twelve o’clock when George came in sight of a -large town, which he guessed was Dijon. He nudged Maurice, exclaiming: - -“Here we are! I’m desperately hungry, and now’s the time for you to air -your French.” - -“Surely we’re not at Dijon already! It’s--let me see”--he turned over -the pages of his Guide--“it’s over three hundred kilometres from -Paris--a hundred and eighty miles. You must have been tearing along at -a terrific pace.” - -“Not fast enough to wake you. You don’t snore very loud, old man; but I -haven’t had to use my hooter.” - -Maurice ignored his brother’s impudence. - -“This Guide is all very well,” he said, “but it doesn’t name any -hotels. I shall have to inquire.” - -“Well, there are plenty of people about, staring at us with all their -eyes. Ask that dear old Sister of Mercy there: did you ever see such a -happy-looking old lady!” - -But here a red-trousered gendarme came up and requested Monsieur -to show his _certificat de capacité_. George was producing his -motor-bicycle licence, and a corner of it was visible, when Maurice -slipped a franc into the man’s hand and asked him to direct him to an -hotel. - -“Ah! Monsieur is English!” said the gendarme. “There is a good hotel in -the Place Darcy to Monsieur’s left. Merci bien, monsieur.” - -“As you’ve driven so fast,” said Maurice, as they went in the direction -indicated, “we ought to have plenty of time for a decent meal, even if -the Count is still after us. I’m afraid there won’t be time for you to -have a nap.” - -“Oh! I’ll take my turn when we start again. I think I can trust you to -drive--for a few miles at any rate.” - -For seven francs they had a capital _déjeuner_ at the hotel. When they -had finished, George had the machine oiled, and bought a supply of -petrol, and about 1 o’clock they started for the next stage of their -journey, Beaune, thirty-six kilometres distant. - -“Now, old boy, it’s up to you,” said George, as they left the town -behind them. “The road is quite flat, and we’ll get along all right if -you’re careful. Wake me if anything happens.” - -Maurice had driven the car once or twice at home, so that he undertook -the piloting without any tremors. But, being cautious by nature and -training, he contented himself with a speed of twenty miles. It was -more than an hour before he reached Beaune. George was fast asleep, so -his brother made no halt, but ran on at the same pace along an equally -level road for another two hours. Then, just after passing the village -of Romenay, where for the first time in more than fifty miles the road -undulated, he heard the characteristic hum of a motor-car some distance -behind. The gyro-car itself, moving at a comparatively low speed, made -so little noise that he was aware of the sound almost as soon as if he -had been walking. - -The road was clear, and, keeping his hand on the steering wheel, he -ventured to look round. A considerable quantity of dust was rising, and -through this cloud he was for a few moments unable to see whether the -motor was actually travelling the same road or not. But going round -a slight curve in the direction from which the breeze was blowing, -he saw, as the dust was carried aside, a motor-car running at a -great rate towards him, about half a mile away. He could take only a -fleeting glance, the alternate dip and rise of the road necessitating -watchfulness; but that glance sufficed to tell him that the car was -running at a much higher speed than his own. - -He wakened George. - -“There is a motor behind us,” he said. “Just take a look at it.” - -George was up in an instant. - -“There’s so much dust that I can’t be sure of the colour of it,” he -said, “but it’s a powerful car, and gaining on us. What’s your speed?” -He glanced at the indicator. “Twenty! quite lady-like, upon my word. -Let me get back to my place.” - -“I don’t like the idea of running away,” said Maurice. “It may not be -the Count’s car at all.” - -“Prevention is better than cure, as you reminded me a while ago,” said -George with a grin. He looked back along the road again. “By gum!” he -cried, “it’s coming at a spanking pace. It must be a racer. Better be -on the safe side. I’ll drive; you keep your eye on it. You may be able -to see the colour of it when we come to a curve.” - -They exchanged places. George immediately increased the speed to -forty miles. At that rate he dashed through the village of Mantenay, -outstripping a train that was running along the line. Farm labourers -trudging home from the fields pressed into the hedges to avoid the car, -and at St. Julien, a mile and a half further, George narrowly escaped -dashing into a flock of geese, which waddled off into the village pond -uttering shrill cries of alarm. - -“Better be careful,” said Maurice. - -“Oh, geese don’t matter. I killed one near Caudebec at Easter, and the -owner came up in great excitement with a gendarme. But the gendarme -only shrugged his shoulders and said, as near as I could make out, ‘It -is forbidden to pasture geese by the roadside.’” - -Maurice smiled. - -“Pasturing geese is distinctly good,” he said. Again the road was quite -level. - -“It is still gaining, very rapidly now,” said Maurice, who caught -fleeting glimpses of the motor through rifts in the cloud of dust. “And -it is green as grass!” - -“Well, I hope the Count likes our dust,” said George. “He must be -getting his fill of it. We’ll go a little faster.” - -He advanced the speed-lever, and increased the pace to fifty, and -finally sixty miles an hour, at which rate the car dashed through -Javat. The horse attached to a market-wagon there took fright, and -galloped into a by-road only just in time to avoid a collision. The -kilometre stones flashed by at two a minute. A sign-post with a staring -warning, “_Allure modérée_,” at the entrance to Montrevel, forced -George to reduce his speed to fifteen kilometres; but since this -applied equally to the pursuing motor he did not care a rap for that, -as he said. By the time they reached Bourg there was no sign of the -motor, but when they had run up the narrow wooded valley of Alberine -beyond Ambérieu, Maurice, looking back, descried the pursuer rushing -along at a reckless speed, its dust trailing behind like the smoke of a -steam-engine. - -“They’ll lose up-hill,” said George. “We have the better of them there. -But it’s lucky the road is dry and pretty straight. If it were wet I -should have to slow down to avoid skidding.” - -The road now undulated frequently, the slopes in some places being very -steep. They dashed along beside a picturesque lake; then, a little -distance ahead, they saw a level crossing, and a man in the act of -shutting the gates. George sounded his hooter and increased the speed. -The man hesitated, looking up the railway line. Before he could make up -his mind the car raced through. - -A few miles further on they came to another level crossing. Here the -gates were already shut. Continuous hooting failed to bring out the -gate-keeper, and George had perforce to pull up. - -“Another chance for your French, old man,” he cried to Maurice. “Skip -out and run to the cabin yonder. Tip the man handsomely, and he’ll let -us through.” - -Maurice sprang out and hurried to the gate-keeper’s hut. The man was -eating his supper. Maurice lifted his hat, and, jingling the coins in -his pocket, said: - -“Will you be good enough to open the gates?” - -“Impossible, Monsieur; a train is due,” replied the man. - -“We have a little wager with some German gentlemen in a green car -behind,” proceeded Maurice, pouring out the words with extraordinary -quickness. “They say 1870 is forgotten: they can run across France -as quickly and easily as a Frenchman. They have only to call, and a -Frenchman will spring to do their bidding. We don’t believe that, we -English. You’ll let us through, I’m sure, and we shall be able to show -our German friends that the _entente cordiale_ stands for something.” - -Before he was half-way through this speech the gate-keeper had moved -to the door. By the time it was ended he was running to the gate. He -looked up the line; the train was not in sight, and in less than half a -minute the gates were thrown open. - -“_Conspuez les Allemands!_” said the man as the gyro-car ran across. - -The moment it had passed he closed the gates, and stood looking up the -road for the impudent Germans. - -A few kilometres beyond Aix-les-Bains the road was blocked by the gates -of another crossing. Here Maurice told the same story, and the keeper -entered into the spirit of the trick even more thoroughly than the -other. The train would have passed, he thought, before the German car -could arrive, and he would have no reason for keeping the gates closed -against it. - -“But no matter, Monsieur,” he said. “If no reason, I can find an -excuse. I have a little shunting to do. The Germans shall see!” - -Pocketing Maurice’s coin with a cheerful grin, he shut the gates behind -the gyro-car and re-entered his cabin. - -Evening dusk was falling; it would soon be dark. Maurice was anxious to -cross the Italian frontier that night. The little town of Modane, where -he must necessarily stop to deal with the Customs officers, was still -more than a hundred kilometres ahead. It might not be so easy there as -it had been at Calais to get the gyro-car passed. Maurice was ignorant -of the regulations, whereas he had little doubt that the pursuers were -well informed on all essential points. - -“The worst of it is,” he said to George, “they are so horribly -persistent that we hardly dare stop even for a meal. They are -determined to run us down.” - -“Couldn’t we lay a trap for them and smash up their old motor?” -suggested George. - -“It’s too dangerous a game to play. We might trap the wrong people. And -I confess I take a sporting interest in the race. We don’t want to -harm the fellows; they are only doing what they are paid for. I regard -it as a match between our Government and the Austrian, and so much the -more credit to us if we play the game.” - -“They won’t scruple about playing the game.” - -“That hardly absolves us, does it? Their only chance of getting my -despatch is to overhaul us and take it by main force, so that it’s -essential that we should keep ahead of them. We have managed to delay -them at the level crossings; we must see what we can do at Modane, and -if you’re game, and we get through, we’ll go right on to Turin.” - -“Don’t you want your dinner?” asked George. - -“I am ravenous. We ought to have gained an hour or two by the time we -reach Turin, and can then get a meal. Look out, George; this is rather -steep.” - -They were descending the hill into Chambéry, and here, for the first -time since leaving Paris, they were delayed at the _octroi_ barrier. -It was not yet dark, and hearing the hum of the approaching car, the -official stepped out of his little house into the road and held up his -hand as a signal to stop. - -“There is no tax on petrol here; why can’t they leave us alone?” -grumbled George, as he brought the car to a standstill. - -“They like to show their authority, I suppose,” replied Maurice. “Treat -them civilly, and all will be well.” - -“Permit me, Monsieur,” said the man courteously, lifting his hat. - -“Certainly, Monsieur,” said Maurice, rising in his seat. - -The man looked into the car to see if the travellers had anything -taxable concealed: then poked a bamboo stick down among the -air-chambers, George being on thorns lest he should puncture them. -Finding nothing suspicious, he smiled pleasantly, lifted his hat again, -and waved his hand to indicate that the car might proceed. - -“Confounded red tape!” growled George, as he re-started, after lighting -his lamp. “Now I’ll let her rip. What sort of road is it, Maurice? -Switch on the light and look at your Guide.” - -“It’s a hundred and one kilometres to Modane, a gradual ascent all the -way. We’re coming among the mountains.” - -“That’s all right. We’ll beat Slavianski easily, going up-hill. And how -much farther to Turin?” - -“A hundred and twelve: that’s about a hundred and twenty-seven miles -altogether.” - -“Well, we’ll do it in under four hours if the Customs don’t cause -trouble. We ought to get to Turin about eleven; there’ll be no traffic -on the road at this time of night; then we’ll have dinner, and follow -it with supper: I feel as if I hadn’t eaten for a week.” - -They reached Modane in an hour and a half, and halted at the Customs -station. Maurice, feeling very stiff, alighted from the car, and -met the official at the door. He had already ascertained from his -Guide that the dues on motor-cars were levied by weight, but that -motor-cycles were passed on payment of a fixed due of forty-two francs. - -“Monsieur will place the car on the weighing-machine,” said the -official, politely. - -“Certainly, Monsieur, if you insist,” replied Maurice: “but, as you -perceive, our car is of the nature of a motor-cycle.” - -The man walked towards it. - -“It is as you say, Monsieur,” he said, staring at the car. “But, pardon -me, it runs on four wheels: _ma foi!_ it _stands_ on four wheels! -I have never seen such a thing before: it is not mentioned in the -regulations.” - -“No, it is a new invention,” said Maurice, courteously, as if he were -addressing a prince. “It is, as you see, a sort of double bicycle, and -is kept upright when stationary by the gyroscopes spinning at the back -there. You would like to look at them, no doubt.” - -“Don’t waste time,” said George in English. - -“It will save time in the end. Stop the spinning and let down the -supports.” - -The official was vastly interested in the novel mechanism. Maurice -explained it as well as he could, perpetrating several howlers, as -George informed him afterwards; then he suggested that, as there was no -provision in the regulations, the law might be satisfied on the payment -of the sum for a motor-cycle. - -“But it is double, Monsieur. I must ask, I fear, for eighty-four -francs.” - -“Very well,” said Maurice, handing over the money. - -“Now, Monsieur,” said the official, “I must make out the certificate -for _importation temporaire_. You will give that up when you leave the -country, and the sum you have deposited will be returned to you.” - -“Do you think you could stretch a point, and let us go without that? -We are in a great hurry, and I will tell you why. I am proceeding on -an important mission for the English Government. There is a party of -Austrian gentlemen pursuing me in a green motor-car, hoping to defeat -me. They know your country thoroughly, every pass and by-road; it used -to belong to Austria, as you know, and I think they would like to get -it again.” - -The man let out an exclamation in Italian: there are no friends of -Austria in Italy! - -“But I think that while you have your Alpine troops on the frontier,” -pursued Maurice, “the Austrians had better remain on their own side of -the Alps.” - -“_Per Bacco!_ I agree with you, Monsieur. These Austrians are coming -behind you?” - -“Yes. They have chased us from Paris. Perhaps when they arrive you -would suggest that we are proceeding to Venice?” - -“Ah! I perceive. Yes, I will do so. You may pass without a certificate -if you will take the risk. But you should have a green light as well as -a white; it is the regulation.” - -“We will get one to-morrow. We must take our chance to-night. What is -the speed-limit in Italy?” - -“Forty kilometres in open country, Monsieur; twelve in town. At night, -fifteen.” - -“Thank you.” George was smiling. Maurice thanked the official -profusely, and with mutual compliments the interview closed. - -“Fifteen!” said George, as they set off again. “Fifteen be hanged! -we’ll do forty at the least,” and at that speed he set the car spinning -along the mountainous winding road that connects Modane with Turin. -There was little but the coolness of the air to tell them that they -were now crossing the Alps. It was too dark to see the form of Mont -Cenis towering above them, and even George felt a little regretful that -he could not get a glimpse of the mountains. They reached Turin soon -after eleven, and at the Hotel Europa did full justice to the excellent -repast with which they were provided at extraordinarily short notice. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -A NARROW MARGIN - - -The Bucklands spent very little time over their supper at the Hotel -Europa. Not knowing how far behind the pursuers were, Maurice hid under -his imperturbable mien a very real anxiety. George, for his part, was -much concerned about the gyro-car. After so long a journey as he had -just made, a railway engine would have a thorough overhauling; but -there was no time for more than a rapid examination of his mechanism. -He required petrol and oil; the hour was late, and no doubt all the -establishments where these essentials could be procured had been closed -long ago. It was just possible that they might be obtained in the -garage of the hotel; so, after satisfying his hunger, he left Maurice -to attend to the wants of his inanimate steed. - -Maurice, as he sipped his coffee, found himself wishing that someone -had invented a means of seeing in the dark, or of hearing at immense -distances. If he had possessed either of those as yet hitherto -unattained powers, he might have indulged in the sleep he needed, with -a mind at ease. - -A quarter of an hour after the gyro-car ran the plank at Melun, Count -Slavianski (whose name in private life was Max Mumm) arrived on the -scene with his so-called secretary, who was neither a major nor a -Rostopchin, but a German ex-sergeant of cavalry, by name Ernst Böhmer. -The Count--let him enjoy his brief ennoblement--was furious at the -failure of his trap. As Maurice Buckland surmised, he had telephoned -from Calais to his agents in Paris instructing them to watch the -southern road, and to devise any plan that seemed good to them for -stopping the gyro-car. The unusual shape of that unique vehicle made -its identification easy, and the Paris agents laid their trap at the -spot where the chance breaking of the road seemed to promise certain -success. Perhaps the Count’s anger was the more intense because he had -no reasonable ground for complaint. His instructions had been carried -out, and if he had not wasted time by waiting for information from his -emissaries at the bridges, he would almost certainly have reached Melun -before the men he was pursuing. - -His stratagem having failed, there was nothing to do but to continue -the pursuit. Without doubt the gyro-car would keep to the main road, -and in fact the Count had tidings of it at every place where his -racing-car had to slow down in obedience to local regulations. When he -caught sight of it for the first time a mile or two beyond Romenay he -exulted. If he could only catch it before it reached Turin, he felt -very pretty sure that at some lonely spot on the mountain road he and -his three companions in the car would have the diplomat at his mercy. - -But at the level-crossing near Le Viviers he suffered an exasperating -check. The gates were closed. Insistent appeals failing to bring the -gate-keeper from his cabin, one of the men got out of the car to open -the gates himself. But a prudential management had ordained that the -apparatus should not be easily manipulated by the first-comer, and the -man was still fumbling with it when the keeper appeared from behind a -hedge, and with great indignation demanded what he meant by interfering -with the property of the railway. - -Then ensued a brisk and heated altercation, in which the honours lay -with authority. It is wonderful what assurance even the meanest office -gives. The Count demanded that the gates should be opened instantly. -The gate-keeper replied that not for the President of the Republic -himself would he open them until the train had passed. The Count -produced his card. - -“Germans!” muttered the official, sniffing. - -“But no; we are Russians!” cried the exasperated Count. - -“I know those Russians!” replied the man grimly. - -The Count produced a five-franc piece. - -“_Hé quoi!_ you think to bribe me!” said the scandalised official. - -“Really, my good man,” said the Count, struggling to command his -temper, “you exceed your duty.” - -“Ah! Monsieur perhaps knows his duty well. Where is Monsieur’s -_certificat de capacité_?” - -“What right have you to ask that?” - -“Never mind,” said the Frenchman. - -With an oath the Count drew from his pocket-book the licence headed -“République Francaise.” The man took it and scrutinised it carefully, -comparing the little photograph pasted on its left-hand side with the -original before him, wrinkling his brow as he read the name, Alexis -Slavianski, the birthplace, Borisoglebsk, and the other details -required by the authorities. This wasted another five minutes. Then -the Count lost his temper utterly, and exchanged a wordy war with the -gate-keeper, which had no other result than to waste more time. It was -twenty minutes before the train ran by, and not till then did the man -open the gates for the passage of the motor-car. - -“We have forgotten 1870, have we?” he said with a chuckle, as the car -disappeared in a cloud of dust. - -At every crossing the Count had the same experience, with slight -variations, chiefly against him, in the period of waiting. His -eagerness, impatience, and finally abuse convinced the gate-keepers -that they were serving their country in delaying him, and the absence -of other traffic on the road enabled them to give free play to -their patriotism without inconveniencing their fellow-countrymen. -Consequently the green motor reached Modane nearly two hours after the -gyro-car had left it. - -At Modane occurred the worst check of all. The Customs officer -took a long time in weighing the car, and then, by an unfortunate -miscalculation, asked for a hundred francs more than was due. He -demanded to see the Count’s _certificat de capacité_, and made out -with great deliberation a similar licence for Italy. He was equally -deliberate in preparing the certificate for _importation temporaire_, -and the Count, fume as he might, had to wait for that document. Every -impatient word he spoke lengthened the delay; the officer broke a pen, -made a blot which he erased until not a vestige of it was visible, all -with the most charming courtesy and frank apologies. He entertained -the Count with a full description of an extraordinary car which had -passed through on the way to Venice a little earlier, noting with keen -enjoyment the exasperation which the traveller, weary after his long -journey, vainly tried to conceal. By the time the motor-car once more -took up the pursuit, the Bucklands had finished their supper, filled -their tanks, and run forty miles beyond Turin in the direction of -Venice. - -This was, however, only a blind. If the Count could be deluded into -rushing on to Venice, so much the better. About forty miles from Turin -George turned into the road leading southward through Alessandria to -Genoa. It was a beautiful night, the air crisp and clear, the sky a -dark blue vault spangled with stars, and a rising moon shedding a -white radiance over everything. The road was good and fairly level. -The brothers took turns at driving and napping, and kept up an even -pace of about thirty miles an hour. It was five o’clock in the morning -when they reached Genoa. Putting up at a quiet hotel where Maurice had -formerly stayed, they got a bath, breakfasted, and spent some time in -studying the map. In Italy the Guide Taride no longer served them, and -they had to choose their own route. They decided to run to Rome by way -of Pisa and Leghorn, then to Naples, and thence across the Peninsula to -Brindisi. By six o’clock they were again on the road. - -“This is the Grand Tour with a vengeance,” said George as they sped -along, with the blue Mediterranean on their right, and on their left -the olive-clad slopes of the Apennines. “I should like to do it at a -more leisurely pace.” - -“I don’t know. I find the speed exhilarating.” - -“That’s a confession for a cautious old diplomat! Well, if you like it -you shall have it. There’s no one about.” - -He opened the throttle, and soon had the car spinning along at nearly -seventy miles an hour. - -“Look out for the turn ahead,” said Maurice anxiously, after a minute -or two. - -“All right.” - -He threw off the power, but there was scarcely any slackening of speed. -He clapped on the brakes gently; the bend in the road was very near. -It happened to occur at a little hollow, partly overshadowed by trees, -and a few yards of the roadway were covered with a film of greasy -mud. The brakes, now fast set, were unequal to the demand upon them. -Experienced motorist as he was, George had the sickening feeling to -which the most hardened never becomes accustomed; the car was skidding. -It swung round; he managed to steer it past a stone post at the -roadside, shaving the obstacle by an inch; and then it seemed to vault -the shallow ditch, and was finally brought up in the middle of a hedge -of brambles. But it maintained its balance. - -“This is more excoriating than exhilarating,” said Maurice coolly, as -he passed his handkerchief over his scratched cheeks. “You steered -wonderfully, but I think for the rest of our journey we had better be -respectable, even if we are dull; we can’t afford time for repairs.” - -“You’re right, as usual, old man. By Jove! that was a squeak. I had the -most ghastly feeling. I hope there’s no buckling.” - -They got out and examined the car. There was no apparent injury. -Dragging it back to the road they resumed their journey, content to jog -along, as George described it, at thirty miles an hour. - -It was a pleasant ride along that coast road, through fishing villages, -with the sea, sparkling in the early sunbeams, on one side, and -groves of oranges, lemons, and olives on the other. Here was a row of -date-palms, there an avenue of plane trees, and at intervals brightly -decorated villas gleaming amid abundant greenery. The road began to -be populous with fishers, donkey-drivers, girls going to the lace -factories, barefooted young labourers on their way to the vineyards and -olive-yards. They stopped to gaze at the gyro-car; a youth would raise -a “Viva!” a girl wave a coloured kerchief--smiling, happy people in a -smiling country. - -Presently Pisa hove in sight, with her marble cathedral and leaning -tower gleaming white in the sunlight. But the travellers could not -wait for sightseeing; they ran across the Arno and along the pine-clad -road to Leghorn, passed through this grimy seaport, on and on until, -as they topped a rise, the battlements of the fortress at Volaterra -struck upon their view. Through the narrow, steep street of Colle, -crowded with children, who shrieked as they tumbled out of the way; -along the cypress-shaded road, winding over and around the hills; and -they see the towers of Siena. Still they do not halt, until one of the -front tyres burst with a loud report, and they had to stay at a little -village while it was replaced. They profited by the enforced stop to -take their luncheon. The village inn had little to provide them except -hard brown bread and eggs fried in butter, with a sourish wine for -beverage. But they were hungry enough not to be fastidious. After a -halt of half-an-hour they set off again, and ran along steadily through -the hot afternoon until, about four o’clock, they came to Rome. - -Here they stayed an hour for an early dinner. The next important stage -would be Naples, and as they could not hope to reach that city until -past midnight, they thought it best to have a full meal before going -on. They bought petrol and two new tyres at the British Stores, and -left at 5 o’clock. Six hours later they came to Naples, having again -slept and driven in turn. There they took a light meal. The mail train, -as Maurice knew, arrived at Brindisi at 11:30 a.m. It was possible -that the Count himself, or if not he, some of his men, had boarded the -train, and since it was all-important that it should not reach the -port before them, they refused to yield to the solicitation of fatigue, -and started at 2 o’clock in the morning for the ride across from sea to -sea. - -They had an easy run to Eboli, but after crossing the Sele river, when -dawn was breaking, they found the road difficult. The soil was loose; -there was scarcely half a mile level; the ascents and descents were -steep and dangerous. George was in a constant state of anxiety lest a -tyre should be punctured, and drove more slowly than at any previous -part of the journey. They had almost forgotten the pursuers. What was -their amazement and consternation, as they began the ascent of a steep -acclivity, when, hearing the sound of a motor behind them, they turned -their heads and beheld the green motor flashing at headlong pace down -the incline they had just descended. - -George instantly threw open the throttle, and the gyro-car raced up the -hill at a speed of forty miles. The motor was little more than fifty -yards in the rear when it reached the foot of the hill. Then it lost -ground, but as soon as it arrived at the crest it picked up its speed -again. It was a tremendous race. For many miles the road switchbacked -among the hills. Now the motor would gain, now the gyro-car. Wherever -he could, George ran along the fairly level foot-track by the -roadside, thus escaping the loose shingles of the ill-kept highway. -Here the motor-car could not follow it. Fortunately there was little -traffic. At one point he swerved suddenly to avoid a man driving a -diminutive donkey. Warned by the hooter, the man snatched up the -donkey, and carried it to the side out of harm’s way. Dense volumes -of dust rose behind the gyro-car, flying full in the faces of the -pursuers; but ever and anon the hum of their car could be heard, and -the Bucklands could not but admire the reckless courage of the Count -and his party in maintaining so high a speed on so rough a road. - -Through Potenza both vehicles rushed like whirlwinds, separated -by only a few hundred yards. The speed-limit was set utterly at -defiance. Then the switchbacking began again, the dips occurring at -even shorter intervals. The road would drop several hundred feet -within half-a-mile; in ten miles there were as many as sixteen steep -ups and downs. Sometimes the green motor was left out of both sight -and hearing, and then George would hope that it had broken down. But -it always reappeared whenever an abrupt curve forced him to slacken -speed for fear of skidding, even though in his excitement he took the -corners at a pace that he would not have dreamed of risking a few hours -earlier. The gyro-car had always this advantage in the race: that it -was capable of higher speed than the motor when pressed. It was only a -question of taking risks, and neither Maurice nor George was unready to -do this. - -The sun was now beating down fiercely on the travellers, and gilding -the dust-cloud that almost continuously hid the pursuers from view. But -the heat was tempered by the rush of air as they whirled through it, -and at these altitudes the air itself was cool. As the gyro-car spun -along, the few pedestrians whom it met or overtook turned to gaze at -it in amazement. Mile after mile was covered, until at Ginosa nearly -three-quarters of the distance between Naples and Brindisi had been -completed. - -“We shall do it!” cried George jubilantly, as they ran down the hill a -few miles farther on. - -Hardly had he spoken when he was suddenly conscious that the power -had given out. The car ran on for some distance by its own momentum, -but it was only too clear that the engine had ceased to work. With a -smothered exclamation George brought the car to a standstill, let down -the supports, and sprang out. Maurice listened anxiously; there was no -sound from behind. Had the green car broken down too? - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -AN ACT OF WAR - - -For a brief, breathless moment George almost lost his head. Then, -pulling himself together, he said: - -“We can’t go on, Maurice. We must get the car out of the road before -those fellows come up.” - -There was nobody in sight of whom to ask assistance. But a little way -down the road Maurice spied a narrow by-lane. - -“Can you put the engine to rights?” he asked. - -“I can have a shot at it,” replied George. “The ignition is all right; -there may be something wrong with the compression or the carburettor.” - -“Well, let us wheel the machine down that by-lane and hope the Count -will run by and not discover us, though that’s hardly likely when he -doesn’t see our dust.” - -“I hope to goodness he’s had a smash,” said George as they wheeled -the car as fast as possible down the by-way. It was narrow, but not -so narrow that a motor-car could not follow it. It was also stony, -and broken by deep ruts; but George was able to pick a track for the -gyro-car, and the two pushed it for about a kilometre until they were -out of sight from the highway. Then George stripped off his coat and -began to examine the engine, while Maurice walked a few yards back to a -spot whence he could see the road. - -Almost before he got there he heard the fast-approaching sound of -the motor-car. A minute later he saw it dash by the end of the lane. -Evidently the pursuers had not yet discovered that the gyro-car was -no longer in front of them. But they were rushing at such a pace that -the absence of dust ahead must soon make them suspect the truth, and -then it was hardly doubtful that they would cast back and look about -for tracks. It happened just as he expected. Within five minutes he -heard the returning hum: the motor passed slowly back. Two men were -walking beside it, examining the road. They discovered the track of the -gyro-car turning into the lane, jumped into the motor-car, which swung -round and began to run towards the place where Maurice stood concealed. - -“They fancy we have taken a short cut,” said Maurice to himself; “they -would come on foot if they thought we had broken down.” - -It was soon clear that the motor was in difficulties. The road became -rougher the farther it proceeded. It jerked and jolted over the stones -and into the ruts, going quickly, at the imminent risk of overturning, -or of an axle breaking. Its pace was soon reduced; for a moment or two -it came to a stop, but started again immediately. Maurice, keeping out -of sight, did not report progress to George for fear of flustering him. -The boy was working busily inside the engine. - -As the seconds passed, Maurice became more and more anxious. The -pursuers would soon come in sight of him; then they would instantly -guess that the gyro-car had broken down, and the two brothers would -stand a poor chance against four determined and unscrupulous men -in a wild country. He ran back; George had heard the throb of the -approaching car, and called him with a low whistle. - -“A few seconds, and we’ll be all right,” he said. - -At that moment the motor came in sight, moving now at less than a -walking-pace. Two hundred yards separated pursuers and pursued. The -Count and two of his followers sprang from the car and rushed towards -the gyro-car. George slammed down the casing and started the engine. -Maurice was already in his place. In a moment George was beside him. -He pulled over the gear lever, depressed the pedal, and the car was -off. The Count was now within twenty yards of them. When he saw George -spring into the car he whipped out his revolver and fired shot after -shot; but his haste and the movement of the car ruined his aim. George -had already declutched and changed into the second speed. The car -gathered way, and, running within a wide rut, in less than a minute was -out of sight. - -“Won by a neck!” said George with a gay laugh. - -“By a head, I should say,” remarked Maurice--“a head with brains in it. -I had no idea you were so expert a mechanician. What was wrong with the -engine?” - -“The carburettor. The nozzle was foul, so that the petrol couldn’t get -into the float-chamber fast enough. It didn’t take me long to put it -right when I discovered what was wrong: that always takes time.” - -“We had a lucky escape. Now we really owe a good deal to the Count. He -will have to back his car to the main road; there’s no room to turn it, -and to follow us is impossible; the road gets worse and worse. We get -off through his error of judgment. He ought to have run straight on -and cut us off from Brindisi. Now, barring another accident, he is too -late.” - -“We may lose ourselves.” - -“Oh no! According to the map, this road runs to Castellane, which is -not very far from the main road. It makes a sharp turn a few miles from -where we left it. We shall find somebody there who’ll direct us, and -then we shall only be about sixty miles from Brindisi.” - -They ran on to Castellane, thence regained the highway below Mottola, -and the road being fairly level, reached Taranto in twenty minutes. -There they halted for a few minutes to drink a glass of lemonade, then -made by way of Francavilla for Brindisi, where they arrived at 11.20, -ten minutes before the mail train was due. - -“Do you remember that Virgil died here?” asked Maurice, as they passed -the column marking the end of the Appian Way. - -“Poor chap!” said George. “He might have chosen a cleaner town. Perhaps -it _was_ cleaner in his time; it is a disreputable-looking place now.” - -The streets were indeed squalid in the extreme. Here and there stood -half-finished buildings, the ground floor complete, but falling into -decay. On open patches heaps of garbage polluted the air, and the -harbour itself had an air of neglect and stagnation. - -The gyro-car was soon surrounded by a motley crowd, apparently of many -nationalities. Maurice rejected the officious offers of shabby touts -to guide him to an hotel, and George steered direct for the harbour. -As good luck would have it, they saw an English naval officer walking -along by the harbour wall. Maurice sprang out of the car and accosted -him. - -“Yes, I am in command of the torpedo-boat wired for from London,” he -said, in reply to Maurice’s question. - -“My name is Buckland. My brother and I have come across the continent -in his gyro-car. We want to get on to Constantinople without delay.” - -“I’m sorry to say we’ve had a mishap. My vessel went aground outside -the harbour in the mist this morning. If we can get her off, it will be -two or three days before she can put to sea. Understanding that the job -was urgent, I wired to Malta, but I doubt whether another vessel can -arrive within a couple of days; they are all at manœuvres. They might -recall one by wireless, but she would certainly have to return to Malta -for fuel. It’s rather a bad job.” - -“It is indeed. We have been chased all the way by a gang of German or -Austrian spies, who want to get hold of a despatch I have. We only got -away by the skin of our teeth; no doubt they’ll be here before long.” - -“The deuce they will!” said the officer. “Did they molest you at all?” - -Maurice related the circumstances of the breakdown, and how the -pursuers had fired at them. - -“That’s good enough. Charge them with assault on the highway. The -authorities here will take care of them.” - -“I’m afraid I can’t afford the time. It would mean endless delays, -and I’m sorry to say we haven’t quite clean hands ourselves--we don’t -possess a licence.” - -“That’s a trifle. Our consul can put that right; the authorities won’t -interfere with a man in your position.” - -“The less said about that the better,” returned Maurice; “my errand is -best kept quiet. What I am concerned about is how to get to Sofia. I -want to save time, and don’t at all relish the idea of kicking my heels -here for days waiting for a torpedo-boat. Isn’t there a vessel in the -harbour that will take me?” - -“There’s a weekly service to Port Said, and an occasional boat to -Constantinople. It takes more than three days, though. Look here, let -us get out of this crowd and go to the hotel and talk it over. That’s a -queer machine of yours.” - -They proceeded to the hotel, George explaining the mechanism of the car -as they went. At lunch they discussed the situation, having asked the -proprietor to let them know if a green motor-car appeared in the town. - -“The delay is very annoying,” said Maurice. “If we wait for a vessel -it will take us four or five days to get to Sofia; that’s a week -altogether. Isn’t there a steamer across the Strait of Otranto?” - -“There’s a sailing vessel that takes eleven hours to make Corfu, but -that won’t help you much.” - -“Why not cross in the gyro?” suggested George. - -“What!” exclaimed the officer. - -“It goes perfectly well on the water,” pursued George. “How far is the -strait across?” - -“From about fifty to a hundred miles. But the idea, pardon me, is -absurd. The sea is calm enough now; but these waters are subject to -sudden storms, and your car could not live through anything like a sea.” - -“I’m inclined to think we might try it, nevertheless,” said Maurice. -“If the weather holds we could make the passage in seven or eight -hours.” - -“And then?” - -“Then we should have to make our way across Albania.” - -“Over the mountains! My dear sir, it’s quite impossible.” - -“Our gyro can go wherever there’s a track,” protested George. - -“You would be murdered _en route_,” said the officer; “they’re all -brigands there.” - -“When I was in Constantinople,” said Maurice, “I made acquaintance with -several Albanians, and learnt something of the language. I think we -might get through safely.” - -“But, my dear sir, what about petrol? You will use far more in crossing -the Adriatic than you would over the same distance by land, and -you can’t possibly carry enough with you to take you to Sofia over -mountainous country. There’s no chance whatever of getting petrol on -the other side.” - -“Yes, that is decidedly awkward,” said Maurice. - -“Don’t give it up,” urged George. “Surely there’s a vessel of some sort -that could take us over, and plenty of petrol too.” - -“Let us ask the proprietor; he will know,” said Maurice. - -The proprietor, on being summoned, told them that a small trading -vessel, the _Margherita_, plied between the Italian and Dalmatian -ports, frequently trading at Durazzo and Hagio Saranda. She was -lying in the harbour, and would, no doubt, sail in the course of the -afternoon. Maurice at once decided to go down to the harbour in company -with the naval officer and interview the skipper, leaving George to -look after the gyro-car and be on the watch for Slavianski and his crew. - -There were two or three Austrian vessels in the harbour, including an -Austrian-Lloyd liner bound for Trieste. Maurice had no doubt that, -although the arrival of the green motor-car had not yet been reported, -Slavianski had by this time reached the town. Probably he was keeping -out of sight, but some of his party would be spying on the movements -of the Englishmen. If they went openly on board the _Margherita_, -she would almost certainly be followed by one of the Austrian vessels -and overhauled at sea. But suddenly an idea occurred to Maurice: that -the _Margherita_ should put off at her appointed time, carrying some -tins of petrol, if they could be taken on board without attracting -attention. Somewhat later, the gyro-car should run to some little spot -northward, take the water, join the vessel in the offing, and be towed -by her across the Adriatic. By that means not only would petrol be -saved, but immediate pursuit would be rendered impossible; for though -Slavianski would certainly chase the gyro-car as soon as it was clear -of Brindisi, he would be quite helpless when it ran into the sea, and -be compelled to return. At any rate, much time would be gained. - -The naval officer laughed when Maurice put this plan to him. - -“This is strategy, if not diplomacy,” he said. “You are determined, I -see; the next thing is to interview the skipper of the _Margherita_, -and find out whether he will make terms with you.” - -“Five English sovereigns will go a long way, I think,” returned Maurice. - -And so it proved. The skipper, a stalwart native of Gallipoli, whose -broad Southern patois was not easy to understand, readily agreed to -undertake what was required of him. Maurice took him to a certain -extent into his confidence, and he needed no persuasion to play a trick -on Austrians. He suggested, as the spot to which the English signori -should drive, Villanuova, a little place about thirty kilometres up -the coast. It was not so far distant as Maurice would have liked, -but Antonio Fagazzi assured him that beyond it the coast roads were -impossible. The arrangement made was that the gyro-car should start -about three hours after the _Margherita_ sailed. - -“When I have you in tow, signor,” said the skipper, “I will make all -sail for Durazzo, and with the fair south wind behind us, we shall make -port early to-morrow morning.” - -“Durazzo is farther north than I want to go. On the other side I must -make for Monastir and join the railway from Salonika. Hagio Saranda -would suit me better.” - -“We shall make better sailing to Durazzo, unless the wind shifts, -signor,” said the skipper. - -“Very well, we will be at Villanuova at dusk.” - -They turned to retrace their way to the hotel. At the harbour gates -they were met by a postal official, who handed a telegram to the naval -officer and stood patiently expecting a gratuity. - -“Just like our Intelligence Department,” said the officer on reading -the telegram. He handed it to Buckland, who read:-- _Nobleman notorious -foreign spy: be on guard._ - -“The fruit of the inquiry set on foot by the Foreign Office three days -ago,” said Maurice. “It’s very good of them. Now I wonder whether I -could get a map of Albania in the town? I don’t know the country, -except in a very general way, and I should like to be able to take my -bearings.” - -“The chances are a hundred to one against you,” said the officer; “but -we’ll see.” - -Inquiries at all the likely shops in the main street proved fruitless. - -“We shall have to take our chance,” said Maurice. “Now I must return to -my brother, and tell him what we have arranged. We must also have some -petrol sent to the _Margherita_ at once--as much as we can load onto -our car; and a couple of tyres. We can’t expect to get through without -punctures on the mountains yonder.” - -“Let us hope only your tyres will be punctured,” said the officer -grimly. “I don’t envy you your journey.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -A ROMAN ROAD - - -Meanwhile George had thoroughly overhauled the car. - -“She’s in tip-top condition,” he said. “Not a sign of weakness -anywhere. Have you seen anything of Slavianski?” - -“Nothing,” replied Maurice. “I don’t think he has come into the town. -The arrival of a racing motor could not fail to attract attention. The -Foreign Office has discovered who he is, and telegraphed to us to be on -our guard.” - -“Thank you for nothing,” said George with a grimace. “Have you made all -arrangements?” - -“Yes. The skipper is a stout fellow, and if his seamanship is as good -as his Italian is bad, we shall make Durazzo in less than twelve hours.” - -“What about passports, by the way?” asked the officer. “You can’t -travel in Turkey without them.” - -“I have mine,” replied Maurice. “George must pass as my chauffeur; I -daresay they’ll let him in without difficulty in that capacity.” - -Having dined early as the guest of the officer, they left the hotel -about five o’clock, running the gauntlet of a crowd of urchins who -shrieked entreaties for alms. George had started the gyroscopes while -still in the garage. They proceeded due westward over a gradually -ascending road until they ran down into the little town of S. Vito de -Normanni. Immediately after leaving this town Maurice, looking back, -saw the green car speeding after them at a tremendous pace. - -“They haven’t given it up, then,” said George, when Maurice informed -him. - -He opened the throttle until the car spun along at the rate of nearly -seventy miles an hour. For a few minutes the racer held its own, but -then began to drop away, not from any defect of speed, but owing to -the bumpiness of the road. Just before reaching Ostuni there was a -short, steep hill, first down and then up. George did not slacken speed -until he reached the by-road that turned abruptly to the right towards -the sea. When round the corner he drove at maximum velocity, crossed -the railway line, and came to the hamlet of Villanuova, within twenty -minutes of leaving Brindisi. Maurice looked anxiously behind. There was -no sign of the motor-car; it had indeed overshot the by-road. - -Amid the wonderment of the fishermen, the gyro-car ran down the beach, -and into the sea. The _Margherita_ was not in sight, and George -steered eastward to meet her. They were nearly a mile from the shore -when they saw the motor-car emerge from the village. It halted for a -few minutes; no doubt Slavianski was scanning the sea. Then it turned -about, and disappeared from view. - -“He’s running back to Brindisi,” said George. “Will he pursue us in one -of those Austrian boats, I wonder?” - -“It’s a lost game, I think,” replied Maurice. “It will be dark before -he can overtake us, and even his perseverance won’t be able to discover -us then. But I wish the _Margherita_ were in sight.” - -There were several craft, including a large steamer going south, near -the horizon, too far off to be distinguished with any certainty. None -of them was the _Margherita_. The travellers became anxious; had -Antonio Fagazzi failed them? - -“If she doesn’t appear soon we shall be in a pretty hobble,” said -George. “I can’t do more than seven knots on the water.” - -“We could steer for Durazzo by your compass if the weather keeps -reasonably fine,” suggested Maurice. - -“That’s true, but we should consume a terrible quantity of petrol, -and probably shouldn’t have enough left for a hundred miles’ run in -Albania. Has that skipper sold us?” - -“I doubt it. Perhaps he had to wait for the petrol. We had better -cruise about, and not too far from Villanuova.” - -An hour went by; darkness fell, and they switched on one of the small -electric lamps that lit the interior of the car. The wind blew cold, -and their spirits sank: the _Margherita_ might easily pass them in -the dark, and they hesitated to light the powerful acetylene lamp, -lest it attracted foes rather than friends. At last, when they almost -despaired, they caught sight of a light some distance out at sea to the -north-east. Immediately afterwards a second light appeared, near the -first, but swinging like a pendulum. - -“I fancy that’s a signal,” said George; “I’ll light our lamp and -show it in that direction; it’s too far northward to be seen towards -Brindisi.” - -“We might make towards it, don’t you think?” said Maurice. “If you find -we are wrong, we must try to slip away in the darkness.” - -They moved slowly towards the swinging light, George every now and then -turning his lamp inwards. In half an hour they came up with a sailing -vessel, hove to. - -“Is that the _Margherita_?” Maurice called in Italian. - -“_Si, Signori_,” came the reply. “An Austrian gunboat ran down a little -while ago, and I thought it best not to take you in tow while she was -in sight. Now that they have this telegraphing without wires, I feared -she might communicate with the Austrian vessels in the harbour.” - -Maurice complimented the man on his forethought. A rope was thrown -from the deck; George made it fast to the gyro-car; the skipper hauled -up his courses, and the vessel sailed away on the smooth sea, under a -cloudless sky, towards the Illyrian coast. The brothers slept for the -greater part of the night, too fatigued to feel the want of overcoats -or rugs. - -At daybreak on the following morning they saw, far ahead, the -castellated fortress of Durazzo gleaming white on its rocky headland, -with the Albanian hills behind. Just as Brindisi had evoked memories of -Virgil and Horace, so Durazzo--the Dyrhacchium of the ancient world, -and the starting-point of the Via Egnatia--had familiar associations in -Maurice’s mind. As they stepped on to the jetty he said to George: - -“It’s odd to think that Cicero may have come ashore on this very spot? -He chose Dyrhacchium as his place of exile when he fled from Clodius.” - -“Well, all I can say is,” said George, “that I’ve lost all my respect -for Roman noses. Brindisi was bad enough, but there are several -generations of stinks here.” - -Maurice smiled, and turned from him to meet the Customs officer, who -addressed him in Italian. The gyro-car was being swung ashore from the -deck of the _Margherita_. - -“I am at a loss, Signor,” said the officer, eyeing the vehicle in -perplexity. “I have no scale for such a thing. Is it a boat or a -motor-car?” - -“It is both, Signor,” replied Maurice. - -“Then I fear I must refer the matter to Constantinople. It will be a -week or more before I receive a reply. Meanwhile I must, of course, -impound the machine.” - -“Perhaps that will not be necessary, Signor,” said Maurice, pleasantly. -“As a boat it is not subject to duty, I presume. I am quite willing to -pay the duty on a motor-car and on the petrol we carry.” - -“That will be sufficient, Signor. But have you a passport?” - -Maurice produced it, and the official handed it back after inspection. - -“And this other?” he added, indicating George, who stood looking on -with the air of suspicion common with persons who hear a conversation -in a language they do not understand. - -“He is my chauffeur; he doesn’t count, Signor,” replied Maurice, -smiling as he thought how indignant George would be if he understood -him. - -This explanation satisfied the official, who accepted the English money -offered him in payment of the duties, and allowed the travellers to -pass. They made their way, wheeling the gyro-car, through the single -dirty street of which Durazzo consists, avoiding the small hairy -bullocks that lay here and there, and the swarms of red-capped children -who buzzed about them, calling out: “_Capitagno! O capitagno! Pará! -pará!_” Maurice beckoned one, and asked him in Italian to lead him -to the little hotel recommended by the skipper of the _Margherita_, -promising him a couple of _paras_ for his trouble. Meanwhile the -sailors were trundling the tins of petrol in the rear. - -The hotel was kept by an Italian, who gave the English _capitani_--all -well-dressed strangers are captains in Durazzo--a satisfactory -breakfast. - -Maurice entered into conversation with him, and learnt, with a certain -misgiving, that there were several Austrians in the town. For some time -past there had been an influx of Austrians into the seaboard districts -of Albania. They had been diligent in making friends with the people, -sympathising with them in the diminished prosperity of the ports due to -the railway from Salonika, hinting that the day of independence would -soon dawn for them, and that when they finally threw off the Turkish -yoke they might get a slice of territory from Servia or Montenegro. -These hints and suggestions fell on a ready soil. The Albanians were -still sore from the stern suppression of their rising a few years -before, and the disarmament which had been attempted by the Turks. -They resented also the endeavours of the Turkish Government to enforce -the use in their schools of Arabic characters instead of the Latin -alphabet, which had been formally adopted in a national congress. Their -discontent was being artfully fomented by Austrian agents, who had -plenty of secret service money at their disposal. Something of this -was already known to Maurice; but the hotel-keeper having, as a good -Italian, a cordial dislike of the growth of Austrian influence, told -his English guest a great deal that was not suspected by the British -Foreign Office. - -Maurice was making a careful mental note of all this for the benefit of -his chief, when Antonio Fagazzi came in hurriedly: - -“_Per Bacco!_ Signor,” he cried, “there is a steam-launch making all -speed for the harbour. She shows no flag yet, but she is as like an -Austrian launch that lay in Brindisi harbour yesterday as one egg to -another.” - -This news was disquieting, in the light of what Maurice had learnt -from the hotel-keeper. He had good hope of escaping the pursuit of -Slavianski if they once got among the mountains and had only natural -difficulties to contend with. These difficulties, of course, were -serious enough. Apart from the risks of travelling through a wild -and unknown country of rugged mountains, there was the danger of -falling among brigands. To this must now be added the probability -that the Albanian mountaineers, who would, perhaps, in any case be -likely to regard the travellers as fair game, would be egged on by the -Austrians to attack them, not merely as travellers, but as enemies of -the country. It was the Young Turks that were troubling Albania, and -the Young Turks were encouraged by England. Slavianski, if he was in -the approaching launch, would not scruple to make use of odium and -prejudice to effect his purpose. - -Maurice thanked the skipper, and learning from him that the launch -would probably not make the harbour for half an hour, decided to leave -Durazzo at once. The gyro-car could travel a good distance in half an -hour. He told George rapidly what he had heard. They laid in a stock -of food and wine--this of a poor quality, but the best, and indeed the -only, beverage the hotel afforded--and bought a fez each as a measure -of precaution, Maurice saying that if they passed through the country -in infidel hats, some fanatical Moslems might be provoked to molest -them. Then they prepared to start. - -But they were not to get away easily. At the door they were beset by -people, old and young, begging the _nobili capitani_ to purchase their -wares. Maurice sternly refused, knowing that if he bought from one, the -rest would clamour the more persistently. They had mounted into the -car, when the bimbashi of the Turkish garrison came up and demanded to -see their _taskereh_. Maurice amiably showed him the passport, and gave -him the same explanation about George; whereupon the officer became -very friendly, and began to ask questions about the mechanism of the -car. It required all Maurice’s tact to make his answers brief without -offence; and when at last the car was started, nearly a quarter of an -hour had passed. - -Maurice felt miserably handicapped by the lack of a map. Monastir, the -place he intended to make for, was, he knew, due east of Durazzo, but -he did not know how far distant it was, nor could the hotel-keeper -tell him with any certainty. The road at first ran over a plain, but -it was worse than the worst by-lane in the wildest part of England. -To an ordinary motor-car it would have been quite impassable, and -even a cyclist would have had to dismount frequently. But over such -rough ground the gyro-car had an advantage. Its equilibrium was not -easily disturbed; it could even run in a rut that would prove fatal -to motor-car or bicycle. Yet it was only at a very modest pace that -the travellers were able to pick their way along this apology for -a highway. George’s patience was severely taxed when he found it -impossible to maintain a higher average speed than about six miles an -hour. - -The ground rose gradually towards a barren range of hills, along the -sides of which ran a track so narrow, that if it had rained there -would have been the greatest risk of skidding on the slippery clay -soil. George had to drive with infinite care, crawling along at a -walking pace, and often applying the brakes. When they had crossed -the ridge they saw a broad river winding picturesquely between high -cliffs, and a village nestling among olive-grounds. Here Maurice would -have liked to engage a guide, but reflected that there was no time -to make inquiries, and it would be imprudent to employ a man without -recommendation. Maurice knew enough of the Albanian language to ask the -way of the keeper of a small _han_, as the inns are called, and learnt -that Tirana, the first town of any size, lay about four hours’ journey -across the river. Beyond Tirana, another four or five hours’ march, lay -Elbasan, and though its distance from Durazzo could scarcely have been -more than forty miles as the crow flies, it was clear that they would -be lucky if they reached it by nightfall. - -They passed on, and found that the river wound so frequently that they -had to ford it eight times before they finally crossed it by a stone -bridge. At this point the road was a trifle better, and they were able -to drive faster. At another time they might have been interested in the -scenes along the road--the luxuriant olive-gardens, the women trudging -with heavy bundles on their backs, knitting as they walked; the teams -of mules laden with black wool, and driven by black-cloaked men who -called upon Allah as the strange vehicle ran past them. But their -anxieties forbade more than a fleeting attention to their surroundings. -They crossed little streams on crazy plank budges, each one of which -gave George a shudder; and as they approached Tirana were amazed at -the immense flocks of turkeys that infested the road, and stubbornly -refused to heed the warnings of the hooter. - -Tirana itself proved to be even more dirty than Durazzo. They were -hungry, but wished to reserve for emergencies the food bought at -Durazzo, yet hesitated to seek a meal in the wretched-looking _hans_. -Plucking up their courage, they entered that which appeared least -offensive, and found themselves in a low room, suffocatingly hot, -festooned with cobwebs, and swarming with cockroaches. They made a meal -of grapes, the only article of food for which they had any appetite, -and left the place in a few minutes, to find the whole population -gazing with awe at the gyro-car. - -On again, through a broad, undulating plain, and once more into the -mountains, covered with beech and oak and a tangle of ferns and -creepers. Looking back over the splendid prospect when they reached -the crest, they saw, in the valley about four miles away, a party -of horsemen following the same track as themselves, and riding at -extraordinary speed, considering the nature of the ground. They were -too far away to be distinguished, but, strung up to anticipate pursuit, -the Bucklands did not doubt that Slavianski and his companions had -engaged Albanian guides, and were hot-foot in chase. - -“We can go wherever horses can,” said George, “and faster. They daren’t -go at more than a walking-pace in these hills. By the time they get -here we ought to be a dozen miles away.” - -“I shouldn’t risk too high a speed,” said Maurice; “a single slip, and -we’re over a precipice.” - -“Don’t be nervous, old man. Those white minarets yonder should be -Elbasan; but we can’t venture to put up for the night, can we?” - -“I’m afraid not. It will be four o’clock by the time we get there, -at a guess; we shall have to go on until it’s dark, and then either -find a shelter in some village, or camp in the open. It will be quite -impossible to run by night, as we did in Italy.” - -“Well, luckily it’s fine. I suppose there are no wild beasts in these -parts?” - -“I don’t know.” - -“I’ve got a fit of the blues,” said George. “I hoped we had seen the -last of those fellows.” - -“I confess I’m off colour too. There is evidently a good deal at stake -with Slavianski, or he wouldn’t have kept it up so long. We have had -good luck so far, but the country is getting wilder as we go on, and we -shall come across the mountaineers before long. If we are held up, we -shall be overtaken.” - -“Confound your despatch!” - -“I’m not troubled about my despatch,” said Maurice with a laugh; “that -is, I don’t think Slavianski will find it. The bother is the delay. The -Foreign Secretary would have risked the telegraph, I think, if he had -had any inkling of Slavianski’s game.” - -“Well, we’ve had some fun,” said George; “but I hope it’s not going to -be spoilt now. I’d relish a stand-up fight, with a fair chance; but -this handicap’s rather unfair, don’t you think so?” - -“My dear fellow, have you lost faith in your gyro-car?” - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE HONOUR OF AN ALBANIAN - - -Passing a long stretch of walled olive-gardens, the travellers arrived -at Elbasan. The gate in its high and massive wall stood open. They ran -through into a narrow, dirty street, roofed over with matting and dry -leaves, scattering the groups of wild, sullen-looking inhabitants, some -of whom raised a fierce cry of “Shaitan!”; others put their fingers -into their mouths and whistled shrilly, after the manner of English -butcher-boys. But the travellers were not molested; they left the town, -spun through a barren valley, and crossing the river Skumbi by the high -one-arched bridge, found themselves climbing a steep and difficult path -that wound along at the edge of clay precipices, so narrow that if they -had met another vehicle, or a mule-train, further progress would have -been impossible. - -They had nearly reached the top, going slowly, as the perilous nature -of the path demanded, when they saw, bright against the grey wall -ahead, a young man with a rifle in his hand, intently watching them. - -“Our first brigand!” said George. “Have your revolver handy.” - -“The disarmament is evidently a fiction,” said Maurice. “Sound your -hooter; he is stepping into the middle of the path.” - -“Better not, in case Slavianski is within earshot. I’ll give him a -shout when we come near, and if he doesn’t budge I’m afraid we shall -have to bowl him over.” - -But at that moment a shot rang out from the hill above. The man gave a -cry, staggered, and dropped his rifle, which fell over the precipice, -and could be heard clashing against the saplings that grew out of the -clayey wall. There was a shout from the hill-top, and a second man -scrambled down the steep and rugged slope about two hundred yards away. -The wounded man drew his dagger and faced about as if to await the -onslaught of his enemy; but as the car came up with him, he seemed to -realise that without a rifle his case was desperate, and with a sudden -spring clutched at the side of the vehicle and began to run along -beside it. His action would have overthrown a motor bicycle, but the -gyroscopes kept the car steady. - -“Beat him off!” cried George, thinking that the man meditated an -attack. It was impossible to shake him off by increasing the speed -on such a dangerous path, so he slowed down in order to give Maurice -assistance if it were needed. But the man begged him earnestly to -proceed, and on the impulse of the moment Maurice leant over the side -and helped him to scramble into the car. There was a sharp bend in the -path a few yards ahead. As they came to this, a bullet struck the face -of the cliff at an angle, and bespattered them with crumbs of hard -clay. Next moment they turned the corner, and were out of sight of the -man who had now descended to the path. - -George, though dubious of the prudence of his brother’s impulsive -action, ventured to run a little faster in spite of the risk. -Before the car reached a second bend another bullet whistled past, -unpleasantly close, and again he increased the speed. - -“Go easy,” said Maurice, after a minute or two. “We must be out of -reach now. The oaks below there are very picturesque, but I shouldn’t -care for a closer acquaintance with them.” - -At this point the precipice on their left broke away at the height of -several hundred feet, and through a cleft beyond they saw a snow-capped -mountain towering into the sky. On the other side, far below, lay -a dense oak forest, through which they caught glimpses of a river -sparkling like a silver thread. - -Mustering his stock of Albanian phrases, Maurice questioned the man. - -“You were attacked. Why?” - -“For blood, excellence,” was the reply. - -Maurice had lived long enough in the Balkans to understand what -the man’s answer implied. Either he, or one of his family, perhaps -generations before, had injured a man of another family, and there -was a relentless blood-feud between them. Maurice did not press the -question, but, as dusk was falling, asked the man whether he knew of a -_han_ in the neighbourhood where they might put up for the night. - -“No _han_, excellence,” replied the man; “but the house of my family is -near; there you will be welcome. You have saved me, excellence. _Tan -giat tjeter!_” (Long life to you!) - -They went on for a short distance. Then, at a narrow defile in the -hill, they left the track at a word from the Albanian, and climbed -up a still narrower path, winding intricately amid dark, overhanging -woods. After about half a mile they came to an opening among the -trees, where stood a tiny village clustered at the foot of the hill. -First was a square three-storied building, with a narrow door in one -face, and small windows on two sides. This was the _kula_, a sort of -watchtower for the village, and there, as the Albanian explained, lived -his grandfather, his father, two uncles, three brothers, and a cousin, -with their families. Beyond were smaller houses, which appeared to be -entered through a hole in the wall, approached by ricketty ladders. - -At sight of the gyro-car, a child, dressed in a kind of sack, screamed -shrilly and fled into the house. George stopped the car; they all -alighted, and the Albanian led them to the doorway, paying no heed to -the explanations of the neighbours who flocked up. - -Following him, the travellers mounted a crazy ladder to the top of -the house, and found themselves in a vast dark room. At the further -end a fire was smouldering under a kind of tent. As their eyes became -accustomed to the dimness, they saw nearly a score of persons, male and -female, squatting on chests ranged round the walls. Their guide spoke a -few words. Instantly there was commotion. A woman threw a faggot on the -fire, which flared up, revealing smoke-blackened rafters, from which, -as from the walls, hung weapons, field implements, haunches of dried -meat, and festoons of smoked fish. Others of the company strewed the -floor with sheepskins and cushions for the visitors, and an old man -removed a millstone that blocked a narrow window, and shouted: “We have -guests; we have guests.” The travellers wondered at this, until they -learnt presently that it was a warning to the people of the hamlet: -while guests were in the house, blood-feuds were in abeyance. - -The family’s reception of their guests lacked nothing in warmth. A kid -was instantly cut up in preparation for a meal; _rakia_, a kind of -spirit, was poured from stone pitchers into earthenware goblets; no -questions were asked. When the grandson of the old man explained what -the strangers had done for him, there were loud cries of praise and -gratitude; and hearing that they had come on a devil machine, the whole -party trooped out of the house to inspect it. Maurice asked that it -might be placed in safety, and it was wheeled into the large chamber -that occupied the ground floor, and served as stable and storeroom. - -The old man meanwhile attended to his grandson’s injury. He professed -to be an expert in the treatment of gunshot wounds. He took the white -of an egg and a handful of salt, mixed them together, poured the -liquid on the man’s injured arm, and bandaged it. This would suffice -for an hour or two, until he had compounded a lotion of _rakia_ and -pine resin. While he was doing this he explained to Maurice, who knew -enough of the language to follow him, that the man who had fired the -shot owned the house opposite. He had accused Giorgio--such was the -young man’s name--of setting fire to his haystacks. The charge had -been considered by a council of elders, and Giorgio was acquitted. But -in Albania acquittal is no bar to a second trial; indeed, the case -had been heard two or three times, always with the same result. Then -the ill-feeling between the families found vent in a free fight, in -which a relative of the accuser had been killed. Now there would be no -peace until either Giorgio or one of his family had been slain, and -the honour of the accuser “cleaned.” For some weeks Giorgio had not -ventured to leave the house alone until this day. If accompanied by a -relative he would be safe, but alone he was always in danger. It was -only because the enemy had been absent for some days that he had gone -out unattended, and evidently he had met the avenger returning home. - -While they were eating their supper, Maurice, knowing that, as a -guest, he could depend on his host’s friendship, explained briefly, -and in halting speech, the circumstances in which he was placed, and -his intention of proceeding next day to Monastir. The old man was much -troubled. The Inglesi, he said, were disliked in Albania. They were -represented by the Austrians as friends of the Turks and the Serbs, -whom the Albanians hated and distrusted equally. He recommended that -the travellers should call themselves Austrians, and be very free with -their money as they passed through the villages in the interior. - -They were still talking, when there was the sound of a shot without. -The women and children shrieked: the men started up in great -indignation at this breach of the _besa_ or truce, which ought to -remain inviolate while guests were in the house. One of the sons ran to -the door, and soon returned shaking with laughter. The shot had merely -been fired by one of their neighbours in sport. - -An hour or two later, when the women were preparing for the guests beds -of reed mats, felt sheets, and red-cotton pillows, laid on the chests -by the wall, a loud voice was heard outside hailing the master of the -house. Feeling secure in the _besa_, the old man once more removed the -millstone from the window, and asked who spoke and what he wanted. It -was too dark to see. Maurice tried to follow the ensuing dialogue, and -understood enough of it to make him desperately uneasy. - -“You Giulika, I know you, Christian dog that you are,” cried the -man without. “I demand that you give up the English spies, who are -overrunning the country on a contrivance of Shaitan himself.” - -“What, you Moslem pig, have you come from Elbasan on a fool’s errand? -Shall I deliver up my guests? It is no custom of my house to betray -those who seek my hospitality. Know that I take what guests I please, -and keep them.” - -“Hound, they are spies, infidels like yourself. Give them up, or you -will suffer a grievous punishment when the Bey hears of it.” - -“Get you back whence you came,” cried the old man, “lest evil befall -you. Who are you to bid Giulika lose his honour by betraying a guest? -Begone! Trouble me no more.” - -He spat out of the window and replaced the mill-stone. - -Maurice had understood only a part of what had been said. The old -man explained to him that the summoner was a swordsmith of Elbasan, -a Moslem, and an ill-conditioned fellow. And from the clanking of -horses’ bits that he had heard at a little distance he believed that -the swordsmith was accompanied by a considerable party. But no matter -who they were, or how numerous, he would never defile his honour by -betraying his guests. - -Begging old Giulika to excuse him, Maurice turned to consult with -George, who was looking puzzled and anxious. - -“It’s very unfortunate that we are here,” said the elder brother. “The -old fellow refuses to give us up, but I’m afraid he’ll suffer for it. -The man who summoned him is a Moslem; he’s a Christian himself; and -though the Christians and Moslems live peacefully enough as a rule, -they fight like tiger-cats if they’re set by the ears. I’ve no doubt -that Slavianski has hired a lot of ruffians who’ll commit any sort of -outrage for pay, and if he works up the anti-English feeling, we may -have a whole tribe attacking us. We’ve no right to involve the old man -and his family in our difficulties.” - -“Couldn’t we slip away in the darkness? One of the family might guide -us.” - -“I’ll ask him. My good friend,” he said to the old man, “we thank you -for your hospitality, but we know what trouble we may bring upon you. -We wish to go to Monastir; could one of your sons or grandsons guide -us, if we slip out of the house by-and-by?” - -Giulika reflected, and spoke to his sons. - -“It is not wise, stranger,” he said at length. “My honour is engaged, -by the law of Lek, to protect you for a day after you leave my house. -By night, it is true, you could go up into the hills, and be safe: but -when it is light, you would be seen, and your presence would be shouted -from hill to hill, until the whole country was roused. That is certain -if you proceed to Monastir by Ochrida.” - -“Could we not go some other way?” suggested Maurice. “I wish ultimately -to reach Sofia.” - -“Yes, there is a long and difficult road to the north. It would be -safe, perhaps, to travel by way of Prizren. The people of the north do -not love the Austrians: it is only they of the south that are flattered -and deluded by them. They do not love the Serbs nor the Montenegrins, -but they have no wish to change bad neighbours for worse masters. Do -they not remember what has befallen the Bosnians?” - -“It is a very long way to Prizren, and thence to Bulgaria,” objected -Maurice. - -“True; it is farther than to Monastir, and more hilly. But I tell you, -friend, it is safer.” - -“How could we go?” - -“Along the banks of the Black Drin. It is a bad road; but not -impossible.” - -At this an idea struck Maurice. If they could gain the bank of the -river, they might float down the current on the gyro-car without any -expenditure of petrol. The river would only take them a short distance -in the direction they wished to go, because it swept westward towards -the Adriatic; but a river journey would have the advantage of keeping -them off the frequented roads, and probably out of sight from the -pursuers. - -“How far is it to the river?” he asked. - -“About five hours’ march to Struga, by the main road: about seven hours -to the Drin below Struga, by the mountain paths. Why does my friend -ask?” - -“The machine you saw is a boat. Could we take it over the paths you -mention?” - -“You have brought it from Elbasan, by the mercy of God,” said the old -man with a smile. “Why should you not take it to the Drin? For myself, -I would not trust my life to it; but the Inglesi are great adventurers. -The mountains to the north are higher than those you have passed, but I -know of a pass that avoids the highest summits. The track begins but a -little way behind this house; it climbs the hill, and then winds in and -out among the lower slopes of the mountains above the Drin.” - -All this time the old man had preserved a cheerful demeanour, evincing -no anxiety as to what might be going on outside. The silence there -seemed to Maurice suspicious. Slavianski had shown such persistence -hitherto that he was hardly likely to draw back when, to all -appearance, he had his quarry in a trap. - -Suddenly there was a great commotion without. Shots rang out, followed -by fierce cries. Then came from below a crash as of some heavy body -driven against the massive door, which had been closed and bolted at -nightfall. - -“They are trying to break in!” cried George. - -The old man showed no trace of alarm. Some of the younger members of -his family climbed up a ladder in a corner of the room, leading to the -roof, where a store of stones and combustibles was kept for just such -an occasion as this. George, thinking of the safety of the gyro-car, -snatched up a rifle and cartridges and hurried down the ricketty ladder -to the ground floor. Maurice followed him, gripping his revolver; and -Giulika took a rifle from the wall and descended the steps more slowly. - -The Bucklands had just reached the door when it was burst in, yielding -to a tremendous blow from something of the nature of a battering-ram. -They fired at the crowd beginning to swarm in. In darkness themselves, -they were able to take good aim at the enemy by the glare of -combustibles flung down from the roof. The shots from the black doorway -checked the rush. The assailants shrank back, into a shower of stones -hurled at them from above. At the same time, to Maurice’s surprise, -they were met by a fusillade from the opposite house--the dwelling of -the man who owed “blood” to Giorgio, and had that very day attempted -his life. It was one of the inconsistencies of this strange people. As -a private person Giorgio was the man’s deadly enemy, to be stalked and -shot down without remorse as a family duty. But as a fellow-villager, -attacked by men of another place and another religion, he was to be -helped even at personal risk. “Blood” was forgotten in face of a public -danger. - -Taken thus between two fires, and battered by the falling stones, -the assailants were utterly discomfited. The crowd fell apart, they -flitted away into the blackness beyond, and in the fitful light of the -fireballs from the roof, Maurice caught a glimpse of Slavianski and his -party hastening after the Albanians. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -SOME RIDDLES AND A NURSERY RHYME - - -Old Giulika, laughing with a childish delight in the discomfiture of -the enemy, closed the door, and, since the bolts had been broken, had -it barricaded with balks of timber that were kept on the ground floor. -Then he returned with his guests to the living apartments at the top -of the house. He was quite cheerful. He joked with the men of his -family on their victory, and ordered the women, who showed no alarm, to -prepare a sumptuous supper to celebrate it. The larder, which consisted -of two large dug-out troughs, did not contain anything very dainty; -but a fowl and a young pig were soon simmering in a huge pot of beans, -and on these, served in wooden ladles, and hard maize bread, the men -feasted; the women would eat when their lords had finished. - -The guests had little appetite. They were very weary, but too anxious -and troubled to sleep. The air of the room was hot and oppressive, -and by-and-by the old man, perceiving how pale they were, asked if -he could serve them in any way, and, at their request, immediately -removed the millstones from the two unglazed windows, and let in a -current of cool air. He chuckled as he returned to the company. The -enemy, he said, had encamped some little distance away, around a large -fire; evidently they wished to be out of reach of stones from the roof. -They, too, appeared to be cheerful. Strains of song rose from the -encampment--fierce songs of war, of struggles with the Turks, and the -heroic deeds of Scanderbeg. Presently these ceased, and there was a -vast stillness without. - -But not within. After supper the guests expected the family to repair -to their mat beds, and felt some delicacy in remaining among them. -But Giulika commanded the women and children to retire behind their -curtains, and the men to form a group in the middle of the room. - -“We must cheer our guests,” he said, “unless they wish to sleep.” - -Maurice assured him that to sleep was impossible. - -“That is well,” said the old man; “too much sleep is bad for men. Now, -Marko, ask a riddle. And you, Doda, go to the roof to watch.” - -One of his grandsons drank off a mug of _rakia_, and mounted to the -roof. Another cleared his throat, and said: - -“Though it is not an ox, it has horns; though it is not an ass, it has -a pack-saddle, and wherever it goes it leaves silver behind.” - -“Ah! that is a good one,” cried Giulika. “What is the answer, friend -Inglesi?” - -Maurice’s head was racking, but he smiled, and pretended to consider; -he would not hurt the feelings of these hospitable folk. But he -confessed in a few minutes that the riddle was beyond him. - -“Aha! it is a fine riddle: a snail, friend,” and he chuckled with glee. -“Ho, Doda!” he called up the ladder, “is there anything?” - -“Nothing,” was the reply. - -“That is well. Now, Dushmani, it is your turn.” - -His second son, a big, fierce-looking fellow, with a huge moustache, -scratched his shaven head; all heads in Albania are shaven, leaving -patches of hair of various shapes. - -“What is that which wears the wool inside and the flesh outside?” he -asked. - -“A splendid riddle!” cried his father; “Answer that if you can, friend.” - -Again Maurice considered. He repeated the riddle in English to George, -who was making heroic efforts to appear interested. - -“They must think we’re kids,” he said, sourly. - -“Well, smile, old boy; they’ve done a good deal for us.” - -George grinned vacantly at his host, who slapped his thigh, and asked -if the young Inglesi had discovered the answer. - -“No, we are not good at riddles in England,” said Maurice. “We cannot -tell.” - -“A candle!” shouted the old man, triumphantly. “You would never have -guessed that. Now I will give one myself.” - -So an hour or two passed, every riddle being received with the same -gravity, every answer with the same simple joy. At intervals Giulika -called to his grandson on the roof; the answer was always the same. -Then they fell to telling stories. One of these tickled even George -when Maurice translated it to him. - -“A man,” said Giulika, “bought a donkey in the bazaar and led it away. -Two thieves followed him. His back being turned, one slipped the halter -from the donkey and put it over his own head. The other went off with -the donkey. When he had had time to escape, his mate began to pull and -groan. The purchaser looked back, and lo! there was no donkey, but -instead, a man. ‘Where is my donkey?’ he asked, in great amazement. -‘Woe is me!’ cried the thief; ‘I am that luckless being. A magician -turned me into a donkey for fifteen years; the time has just come to an -end. I am a man again, and have nothing, and know not where to go.’ And -the kind man released him, and gave him some money.” - -Roars of laughter greeted the end of the story. Then Giorgio, the young -man who had been wounded, and had hitherto kept silence, announced that -he had had a very funny thought. It tickled him so much that for a time -he could not tell it; and even while he told it, laughter interrupted -him after every sentence. - -“Suppose a cow fell from the cliff opposite,” he said. “It would be -broken all to pieces. Every man would run to pick up a bit for supper. -Then suppose, just as they got there, the bits all joined into a cow -again and ran away!” - -The thought of their disappointment amused the company so much that -they shouted again and again. More stories followed, and all the time -Maurice was pondering on his plight, wondering what the next day would -bring forth. Slavianski had not given up his purpose; the encampment -outside was proof of that. The darkness had been to his disadvantage -in the first attack; would he renew his onslaught on the morrow? Was -the _kula_ strong enough to withstand him? Was it right to imperil the -lives and goods of these kindly, simple Albanians? Presently, from -sheer exhaustion, both George and Maurice fell into an uneasy sleep, -from which they were roused, as the dawn was stealing into the room, -by a shout from Doda, who had remained on the roof. The enemy were -advancing to the attack. There was a score of Albanians, and four -Europeans, and the tall, bearded leader of the Europeans was urging on -men who bore a heavy tree-trunk slung on ropes. - -The old patriarch, instantly ordered the ladder leading to the ground -floor to be drawn up. He knew that the door would not withstand a -battering-ram. At the same time the rest of the men went to the windows -and the roof and fired at the assailants, some of the boys hurling -stones down among them. There were scattered shots also from the other -houses in the village. The enemy replied briskly with a fusillade. -Several of them were hit, but the others rushed forward to the door, -broke it in with one stroke of the ram, and poured into the house, -followed by the Austrians. - -But here they were baffled by the removal of the ladder. They shouted -to the old man, commanding him to deliver up his guests. They fired -through the trapdoor; there was no one on the second storey, but the -Mauser bullets pierced the logs that formed the floor of the upper -room, and sent the inmates for safety to the roof. Thence they fired, -but sparingly, for they had not many cartridges; their stock of -missiles also was becoming exhausted: but the old man declared that -they were safe--there was no ladder in the village long enough to -replace that which had been withdrawn. - -What was to be the end of it? The answer was soon made clear. A smell -of burning arose from the bottom of the house. The invaders had set -fire to some of the stores. Maurice could not but regard this as -merely a warning; he could scarcely believe that Slavianski, however -unscrupulous, deliberately intended to burn down the house and all -that it contained. Giulika, looking grave at the destruction of his -property, took the same view, and declared that such threats were -vain; every Albanian must know that his honour was committed to the -preservation of his guests, and he could never give them up. Such -loyalty in a half-savage mountaineer stirred Maurice to admiration. - -“The car!” cried George suddenly. “If a spark catches the petrol the -whole place will be blown up.” - -Without an instant’s hesitation Maurice sprang down into the room, down -the ladder to the next floor, and, leaning over the opening, called -aloud that he surrendered. - -“Count Slavianski,” he cried, “spare the household.” - -“Assuredly, Mr. Buckland,” replied the man. - -“And wheel the gyro-car into the open, away from the fire, or the -petrol will explode.” - -The Count evidently had not thought of that. The fire had indeed been -started by the men of Elbasan, without orders from him, and he had -been too much occupied to remember the danger. Fortunately the car was -at the rear of the large chamber; the fire was at the front. He ordered -the Albanians to beat out the fire, explaining to them that the Inglesi -had surrendered, and the siege was at an end. - -By this time Maurice had been joined by George and the men of the -household. Giulika was almost angry at the turn of events. But Maurice -courteously waved aside his expostulations, and, the ladder having been -let down, descended to the ground. - -“I congratulate you,” said the Count in French, his eyes gleaming with -satisfaction. - -“On what, may I ask?” said Maurice. - -“First, on the ingenuity of your scheme of travel; now, on your return -to your senses. The air is fresher outside; shall we continue our -conversation there?” - -They went into the open air. At a sign from Rostopchin, George and the -members of the household were disarmed as they came one by one down -the ladder, the Austrian explaining, in answer to Giulika’s indignant -outcry, that the weapons would be returned very soon. - -“Now, Monsieur,” said Slavianski when they were outside, “I have wasted -so much time that we had better come to business at once. You have a -despatch from your Secretary of State?” - -“You say so, Monsieur le Comte.” - -“I ask you to hand it to me--to save trouble.” - -“Of course I shall hand you nothing.” - -“Then I must search you. Resistance is useless.” He glanced -significantly at the group of Albanians who stood beside their horses a -few yards distant. - -“I shall not resist,” said Maurice with a smile. “But you will permit -me to make a formal protest.” - -“A protest can do no harm,” said the Count, grinning, “Now, if you -please.” - -The search was concluded in a surprisingly short time. From one pocket -the Count removed a revolver, from another a long envelope with the -official seal, and addressed to His Majesty’s agent and consul-general -at Sofia. He did not attempt to conceal his elation. Breaking the seal, -he drew from the envelope the folded paper it contained, opened it, -and, after a glance, said: - -“Seeing that the game is up, you will no doubt save time by deciphering -the despatch.” - -“I won’t deprive you of that pleasure,” said Maurice serenely. - -The Austrian smiled. Taking a little book from his pocket, he turned -quickly over a few pages. - -“We are not without resources, Mr. Buckland,” he said. “I have here -the key to your Foreign Office cipher.” - -A faint smile showed itself on Maurice’s face. George, who, a moment -before, had glowered with indignation, for Rostopchin had tied his -hands behind him, now grinned broadly. The scene was peaceful. -Hostilities had ceased: Giulika and his men leant disconsolate against -the wall of their house; the half-dozen neighbours lolled at their -doors, idly watching; and the intruders from Elbasan stood beside their -horses, looking on with silent curiosity. - -The Count rapidly pencilled, with the aid of his key, the translation -of the despatch. After a word or two a look of puzzlement stole upon -his face. He knit his brows, compared the words before him with the -key, and summoned Rostopchin to his side. The two spoke in whispers -inaudible to Maurice, who had lighted a cigarette, and was pacing up -and down unconcernedly. - -“It is clearly correct,” said Rostopchin. “Finish it; we shall get the -explanation by-and-by.” - -The Count proceeded with his task. In twenty minutes he had finished. -His puzzlement had but increased. With a frown of irritation he pored -over what he had written with Rostopchin. - -“There must be a secret within a secret,” said the secretary. - -The Count strode towards Maurice. - -“Zis, is it correct?” he asked in English curtly, spreading his -transliteration. - -Maurice glanced over it. - -“Quite correct, Monsieur le Comte,” he said. - -“Zen vill you tell me vat zis mean? I do not understand it:-- - - Hey, diddle, diddle, - Ze cat and ze fiddle, - Ze cow jomp over ze moon---- - -“Vat is ze meaning of zis--zis _galimatias_?” demanded the Count, his -English failing him. - -“It is very idiomatic,” said Maurice, “but as you have deciphered it -correctly, I have no objection to putting it into plain English. ‘Hey,’ -Monsieur, is an exclamation of warning: equivalent to ‘look out,’ -‘beware,’ in French, _gare_. ‘Diddle,’ is ‘to deceive,’ ‘take in,’ ‘to -spoof,’ ‘lead anyone a wild-goose chase.’ The cat, as you are aware, -is not a musical animal, but there is a certain variety, bred in our -county of Cheshire, that smiles at any mention of fiddlesticks. The -cow is--just a cow. It may be of any nationality: Russian, German, or -even Austrian, but it is merely a cow, unless specially qualified. ‘To -jump over’ or ‘shoot the moon’ is English argot for a sudden change -of address. The moon refers to the lunatics--you have the same word, -_Mondsüchtige_--who are deceived or diddled thereby. ‘The little dog -laughed to see such sport’--that is quite clear; but we usually say in -English, ‘it is enough to make a cat laugh,’ referring to----” - -But at this point in Maurice’s commentary, delivered in an even, placid -tone of voice, the Count’s rising fury burst its bounds. - -“Sapperment!” he cried. “You dare to play viz me! I give you ten -minutes--ten minutes, and no more, to consider. You vill tell me vere -your despatch is”--he tore up and cast away the fragments of the bogus -despatch--“or if your message is merely verbal you vill acquaint me viz -it.” - -“And if I do not, Monsieur le Comte?” - -“If you do not, you shall be shot.” - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -IN THE SMALL HOURS - - -The amusement with which George had listened to his brother’s ironic -nonsense turned to dismay and despair. Helpless with his hands bound -behind him, he hurried to Maurice’s side. - -“He does not mean it?” he cried. - -Maurice shrugged, and lighted another cigarette. - -“Whatever happens to me, old boy, you won’t betray our secret.” - -“No; but--he _can’t_ mean it, Maurice.” - -Further speech was prevented when Slavianski came up and demanded that -Maurice should take off his coat and waistcoat. These he searched -thoroughly: there was no despatch in pockets or lining. Meanwhile -Rostopchin and the other Austrians had gone to the back of the house, -taken the valise from the gyro-car, turned out its contents, and -thoroughly overhauled them. Then Slavianski himself joined them and -searched the gyro-car, finding nothing but the Guide Taride, the maps -they had bought _en route_, and the provisions brought from Durazzo. -By this time the ten minutes had expired. - -The Count returned to the front of the house. His face was black with -rage. Addressing George, he cried: - -“Are you a fool like your brozer? Vere is ze despatch?” - -“I have nothing to say to you,” replied George, his cheeks going white. - -“Zen I vill shoot your brozer before your eyes: and if zat does not -cure you of your obstinacy, ze next bullet shall be for you.” - -He raged up to Maurice. - -“Once more I demand zat you tell me vere is your despatch, or vat it -contained. It is ze last time. Refuse, and you vill be shot. Don’t -flatter yourself zat I shall hesitate.” - -“I have no information to give,” replied Maurice, between puffs of his -cigarette. - -The Count strode to him, snatched the cigarette from his lips, and bade -his men tie his hands behind. When this was done he called forward one -of the Albanians from Elbasan. - -“Shoot that man,” he said, pointing to Maurice. - -The Albanian lifted his rifle slowly. Maurice faced him squarely, with -not so much as the tremor of an eyelid. The man hesitated, looked from -Slavianski to the prisoner and back again, then grounded his rifle. - -“No, no, excellence,” he said. “In fair fight, yes; for blood, yes; it -is my duty. I have killed five men for blood; but I will not shoot a -man like a dog. If that is the way in your country, do it yourself; it -is not our way.” - -Cries of applause broke from his comrades. Slavianski turned angrily -towards his own countrymen. There was a something in their demeanour -that gave him no hope of finding among them an executioner. With -a snarl of rage he whipped out his own revolver and pointed it at -Maurice, whose eyes looked into his unflinchingly, and whose lips -curved in a slight smile. His finger was on the trigger. - -“My Government has a long arm, Monsieur le Comte,” said Maurice quietly -in French. “Had you not better think it over?” - -“Bah!” cried the Count, dropping the muzzle slightly, nevertheless. -“Your ambassador at Constantinople has given warning that Englishmen -travel in this country at their own risk.” - -“True,” replied Maurice, as calmly as if he were discussing a matter -quite impersonal; “at their own risk--of interference by the people of -the country. You are not an Albanian, Monsieur.” - -“You will disappear--the mountains swallow you.” - -“But not you, Monsieur. You are known to have tracked me to Brindisi; -it is known at Brindisi that you followed me to Durazzo. This is a -time of peace. If you shoot me, if I disappear, you will be suspected -of murdering me, and whatever your services may have been to your -Government, I think it will hardly protect you.” - -[Illustration: A TENSE MOMENT] - -Rostopchin touched his chief on the arm, and spoke to him in low tones. -The Count gnawed his moustache, frowned, muttered a curse. Then, with -an angry gesture, he called to his men to take the prisoners into -the house, and walked towards his Albanian allies. After a short -conversation with them, he too entered the house. - -The brothers, on reaching the first floor, were placed against the -wall. Their legs were bound. Leaving two of his men to guard them, -Slavianski mounted to the upper floor with Rostopchin. In a few moments -the women and children came hurriedly down the ladder. On reaching the -ground floor they were turned out of the house. Giulika and his men -looked on sullenly; they were too few to oppose any resistance. The men -from Elbasan laughed. They had no quarrel with them. Even though some -of them had been wounded in the recent fighting, they were too much -accustomed to hard knocks to bear a grudge on that account, so long as -their honour was not concerned. They had been engaged to hunt down the -Inglesi, and knew that if they raised a hand against the villagers, -now that the Inglesi were captured, it would start a feud that might -involve the whole countryside. - -Slavianski and Rostopchin took up their quarters in the upper floor -of the _kula_. By and by they summoned one of the men left to guard -the prisoners to prepare a meal. After a time all three came down, -descended to the lower floor, and passed out of the house. - -“You were fine,” said George in a murmur to his brother. “I was in a -most horrible funk. I’m glad I wasn’t put to the test.” - -“Oh, you’d have come through all right. What I was most conscious -of was a raging thirst. Monsieur,” he said, addressing the guard in -French, “may I have some milk, _rakia_, coffee, or water, if it is -drinkable?” - -The man grinned. - -“The Count’s order is that you have nothing,” he said. - -“They’re going to starve us into giving in,” said Maurice to his -brother. - -“The fiends!” muttered George. “How long can you hold out?” - -“Long enough to tire them, I hope. When they think of it, they’ll see -that we’re no good to them dead. They haven’t found, and won’t find, -the despatch; they’ll suppose I carry a verbal message; and starvation -is just as much murder as shooting.” - -“If they’d only give us a drink! It’s like an oven here now that the -sun is getting up. My mouth is parched already: don’t people go mad -from thirst?” - -“Oh! it won’t come to that. They’ll give in presently.” - -But the hours crawled on, and neither food nor drink was given to them. -The Austrians re-entered the house. As they passed, Maurice, in a -rough, husky whisper, said to the Count: - -“Monsieur, will it not satisfy you that we are hungry? Is it in your -instructions to torture us with thirst?” - -Slavianski went by without a word. The man who had been on guard -mounted the ladder, his place being taken by the fourth member of the -party. - -The long day drew out towards evening. The two prisoners at first lay -still and tried to sleep. But the heat and stuffiness of the room, the -cramping of their limbs, and their increasing thirst caused almost -unendurable pain. They tossed and writhed, now and again calling in -hoarse whispers for water, only to be answered with a jeer. The voices -of the others came to them from above; through the window floated -sounds of laughter and singing; and as the light faded they felt -creeping upon them the numbness of despair. - -Again the guard was changed. The man lit a small candle-lamp, and sat -against the wall, a revolver beside him. Within and without the sounds -were hushed; their enemies slept, but no sleep came to cool their -fevered brows. Their guard began to doze; breathing hard, waking with -a start, then dozing again. By and by his breathing became regular; -he too was asleep. How many hours passed it was impossible to tell. -Wakeful, tortured with pain, the prisoners longed for morning. - -Suddenly they heard a slight creaking sound. The guard awaked, sat -erect, and looked about him. The prisoners were lying where they had -been placed; all was well; and after a minute or two his loud breathing -proclaimed that sleep had again overcome him. There was a second creak, -a rustle, and a man slid into the room through the window. He stole -across the room towards the sleeping guard; there was a gurgle; then -silence. The prisoners raised themselves slightly from the floor, and -saw the intruder approaching them. Without a word he stooped and with -swift, silent movements cut their bonds. Then for a few moments he -rubbed their numbed wrists and ankles, and signed to them to follow -him. They saw now that the bars had been removed from the window. -He motioned to Maurice to climb up. When he did so, he saw a ladder -resting on the wall just below the sill, its lower end standing on a -wagon beneath. He looked anxiously below. Nobody was in sight, but from -round the corner of the house came the glow of a fire. He descended, -slowly, painfully; George followed him; last of all their rescuer -issued forth and climbed down. - -From the wagon they reached the ground. In the dim glow the Englishmen -saw that their deliverer was Giorgio. - -“Where is the car?” whispered Maurice. - -“At the front of the house,” he replied. “Come with me.” - -They followed him towards the trees at the back of the house. Here they -were met by Giulika, Marko, and the other men of his family, together -with half a dozen strangers. - -“Come with us, friends,” said the old man. - -“We cannot leave the car,” whispered Maurice. - -“Is it worth a life?” was the reply. - -“Yes, we must have it.” - -They spoke in whispers. How was the car to be removed without -discovery? There was no time to lose. The men in the upper floor might -waken; there would be no wakening for the guard in the room below. -Marko stole to the corner of the house. Between the house and the camp -fire a number of horses were tethered. They cast a shadow on the spot -where the gyro-car rested against the wall. Marko beckoned, and George -joined him. After a moment’s hesitation they crept round on all fours, -placed themselves one on each side of the car, and wheeled it silently -round the corner to the side of the house, and thence to the back. - -“Come with us,” said Giulika. - -He led the way through the trees, up a steep path in the hill-side. -Maurice helped George and two other men to wheel the car. It was a -rocky path; there were frequent stumbles in the darkness, and they -shivered lest the slight sounds they made should reach the ears of the -men encamped below, who were not all asleep. The hum of voices rose and -fell. - -After a few minutes the slow procession halted, and Giulika offered a -gourd full of sour milk to the famished Englishmen, of which they drank -greedily. - -“Long life to you!” said the old man cheerily. “My honour is clean, and -only one man is dead.” - -“Could we not have gagged and bound him?” said Maurice. - -“The other was the shorter way,” said Giorgio. “He might have waked -while I cut your bonds, and made a sound.” - -“And we had to think of our honour,” added his grandfather. - -Maurice did not reply. Honour has different meanings in different -places. - -They went on again. The moon was set, and the stars gave little light. -Following a winding gorge between two almost perpendicular cliffs, -George thought that there would be no danger in lighting his lamp. -By its bright flame they were able to see the way, and marched more -quickly. Giulika went first, behind him came the Bucklands, with four -men wheeling the car; the rear was brought up by the rest of the -company, to keep a watch over the backward track. Maurice drew out his -watch; it was nearly one o’clock. They had three or four hours until -dawn, and Giulika said they must travel as far as possible before -sunrise. The car had probably left a track by which the direction of -their flight would be discovered. There were few dwellers in these -mountain solitudes, but someone might see them when daylight came, and -the passage of so strange a vehicle would almost certainly be announced -from hill to hill by shouts. - -“Where are you leading us?” asked Maurice. - -“By the path I spoke of, to the Black Drin,” answered Giulika. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE SWAMP - - -Yard by yard the path became steeper, and at times bent so abruptly -that only with the greatest care, and by the united efforts of the -whole party, could the gyro-car be dragged or pushed round. More -than once Giulika muttered an imprecation on the people who invented -machines. On foot, even on horseback, the narrow path presented -little difficulty to a mountaineer, and the simple old man could not -understand why two travellers, in peril of their lives from enemies, -should enhance their danger by clinging to a thing of metal. He -admitted, however, that the lamp was a good one, and even said that he -should like to have a light as brilliant in his _kula_; it would enable -the women to knit at night! - -When they had gone so far from the village that there was no risk of -a sound reaching the Albanians at their camp fire, George started the -motor actuating the gyroscopes, and so made the haulage of the car -easier, since the men no longer needed to concern themselves with -keeping it upright. This fact caused no little consternation among -them, and one asked earnestly whether the Inglesi would assure him -that the car was not a creature of Shaitan. - -They soon found that, difficult as it was to get the machine up-hill, -it was still more difficult when the path took a downward trend. At -such times the car had a tendency to break away from the hands of those -who held it. By-and-by it occurred to George to climb into the car at -the head of such descents and apply the brakes. Even then, however, the -men had to hang upon it, for powerful as the brakes were, they were -scarcely strong enough to hold it at the steepest parts. - -Progress was slow. To start the driving motor was out of the question: -the one consolation was that no petrol was being consumed. Eager as -all were to reach the river, Maurice was determined not to jeopardise -the remainder of his journey to Sofia by over-haste. Both George and -he felt utterly worn out. The strain of constant travelling, the want -of sleep and food, the agitation of the past day, were telling upon -them heavily. They nibbled at hunks of hard maize bread given them by -Giulika, and at some polonies they had bought at Durazzo; but with -the exhaustion of their nervous energy they had lost appetite. Their -present perils, and the thought of possible dangers to come, kept them -on the rack. - -It was indeed anxious, terrifying work, this scrambling up rough, -tortuous acclivities, then diving headlong into what seemed at times an -almost perpendicular gulf. The path was little more than a goat track. -Here a huge mass of rock blocked the way; there the track diminished to -a width of little more than four feet, with a sheer cliff on one side, -and on the other a precipice of unknown depth. Giulika confessed that -but for the light of the lamp he would never have attempted the more -hazardous portions of the path; and the Englishmen were thankful that -the surrounding darkness concealed from them the full measure of the -risk they were running. - -Suddenly they heard the baying of dogs. - -“We are coming to the house of Zutni; he is a friend,” said Giulika. - -Descending a long incline, a bend in the track brought them in sight of -a rectangle of light. A door stood open, and out of it came a gigantic -mountaineer, gun in hand. He was dazzled by the white glare of the -lamp, and called suspiciously to the strangers to halt. Giulika went -forward; his friend recognised him, and kissed him affectionately. A -few words passed between them: then, hearing that two Englishmen were -with the party, Zutni advanced, shook them warmly by the hand, and -invited them to enter his house. - -“Be welcome!” he said. - -“Is it safe to delay?” Maurice asked of Giulika. - -“Yes, indeed,” replied the old man. “We have come far; the Austrians -will not dare to follow on horseback in the dark, and they may not -discover our flight until the morning.” - -The house was a small one, perched on a rocky eminence. The whole party -entered; Giulika and his men, according to Albanian custom, handed -their weapons to their host, who hung them beside his own on the wall. -He placed mats for the Englishmen before a blazing fire; his women -pulled off their boots, and in a few minutes grilled for them some -mutton steaks on skewers. _Rakia_ was produced: “Good health, friends,” -said the jovial host; and the travellers, basking in the warmth, ate -and drank with relish. - -Giulika related what had occurred. His friend listened with indignation. - -“You have done well,” he said, “but will not the villains slay your -women and children and burn your house when they find that you have -gone?” - -“Aha!” chuckled Giulika. “The women and children are safe: I sent them -this afternoon towards Ochrida to my brother.” (It was really a very -distant cousin, but the ties of blood are close in Albania). “As for -my house, it is likely to be burnt; but it is God’s will. I could not -betray my guests.” - -“True. And do I see Leka among you? Is it _besa_?” - -“Yes: it is _besa_ until we return to the village. Leka is an -honourable man.” - -And then Maurice learnt, with amazement, that among the villagers who -had accompanied him was the man who had shot Giorgio. The blood-foes -were at this moment squatting side by side, laughing and talking in the -friendliest way, drinking alternately out of the same mug. The truce -between them would hold until they returned to their village: then Leka -would watch for an opportunity of stalking and slaying his enemy, with -no more compunction than if he were a noxious beast. - -“Sleep, friends,” said Zutni presently to the two Englishmen, who were -nodding. “The Inglesi need much sleep; it is one of God’s mysteries. I -will wake you when day comes. Long life to you!” - -They needed no pressing. Zutni’s wife brought some mats for pillows, -tucked them up in blankets with her own delicate fingers, and they -slept till daybreak, oblivious of the insects that feasted on them. - -In the wan, grey light Zutni awoke them. The fire was raked together: -the women made strong coffee; and after a breakfast of coffee and hot -maize bread baked on the hearth they set off to resume their journey. -Zutni himself accompanied them; like Giulika, he felt responsible for -his guests, and had resolved to see them safely to the Drin. - -When they looked back upon the track they had traversed, they could -scarcely realise that it had been possible to cross the rugged -mountains behind them. Looking forward, it seemed equally impossible -that they could climb the heights in front with so cumbrous a vehicle -as the gyro-car. Peak after peak thrust its pinnacles into the sky. The -path was visible for only a few yards ahead, and as each rugged corner -was rounded, another came into view. But the terrors of the night had -vanished. Daylight, while it revealed the difficulties and dangers of -the journey, enabled the travellers to avoid them; and the Albanians -hauled and pushed and dragged joyously, grunting with satisfaction -as each new obstacle was surmounted. The only check upon their high -spirits was the necessity of moving quietly, in order not to attract -attention from any who might be wandering on the heights. For the same -reason George did not start his engine. In the clear mountain air its -throbbing might be heard for many miles. But it was possible now to let -the car run down many a downward slope by its own weight, so that the -progress was nearly twice as rapid as it had been in the darkness. - -After they had been marching for about an hour, and began to find the -descents longer than the ascents, they came to the blackened ruins of -a small mountain village. In answer to Maurice’s inquiries, Giulika -explained that the houses had been burnt by the Turks in the last -rising. The Ottoman troops, coming to a village and finding any of -the men absent from their homes, would assume that they were with the -insurgents, and burn their houses. There was no more effective means of -crushing an insurrection, for the Albanian’s house is his all. - -“What we want is a good government,” said the old man. “You Inglesi -have a good king, they say; why does not he come and govern us?” - -This was a question which Maurice found it difficult to answer in any -way that could satisfy the simple mountaineer, to whom international -politics was an unknown world. He was listening sympathetically -to Giulika’s recital of the misdeeds of the Turks, when the party -encountered a more serious obstacle than any they had yet met. A -mountain stream, running towards the Drin, had spread out into a wide -swamp, dotted with boulders. So soft and oozy was the soil, that the -leaders of the march sank deep into it. There was not water enough -to float the car, and its weight would clearly prevent its being run -across. Nor was there any possibility of carrying it as the sailors had -carried it from the quay to the launch at Dover: the men could not get -a firm footing. - -They halted, looking blankly at one another. Zutni said that the morass -could be circumvented, but only by striking back into the mountains, -and following a track that would take them several hours’ march out of -the direct course. Such loss of time was dangerous, and might prove -fatal. Remembering how the man from Elbasan had refused to shoot him at -the bidding of Slavianski, Maurice asked Giulika whether the Austrian -might not have permanently lost the help of his allies. But the old man -answered that this was unlikely. The Elbasan had obeyed the dictate of -honour in refusing to kill a helpless prisoner; but the same sense of -honour would bid him fulfil his obligation to his employer when the -prisoners were free. They would certainly pursue on horseback, and the -delay involved in fetching a circuit about the swamp would enable them -to gain upon the fugitives. - -While they were discussing the perplexing situation in which they found -themselves, George’s eyes lighted on the ruined buildings perched on -the heights about half a mile in their rear. - -“If there are any planks left whole in those buildings,” he said to -Maurice, “there is a chance for us. We could lay them on the mud and -form a track. It would be slow work getting across even then, but -quicker than going miles round.” - -Maurice explained the suggestion to Giulika. He at once sent half a -dozen men back to the village to see if the fire had spared enough -timber to serve the purpose. The Englishmen gazed with admiration as -the lithe young men hastened up the slope, as nimbly as goats. In an -extraordinarily short time they were seen returning, each carrying one -or more long, rough, blackened planks, ripped from a half-demolished -barn. They brought news as well. They had caught a glimpse of horsemen -approaching through a defile in the hills behind. - -“How far away?” asked Maurice anxiously. - -Their answers left him very much in the dark. Time and distance are -alike vague to the people of Albania. One said an hour’s march, another -declared that it was less; all were agreed that if the swamp were dry -ground, the pursuers would overtake them before they had reached the -other side, and from this Maurice inferred that the distance between -the two parties was even less than the mountaineers supposed. - -Without the loss of a moment he instructed them how to lay the planks. -The first having been thrown down upon the mud, a man carried a second -along it and placed them end to end, and so on, until there was a -kind of pier, sixty or seventy feet long, extending into the swamp. -George then mounted into the car to steer it, and it was pushed from -behind until it reached the furthermost plank. At times the planks -sank until they disappeared below the surface; but then, although the -wheels were running in several inches of ooze, the boards beneath them -afforded a sufficiently firm foundation. Each plank was held by a man -at the nearer end as the car ran over it, so that it should not swerve, -George well knowing that the slightest deviation to right or left must -precipitate the vehicle into the morass. - -Behind the car marched the whole of the party in single file. The last -man, on gaining the second plank, lifted the first and handed it to -his comrade in front. Thus each board was raised in turn. When the car -arrived at the end of the pier, and came to an enforced standstill, -a man passed through it and laid a plank beyond, and the pier was -reconstructed as before. Then the advance was carried for another sixty -feet, and the operation was once more gone through. - -“Upon my word, I’d rather face the precipices,” said George to Maurice, -as the car reached the end of the third section. “They were not half so -trying to the nerves as this slow crawl.” - -“Have patience, my dear fellow,” replied his brother. “It was an -uncommonly happy thought of yours. We’ve the consolation of knowing -that, as we take up our path behind us, Slavianski can’t follow, and -will have to go the roundabout way that we have escaped.” - -“Do you see any sign of the fellow?” - -“Not yet. The mountain track winds and undulates so much that we shan’t -catch sight of him till he comes to the ruins.” - -“Well, I hope that won’t be yet, for if the Albanians are anything of -marksmen, they can pick us off long before we get to the other side. -And we can’t go any faster; these fellows are working splendidly. I -suppose if we get through to Sofia safely your chief will reward ’em -pretty handsomely.” - -“It isn’t in the regulations, as the Customs officer told us,” said -Maurice with a smile. “Still, I daresay we shall be able to do -something for them--if we get through; we’re not out of the wood yet.” - -By slow stages the party had advanced about a quarter of a mile into -the swamp, and only forty or fifty yards yet remained, when there was -the report of a rifle. Glancing round, Maurice saw a group of horsemen -halted in the ruined village; several had dismounted. Then came three -_cracks_ in rapid succession. - -“They’re no good!” cried George gleefully, when neither man nor car was -hit. - -“The range is too long for accurate shooting,” said Maurice, “but they -can alter that. See, they are coming down, and much faster than we did.” - -The horsemen were putting their steeds to a pace that seemed to the -onlookers dangerous. Before they were half-way down the hillside, -indeed, one of the horses stumbled, throwing its rider. - -“He is an Austrian,” said Giulika laughing. “No Albanian, Christian or -Moslem, would leave his saddle so quickly as that.” - -On coming within a quarter-mile of the swamp the horses began to -gallop; but the fugitives had advanced another sixty feet before they -reached the edge. There the horsemen reined up, flung themselves from -their saddles, and fired a scattered volley. Maurice looked grave as -the shots whistled round, but the danger of the party was not so great -as might be supposed, even had the Albanians been better marksmen, -because the fugitives were not grouped, but marched in a line. The car -itself formed the best target. One or two bullets struck its framework, -and George felt a little nervous lest one should find its billet in -the petrol-tank. But no harm was done until a shot struck Giorgio in -the arm, just below the spot where his former wound was bandaged. He -growled with rage; but his grandfather laughed at his ill-luck, and -Maurice could not help smiling when Leka, the young man’s blood-foe, -said cheerfully: - -“Never mind. We’ll have _besa_ until your wounds are healed.” - -“Hadn’t you better be friends for life?” asked Maurice. - -“And lose my honour, excellence?” said Leka. “No; I would sooner drown -myself in this swamp.” - -The Albanians laid the track over the last stretch with wonderful -speed, and in a few minutes the car and the whole party touched _terra -firma_. The pursuers were still firing, but without effect. Some of -Giulika’s party paused to return the shots, but their marksmanship was -no better than their opponents’, and Giulika presently ordered them to -desist. - -By this time Slavianski had recognised the hopelessness of further -shooting. Mounting his horse again, he rode for a few yards into -the swamp, as if to test the possibility of direct pursuit, but he -halted when the animal’s legs had disappeared almost to the knees, -and returned to the shore. In a few moments his party were in their -saddles, and started at a gallop to make the circuit of the swamp. - -“Really, his perseverance deserves to be rewarded,” remarked Maurice, -as he mounted to his place beside George in the car. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A LANDSLIP IN THE HILLS - - -On the eastern side of the swamp the ground rose so gradually that it -was possible, for the first time since the escape from the _kula_, to -start the engine. The car’s easy motion surprised and delighted the -Albanians, who ran along beside it with cries of admiration. Giulika -himself, old as he was, kept as good a pace as the younger men, and -when Maurice invited him to enter the car he declined. - -“Never in my life have I been carried by anything but a horse,” he -said, “and I am too old to try new things. Nothing but a horse shall -carry me until I am borne to my grave.” - -After a time the path again became steep and rough, and the pace had to -be moderated. - -“How far are we from the river?” asked Maurice. - -“About an hour’s march,” replied Zutni, who was more familiar with this -part of the country than Giulika. “The track is very bad.” - -“Shall we not come to a valley?” - -“No, excellence. The river runs between high rocky cliffs. There are -but few places where we can get to the water.” - -“And will the horsemen come to the track we are following?” - -“They must. But it is a long way round, and, if we do well, we may -reach the river before they discover us. But it is a very bad track.” - -It proved, indeed, to be even more difficult than any they had formerly -traversed. Again their progress was checked at every few yards, either -by an abrupt bend that demanded the most careful manœuvring, or by a -narrowing of the path between a perpendicular wall on one side and a -yawning chasm on the other. To keep the engine going was only a useless -expenditure of petrol, except when mounting an incline. At one spot -the ascent was so steep that the car had to be lifted by the whole -party and hoisted over a sharp ridge. Progress was terribly slow. The -sun was now high in the heavens, and its rays were reflected with -scorching heat from the rocks. The Englishmen began to feel sick and -dizzy. Their boots, soaked through during their passage of the morass, -were torn into shreds by hard marching over the rugged ground, and both -felt that if they did not soon gain the river, they would be incapable -of continuing their journey without a prolonged rest; then all hope -of escaping Slavianski must be abandoned, and when once again in his -clutches they would hardly win release. - -They struggled on. Then, rounding a bend in the narrow track, they saw -themselves faced with an insurmountable obstacle. To the right was a -craggy precipice, to the left a steep and rugged hill-slope. A mass of -earth, loosened, apparently, by rains, had slid down the slope across -the path, blocking it to the height of several feet. Even the Albanians -were aghast. - -“It is God’s will,” said Giulika, with the fatalism of his race. “God -sent rain that washed the earth down. The way is blocked for ever. No -man will reach the Drin by this path again.” - -“Is this the path by which the Austrians must come?” asked Maurice. - -“Certainly it is; there is no other,” was the reply. “We must go back -and meet them, or, if you please, stay here and shoot; we can kill a -good many of them before we ourselves are killed.” - -Maurice consulted with his brother. - -“The question is, are you willing to be collared again?” said George, -when he understood the position. “I am not, I tell you frankly. There -will have to be a fight, and it’s not our fault; they fired at us. If -any of these fellows have pluck enough to keep Slavianski off while the -rest of us work, I don’t see why we shouldn’t cut a way through this -obstruction--it’s loose earth.” - -Maurice put the suggestion to Giulika and Zutni, and with them examined -the position. It was clear that, posted behind the rocks at the bend -in the path, a few bold spirits could hold a regiment at bay. Screened -from sight themselves, they would have the enemy in full view, and as -these approached the bend they would be completely at the mercy of the -hidden marksmen. The Albanians, accustomed to mountain warfare, grasped -the possibilities of the situation; their only doubt was whether the -obstructing bank of earth could be cut through in time, but they were -ready to make the attempt. - -Accordingly a division of the party was made. Zutni and a few of the -best marksmen posted themselves behind convenient rocks; the rest, with -assistance from the Englishmen, set to work with knives and rifles -to cleave a way through the obstacle. It was arduous work, lacking -proper implements, and with the sun beating upon them in all its midday -strength. As George pointed out, the gyro-car needed only a narrow -passage, and if the enemy could be held off for an hour or two the task -might be accomplished. - -Some ten minutes after they had begun work, there was a crack from -Zutni’s rifle. Slavianski and his party, approaching on horseback -in single file, at once came to a halt. The Albanians among them -recognised that they had the worst of the position, and though as -yet only one shot had been fired, they guessed that there were -other marksmen lurking behind the rocks. They dismounted and held a -consultation, their perfectly-trained horses standing stock-still. - -Presently the man next to Zutni caught sight of the muzzle of a rifle -edging round the bend, and then the arm of the Albanian holding the -weapon. Keeping his eye fixed on the slowly-moving objects, the -watcher bided his time. Then there was a crack and a flash: the rifle -dropped from the hand of the advancing enemy on to the path. The arm -disappeared. But in a few moments the fallen rifle was drawn slowly -backward by an unseen hand. - -Save for the noise of the shots, and the sounds made by the men in -clearing the path, the silence of that mountain solitude had hitherto -been scarcely broken. Now an eagle, which had been startled by the -crack of the rifles, flew over the place with a hoarse scream, and -there broke in upon it the voice of Count Slavianski urging the -Albanians, in their own tongue, to make a dash upon the fugitives. -Maurice smiled when he heard the answer, roared in so loud a tone that -it was plain the Count was some distance behind his vanguard. - -“You are our leader, excellence,” cried the men. “We follow you.” - -It was not surprising that the mountaineers were reluctant to advance. -They knew from what had happened already that the first man to show -himself round the corner would be shot before he could see his enemy -to make a target of him. And there was a delicious irony in the man’s -retort that pleased Maurice. The Count, however courageous he might -be--and the Englishmen had had no reason to doubt his courage--was -debarred from undertaking the office of leader by the narrowness of the -path. It was blocked by the men and horses of his party, and no change -could be made in the order of their advance, unless they were willing -to retrace their steps for some distance, to a spot where a cleft in -the rocky hill-side would permit them to turn without falling over the -precipice. But this plan had apparently not yet occurred to them, for -Slavianski continued his exhortations, which led to an altercation that -became increasingly acrimonious. - -Meanwhile the men of Giulika’s party had been working like navvies, -or rather, with much more alacrity than George had ever seen English -navvies display. The discussion beyond the bend was still proceeding -when a narrow passage for the gyro-car was completed. - -“It is done, praise God!” cried Giulika, who, in spite of his years, -had toiled as hard as any of the younger men. “Now I will tell my -English friends what they must do. We cannot all go at once, because -when those Moslem pigs beyond discover our absence they will follow at -once, and we shall have gained nothing. It will be best for you to go -on with your machine, while we remain to hold the path. Giorgio, poor -unlucky one, is no good as a fighter until his wounds be healed: he -will guide you.” - -“Is it much further to the Drin?” asked Maurice. - -“Not a great way, and presently the road will be easier. This track -runs into a broader path when you come within sight of the Drin, and -you will be able to make your machine buzz.” - -“And you can hold the path behind us?” - -“Surely we can. You have seen how slow those infidels are to face our -bullets. Without doubt we can keep them back until our cartridges are -all spent.” - -Clearly the plan suggested by the old man was the best in the -circumstances. George vaulted into the car to manipulate the brakes, -the path now becoming a gradual descent, and Maurice and Giorgio walked -ahead. - -For some two miles they threaded their way between bluffs and -precipices. There was no sound of firing behind them, which Maurice -regarded as a favourable sign. But to his surprise Giorgio became more -and more uneasy. Every now and again he stopped to listen, and to scan -the path behind and the country around, where a view was possible. - -“What are you troubled about?” asked Maurice. - -“Why are there no shots, excellence?” Giorgio asked, in return. - -“I suppose our pursuers are still considering whether to try to force -the pass or not.” - -“Ah no! Look!” cried Giorgio, pointing to the left. - -Following the direction of his outstretched finger, George and Maurice -saw, far above them on the skyline, perhaps a mile distant, a series of -specks moving in the same direction as themselves. - -“That is why there are no shots, excellence,” said Giorgio. “They must -have gone back to a narrow gorge that runs up into the mountains, a -very bad path, but shorter than this one. It leads to the road my -grandfather spoke of. If they get there first they can block our way -to the Drin. But the road there is pretty good, and if you make the -machine buzz loud, you can dash into them and throw them over the -cliff, horses and all.” - -“We had better get there first, if we can,” said Maurice, repeating to -George what he had just heard. - -“We must make a dash for it, and take our chance,” said George. “I’m -not going to be collared again. Get into the car, old boy, and Giorgio -too. The path isn’t so bad as it was, and if we don’t get a puncture we -shall do very well.” - -Maurice mounted to his seat beside his brother. There was no proper -accommodation for a third person in the car, but Giorgio crouched in -the narrow space between the seats and the gyroscopes. George started -the engine, and the car began to gather away. The Albanian, stolid and -iron-nerved as he was, gasped with dismay as the vehicle ran down the -incline, bumping a little when, in spite of George’s careful steering, -it crossed a hollow or a knob of rock. The path began to switchback. -Then it was a series of rushes at the up grades and scrambles down the -slopes on the other side, with the brakes hard on. George knew well -that a few yards of specially bumpy ground might break a spring or -puncture a tyre; but the risk seemed to him negligible by comparison -with the greater risk of being intercepted. More than once he felt the -indescribable movement of the rear wheels that betokened skidding, and -he could not repress a shudder as he recognised how the swerving of an -inch or two to the right must plunge them over the chasm. But he set -his teeth and kept a firm grip on his levers, and after nearly half an -hour of this perilous driving he saw with joy that the path left the -rocky face of the cliff, and ran into a wider and more level track. - -They looked ahead. No one was in sight. They looked behind, along -the narrow track by which the pursuers must come. There was no sign -of them. But they heard shouts from the heights above them, long, -vociferous, howling calls that must have made great demands on the -lungs of the shouters. To Giorgio’s dismay these shouts were answered -on their right. It seemed as if they would have to reckon with enemies -on both sides of them. But at present on neither side was an enemy -visible. - -The path being now less rugged and tortuous, with no yawning precipice -at its edge, George increased the speed of the gyro-car. Giorgio said -that they would soon come in sight of the Drin. All at once George was -conscious of a lack of power in the engine. He opened the throttle, to -no effect. - -“We are done for,” he said in despair. “Something is wrong.” - -He brought the car to a standstill and leapt out. The explanation was -immediately obvious. A trail of petrol lay behind the car, stretching -out of sight. - -“The outlet plug of the tank has fallen out,” he cried, “and I haven’t -another.” - -He ran back, searching the path for the missing plug. Maurice sprang -after him, snatching up Giorgio’s rifle, in case the enemy came in -sight. George hurried to the spot where the trail of petrol began, but -there was no plug. - -“What an ass I am!” he cried. “We were going at a good speed, and of -course the plug might be carried some yards. Hunt back along with me, -Maurice.” - -So many stones lay on the path that they almost despaired of finding -the plug. But Maurice’s foot by-and-by struck against something which -the instinct acquired in searching for lost golf balls told him was not -a stone. He stooped, and picked up the missing plug. - -“Good man,” said George. “It’s lucky we’ve plenty of petrol left, for -the tank is as empty as a drum, you may be sure.” - -They ran back to the car, replaced the plug, and filled the tank from -one of the tins. Then they started again; the accident had cost them -more than five minutes. The shouts from the hill-tops sounded nearer. -Giorgio now and again flung out his hand on one side or the other, to -signify the exact direction from which the shout came. Like a batsman -who has just been “let off” in the long field, George seemed to become -reckless. He drove the car at a speed that made Giorgio cling in terror -to the back of the seat, and even provoked a remonstrance from Maurice. - -“All right, old man,” said George jubilantly. “We’ve got another life, -and----By Jove! Is that the Drin?” - -“Yes, yes,” shouted Giorgio in wild excitement. “It is the Black Drin. -We have won the race.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A RUSH THROUGH THE RAPIDS - - -Far below the travellers, at the foot of steep cliffs, clothed here and -there with forest, but in many places bare, flowed the Black Drin. It -seemed to Maurice to belie its name, for its waters were of a yellowish -brown. They drove on rapidly, sometimes losing sight of the river, but -catching glimpses of villages and cultivated fields in the distance. - -In a few minutes they entered a narrow gorge which, as Giorgio -explained, led straight down to the river. A fast run brought them to -the brink of the stream. To the Albanian’s amazement and alarm George -ran the car straight into the water. He was rather uneasy himself when -he found how the additional weight of a third person depressed the car. -The stream was shallow and sluggish, and he had to bring the car very -near to the middle of the current before he was satisfied that it would -float without risk to the wheels. If they should strike with any force -upon a rock in the bed of the river they might buckle, or the tyres -might be punctured, and then it would be good-bye to any chance of -finishing their journey. - -Owing to the make of the car, it was impossible to employ the rods that -supported it when the gyroscopes were not working to fend off obstacles -in the channel. All that George could do was to keep a sharp look-out -over the edge of the wind-screen, and steer what appeared to be the -safest course. - -“I suppose the channel deepens as we proceed, and we shan’t be in such -danger,” he said. - -Maurice asked a question of Giorgio. - -“Yes, excellence,” replied the man. “The river becomes deeper after the -rapids are passed, and deeper still when it joins the White Drin and -flows towards the sea.” - -“Rapids, are there!” cried George, when the man’s reply was translated. -“I hope they’re not bad ones.” - -“The water is very swift there,” Giorgio replied to a question from -Maurice. “And many rocks stand out of it. Assuredly you will not think -of running through the rapids, excellence?” - -George declared that he certainly would run the rapids, unless they -were very bad. What else could be done? The bank of the river on either -side appeared too high and rugged even for a climber to scale. - -Georgio explained that before they came to the rapids they must -pass the bridge that spanned the river near the hill-side village -of Trebischte to their left. He threw out his hand to indicate the -locality of the village. - -“A bridge?” said Maurice. “Then there is a road, and we may still be -intercepted.” - -“That is true, excellence. The river makes many windings, and there are -goat-tracks over the hills leading to Trebischte.” - -“And if we run on to the land and cross the river by the bridge at -Trebischte, what then?” - -“Then, excellence, you will have a difficult path until you come to the -road to Prizren.” - -“The only thing to be done,” said George, “is to make all speed for the -bridge, and get there first. I think old Giulika might have managed -this a little better. Why didn’t he make straight for the bridge -instead of leading us over that wretched mountain path?” - -“He was discretion itself,” replied Maurice. “You remember we have not -passed through a single village. The old man chose an unfrequented -route to ensure that we should not be molested or checked.” - -“I daresay you are right. I’ll set the propeller going, though I wanted -to trust to the current alone, so as to save petrol. But if there’s a -chance of those ruffians reaching the bridge before us, the faster we -go the better.” - -Almost immediately after the propeller was started there was a faint -shout from some elevated spot on the left. - -“They hear the buzz,” said Giorgio. “Trebischte is over there.” - -A few minutes afterwards there were more shouts, much louder, and now -on both sides of the river. It appeared that one party was answering -another. As yet no one was to be seen. But in a few moments, as the -gyro-boat rounded a bend, its occupants saw a lofty one-arched bridge -spanning the stream. On either side a steep path led up into the hills. -Giorgio looked anxiously around. - -“See,” he said, pointing to the left-hand path. - -The Englishman espied a number of men hurrying down towards the river. -Just above them stood some horses. - -“The path is too steep for horses,” said Maurice. “Do you see -Slavianski and Rostopchin among the men?” - -“I see them,” said George grimly. “We’ve got to shoot the bridge -before they get to it, or they can pick us off as we pass. Slavianski -won’t care a rap what he does now. Despatch or no despatch, he means -to have his revenge on you for the dance you have led him. We’ll beat -him. With the current in our favour we are going ten or twelve knots -now. But--great Scott! there’s another lot on the other side, and much -nearer, too.” - -“No doubt the fellows we heard shouting,” said Maurice, with an -anxious glance at a line of men running at breakneck speed down the -path on the right. “Some of them must reach the bridge before we do. -But they have no rifles; that’s one point in our favour.” - -That the men were unarmed was due to the fact that they had been -working in the field above the river, and had left their labour in -response to the cries from the further bank. But they were followed -at a long interval by some of their comrades, who had delayed to -fetch their rifles from the hedge under which they had laid them. The -Albanian and his weapon are rarely parted. - -Three or four men gained the bridge when the gyro-boat was still some -fifty yards from it. Shouts from the hills beyond had already apprised -them that the travellers were to be intercepted. For a second or two -they were lost in amazement on beholding the extraordinary craft -bearing down towards them. Then, stationing themselves in the middle of -the bridge, they prepared to hurl down on the gyro-boat, as it passed -beneath, some heavy stones from the more or less dilapidated parapet. - -Maurice had already divined their probable action. It was a fearsome -prospect, and one that called for promptitude. He caught up Giorgio’s -rifle-- - -“Put the helm hard over, George, when I give the word,” he said. - -At the same time he rested the rifle on the gunwale and took aim at the -man nearest to the right bank. - -“Now!” he said, as he fired. - -The wheel spun round, and the gyro-boat swerved abruptly towards the -right bank. It was impossible to tell whether the shot had taken -effect. The Albanian, when he saw the rifle pointed at him, dropped -down behind the parapet, loosing his grip on the stone he was preparing -to cast. His fear not only robbed him of his chance, but prevented his -companions from hurling their stones, for those who were already on the -bridge imitated his ducking movement with great celerity, and those who -were still running had to pass him before they, too, could seize upon -the missiles. - -There was a moment of confusion. Then the men began to hurry towards -the bank, evidently supposing that the occupants of the gyro-boat -intended to land there. But another turn of the wheel caused the boat -to swing back into its former course. It shot under the arch, and -before the Albanians could turn about and rush to the further parapet, -the boat was beyond the reach of their missiles, speeding merrily on in -the middle of the stream. - -Shouts now sounded on all sides; rifles cracked, and bullets began to -patter in the water, none striking the boat or any of its occupants. - -“Dished ’em, old man!” cried George, gleefully, stopping the engine. -“That was a very neat idea of yours. We must be going ten knots with -the current, and as they can’t possibly pursue us along the banks, I -think we’re safe.” - -“What do you say, Giorgio?” asked Maurice of the man, who had crouched -low in the boat while it ran under the bridge, but now raised himself -and looked around. For a few moments he made no reply; then, pointing -first to the right bank and then to the river ahead, he said-- - -“There is danger, excellence. You see!” - -“I see them running from the bridge back up the hill, but what of -that?” asked Maurice. - -“They will run to the rapids and cut us off there,” replied Giorgio. -“There is a short path to them across the hills.” - -“But they can’t run so fast as we are going.” - -“True, excellence; but the river bends and twists so much that they -will be there long before we shall, and we shall be in very great -danger. No fisher of this country has ever dared to go down the rapids.” - -“We shall see when we come to them. Where is the other party--those who -were pursuing us?” - -Giorgio looked back along the left bank, but Slavianski and his men -were not in sight. There was no path along the bank, which was a line -of precipitous cliffs, and Giorgio surmised that the pursuers had -retraced their steps towards their horses, and would make their way -over the hills towards the rapids. - -A moment later he cried out that he saw another party ahead of them, -and pointed to a spot on the left, where, high on a ridge, and too far -away to be distinguishable, several men were hurrying down towards the -river. Apparently they were few in number, and in a few moments they -were lost to sight behind a shoulder of the hill. - -“It looks as if the whole countryside has been roused,” said Maurice. -“There’s no doubt we are in a fix, old boy.” - -George looked much perturbed. The situation was a desperate one. On -each side lofty and precipitous rocks: ahead, unnavigable rapids; two -parties on the hills, making for this critical place by short cuts; and -in front a third party already approaching it. These numerous enemies -would choose spots on the cliffs above the river from which they could -pour a hail of bullets on the gyro-boat as it came level with them. - -“We must run the gauntlet. We’ve no choice,” said George. “Perhaps -when we get there we shall find some way of escape. I’d give anything -at this moment for a bullet-proof awning. But it’s no good wishing for -what we haven’t got. You ought to have shot that ruffian Slavianski -when you had the chance.” - -“I rather grudge him my revolver,” said Maurice. “If we do manage to -get away, the fellow will never dare to show his face in England, at -any rate.” - -“Nor if we don’t, either; but that won’t be much comfort to us.... The -current is rather swifter here; we can’t be far from the rapids, I -should think.” - -The river wound from side to side erratically, and the cliffs seemed -to be higher. None of the enemy were now in sight. Ahead, and on both -sides, mountains many thousands of feet high appeared to hem the stream -in completely. The surroundings reminded George of the scenery in the -fjords of Norway, or the lochs in Scotland: its rugged majesty was -softened by the sun’s engilding rays. - -Never very wide, the river at length narrowed to little more than a -gorge, with almost perpendicular walls, several hundred feet high, -descending into the water. It was hard to imagine that the stream could -find a way through what appeared to be a solid barrier of rock; but as -the gyro-boat sped on upon the quickening current, there was always a -bend where the river swept round a bluff. - -The boat was now rushing on at a greatly accelerated pace, and the -proximity of the rapids warned George to stop the propeller. There -might be just the possibility of running into some creek or upon some -level bank if the rapids proved too dangerous. Almost suddenly they -came to a reach where the swirling and foaming of the water told of -rocks in the bed of the stream, and there was a perceptible increase -of speed. Tense with nervous excitement, George bent forward over the -wind-screen, his eyes fixed on the channel, his fingers clutching the -steering wheel. - -Meanwhile Giorgio, stout-hearted enough on land, cowered like a very -craven in the bottom of the boat, ejaculating Aves and Paternosters -as fast as the words would pour from his lips. From moment to moment -Maurice and his brother glanced around in search of any possible -landing-place or refuge; but on either hand there was nothing but bare -rock rising sheer from the stream. - -The boat made its own course down the tortuous channel. As the current -became ever swifter, it was almost hopeless to attempt to steer: the -boat went in whatever direction the seething torrent bore it, swerving -to this side and that, dashing between the rocks, shaving their jagged -edges, as it seemed, by a hair’s-breadth. - -A sudden bend in the river gave the voyagers at once relief and a new -alarm. The water ran more smoothly, the worst perils were passed; but -the perpendicular walls had given place to banks still steep, but more -broken--rather a succession of crags and irregular columns of rock than -walls. And here, at several points on the right bank, perched on rocks -overhanging the river, stood armed Albanians in wait, while on the -hillside above them others were clambering and leaping down to find a -post of vantage. - -Hitherto the brothers had conversed cheerfully, neither letting the -other guess the full measure of his anxiety. But now the moment was -too critical for speech. Numerous as were the perils they had met -and overcome since they started on their adventurous journey, both -recognised that the severest ordeal of all was imminent. They sat -firmly in their seats, with tight-closed lips, and eyes fixed straight -ahead. Maurice offered no suggestion. He knew that George would act as -the emergency demanded. To both it was obvious that the single chance -of escape, and that a desperate one, lay in rushing past the enemy at -the highest speed of which the boat was capable. The Albanians had -been hurrying over a toilsome path; even allowing for the short cuts, -they must have made extreme haste to arrive at this spot before the -boat, favoured as it had been by a current of ten miles an hour. The -Bucklands knew from experience how detrimental to steady aiming is such -violent exertion, and both nourished a faint hope that the Albanians’ -arms would prove too unsteady to take good aim at a rapidly-moving -target. - -It was no time for half-measures. George started the motor. The effect -did not become manifest for some few seconds; but then, under the -combined impulse of current and propeller, the boat shot forward -at the rate of at least seventeen miles an hour--a desperate speed -considering the rocky nature of the channel. - -[Illustration: THE RAPIDS OF THE BLACK DRIN] - -The ambuscaders had been timing their attack by the rate of the -boat when it first came into view. Taken aback by the sudden and -unlooked-for increase of speed, they were flustered. Some raised their -rifles hastily to their shoulders; others, who were unarmed, stooped to -lift the rocks and small boulders which it was their purpose to hurl -at the boat when it came within striking distance. The man nearest to -it was a trifle too late in his movement. His rock was a large one; -before he could heave it above his head to make a good cast, the boat -shot by, and he had to jerk it from him at haphazard. It splashed into -the river, being only a yard behind the boat, in spite of the man’s -unpreparedness. The occupants were drenched with the shower of spray. - -Picture the scene. The gyro-boat dashing along in mid-stream at the -mercy of the impetuous current. In it two young men, conspicuous by the -red fez, their features pale and strained. Only George was needed to -manage the boat; Maurice might have crouched with Giorgio in the space -between the side and the gyroscopes; but he disdained to shrink from -a danger which his brother could not evade. Above, at heights varying -from sixty to a hundred and fifty feet, big moustachioed Albanians, -rugged mountain warriors, standing on rocky ledges, firing down at the -boat, or hurling stones and rocks with the force of sinewy muscles and -high altitude. For a hundred yards the occupants of the boat carried -their lives in their hands, and over all the sun beat mercilessly down. - -Bullet after bullet flashed from the rifles. Rocks of all sizes plunged -into the river, behind, before, to right and left of the boat. Now -and then there was a metallic crack as a bullet struck the steel -framework. A boulder crashed upon the vessel, tearing a long gash on -the exterior of the hull, but above the water line. A smaller rock hit -the wind-screen, rebounded, struck George’s arm, and rebounding again, -found a final goal on the head of Giorgio, who crouched face downwards -on the bottom, pattering his prayers. George was in terror lest a large -boulder, more accurately or luckily aimed, should plunge into the -interior of the boat, for such a missile might break a hole through -the bottom, or hopelessly damage the engine if it struck fair. But the -only injury suffered by the vessel during that terrible half-minute was -the shattering of the glass case of the gyroscopes, which were not in -motion. - -Nor were the passengers destined to escape unscathed. When they had -half run the gauntlet, a rifle shot struck Maurice above the knee. -The burning, stinging pain was intolerable; yet neither by sound nor -movement did he give sign that he was wounded. Everything depended on -George’s nerve, and Maurice felt that a cry of pain might draw his -brother’s attention from his task. George knew nothing of the wound. -Looking neither to right hand nor to left, he kept his gaze fixed on -the channel ahead. - -Suddenly a new factor entered into the situation. There were rifle -shots from the heights on the left bank. Maurice glanced up in dismay; -surely their case was now hopeless; they were running into the jaws of -destruction. For some seconds he was unable to catch a glimpse of these -new assailants. Then an abrupt turn in the channel carried them out of -sight from the enemy on the right bank, and at the same time brought -the men on the left into view. A gleam of hope dawned upon Maurice’s -troubled mind. - -“Giorgio,” he cried, “look up. Who are these?” - -The Albanian timorously raised his head. Then he sprang up in the boat -and, looking upward, shouted with delight. On the bare hillside above -the river stood a party of eight or ten Albanians. As the gyro-boat -swept into view they shouted and fired off their rifles, not, however, -aiming downwards, but shooting into the air, their usual mode of -expressing pleasurable excitement. - -“It is grandfather Giulika,” cried Giorgio, “and Marko, and Doda, and -Zutni; yes, and there is Leka, my blood-foe. All are there. Praise to -God, excellence! They have come over the hills to our help. While they -stand there those dogs behind cannot pursue us further. We are saved!” - -“But where are the Austrians?” asked Maurice. “They were on the left -above the bridge as we passed.” - -“We shall soon know, excellence,” said Giorgio. “Stop the boat, and I -will speak to my grandfather.” - -George shut off the engine, and the current being much less swift now -that the boat had come beyond the rapids, they drifted along slowly. -Then Giorgio lifted up his voice, and in clear trumpet tones, with a -force that caused his face to flush purple and the veins in his neck -to swell, he bellowed a question to the party above. The answer came -in a long, loud chant from Marko, and though the distance was several -hundred feet his words were clear and distinct. - -He explained that, some while after the travellers had left the scene -of the landslip, the enemy retreated along the path, and turned into -the narrow gulley leading up to the hills. Giulika, suspecting their -intentions, decided to follow them. After some time, when the pursuers -came in sight of a village on the further bank, they called to the -people there to hasten down to the river and intercept the boat. Their -shouts were heard by Giulika and his party, who instantly left the -direct track towards the Drin and hurried to a point above the rapids -where they in their turn could command the ambuscaders. - -“Where is the Austrian hound?” asked Giorgio. - -“That we know not,” replied Marko. “We can see the Moslems behind, -across the river; they are no longer pursuing; but there is no Austrian -among them.” - -“Surely he has not found another short cut to head us off again?” said -Maurice to Giorgio. - -“No, excellence; he cannot do that, for he would have to cross the -river by the bridge at Lukowa, and then recross. There is no other way.” - -“That is good news indeed. And now what had we better do?” - -Giorgio shouted to the men above. This time the answer came from Zutni. -He said that about three hours’ march down the river was a bridge, and -the bank was low enough there to allow the boat to run ashore. - -“And what then?” asked Maurice. - -“Then there are mountains for many days’ march eastward. It is a very -difficult road,” replied Zutni. - -“We had better keep to the river,” said Maurice to George. “It is -joined by the White Drin some distance to the north, and if I am -not mistaken, Prizren, the old Servian capital, is not far from the -confluence. From there we can make our way to the railway, and then -we can either go by train to Nish and change there for Sofia, or make -straight across country, whichever seems best. We shall find somebody -to advise us in Prizren.” - -“Whatever you like, old man,” said George. “At present I want nothing -but a rest. Look how my hand trembles.” - -“My dear fellow, you are dead beat, and no wonder. Let me take your -place. We can float on the stream, and I can steer.” - -“What’s wrong?” asked George, seeing his brother wince as they changed -places. - -“Oh, I’ve got a scratch on my leg--nothing to speak of.” - -“Let’s have a look.” - -On examination it proved that the bullet had passed through the flesh -just above Maurice’s right knee. Luckily it had not severed an artery. -They dipped their handkerchiefs in the stream and extemporised a -bandage. - -“That will do until we get to Prizren,” said Maurice. “Now take it -easy.” - -“What about Giorgio?” - -“He must leave us at the bridge they spoke about. I daresay his friends -will meet him there. We can’t take him with us out of the way of his -blood-foe; probably he wouldn’t come if we asked him, so far from his -home, and he would be of no use to us as a guide. But we owe a great -deal to old Giulika and his family, and must do something to repay -them.” - -It was arranged between Giorgio and his friends that all should meet at -the bridge, and the marching party soon disappeared among the hills. As -the boat floated down with the stream, the Bucklands and Giorgio ate -and drank ravenously of the food they had with them. - -“This is like heaven,” said George, as he leant back, “after the strain -of the last few hours. D’you mind if I go to sleep, old man?” - -“Not I. You must want sleep badly. I’ll see that we don’t run aground -and jog you when we come to the bridge.” - -It was more than two hours before they came to the bridge, and they had -waited another hour before Giulika and his party arrived. The meeting -was hilarious. The Albanians appeared to take it all as a great joke, -and the fact of having got the better of an Austrian and a Moslem -from Elbasan afforded them vast satisfaction and amusement. Giulika -regretted that, being so far from home, he could not give a feast to -celebrate their triumph, but assured the Englishmen that if they would -honour him with a visit at some future time he would assemble all his -kinsfolk and hold high revel. - -“Will you give Giorgio a tip?” asked George, as the man stepped on to -the bank to join his friends. - -“He would be terribly insulted,” said Maurice. “Whatever we do for him -and his people must be done delicately. I’ll see to that when we get to -Sofia.” - -He thanked Giulika warmly for his hospitality and kindnesses, and -promised to accept his invitation some day. Then they parted with -mutual congratulations and compliments, the Albanians to face the long -march across the hills, the Englishmen to continue their voyage down -the river. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE END OF THE CRUISE - - -It was now late in the afternoon. The Bucklands were both on the verge -of exhaustion after the fatigue and the excitements they had undergone, -and since it was impossible to reach Prizren before dark, they decided -to float down the stream for a short distance until they came to some -secluded spot where they might rest. In little more than an hour they -reached a cove in the left bank where they could lie up without the -risk of being seen, except from some passing boat, and since they had -as yet neither passed nor met a vessel of any kind, it seemed likely -enough that nothing would disturb them. - -So it proved. Taking turns to watch, they remained throughout the night -in the cove, and when day broke felt refreshed by their rest. They -breakfasted on the remnants of the food they had brought from Durazzo, -and set off about 7 o’clock. - -The voyage down the Black Drin was slow and uneventful. Careful -navigation was required to avoid the rocks and reefs with which the -bed of the river was studded. Here and there they caught sight of -villages perched far up on the hillsides. At one point they saw a -file of horsemen winding along a path two or three hundred feet above -the river, and for a moment feared that they might be Slavianski’s -party; but the boat had apparently not been noticed, and the horsemen -disappeared. - -About 3 o’clock they came to the junction of the Black Drin with the -White. Since the united stream flowed from this point westward, they -could no longer avail themselves of the current, nor could they proceed -up the White Drin without an expenditure of petrol which they did not -care to afford. It was time to resume their land journey. The banks of -the river were still so lofty that they found no landing-place until -they arrived at a many-arched bridge. Here they left the water and took -to the road, which was little more than a bridle-track. A few minutes’ -run brought them to another bridge, crossing a tributary stream. At the -near end of the bridge was a _kula_, and as the gyro-car came to it a -man stepped into the path, holding a rifle. - -“Shall we run past him?” asked George. - -“I think we had better pull up,” replied Maurice. “We don’t want a -bullet in our backs. I daresay he will give us some food if we approach -him properly.” - -George halted the car, and Maurice gave the man a courteous -salutation, and, taking the bull by the horns, asked if he could -provide a meal. The man looked amazed at the question, then curious, -and finally said gruffly that the strangers might eat if they chose, -but he had nothing but bread to offer them. This Maurice accepted, and -while eating it asked how far it was to Prizren. Hearing that it was -only four hours’ march, he decided to push on at once; and, thanking -their reluctant entertainer, the travellers set off again. The road -improved as they entered the dusty plain of Prizren. They overtook many -people as they sped along--goat-herds, mule-drivers, horsemen, women -carrying huge bundles of wood, and here and there an ox-sledge. George -was amused to see them skip aside at the sound of the hooter, and many -were the cries of consternation and affright as the humming car ran by. - -At length the minarets of Prizren came into view, and in a few minutes -they passed the guard-house at the entrance to the town. The main -street was cleaner than any they had seen since leaving Italy. It was -thronged with people, who had come out of their houses, now that the -heat of the day was past, to shop in the bazaars and gossip with their -neighbours. Here was a tailor’s shop, blazing with colour; there a -saddler’s, where hung bright saddle-bags, and horse-trappings with -scarlet tassels; in the open spaces were piled vast quantities of -luscious fruit, the sight of which made George’s mouth water. But the -car was attracting so much attention that Maurice thought it best to -find a _han_ at once before they were mobbed. They stopped at the first -_han_ they came to, and by that time there was a considerable crowd -about them, who looked on in hushed amazement as they alighted. - -Entering the place, Maurice was received by a portly _hanji_, whose -guests rose from their seats and courteously saluted the newcomer. -George remained outside to keep an eye on the gyro-car. When Maurice -explained that he wished the car to be taken to a safe place for the -night, the host sent two of his household to wheel it to the stables. -Maurice took occasion to explain that anyone who meddled with it -would suffer a severe shock, and to emphasise his warning got George -to let off a cloud of smoke into the faces of the bystanders, who -scuttled away holding their noses. Feeling assured that the car would -not be molested, the travellers entered the inn; the innkeeper and -his attendants removed their boots and pressed strange drinks upon -them, which they politely declined, asking for coffee. Soon they were -furnished with an excellent supper--a fowl boiled with rice, maize -bread and honey. This was a banquet, compared with the meagre and -uncertain meals they had had since leaving Durazzo, and they enjoyed -it thoroughly. - -“We will stay here for the night, and go on to-morrow,” said Maurice. - -“Is it safe to delay?” asked George. - -“Quite, I think. The people here are very suspicious of Austrians, and -Slavianski won’t venture to follow us any further. But we’ll start as -soon as it is light to-morrow. Is there enough petrol to take us to -Sofia?” - -“That depends on whether we can make a straight run of it. If we have -to double and wind as we have done up to the present, we certainly -shall not have enough. It is about a hundred and fifty miles from here -to Sofia, I think you said?” - -“About that. We shall have to cross the railway. There’s a branch line -to Mitrovitza, a few miles from here; a few miles further on there’s -the main line running north to Nish and Belgrade; and about forty miles -beyond that, across the hills, there’s Kustendil, from which there’s -a wretched train service to Sofia; so if we do break down _en route_, -we shall have opportunities of boarding a train. The mischief is that -there’s such a poor service that we may be hung up for twenty-four -hours or more.” - -“Let us hope it won’t come to that,” said George. - -Here one of the inn attendants offered him a cigarette which he had -just rolled, and another a glass of a liqueur called _rosolio_. George -accepted the former, but declined the latter, which led to a polite -inquiry on the part of the host whether his guests were Mussulmans. -Before Maurice could reply, there came a tremendous banging at the -door, which had been fastened to keep out the crowd. The _hanji_ -sprang up and rushed, uttering loud imprecations, to deal with the -inquisitive person who he supposed was intruding upon his guests. But -on throwing open the door he became suddenly dumb, smiled with great -deference, and bowed himself nearly double as a stout Turkish officer -in a green-braided uniform clanked into the guest-room, followed by -half-a-dozen soldiers similarly attired. - -The inmates instantly rose from their stools or the bundles of hay on -which they were sitting, and made humble obeisance. Maurice got up and -saluted, telling George in a low tone to do the same. Ignoring the -obsequious bowings of the company, the officer marched up to Maurice, -gravely saluted him, and then, with an air of great importance, -addressed him in Turkish. - -“The effendi will have the goodness to show his teskereh,” he said. - -Maurice smiled as he replied to the man, and produced the document from -his breast-pocket. - -“Who is the buffer?” whispered George. - -“An officer of zaptiehs--a kind of gendarmerie,” said Maurice. “No -doubt everybody in the town knows of the arrival of two strangers in a -devil machine. We were bound to be questioned.” - -The officer proceeded to examine the document with great solemnity, and -a frown showed itself on his features as he read. After a minute or two -he looked up and said sternly: - -“The teskereh is not in order, effendi. You must come with me -immediately to the konak.” - -“That I must decline to do,” replied Maurice with a smile, “at least -until I have finished my meal and washed. We have come a long way, and -are, as you see, dirty. We are Englishmen, and we should discredit our -nation and dishonour the Chief of the Police if we appeared before him -in our present condition. If, therefore, you will be good enough to -wait for a few minutes, we shall be happy to accompany you.” - -“Very well, effendi,” said the officer, “we will wait.” He spoke to his -men, who squatted on the floor in a half circle round the travellers, -lighted cigarettes, and stared solemnly at the prisoners. - -“What did he say?” asked George, somewhat uneasy. - -“He is going to take us to the police station.” - -“But he read your passport!” - -“I am not at all sure that he did. He held it upside down, from -which I infer that he knows no language but his own. A few words -with the Chief of the Police will no doubt set things right. But we -are disreputable-looking objects, and I’m afraid there are no toilet -arrangements here. Unluckily my valise is at Giulika’s _kula_: we -haven’t so much as a comb between us. We must do the best we can.” - -Explaining to the host that they desired to wash, they were led to the -courtyard behind the inn, where two of the servants poured water over -their heads from a tin wine-measure, this performance being stolidly -watched by two of the zaptiehs. There was no soap to be had, and -the travellers had to be content with this imperfect ablution. They -returned to the inn; their battered boots were pulled on, and amid -respectful salutes from the _hanji_ and his people, they passed into -the street under the escort of the officer and his men. - -A slight evening mist was gathering over the city. They marched up -the steep cobbled streets towards the konak, perched on a ridge up -the mountain side, a motley crowd following at their heels. After a -fatiguing climb they came to the courtyard of the konak, guarded by -sentries perched on wooden platforms, and, passing these, came to the -long untidy building. Mounting a few steps, they reached the great -hall, where the officer left them under charge of his men while he went -to report their presence. - -The scene was more novel to George than to Maurice. The great hall was -thronged with people, dressed in every variety of costume and colour. -Here was a rough countryman from the hills, there a portly merchant; -soldiers marched up and down with clanking heels, or lounged against -the wall; messengers elbowed their way through the crowd with shrill -outcries. The noise was deafening as the people chatted, laughed, -disputed in a score of different dialects. George thought that they -were politer than an English crowd would have been, since they paid -little attention to the newcomers. - -Presently the officer returned, and led the travellers through a -curtained doorway into a large room railed off at one end, where a -number of officers and secretaries were seated on a divan raised a few -inches above the floor. In the centre, cross-legged in an arm-chair, -sat the Chief of Police. He rose as the prisoners were led forward, -saluted, and signed to them to seat themselves on the divan near him. -George was amused at the elaborate ceremony that followed. The whole -company rose and saluted, then sat down again, but immediately half -rose from their seats in turn, and repeated the salutation. George -copied his brother faithfully, thinking what a pleasant description he -would make of the ceremony when he got home again. - -These preliminaries being concluded, the Chief ordered the officer of -zaptiehs to make his report. - -“Excellence,” he said, “these men came into the city in a strange -machine, that makes a noise like a motor-car, but is such as I have -never seen before. They are Austrians, and spies; their presence -in this city is very injurious to our Government. The elder has a -passport, which I deliver to your excellence, who will no doubt give -orders that the spies be lodged in the prison.” - -“What have you to say, effendi?” asked the Chief, not looking at the -passport, from which Maurice inferred that he, too, was unable to read -it. - -“I compliment you, excellence,” said Maurice blandly, “on the zeal of -your officers. His information is not absolutely correct, but that is -a small matter; it is well that in these times every care should be -taken. In the first place we are not Austrians, but Englishmen.” - -Here there was a rustle of interest among the company. - -“How do you prove that?” asked the Chief suspiciously. “You speak -Turkish; how should Englishmen do that?” - -“I have lived for some time in Constantinople, excellence,” replied -Maurice. - -“Why are you here?” - -Maurice thought it inadvisable to explain either his position in the -diplomatic service or the object of his journey. There was in Prizren, -as he knew, an Austrian vice-consul, from whose ears he wished to keep -these particulars. - -“Your excellence knows the singularity of our insular habits,” he said -gravely. “We think that travel has a beneficial effect on the mind. -Tastes differ, of course, but having a wish to cross the mountains, I -came with my brother, a student of mechanics, to test the merits of -a car that he has invented. You are doubtless aware that the English -are friends of your country, and I assure you that we have none but -innocent designs in coming here.” - -The Chief of Police stroked his chin. - -“You say you are English,” he said at length. “What is the chief town -of England?” - -“To the best of my belief it is London,” replied Maurice, whereupon the -official nodded gravely. - -After a few more questions, he announced that the Englishmen were free -to return to the inn, but since the hour of business was already past, -they must present themselves before the Pasha next day; he would give -a final decision. Thereupon a lengthy ceremony of leave-taking ensued, -and the travellers were permitted to depart without a guard. - -George laughed heartily as Maurice, on the way back, repeated the -substance of the conversation; but Maurice was annoyed at the further -delay which a visit to the Pasha would involve. Turkish etiquette -demanded that he should remain until the Pasha had paid a return -visit, and then he would be lucky if he got off without visiting other -important men in the town. - -“We should have done better to go to Constantinople from Brindisi,” he -said. - -“My dear chap,” replied George, “I wouldn’t have missed this for -anything. To be arrested as Austrian spies, after being chased by -Austrians for a thousand miles, is decidedly comic. Of course, if you -really want to escape the Pasha we might scoot off in the night, but I -confess I’d like to see him, and I’d rather have a good night’s rest -and ride in daylight.” - -“Well, let us hope the Pasha won’t keep us long.” - -On regaining the inn, they found that the only sleeping apartment was a -tiny box of a room, approached by a rickety ladder. Here they settled -themselves on rugs provided by the genial host, and tumbled off to -sleep, unaware that sentries had posted themselves at the door. - -Next morning they were awakened by the sound of the ladder being -replaced, and rose to see the host and three of his family climbing up, -laden with towels and battered wine-pots full of water. - -“Good morning, excellencies,” said the smiling _hanji_. “Knowing your -fondness for water, we have brought plenty for the washing. If you will -be pleased to step on to the balcony yonder, and lean over, we will -pour the water over your heads.” - -The travellers good-humouredly accepted the host’s kind attentions. -A crazy balcony ran along at the back of the inn. They stepped on -to this, removed part of their clothing, and leant over, while the -wine-pots were emptied successively over their heads and bare backs. -In the courtyard below, two sentries and a dozen idlers watched the -performance with grave interest. When it was over, and the assistants -had rubbed them dry, they descended to the common room, to eat a -breakfast of the same fare as their supper. - -Maurice knew that it was impossible to see the Pasha until midday was -passed, so George and he spent the morning in wandering about the -streets, always closely attended by the sentries. After an early dinner -they set off for the Seralio. At the door an official wanted to pull -off their boots, but Maurice objected to this, pointing out that it -was not the custom of his countrymen, who showed respect by taking off -their hats, whereupon the man pulled aside a heavy curtain over the -doorway, and gave them admittance. - -They found themselves in a long room furnished in European style. The -Pasha, a tall, handsome Turk, gorgeous with medals and decorations, was -seated at a small table at a window overlooking the city. Rising at -their entrance, he motioned them to seat themselves on chairs beside -his own, and offered them glasses of a pink syrup. - -“I am exceedingly sorry, Messieurs,” he said in French, “that you -have been inconvenienced by the action of our police. When they heard -of your arrival, they suspected you to be Austrian spies, but no -sooner did the Chief of the Police see you, and perceive your noble -appearance, than he felt the groundlessness of his suspicions.” - -Maurice made suitable acknowledgment of so handsome a compliment, -remembering that he was dirty and tattered, and had several days’ -growth of bristles on his chin. He then had a short conversation with -the Pasha on the state of the country, the last revolution, the reforms -of the Young Turks, and finally asked permission to continue his -journey eastward. - -“You are travelling on some wonderful machine, I am told,” said the -Pasha. - -“It is novel, excellency,” replied Maurice, “and if you would care to -see it, we shall be most happy to show it to you.” - -“You do me great honour,” said the Pasha. “I shall return your visit -presently, and shall then be charmed to inspect your car.” - -Coffee and cigarettes were brought in, and after the interview had -lasted an hour the visitors rose to go. Maurice’s wound had as yet -given him little trouble, but he moved somewhat stiffly after remaining -seated. The Pasha noticed this, and asked whether Maurice, like -himself, suffered from rheumatism. On being told that the lameness was -due to a slight accident in the hills, he insisted on summoning his -hakim, who immediately discovered that it was a gunshot wound, and -reported the fact to the Pasha. - -“You were molested on your way?” the Pasha asked. “I will provide you -with an escort for the road.” - -“It is unnecessary, excellency,” said Maurice quickly. “Our car will go -so fast that even horsemen would find it difficult to keep up with us, -and we shall rely on our speed for safety.” - -“Then we will have a race,” said the Pasha eagerly. “There is a -suitable course along the valley of the river. It will amuse me to see -a race between a horseman and your car. I will arrange it, and let you -know the time fixed.” - -No one could have guessed from Maurice’s demeanour that he was annoyed -at the proposition. He politely assented, and after having had his -wound dressed with strange ointments by the hakim, he returned with -George to the inn. - -George spent the greater part of the afternoon in overhauling the -mechanism of his car. The glass case in which the gyroscopes spun was -wrecked, and could not be replaced in Prizren; but the gyroscopes -themselves, the motors, and the dynamo were uninjured, and there was -quite enough petrol left to make the run to Sofia, if a direct route -could be followed. The proposed race, George thought, was rather a -nuisance, for it would consume a good deal of petrol, without carrying -them a yard on their way. And yet!--an idea struck him that made him -chuckle with anticipated delight, and astonished the grave bystanders, -who had watched his proceedings in stolid silence. - -Maurice meanwhile had found the time drag. Unwilling to leave the inn -in case the Pasha called in his absence, he sat in front of the door -to watch the passers-by. Down the steep street came hill-men driving -pack-animals, women with empty pitchers on their heads, zaptiehs with -rifles slung over their backs, long-bearded scribes, gipsy tinkers--but -never a sign of the Pasha. Small boys gathered opposite the inn and -watched the stranger as he smoked cigarette after cigarette, and -rushed forward at intervals to pick up, not the discarded ends, but -the matches he had thrown away. After a time Maurice got the _hanji_ -to despatch one of his sons to find out if the Pasha was coming; but -the youth could get no farther than the sentries at the entrance of the -Seralio, who replied to his question with a threat to kick him if he -was impertinent. - -When George had satisfied himself that the engines were in good working -order, he sought his brother. - -“Well, old man,” he said cheerily, “how’s the leg?” - -“Quite easy. The hakim’s ointments seem to be effective. But I’m -getting very tired of this.” - -“What will happen if we don’t wait for the Pasha?” - -“We shall have some trouble to get out of the city. They will -immediately jump to the conclusion that we are shady characters. The -Pasha’s _exeat_ is necessary. The worst of it is that if he has set -his heart on this ridiculous race we shall have to waste more time. -Probably he won’t be satisfied with one, but will want to keep us -racing for hours.” - -“Well get over that,” said George, laughing. “I’ve had an idea.” - -And then he told his brother of the notion which had occurred to him as -he cleaned the engines. - -“A very happy thought,” said Maurice. “I’ll question our host and see -how the land lies.” - -Evening came, but still no Pasha; and at sunset, there being nothing -else to do, the Bucklands turned in, expecting to be honoured by a -visit in the morning. They had not been long asleep, however, when they -were roused by the sound of shots in the street. They sprang up and ran -to the hole in the floor, from which the ladder had been removed to -secure their privacy. More shots were fired outside; there was a loud -banging at the door and a hullabaloo of voices. - -By the dim light of a small lamp the guests saw the _hanji_ hurry to -the door and throw it open. Instantly he fell forward in an attitude -of supplication, to receive a cuff on the head from one of the Pasha’s -guard, who entered, followed by the Pasha himself. - -“Where are the Inglese effendis?” said the great man. “Acquaint them -that I am come to pay them a visit.” - -“Great Scott!” ejaculated George, when Maurice told him what was -happening. “What a time to come! We can’t receive him here.” - -“We must. Roll up these rugs and make some sort of a divan, and for -goodness’ sake don’t smile; you must be as grave as a judge, or he’ll -be mortally offended.” - -The _hanji_, having placed the ladder in the hole, clambered up with -a lamp and announced the august visitor, and descended again, to be -soundly cuffed for being so long about it. When the Pasha mounted and -entered the room, he found the two Englishmen sitting in state on what -had but recently been their bed. - -“A thousand regrets, Messieurs, for disturbing you,” said the Pasha, -smiling affably, and seating himself on the rugs beside the Englishmen -as soon as he had acknowledged their respectful salutations. “I thought -it would be quite in the Frankish manner to call on you at this time; -such is the custom in Paris and London, I understand, and I did not -dream that you would have retired to rest so soon.” - -“We are charmed to see you, excellency,” replied Maurice, “and only -regret that you should have been troubled to waken our sleepy host.” - -He called for coffee. After a little more polite conversation the -Pasha broached the matter of the race. Maurice suggested that the -starting-point should be some little distance eastward of the city, -where the road was not likely to be blocked by traffic, and that the -course should be to the railway line and back, a distance of about -forty miles, the horseman to be allowed a fresh mount for the second -half. To this proposal the Pasha assented the more eagerly because he -was by nature somewhat indolent, and would be spared by this scheme -the necessity of riding out to a distant winning-post. He said that he -would send out swift messengers to forbid any movement of man or beast -on the road until the race was over, and to arrange for a horse to be -in waiting at the railway line. The hour fixed for the start was 10 -o’clock next morning. - -Before leaving, the Pasha wished Maurice to accept a fine Roman coin -that he wore among his medals; but having no present of equal value to -offer in return, Maurice gracefully declined it. The Pasha departed -with his guards, and the Englishmen, relieved at having come through -the interview without disgrace, unrolled their rugs and devoted -themselves again to slumber. - -The town was agog next morning. News of the race had penetrated -everywhere, and the whole population, dressed in all their finery, -wended their way from a very early hour towards the vast plain where, -in the year 1389, the Turks won the great victory that established them -in Europe. A company of soldiers marched with much bugling and drumming -to clear the way for the Pasha, and at 11 o’clock--only an hour late, -which was punctuality to a Turk--he rode out resplendent amid his -staff. A great throng of boys ran after the gyro-car as it went slowly -to the starting-place, a rival crowd following the horseman chosen for -the contest, a lithe and sinewy Albanian arrayed in festive colours, -and mounted on a superb arab. - -At the starting-point the soldiers had much trouble in keeping back the -immense assembly of spectators, who shouted and gesticulated in great -excitement, every now and then letting off a rifle fully charged. The -Englishmen wondered that no one was injured in this promiscuous firing; -the expenditure of cartridges in Albania in mere festive sportiveness -is enormous. - -It was clear that horse and gyro-car could not start side by side, -for the animal reared and plunged at the sound of the engine, evoking -shrieks of mingled terror and delight from the boys. Maurice suggested -that the horseman should have a hundred yards start. With the car -behind him the horse would not be alarmed, though perhaps he might -be spurred on by the humming sound. This plan approved itself to -the Pasha, who appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself, and told -Maurice in a confidential aside that, whether he won or lost, he was -to be entertained at a magnificent banquet that night. The course was -cleared; the competitors took their places on the road; and at the -sound of a whistle, followed instantly by a wild discharge of firearms, -the race began. - -The horseman set off at a furious gallop. George contented himself with -a moderate pace, smiling at the frenzied cries that broke from the -spectators lining the road. On each side extended the plain, the soil -cracked by the summer heat, the scattered hawthorn scrub burnt brown. -Clouds of dust flew from the horse’s hoofs, and still denser volumes -behind the gyro-car. At one spot a line of bullock-carts loaded with -maize was drawn up beside the road, and the drivers burst into shouts -of applause for the horseman, and derision for the gyro-car dropping -behind moment by moment. - -“It’s a shame to take in the Pasha; he’s a decent old boy,” said -George, when, after about five miles, the spectators being now out of -sight, he quickened pace. - -“The King’s business must be attended to,” said Maurice sententiously; -“we have wasted quite enough time.” - -As the gyro-car made up on the horseman, he made desperate efforts to -keep his lead. When almost upon his heels, George reduced speed, and -allowed him to draw away for a few minutes; then quickened again. At -length, ten miles having been covered, and all danger of pursuit being -at an end, George thought it time to put in practice the idea which had -occurred to him at the _han_. He opened the throttle, increased his -speed to fifteen, twenty, thirty miles an hour, caught up the horse, -and as he passed, let out a volume of smoke. Startled by the noise and -the fumes, the horse broke from the control of his rider, and dashed -madly across the plain. By the time that he again answered the bit, the -gyro-car was far ahead, concealed in a cloud of whirling dust. - -Still further increasing the speed, George drove the car over the -undulating plain until suddenly the railway line came in sight. A group -of horsemen were halted there, with a led horse among them. George -steered a little to the left to avoid them, slackened pace when he -approached the line, and when the car had bumped over the rails, set -off again at full speed, heedless of the shouts of the waiting party. - -“The horseman is not in sight,” said Maurice, glancing back. - -“At any rate he’ll win the prize,” said George with a laugh. “I hope -the Pasha will give it him.” - -On they went, across the Morava river, across the main line from -Salonika to Belgrade, past stockaded villages, over low dusty hills, -never checking the pace until, about 5 o’clock, the domes and minarets -of Sofia hove into view. Soon they entered the city, slowing down as -they ran through the street. They passed shops where cheese and onions -lay on open counters, larger establishments where silk hats and French -gloves were on sale, dodged electric cars, and a gendarme who was too -much amazed to call on them to stop. - -“There’s the Italian agent,” said Maurice, indicating a frock-coated -gentleman crossing the street. “He won’t recognise me.” - -They drove through a crowd of wondering market-people, and finally -halted at a large building, surrounded by trees, that might have passed -for an English country-house. - -“Here we are,” said Maurice, heaving a sigh of relief. “Now I’ll -deliver my despatch, and then for a bath, a meal, and bed.” - -The door-keeper stared as Maurice alighted from the car and approached -him. A puzzled look appeared on his face, then a smile of recognition. -He saluted; Maurice stepped into the hall. In a few minutes he returned -with his chief, who listened with amazement to the outlines of his -adventures. Maurice introduced him to George, who had remained in the -car. Then, lifting the bonnet, George produced a soiled envelope which -had lain concealed in the mechanism. - -“The despatch, sir,” he said, handing the document to the agent. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -RECONCILIATION AND REWARDS - - -It would be too much to say, perhaps, that the receipt of the despatch -prevented a European war; but certain it is that within a few days -afterwards the troops which had been mobilising on the frontier -disbanded, and the British Foreign Office was credited with an -unusually successful stroke of diplomacy. Among the telegrams that -passed between London and Sofia was one from the Foreign Secretary -warmly complimenting Mr. Buckland on his achievement, and another from -the editor of a well-known paper asking for a detailed narrative, a -request which, by the rules of the Service, Maurice was bound to refuse. - -The Bucklands were for a week or two the lions of Sofia society. -They were dined, danced, invited to receptions and reviews; George -was introduced to the King, who honoured him with two words and a -cigarette. Then, in response to an agitated letter from the Honourable -Mrs. Courtenay-Greene, he one day left by train for Constantinople, -the gyro-car being conveyed on a truck, and thence returned home by -steamer. - -He had just come down from Cambridge for his first vacation when he -received a letter from Maurice that threw Mrs. Courtenay-Greene into -a fresh state of agitation. His leave having been cut short in the -summer, Maurice had been recompensed with a fortnight at Christmas, -and had decided to avail himself of this opportunity to revisit the -hospitable Albanian and reward him, or, if his pride forbade the -receipt of pecuniary compensation for the losses he had suffered, -to thank him in person for the services he had rendered. George at -once announced his intention of joining his brother, and despatched a -telegram asking where they could meet. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene protested -against being left to spend Christmas without her nephew’s society, but -George was determined, averring that Christmas in Albania would be much -better fun than in London. Sheila called him a pig, but in the next -breath said he was quite right, and she only wished she could go too. - -The brothers met at Trieste, went thence to Scutari by steamer, and -engaging a trustworthy guide, set off on horseback for Giulika’s -dwelling in the hills. - -It was a bright, cold afternoon when they jogged along the high road -from Elbasan. The weather for the last week had been rainy, and George -was aware for the first time that mud is not at its worst in London. -On the low ground the road was sometimes impassable, and the riders -had to pick their way where the mud was at least fathomable. When -they came into the hills they found that their journey was scarcely -less dangerous than it had been in summer with the gyro-car, for the -horses slipped often on the rocky, frosted track, and the riders had to -dismount and lead them. - -They had nearly arrived at the path leading from the road to Giulika’s -little village, and were resting at the top of a steep ascent, admiring -the scene of wild grandeur outspread before them, when suddenly their -ears were caught by the sound of a shot. - -“Blood, excellency,” said their guide with a careless shrug. - -They lifted the field-glasses which were slung over their shoulders, -and scanned the surrounding country. For some time they saw nothing but -the rocks and crags, the dark fir forest below, the snow-clad peaks -above. But presently there were more shots, and now they descried, far -away, but in the direction of the road they were travelling, several -puffs of smoke. Then, a sunbeam lighting the spot, they saw four men -crouching behind some rocks, with rifles in their hands. - -“I say, Maurice,” said George, “do you see that one of those fellows is -a European?” - -“D’you think so?” - -“I am sure of it. I can’t see his features, but he’s a European by the -cut of him. I suppose he’s a traveller attacked by brigands. Hadn’t we -better lend a hand?” - -“I think you’re right,” said Maurice, after a long look through his -glass. “There are some Albanians creeping round the hill above them to -take them in the flank.” - -“Yes; I see their white caps. Come on. There are not too many of them -for us to tackle. The traveller is probably an Englishman; no one else -would tour in Albania at this time of year.” - -They had dismounted to rest their horses after the climb. Springing to -their saddles, they rode down the hill as fast as they dared, in spite -of the expostulations of their guide, who declared in much agitation -that it would be fatal to intervene between Albanian mountaineers and -“blood.” - -There was a cessation of the firing. In a few moments the combatants -were concealed from view by the craggy cliffs; but hurrying on, the -riders came on the scene at a moment when the European and the two -Albanians with him were hard pressed by a dozen men, who had surrounded -them, and were on the point of charging home. Letting out a shout, -Maurice fired his revolver, and with George at his side dashed to the -rescue. - -The attacking party paused in astonishment. At the same moment the -European, whose back had hitherto been towards the riders, turned his -head. - -“By gum!” ejaculated George. - -It was Slavianski. His glance was but momentary; he turned about to -face his enemy, and the Bucklands noticed that in spite of the peril -of his situation he appeared quite unperturbed. His right arm had been -wounded; he grasped his revolver with his left hand, and his mouth was -set with grim determination. But just as Maurice and George sprang from -their horses he swayed, staggered, and fell to the ground. And then -from beyond the rocks rushed Giulika, Giorgio, Marko, and the other men -of his household. Maurice shouted to them to halt, not before two or -three shots had been exchanged between them and Slavianski’s escort. - -Hostilities ceased. While some of the men kept a watch on Slavianski, -Giulika warmly greeted his former guests. - -“Welcome, excellencies,” he said. “You are come in time to see -vengeance taken on your enemy and mine.” - -“How does he come here?” asked Maurice. - -“The Austrian dog, when running down the steep path towards the Drin -that day, fell and broke his thigh,” answered the old man. “We did not -learn of it until the other day. He has been laid up ever since in the -house of a man of Trebischte, who is a famous bone-setter. But it was a -bad case, and needed much time, and only now is the cure complete, and -one leg will always be shorter than the other. - -“A few days ago we learnt by examining the breastbone of a black cock, -one of my own breeding, that an enemy would fall into our hands, and we -made _besa_ with Leka until this happy event should come to pass. And -lo! one told me that the man from Trebischte was taking to Durazzo the -Austrian who burnt my _kula_ when he found that you had escaped; and we -made an ambush for him here, and we have him, and now he shall die.” - -“Let me have a word with him,” said Maurice. - -Slavianski was seated on a rock. His escort of two were amicably -chatting with Giulika’s party. Maurice, as he went up to him, was -struck by his worn and haggard appearance. - -“I hear you had an accident, Monsieur le Comte,” he said in French. - -“Precisely, Monsieur,” replied Slavianski. “My thigh was broken, and -the healing has been long, though the limb was set with marvellous -skill by the Albanian yonder. I am not so young as I was.” - -“And Major Rostopchin?” - -“Is doubtless enjoying himself, Monsieur. He has apparently forgotten -me. He left me, intending to make his way with the third member of my -party to Trieste.” - -“I am sorry to see you in such a plight,” said Maurice, “but, of -course, you are in no danger now. My friend Giulika will not be -implacable.” - -“I am not sure that I thank you, Monsieur,” said the Count bitterly. “I -am lamed for life; my failure in that little business in the summer has -discredited me with--you know whom; and a bullet through the head would -be an easy way out of a hopeless situation. But I should have killed a -few of these ruffians first.” - -“It was evidently a mistake to burn the _kula_, Monsieur----” - -“But they killed my man,” interrupted the Count. “The mistake was in -turning aside on the road to Castellane. If I had got into Brindisi -before you it would have been all up with you.” - -“Perhaps,” responded Maurice with a smile. “By good luck and my -brother’s ingenuity I managed to score a point, and I bear you no -grudge. The thing now is to secure your safety. We have come to -compensate the old man for the losses his loyalty to us entailed, and I -daresay we can persuade him to let bygones be bygones. You had better -accompany us to the _kula_, I think.” - -He returned to Giulika, and after a short conversation the old man gave -orders to Giorgio and Marko to bring the Count to the _kula_. The whole -party set off, and, striking up the bypath, soon came to the village. -The evidences of Slavianski’s vengeance were manifest. The _kula_ was -a mere shell. The interior had been burnt out, with all the old man’s -furniture and stores. He could not hope to repair the damage until he -had reaped the crops of several years. Since the destruction of his -property he and his family had lived in the houses of neighbours. The -Englishmen were invited to enter one of these, Slavianski being left -outside in charge of the young men. - -Giulika entertained his guests with the same kindly hospitality as on -their former visit. He did not speak of his misfortunes, but begged to -have a fall account of their adventures after leaving him at the Drin. -Nothing more delighted him than the story of the race at Prizren, and -he laughed heartily at the thought of the Pasha’s disappointment when -the horseman returned alone. - -Maurice had to exercise much circumspection in broaching the object -of his visit. The old man was restive at the least suggestion that he -should take a reward for his services, or even accept compensation for -the losses he had suffered. - -“Shall I be paid for keeping my honour unstained?” he said. - -“That is not the way to look at it,” replied Maurice. “Your honour was -concerned with protecting us as individuals, but through us you were -doing a service to our King, to your own Sultan, and to the people of -this country and of others. It is on their behalf that I come to you. -If I had not succeeded in reaching Sofia, there might have been war.” - -“Well, we are ready,” said the old man with a smile. “We are a free -people; we obey none unless we choose; but if there is a war, we flock -like butterflies.” - -Finding that he was on the wrong tack, Maurice tried again. After a -long argument he persuaded Giulika that the King’s honour demanded that -he should make some recognition of the services rendered to him by a -stranger, and assured the old man that he durst not return to England -with the money he had brought. Giulika agreed that if the King’s honour -was involved, it would not become him as an honourable man to do -anything to smirch it, and consented to accept a sum that would enable -him to rebuild his _kula_ and replace the weapons and furniture he had -lost. - -Having succeeded on this point, Maurice turned to the question of -Slavianski. In this, too, he found that “honour” was a good card to -play. He pointed out that the Austrian had been entrusted with the -duty of obtaining a paper on which his Government set much store; that -he had soiled his honour by his failure; and that, by the traditional -laws of Lek, the slaying of his man while asleep demanded blood. In -this regard the vengeance taken by Slavianski had been moderate. He -reminded Giulika that the Austrian was ill and weak, incapable of doing -further harm, and for ever disgraced with his employers. By harping on -this string Maurice in course of time aroused in the old man’s breast a -feeling of sympathy for the Austrian, and he at last declared that he -might go free. - -While they were talking, a young man entered whom Maurice recognised as -Leka, the man who had wounded Giorgio. - -“Welcome, excellency,” said the man. “I am glad to see you again.” - -“Is there still blood between you and Giorgio?” asked Maurice. - -“Why, yes, excellency, there must be. We have _besa_ just now; but when -Christmas is past he must look out.” - -Giulika explained that, except during _besa_, Giorgio never left the -house unless accompanied by his mother or sister, whose presence -protected him from the attack of his enemy. - -“And how long is this to last?” asked Maurice. - -“Until Giorgio is killed, excellency,” said Giulika simply. - -“But why not pay blood-gelt, and end the feud?” - -“Giorgio is the innocent one,” replied the old man, indignantly. “He -was falsely accused: why should we pay? Besides, we have no money: -there are too many to be paid. Leka must have one purse, and the -elders of the village another, or else an ox; and the Sultan’s officer -another, but we never pay him unless we can help it. Still, we have not -money enough for the others, so it is useless to speak of it.” - -Inquiry elicited the fact that the total amount came to about £25 in -English money. - -“It is a pity that two such brave men should be enemies,” said Maurice. - -“We are not enemies,” said Giorgio, quickly: “there is only blood -between us. In _besa_ we hunt together and are very good friends.” - -“Well, I have some money that is lying idle,” said Maurice. “It cannot -be better employed than in removing the blood between you. Will you let -me have the pleasure and the honour of settling your feud?” - -“It is good of you, excellency,” said Giulika. “I think myself that it -is foolish that there should be blood between two such fine young men, -and if Leka’s honour is cleaned they will be like brothers.” - -“I am ready, excellency,” said Leka. “It is a pity I did not kill -Giorgio when I shot at him, and then you would have kept your money.” - -Maurice smiled as he handed over the necessary piastres. When the -payment had been made, Leka and Giorgio kissed each other, and the -former promised to buy a new rifle for his friend. - -The Bucklands spent Christmas with their Albanian friends, accompanying -them for ten miles over the hills to a little church. It was packed -with people in bright costumes; a week’s _besa_ had been sworn, so -that all the blood foes of the neighbourhood could meet as friends. -Hundreds of rifles were stacked against the wall outside. After service -there was a wild rush for these, and a shooting competition began, the -spectators firing off their rifles out of sheer high spirits. Shots -were fired again as the assembly broke up and returned to their several -villages, to resume their feuds on the morrow. - -Next day the Bucklands started for Scutari, accompanied by Slavianski, -for whom a mule had been provided. At Scutari they parted. Maurice -had thought of warning the Austrian not to set foot in England again, -but the man was so much broken down with illness that he forbore to -increase his bitterness of spirit. - -He saw him only once again. The course of promotion brought Maurice -at length to Vienna. He was one day entering a club with an Austrian -officer with whom he was on friendly terms. The door was opened by -a man who had once been handsome, but was now worn and haggard, and -walked with a limp. He started as he saw Maurice, hesitated a moment, -and raised his hand to the salute. - -“He knows you?” asked the officer in surprise. - -“Yes,” replied Maurice. “I met him during a little trip I made a few -years ago in a gyro-car.” - - -THE END. - - -BRADBURY, AGNEW & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - -In several cases, obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed. - -The page number for Chapter IV in the Table of Contents was corrected -from 68 to 63. - -Page 65: “for the first time is brother’s” changed to “for the first -time his brother’s” - -Page 126: “who call upon Allah” changed to “who called upon Allah” - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE -GYRO-CAR *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Cruise of the Gyro-Car</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Herbert Strang</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: A. C. Michael</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: March 17, 2022 [eBook #67642]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR ***</div> - - - - -<p class="center p0 xbig">THE CRUISE OF <br /> -THE GYRO-CAR</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter bbox"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="HERBERT_STRANGS_ROMANCES">HERBERT STRANG’S ROMANCES</h2> - - -<p class="p0 center big"><i>UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME</i></p> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<h3>KING OF THE AIR: <span class="small">or, To Morocco on an Airship</span></h3> - - -<p>“Much the best book of its kind now in existence.”—<i>Manchester -Guardian.</i></p> - -<p>“The flights of the airship and final rescue of the imprisoned diplomat -are brilliantly told.”—<i>Journal of Education.</i></p> - -<p>“The story goes with a fine zest and gusto, and few writers have known -as well as Herbert Strang the exact proportions to allow of amusement -and information.”—<i>Bookman.</i></p> - - - -<h3>LORD OF THE SEAS: <span class="small">the Story of a Submarine</span></h3> - - -<p>“<abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Herbert Strang has struck a new vein with remarkable success, -and has narrated a series of exciting adventures in the South Seas -in an effective and admirably sustained tone of humour.”—<i>Notts -Guardian.</i></p> - -<p>“A rattling good story, full of life and go.”—<i>Record.</i></p> - - -<h3>SWIFT AND SURE: <span class="small">the Story of a Hydroplane</span></h3> - - -<p>“A grand yarn about a hydroplane, in which <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Strang shows that he is -a new Jules Verne.”—<i>Hearth and Home.</i></p> - -<p>“The excitement increases from chapter to chapter.”—<i>Literary -World.</i></p> - - - -<h3>JACK HARDY: <span class="small">a Story of the Smuggling Days</span></h3> - - -<p>“A story about a gallant young middy.... The characters are drawn with -originality and humour.”—<i>Bookman.</i></p> - -<p>“Herbert Strang is second to none in graphic power and -veracity.”—<i>Athenæum.</i></p> - - -<p class="center p0 p2"><i>Price 2/6 each.</i></p> - -<p class="center p0">HENRY FROWDE <span class="allsmcap">AND</span> HODDER & STOUGHTON</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img000"> - <img src="images/000.jpg" class="w50" alt="THE NEW AND THE OLD" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">THE NEW AND THE OLD<br /></p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h1> THE CRUISE OF<br /> - THE GYRO-CAR</h1> - -<p class="center p0 p2"> BY - HERBERT STRANG</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"> <i>ILLUSTRATED BY A. C. MICHAEL</i></p> - - -<p class="center p0 big p4"> LONDON<br /> - HENRY FROWDE<br /> - HODDER AND STOUGHTON</p> - -<p class="center p0"> 1911 -</p> - -</div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - - -<p class="center p0 small">BRADBURY, AGNEW, & <abbr title="company">CO.</abbr> <abbr title="limited">LD.</abbr>, PRINTERS<br /> - LONDON AND TONBRIDGE -</p></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<p>Albania, once a Roman highway to the East, has been for many centuries -the wildest and most inhospitable of European countries. The mountains -that had echoed to the tramp of Roman legions, and had witnessed the -culmination of the struggle between Cæsar and Pompey, became some -fifteen centuries later the scene of one of the most glorious struggles -for liberty of which we have record. For nearly a quarter of a century -Scanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with a few thousands of his -mountaineers, stemmed the advancing tide of Turkish conquest. When -at length the gallant Prince and his people were borne down by sheer -weight of numbers, and Albania became a Turkish province, this mountain -land, which had been a principal bulwark of Christendom against Islam, -served to buttress the unstable empire of her new masters. It has been -the settled policy of the Turk to keep the Albanian in a condition of -semi-independence and complete barbarism,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span> as a kind of savage watchdog -at the gate. From time to time the dog has turned upon his master, and -in many a fierce struggle the mountaineer has shown that he has not -lost the fine qualities of courage and love of liberty that inspired -Scanderbeg and his followers.</p> - -<p>To the few Europeans, including J. G. von Hahn, Edward Lear, H. A. -Brown, and E. F. Knight, who at no little personal risk have made -a study of this romantic land and people, I am indebted for many -interesting particulars, and especially to Miss M. E. Durham for the -stories of “The Man and the Ass,” and the “Dismembered Cow.” The -opening up of the country under the new régime in Turkey may soon -render the visit of a motor- or gyro-car not more perilous there than -in other parts of Europe, at present of better repute. But it will be -long before the Via Egnatia, once the eastward continuation of the -Appian Way, becomes as good a highway for motor or other traffic as it -was two thousand years ago.</p> - -<p>My young friend, George Buckland, is at present the sole possessor of -a gyro-car, and he looks forward somewhat ruefully to the day when his -scamper across Europe will no longer have the charm of novelty.</p> - -<p class="right p0"> -<span class="smcap">Herbert Strang.</span><br /> -</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<th class="tdr page" colspan="3">PAGE</th></tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_I"><span class="smcap">Chapter I</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -INTRODUCES THE GYRO-CAR -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_11">11</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_II"><span class="smcap">Chapter II</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>UNWELCOME ATTENTIONS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_26">26</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_III"><span class="smcap">Chapter III</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>THE YELLOW CAR -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_45">45</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_IV"><span class="smcap">Chapter IV</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>RUNNING THE PLANK -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_63">63</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_V"><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>ACROSS THE ALPS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_76">76</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_VI"><span class="smcap">Chapter VI</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>A NARROW MARGIN -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_91">91</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_VII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VII</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>AN ACT OF WAR -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_103">103</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_VIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VIII</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>A ROMAN ROAD -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_115">115</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_IX"><span class="smcap">Chapter IX</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td> -THE HONOUR OF AN ALBANIAN<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_129">129</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_X"><span class="smcap">Chapter X</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>SOME RIDDLES AND A NURSERY RHYME -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_142">142</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XI</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>IN THE SMALL HOURS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_154">154</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XII</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>THE SWAMP -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_164">164</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIII</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>A LANDSLIP IN THE HILLS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_177">177</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XIV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIV</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>A RUSH THROUGH THE RAPIDS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_188">188</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XV</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>THE END OF THE CRUISE -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_207">207</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="3"> -<a href="#Chapter_XVI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVI</span></a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -</td> -<td>RECONCILIATION AND REWARDS -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_231">231</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> -<table class="autotable"> -<tr> -<th colspan="3" class="tdr page">PAGE</th> -</tr> -<tr> -<td> -<a href="#img000">THE NEW AND THE OLD (<i>frontispiece</i>)</a>: -</td> -<td class="tdr"><i>see page</i> -</td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_14">14</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><a href="#img002">A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT</a></td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_73">73</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><a href="#img003">A TENSE MOMENT</a></td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_156">156</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><a href="#img004">THE RAPIDS OF THE BLACK DRIN</a></td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_199">199</a> -</td> -</tr> -<tr> -<td><a href="#img001">MAP OF THE ROUTE OF THE GYRO-CAR</a>, -</td> -<td class="tdr"><i>to face page</i></td> -<td class="tdr page"> -<a href="#Page_11">11</a> -</td> -</tr> -</table> - - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img001"> - <img src="images/001.jpg" class="w75" alt="THE ROUTE OF THE GYRO-CAR" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">THE ROUTE <span class="allsmcap">OF THE</span> GYRO-CAR<br /></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_I"><span class="smcap">Chapter I</span><br /><br />INTRODUCES THE GYRO-CAR</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>Among the passengers who alighted from the train at the terminus of -Shepperton, the little village near the Thames, one evening in early -summer, was a young man differing noticeably, but in a way not easy to -define, from all the rest. He was tall, but so were many; dark, but -most men are dark; bronzed, but the young men who spent idle hours in -sculling or punting on the river were as suntanned as he. Nor was it -anything in his attire that marked him out from his fellow-men, unless, -perhaps, that he was a trifle “smarter” than they. Yet many eyes had -been attracted to him as he walked down the platform at Waterloo, -and many followed him, at Shepperton station, as he stepped out of -the compartment and doffed his soft hat to a young girl, who stood -evidently awaiting him, and whose face lit up at his approach.</p> - -<p>“Hullo, kid!” he said, in the young Briton’s casual manner of greeting. -“Where’s George?”</p> - -<p>“He’ll be here in a minute or two,” replied the girl. “I <i>am</i> glad -to see you, Maurice.”</p> - -<p>“Thanks. How’s Aunt?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> - -<p>“The same as ever,” said the girl with a smile. “Have you brought your -luggage?”</p> - -<p>“Just a valise. The porter has it. Take it to that fly, will you?” he -added, as the man came up.</p> - -<p>“Oh! Wait a minute,” said his sister, laying a hand on his arm. “George -will be here in a minute.”</p> - -<p>“That means ten, unless George has reformed. Well, well, children must -be humoured.”</p> - -<p>Brother and sister stood side by side chatting. The porter set the -valise down by the fence. We may take advantage of the delay to explain -that Maurice Buckland was one of the secretaries of the British agency -at Sofia, and had come home on short leave. It was nearly two years -since he was last in England. Affairs in the Balkans had been in a very -ticklish condition, the focus of interest to all the chancelleries of -Europe. A grave crisis had just been settled peaceably after a long -diplomatic game of Puss in the Corner, and Buckland was at last free to -take his well-earned holiday.</p> - -<p>He showed an impatience far from diplomatic as the minutes flew by, and -his younger brother George did not appear.</p> - -<p>“Really, Sheila——” he began after five minutes.</p> - -<p>“Please, a little longer,” interrupted his sister. “George has a -surprise for you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> - -<p>“Has he, indeed! The greatest surprise would have been to find him -punctual. What is he cracking his wits on now?”</p> - -<p>“I mustn’t tell you. I wish he would come.”</p> - -<p>They stood at the gate. A hungry flyman touched his hat. The porter was -distracted between keeping one eye on the valise, the other on an old -lady who seemed determined to enter the train before it had shunted to -the up-platform.</p> - -<p>Five more minutes passed.</p> - -<p>“His surprise can keep,” said Maurice. “Porter!”</p> - -<p>The man shouldered the valise and carried it to the waiting fly. -Buckland and his sister entered the vehicle, the driver shut the door, -touched his hat, clambered to his seat, and drove off. He knew the -address; for the past year The Acacias, on the Chertsey Road, had -been occupied by the Hon. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene, a middle-aged widow -who kept house for her orphan nephew and niece. The fly rattled along -through the village.</p> - -<p>About half a mile from the station, as every one knows, the road sweeps -round in a sharp curve to the right. To the left, at right-angles with -it, stands the Anchor Hotel, with the vicarage adjacent and the old -ivy-clad church beyond. Just as the fly reached the curve, there was a -warning hoot from the opposite direction, and Buckland, glancing past -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> driver, saw a motor-car of unusual shape rushing towards them -at the speed of an express train. With great presence of mind, and -a violent execration, the flyman whipped up his horse and pulled it -sharply to the near side towards the little post-office. Quick as he -was, he could not prevent an accident. The motor-car, indeed, did not -cut the horse and vehicle in two, as had seemed imminent, but merely -grazed the off hind-wheel. Its occupant let forth a shout; the flyman -had much ado to prevent his horse from bolting; and the motor-car, -swerving from the shock, and wrenched round by its driver, dashed -across the road, into the brick wall that bounds the curve, and fell -with a crash.</p> - -<p>“Oh! He’s killed!” cried Sheila, rising to spring from the fly.</p> - -<p>“Sit still,” said her brother sternly, holding her down. “Pull up, -driver.”</p> - -<p>“Easier said nor done,” growled the man, “with the hoss scared out of -its wits.”</p> - -<p>But in a few seconds he had the horse in hand, and pulled up a few -yards down the road. Buckland then helped his sister out, and rushed to -see what had become of his unfortunate brother. The landlord, ostler, -and boots of the Anchor were already on the spot; the proprietor of the -Old King’s Head opposite was running to join his rival; and as Buckland -came up, the vicar hastened out of his gate in his shirt-sleeves.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> - -<p>The late occupant of the car, a young fellow of eighteen or -thereabouts, turned from contemplating his battered machine to greet -his brother.</p> - -<p>“Hullo, old man!” he said. “Here’s a pretty mess!”</p> - -<p>“H’m! No bones broken, then. Is this your surprise?” said the elder -brother in his best ironical manner.</p> - -<p>“More or less,” replied George with a rueful grin. “Why didn’t you wait -for me?”</p> - -<p>“It appears that by not doing so I narrowly escaped extinction.”</p> - -<p>“She’s a beauty, really, you know—or was,” said George.</p> - -<p>“I notice a beautiful hole in the wall. But come, we are being stared -at by the whole population. What are you going to do with this -beautiful machine of yours?”</p> - -<p>“I shall have to put her into garage for to-night, and get her to my -workshop for repairs to-morrow. The front wheel is buckled; it’s a -wonder the whole thing isn’t smashed. If you had only waited, instead -of taking a wretched old fly, we should have been safe home by this -time.”</p> - -<p>“Meanwhile the fly is waiting. I will leave you to make your -arrangements, and may I beg you to be expeditious.”</p> - -<p>Maurice Buckland affected at times a formal mode of speech that his -brother, fresh from Winchester, found very galling.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> - -<p>Maurice returned to the fly with his sister, ignoring the crowd which -had by this time gathered about the car. Having seen this wheeled by -a score of helpers into the garage attached to the Old King’s Head, -George rejoined the others, and the homeward journey was resumed.</p> - -<p>“Just my luck!” said George. “I was going to drive you home in fine -style. That’s my new gyro-car.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed!”</p> - -<p>“It goes like winking.”</p> - -<p>“So I saw,” said Maurice dryly.</p> - -<p>“Yes; my own idea, you know—that is, it’s an adaptation of Louis -Brennan’s mono-rail car. You saw it has four wheels tandem; it’s like a -motor bicycle. You’ve heard of the gyroscope, of course?”</p> - -<p>“I am not aware that I have.”</p> - -<p>“Goodness! Is Sofia such a dead-alive place as that? I’ll show you how -it works to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Spare me! I have seen how it plays the dickens with time-honoured -means of locomotion.”</p> - -<p>“But, you know, it’s a splendid——”</p> - -<p>“So are you, dear boy, but if you’ll allow me to say so, it was quite -time I came home. As your guardian, I must really exercise a little -restraint upon your exuberance. Your allowance is clearly far too big, -if you are squandering it in devising means<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> for the slaughter of your -innocent fellow creatures.”</p> - -<p>George felt somewhat resentful of his brother’s superior attitude, and -held his peace for a minute or two. But his enthusiasm soon got the -better of him, and he began again.</p> - -<p>“It’s perfectly stunning, Maurice, the way she goes: isn’t it, Sheila?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; it really is, Maurice,” said the girl eagerly. “We have had some -splendid rides.”</p> - -<p>“Do I understand that you are so dead to all decency of feeling as to -endanger your only sister’s life as well as your own?” said Maurice -severely.</p> - -<p>“There’s no risk at all,” replied George; “that is, no more than in -an ordinary motor. It was simply a piece of rotten bad luck. The -gyroscopes are all right, but there’s a terrific amount of side thrust -in turning a corner, and they’ve watered the road recently, so that in -making allowance for the possibility of skidding——”</p> - -<p>“Pray don’t treat me to a lecture on mechanics. The accident, as I -conceive it, was the fault of your making an ass of yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” said Sheila, before George could answer, as the fly drew -up at the gate of a large house. “We’ve got a lovely lawn, Maurice; I -hope you’ve brought your tennis racquet.”</p> - -<p>“My dear child, we have left the dark ages behind,” replied her brother -acidly, and the two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> others, as they followed him into the house, felt -that Maurice was even more insufferable than when he first put on high -collars.</p> - -<p>This impression was deepened at the dinner-table. The Honourable Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene was a dowager of severe and wintry aspect, who wore -pince-nez and had the habit of “looking down her nose,” as George -irreverently put it. During dinner she and Maurice exchanged notes -about common acquaintances, ignoring George until a chance mention -of the gyro-car drew upon him a battery of satire, reproof, and -condemnation.</p> - -<p>“I shudder for our reputation,” said the lady. “We are already, I am -sure, the talk of the neighbourhood.”</p> - -<p>“Judging by what I have seen,” said Maurice, “we shall be lucky if we -are not more than the talk. It will be manslaughter, at the least.”</p> - -<p>“And our name will be in the papers!” said Mrs. Courtenay-Greene. “I -live in a constant state of nervous terror. A motor accident on the -road is disgraceful enough, but George is actually talking of running -his ridiculous machine on the river.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Aunt,” began George, but the lady closed her eyes and waved her -hands as though warding off something ineffably contaminating.</p> - -<p>“I will not listen to your plausible impertinences,” she said. -“Maurice, shall we go and hear Tetrazzini to-morrow?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p> - -<p>George looked daggers at his aunt, and stole away as soon as dinner was -finished, to talk over his grievances with Sheila.</p> - -<p>Next day, he went early into the village, and returned in an hour or -two, sitting on a lorry next to the driver, the damaged car behind him. -It was taken to his workshop at the foot of the garden. Maurice was -walking on the lawn, smoking a cigarette. He did not so much as lift -his eyes as the vehicle passed, and George turned his head aside: the -brothers might have been strangers.</p> - -<p>For several days George was hardly to be seen. He had ordered a new -front wheel and fork from the maker, and until they arrived forbore -to speak of the gyro-car, and occupied himself in repairing the -wind-screen in front, and in working at various mechanical models with -which he was experimenting. He was going up to Cambridge in October, -and the science master at his school foretold that he would take a -first-class in the engineering tripos, if he would only concentrate -himself and not dabble in things outside the curriculum.</p> - -<p>The new parts arrived. On the next day Maurice was strolling past the -workshop, which he had never yet deigned to enter, when his attention -was arrested by the sight of his brother’s car standing by itself on -the path. A faint humming proceeded from its interior. George was not -to be seen. In spite of himself, Maurice found himself gazing at the -machine<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> with interest, for, though it had four wheels tandem, and was -not supported on either side, it stood perfectly upright. He glanced -round furtively to make sure that his brother was not watching, and -then walked round the car, stooping at every few paces to look beneath -it and assure himself that he was not mistaken. There were no supports; -the machine was actually balancing itself on its four wheels.</p> - -<p>“Rummy!” he murmured. “How’s it done?”</p> - -<p>He was peeping over the side of the car, when George’s voice hailed him -heartily.</p> - -<p>“Hallo, Maurice! Isn’t she a beauty?”</p> - -<p>Instantly he moved away, and began to stroll down the path as if -nothing could be less worthy of his attention.</p> - -<p>“Swank!” said George to himself.</p> - -<p>He turned the starting-handle, mounted into the car, depressed the -clutch-pedal, and having advanced the speed-lever a little, ran up the -path, out at the front gate, and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Maurice flung his cigarette away, looking a trifle disconcerted. He -went to his room opening on to the road, and remained at the window -until he heard the hum of the car returning. Then he slipped into the -garden, and was sauntering up and down, when George ran the machine -down the path to its garage.</p> - -<p>“I’ve had a jolly spin,” said George. “Nearly ran into a foreign fellow -in the village: there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> appears to be a little colony of foreigners -there: come to try boating, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>He sprang out of the car, causing it to set up a slight rocking motion, -and went into his workshop. Maurice stood at a distance of a few yards, -contemplating what was to him an embodied mystery.</p> - -<p>The machine was several feet longer than an ordinary motor-car, but -about half as wide, and shaped like a boat. Indeed, its general -appearance was that of a motor-cycle which had broken through the -bottom of a rowing boat. Abaft amidships there was a seat for two -persons, arranged pannier fashion, and sunk somewhat below the top of -the framework on which it rested. A little to the rear of the seat was -a glass chamber, in which were two top-like things, connected by a bar. -It was, apparently, from these that the humming proceeded, but they -were not visibly rotating, though they swayed slightly. In front was -the casing, presumably covering the motor; behind was a similar object, -but smaller.</p> - -<p>George came out of the workshop.</p> - -<p>“Hallo!” he said, as if recognising his brother for the first time. -“Taking a squint?”</p> - -<p>“What are those things?” asked Maurice, nodding towards the glass case.</p> - -<p>“Those? Oh, they’re the gyroscopes.”</p> - -<p>He got into the car, and let down, one on each side, two supports, -each with a small wheel at the end. Then he moved a lever to stop<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> the -spinning of the gyroscopes, got out again, lifted the cover of the -motor, and proceeded to oil the engine. For some time not a word was -spoken. Then Maurice broke the silence.</p> - -<p>“Er! H’m! What, may I ask, is a gyroscope?”</p> - -<p>“A top.”</p> - -<p>“H’m! Do you think you could manage to speak in words of more than one -syllable?”</p> - -<p>“Well, gyroscope has three.”</p> - -<p>“Undoubtedly. I am still a little doubtful as to the accuracy of -your definition, or perhaps I should say, of the perfectness of my -apprehension. Will you condescend to be lucid?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you want to be treated to a lecture in mechanics, do you? Are you -sure it won’t hurt you? Aren’t you afraid of your name getting into the -papers?”</p> - -<p>Maurice opened his cigarette-case and offered it to his brother.</p> - -<p>“Thanks, old man,” said George, contritely. “Got a light?”</p> - -<p>Maurice struck a match, replaced the box in his pocket with -deliberation, and said:</p> - -<p>“George, old boy, what <i>is</i> a gyroscope?”</p> - -<p>“Well, old man, it’s a sort of top, as you see. They’re stopping: it -takes some time when they’re going at 5,000 a minute. You can see ’m -spinning now. They’re in a vacuum, to get rid of air resistance and -skin friction, and so you get a high velocity with a minimum of power.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> - -<p>“That is not beyond my intelligence. Proceed with your lecture, and, if -I may make a suggestion, begin with the use of this—gyroscope, I think -you said.”</p> - -<p>“It’s to keep the machine steady—balance it, you know.”</p> - -<p>“I saw that it remained upright when stationary. That is very -remarkable.”</p> - -<p>“But that’s not all. Having two, I can take the sharpest corners with -the greatest ease. I set them spinning in opposite directions, and they -are so linked that as one sways to one side, the other sways to the -other, so that the car doesn’t topple in turning a corner.”</p> - -<p>“The machine apparently goes like a bicycle, with this difference, that -you can stop dead without tumbling?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but it’s better than a bicycle. A cyclist has to keep his machine -upright: the gyroscopes do that, and you can give your whole attention -to steering. The wheels being tandem, too, I can use ball-bearings. -I’ve got a petrol motor that actuates a dynamo, and so avoid the -necessity of altering the gear going up-hill, and the noise it makes.”</p> - -<p>In his enthusiasm he had forgotten his brother’s former aloofness, and -was now bent on instructing him. He proceeded with a piece of stick to -draw a diagram on the gravel in illustration of the scientific details -he gave.</p> - -<p>Maurice listened and looked patiently, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> at the end of five minutes’ -technical explanation he yawned and said:</p> - -<p>“Ah! Very interesting, but quite beyond me. In other respects the thing -is an ordinary motor-car?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but as much faster as a bicycle is faster than a tricycle. I can -go faster than a four-wheeled motor of double the horsepower.”</p> - -<p>“A doubtful advantage. The temptation to exceed the speed limit must be -rather distressing.”</p> - -<p>“Besides, being so much narrower, it can go where a motor cannot.”</p> - -<p>“That would certainly be an advantage in a tight place, but I presume -they don’t allow you to run on the pavement? By the bye,” continued -Maurice, “I see that your gyro-car, as you call it, has no doors, and -you have to vault over the side in getting in and out. That strikes me -as being somewhat of an inconvenience, and an unnecessary one, to boot.”</p> - -<p>“Not a bit of it. The car is built so low that it doesn’t matter. -Besides, it’s an amphibious animal, old man; any sort of opening in the -sides would hardly tend to increase its sea-worthiness.”</p> - -<p>“You don’t mean to say that the thing goes in the water too?” said -Maurice, genuinely surprised.</p> - -<p>“Aha! I thought I’d surprise you. I tell<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> you what, Maurice, we’ll go -for a spin this afternoon, and I’ll show you how it goes, both on land -and water: that is, if you’re not afraid to trust your precious skin to -me.”</p> - -<p>“My dear boy, I have made my will. Let us wait and see the condition of -my pulse after luncheon.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_II"><span class="smcap">Chapter II</span><br /><br />UNWELCOME ATTENTIONS</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>The gyro-car ran that afternoon with such easy speed that Maurice -Buckland was stirred out of his carefully cultivated indifference. -Before it had gone a quarter of a mile he had ejaculated “By George!” -three times in a crescendo of admiration, and gave a hearty assent to -George’s assertion that “she” was a spanker. Nor was he perturbed when -she narrowly shaved a foreign-looking man hanging about at the corner -of the road that led to the Weybridge Ferry. After half an hour’s -spin George suggested that they should try her on the water, but then -Maurice relapsed into his former sceptical manner, and declared that he -had had enough for one day.</p> - -<p>On the way back they again passed the foreigner, who stood aside and -watched the strange car as it flashed by.</p> - -<p>“Did you notice the greedy look on that fellow’s face?” said George.</p> - -<p>“I am not in the least interested in him,” replied Maurice coldly.</p> - -<p>“I suppose not. You see foreign Johnnies<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> every day. He looked as if he -wished the car were his. Will you come on the river to-morrow?”</p> - -<p>“No. I am going to Town.”</p> - -<p>“You’ll let me drive you to the station?”</p> - -<p>“By all means, if you’ll promise to go carefully round the corner.”</p> - -<p>“Rather! Those old flies are dangerous, and ought to be abolished.”</p> - -<p>Next afternoon George had the pleasure of driving his brother to the -station. As they passed the Anchor they noticed a large motor-car -with a yellow body standing at the door of the little hotel. -Several foreigners were lounging on the garden seat in front of the -coffee-room. They broke off their conversation as the gyro-car ran -by, looking after it with curiosity. A minute after it arrived at the -station the motor-car dashed up. Two men alighted from it, and went -into the booking-office, where Maurice had just taken his ticket. -George did not leave the gyro-car or wait to see the train off, but -called a good-bye to Maurice over the fence, and promised to meet him -on his return.</p> - -<p>Maurice came back by the train arranged. The gyro-car was awaiting him. -Behind it stood the yellow motor-car, and Maurice was followed out of -the gate by the two foreigners who had travelled by the up train.</p> - -<p>“One of those fellows is a Count something or other,” said George as -they drove back.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> “A general too. The village is quite excited about -him.”</p> - -<p>“British snobbishness!” said Maurice. “They came down in my -compartment: don’t know our ways, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“How do you mean?”</p> - -<p>“There was another smoker two compartments off, quite empty, but they -came in with me: don’t know we prefer to travel alone when we can.”</p> - -<p>“British standoffishness!” said George with a smile. “Did they speak to -you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. It was rather amusing. They spoke in French about all sorts of -subjects, and by and by got on to ‘le cricket,’ as they called it—with -the deliberate purpose of attracting my attention, I believe. They -talked the most fearful tosh. By-and-by one of them turned to me. ‘I -beg your pardon, sir,’ he said, in excellent English, ‘but I see that -Kent has beaten Yorkshire by three wickets. Will you have the goodness -to explain precisely what that means?’”</p> - -<p>“What did you say?” asked George.</p> - -<p>“Oh! I explained to them that the wickets were three stumps stuck in -the ground, and without waiting for any more, the man turned to his -companion and said, ‘Eh bien! Je l’ai bien dit. Les vainqueurs rossent -les vaincus avec les stomps.’”</p> - -<p>“Construe, construe, old man: they didn’t speak French like that at -school.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></p> - -<p>“More’s the pity. What he said was: ‘I told you so. The winners whack -the losers with the stumps.’”</p> - -<p>“By gum!” said George with a laugh. “That stumped ’em. What happened -next?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I buried myself behind my paper. I dislike extremely being -disturbed in that way.”</p> - -<p>“There are about half a dozen altogether,” said George. “The Count -and another are at the Anchor: the rest, servants, I suppose, have -overflowed into the Old King’s Head. Rather hard on the boating-men, -isn’t it? Several couldn’t get rooms to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Really, George, I hope you are not becoming a Paul Pry.”</p> - -<p>“Of course not. Sheila went into the post-office to get some stamps, -and had it all thrown at her by the girl there. Foreign counts are a -rarity in Shepperton. What in the world brought them here? They don’t -appear to go in for boating.”</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow, does it matter?”</p> - -<p>“Well no, but it’s funny, that’s all.”</p> - -<p>Mrs. Courtenay-Greene agreed with her elder nephew that it was -undesirable to pay any attention to the strangers, even though one of -them was a count and a general.</p> - -<p>“It is perfectly shocking,” she said, “the way we are being eaten up by -aliens.”</p> - -<p>To Maurice Buckland’s great annoyance, however, it proved impossible -to avoid the foreigners. If he walked to the village, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> was bound to -meet some of them. Whenever he went to Town, it appeared that one or -more of the party had business there too. Sometimes they returned by -the same train, and then, no matter how many empty compartments there -might be, his privacy was sure to be invaded. Once, when the train was -full, the man whom he supposed to be the count entered the compartment -at the last moment, and stood between Maurice and the passenger -opposite, courteously apologising for the inconvenience he caused. -Room was made for him when some of the passengers got out at Clapham -Junction, and he seated himself next to Maurice, and remarked on the -immensity of the station. His manner was so polite and conciliatory -that it was impossible to snub him outright, but Maurice took refuge in -a cold reserve that discouraged further advances.</p> - -<p>One day George persuaded his brother to attempt a spin on the river. -They ran the gyro-car down on to the ferryboat, and George having made -the necessary adjustments, took the water and proceeded up stream -in the direction of the lock. Only a minute or two afterwards the -yellow motor-car came dashing down the road. Three of the foreigners -dismounted from it, hired a boat, and followed in the wake of the -gyro-car, which had by this time entered the lock. The gates were still -open; the lock-keeper thought it hardly worth while to fill and empty -for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> sake of one toll. Consequently, as the gyro-car lay against -the side, waiting, the Bucklands saw the foreigners’ boat coming in at -the lower gates, and zigzagging in a manner that proved its occupants -to be inexperienced watermen.</p> - -<p>George smiled as he watched the men’s clumsy movements. The boat -entered the lock, the gates were shut, and the lock-keeper ran along -the side to let in water at the upper end. When the vessels lay -opposite to each other, with only a narrow space between them, it was -natural enough that a word or two should be exchanged between their -occupants; and George, who was free from any taint of standoffishness, -responded readily to the distinguished-looking stranger in the stern of -the boat when he said:</p> - -<p>“This is a very remarkable car of yours, sir. I have seen it once or -twice, and always with great admiration.”</p> - -<p>At the same time he made a courteous salute to Maurice, who -acknowledged it freezingly.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it <i>is</i> rather useful,” said George, flattered by the -stranger’s attentions. A conversation ensued between them, in which -George described his mechanism with some minuteness. The gyro-car -was simply a hobby; he had no idea of making a secret of it; and -the stranger’s interest was so genuine, and yet so devoid of -inquisitiveness, that George was soon on friendly terms with him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></p> - -<p>While they were talking, the upper sluices were opened, and the water -poured with rush and whirl into the lock. The mechanism formed another -topic of conversation, which lasted until the lock was filled, the -keeper had collected the toll, and there was free access to the higher -reach.</p> - -<p>“I am very much interested,” said the stranger. “Permit me, sir.” He -handed George a card. “I am staying with my secretary at the Anchor -Hotel, and I shall be charmed if you will do me the honour to call -on me there. And you also, I need not say, sir,” he added, bowing to -Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Thanks awfully,” said George.</p> - -<p>“I am exceedingly obliged,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>Salutations were exchanged; the gyro-car ran smoothly out of the lock, -and the boat followed slowly, watched with a quizzical eye by the -keeper.</p> - -<p>“General Count Slavianski,” read George from the card. “Russian, -Maurice?”</p> - -<p>“Or Polish. You will not call on the man?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see why not.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, do as you please, but don’t drag me with you. I am fed up -with continentals.”</p> - -<p>George called next day on Count Slavianski at the hotel, and was -charmed with his new acquaintance, and also with Major Rostopchin, his -secretary. He would have liked to return their hospitality, but Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> refused to have anything to do with them, so that -the budding friendship did not develop. One of the Count’s servants -scraped acquaintance with the under-gardener at the Acacias, who told -his fellow-servants that the foreigner was a decent chap, and a dab at -billiards, as he had discovered at the Old King’s Head.</p> - -<p>Three weeks went by. One Monday morning Maurice received a letter from -the Foreign Office requesting him to call that afternoon on important -business. He took the 2.10 train to Waterloo, carrying a black official -bag in which he had a few unimportant papers that he intended to leave -at the office. Just as the train was on the point of starting, two of -the Count Slavianski’s servants rushed through the gate and sprang into -the nearest third-class compartment. Maurice congratulated himself that -they were not the Count himself and his secretary; he was a little -tired of the too-frequent company of those gentlemen.</p> - -<p>At Waterloo he entered a taxi-cab, which landed him within a few -minutes at the door of the Foreign Office in Whitehall. He was somewhat -surprised when he learnt that his interview was to be, not with one of -the principal clerks, but with the Foreign Secretary himself, and still -more surprised at the communication which that great man made to him.</p> - -<p>“Good afternoon, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Buckland,” he said. “I am sorry to cut short your -leave, but you must return to Sofia at once. I have a despatch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> of -the highest importance for your chief, and you must start to-morrow. -I wanted to see you myself, for this reason: it will be better for -you to go by some route that does not pass through Austrian or German -territory. That is unfortunate on the score of time, for the quickest -way is undoubtedly by Vienna; but you will remember that during the -last crisis a Montenegrin Minister was stopped and searched by the -Austrians—a flagrant violation of the etiquette of civilised nations, -but one that Montenegro was not strong enough to resent.”</p> - -<p>“I understand, sir,” said Buckland.</p> - -<p>“I need not enter into particulars with you,” pursued the Secretary. -“It is enough to say that things are once more looking exceedingly -black in the Balkans—so black that I do not care to trust to the -telegraph. The despatch will be written to-night, and you will call for -it to-morrow in time to catch the day train for Paris. Probably your -best course will be to go straight to Brindisi, where I will arrange -for a torpedo-boat to meet you and convey you to Constantinople. From -Constantinople you will go by train to Sofia. The Paris train leaves -Charing Cross at 2.20, as you know; you will find the despatch ready -for you by 11.”</p> - -<p>The Secretary was a man of few words. He had given his instructions, -and had nothing more to say. Buckland withdrew, left his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> papers with -one of the clerks, and, looking at his watch, saw that he had plenty of -time to catch the 5 o’clock train from Waterloo.</p> - -<p>When he left the Foreign Office, the news-boys were crying the evening -papers, and on one of the bills Buckland read, in large block letters, -the words BALKAN CRISIS. It was clear that the foreign correspondents -had already got hold of something. He wished that the Secretary had -been more communicative; it was tantalising to carry an important -despatch of whose contents he knew nothing. No doubt it was an -instruction as to the policy of the British Government. He bought two -or three papers to see what the rumours were, then turned into the -National Club to wait until it was time to return to Waterloo. Just as -he entered the door he saw one of Count Slavianski’s men, who had come -up by the same train from Shepperton, walking along from the direction -of Trafalgar Square. The man gave him a salute and passed on.</p> - -<p>The few men in the club smoking-room were talking about the news -from the Balkans. Buckland, an infrequent visitor, was unknown to -them, and they went on with their conversation, while he sat by the -window reading his papers. He smiled as he caught an oracular remark -occasionally, in a keen discussion as to what the British policy would -be. As to that he knew no more than they, but his knowledge of the -general situation enabled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span> him to listen to their random shots with -amusement.</p> - -<p>What he knew was as follows.</p> - -<p>Austria, having absorbed the Bosnian provinces some years before, -and digested them with more or less satisfaction to herself, was now -hungry for another meal. The raids of a number of Servian bands into -the discontented portion of the annexed territories had given her a -cause of complaint against Servia. The Serbs of Montenegro had been -implicated in these raids, and it was common knowledge that Austria had -long fixed a covetous eye on the little mountain principality which -had lately become a kingdom. The papers now announced that three army -corps were mobilising on the south-eastern frontier of the empire, -threatening Belgrade and Cettinje. It was not announced, but all -well-informed people knew, that behind Austria in these movements, as -in the earlier annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the second -member of the Triple Alliance—Germany.</p> - -<p>The question that interested journalists, clubmen, and the Services -was, what attitude would Britain take up in face of this menacing -action? She had not shown up very well when Bosnia and Herzegovina -were absorbed; would she do anything now to protect the tiny kingdom -of Montenegro against her powerful neighbour? Buckland suspected that -these questions would be answered in the despatch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> which he was to -receive for conveyance to his chief. He hoped and believed that the -answers would satisfy all who cherished the prestige of Britain. The -British Cabinet would probably make a firm stand. Russia was now much -more able to stiffen her back than she had been during the previous -crisis, when she was only beginning to recover from the strain of -the war with Japan. Turkey, too, was in a better position to resist -the southward movement by which Austria was creeping to her ultimate -goal—Constantinople. An improved government, and a general overhauling -of the army and navy, had made her a power to be reckoned with. The -third member of the Triple Alliance—Italy—certainly had no interest -in seeing an Austro-German Empire extend from the Balkans to the -Bosphorus, perhaps, indeed, to the Euphrates. Britain might therefore -expect support from the Powers which had formerly been helpless.</p> - -<p>One unfortunate element in the situation was the probability that -Austria would have assistance from the mountaineers of Albania. These -had always looked with suspicion on the reforms in Turkey, and their -distrust had of late been carefully fomented by Austrian agents.</p> - -<p>This being the general situation, the attitude of Bulgaria was of the -highest importance in the calculations of each of the Powers concerned. -It was rumoured that Austria was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> tempting Bulgaria with promises of -large territorial gains when the projected dismemberment of Turkey -became an accomplished fact. Bulgaria had an excellently appointed -army; her support would be of great value to Montenegro; and the -diplomacy of the interested Powers was therefore keenly engaged in the -attempt to sway the counsels of the Government at Sofia. Buckland’s -despatch would without doubt convey the advice of the British Cabinet, -through their representative.</p> - -<p>Such were the facts, and such the speculations, discussed in the papers -on that July afternoon. Buckland had a cup of tea in the club, and at -4.40 hailed a taxicab to drive him to Waterloo. The 5 o’clock train was -not crowded. Many of its usual passengers were holiday-making; it was -too early for the rush of men returning from business. Buckland settled -himself in the near corner of an empty first-class compartment, placing -his official bag on the seat next to him. A few moments before 5, Count -Slavianski and his secretary strolled down the platform, smoking very -fat cigars, and entered the compartment in which Buckland was seated.</p> - -<p>“A beautiful day, is it not?” said the Count genially, as he stepped -past Buckland.</p> - -<p>“Rather hot in town,” replied Buckland, burying his face in his -newspaper. Really, these intrusive Russians were very annoying.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></p> - -<p>The two foreigners occupied the far corners of the compartment, and -chatted to each other on subjects in which Buckland took no interest. -The train crawled down the line; it takes forty-seven minutes to -perform its short journey of nineteen miles; and Buckland felt rather -sleepy. At Sunbury, just as the guard’s whistle sounded, the two -foreigners suddenly jumped up, the Count saying to his secretary in -French,“We must get out here.” There was a moment of hurry-scurry; -the train was already in motion when the two men sprang on to the -platform. The Count waved his hand to Buckland, with a hurried “Bon -soir, monsieur!” and Buckland wondered for a brief moment why they had -alighted a station short of Shepperton. But he was so little interested -in them that before he reached his own station he had forgotten them.</p> - -<p>When the train drew up, he rose and took up the black bag from the -seat. An unaccustomed something in the feel of the handle caused him to -look at it. It was exactly similar to his own bag, but it was not his.</p> - -<p>“I suppose I took up the wrong bag at the Foreign Office,” he said to -himself; “though I didn’t notice anything in the feel of it before.”</p> - -<p>The bag was not locked, and he opened it There was nothing in it but a -morning newspaper.</p> - -<p>The household at the Acacias was variously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> sorry when Buckland -announced his immediate departure. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene was regretful -at losing the company of a man of the world; Sheila was fond of her -brother when he allowed his natural self to appear; and George had -found him a very pleasant companion since he had become interested in -the gyro-car.</p> - -<p>“How rotten!” said the boy on hearing the news. “Why can’t they let you -enjoy your holiday in peace?”</p> - -<p>“My dear George,” replied Maurice, “our little private concerns are as -dust swept by a broom when world-forces are at work. You’ll learn that -some day.”</p> - -<p>George merely snorted.</p> - -<p>Before dinner Maurice made all his preparations for leaving by the 10 -o’clock train in the morning. After coffee and a game of billiards he -scribbled a note to an old college friend with whom he had arranged -to spend a few days in the following week, and went out with George -to post it at the little post-office opposite the Anchor Hotel. When -they reached their gate they saw a man walking slowly up the road, and -at the second glance recognised him by the light of a gas-lamp as one -of the servants of Count Slavianski. He turned at the sound of their -footsteps, but immediately faced about and went on more quickly towards -the village.</p> - -<p>Maurice Buckland was not by nature a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> suspicious man, but the sight of -the foreigner brought to his recollection the incidents of the day and -of the past fortnight, and for the first time he wondered whether he -was being dogged. The arrival of the foreigners in the village a few -days after his own; their apparent want of occupation; their frequent -visits to town, going and returning by the same trains as himself; -their persistent endeavours to improve their acquaintance with him: -all these incidents, which appeared to have no special significance -when they happened, seemed now, in the light of the European situation, -to gain importance. He recalled the strange matter of the bag, and, -thinking backward, fancied he remembered that the Count’s secretary had -a black bag when he entered the carriage at Waterloo. If in the hurry -of their departure at Sunbury they had taken his bag by mistake, surely -it would have been returned by this time; his name was in it. Short -though his experience in the diplomatic world had been, he was alive to -the dangers of espionage; was it possible that Count Slavianski and his -subordinates were agents of one of the Powers?</p> - -<p>“A penny for your thoughts,” said George suddenly.</p> - -<p>Maurice slackened his pace.</p> - -<p>“What would you say to your friend the Count being a spy?” he replied -in a low tone.</p> - -<p>“I say, do you mean it?” said George. “What a lark! Who is he spying -on?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> - -<p>“Speak low, and I’ll tell you what I suspect.”</p> - -<p>He told George some of the essential facts of the situation, winding up -with the incident of the bag.</p> - -<p>“It’s rummy, certainly,” said George, considerably excited. “But do -you think it’s likely? Why should half a dozen foreigners spy on you? -What reason have they to suppose that you would have any information of -importance to them?”</p> - -<p>“Only this; that I am the only member of our agency at present in -London. These foreigners do things very thoroughly; it is not at all -unlikely that they would keep me under observation. The Count did not -travel up with me to-day, but two of his men did. I wonder whether you -could find out discreetly, in the village, when the Count went up?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I can tell you that. I went down to the village this afternoon to -arrange for some petrol to be sent up. I was standing near the door of -the King’s Head, when I saw a telegraph boy go into the Anchor with a -telegram, and a minute afterwards the Count and his secretary came out, -got into the motor, and rushed off full pelt to the station, just in -time for the 4 o’clock.”</p> - -<p>“Sharp work!” said Maurice. “Those fellows must have handed in a -telegram directly we got to Waterloo. No doubt they heard me tell the -taxi-driver to drive to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> Foreign Office, and the Count hurried up -to see what he could get. He couldn’t have reached Waterloo more than -five minutes before the down train started. He must have arranged for -the car to meet him at Sunbury, so that there would be no inquiries -about the exchange of bags here. My bag was empty; it’s lucky the -Secretary hadn’t his despatch ready.”</p> - -<p>By this time they had reached the post-office. Maurice slipped his -letter into the aperture, and threw a look round. The man who had -preceded them along the road had disappeared. There were lights in the -Anchor, but no one was in sight.</p> - -<p>“I say, Maurice,” said George as they returned, “would a nobleman -descend to such dirty work as spying?”</p> - -<p>“If he’s a spy, he’s no more a count than I am,” Maurice replied. “He’s -probably some clever rascal with a turn for languages; certainly his -appearance and manner would pass muster anywhere. Of course I may be -utterly mistaken; but seeing this is an important business, it will be -just as well to take a few precautions to cover my departure to-morrow. -We’ll suppose they are actually spying on me. Well, if I leave the -house with baggage they’ll know I’m off on a journey, and will dog me. -I’ll go up by the 10 o’clock without my valise, and one or more of -those fellows will come too, you may be sure. They won’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> watch you in -my absence; you can bring up my valise by your gyro-car, and meet me -in the lounge of the Grand Hotel at Charing Cross after I’ve left the -Foreign Office. You can leave the car in the garage. Don’t go through -the village, and they won’t be any the wiser.”</p> - -<p>“I say, this is jolly. It will be no end of a lark to do them. But look -here, old boy, if they are spies, they must keep watch night and day.”</p> - -<p>“I daresay they do. We’ll find that out.”</p> - -<p>About midnight the brothers, wearing overcoats and slippers, left the -house by the backdoor, stole along the shrubbery that bounded it on -one side, and so came to the hedge dividing the garden from the road. -George crawled through the hedge at the bottom where the foliage was -thinnest, and peered up the road towards the village. Nobody was in -sight. But as they went up to their bedrooms they glanced out of a -window on the staircase, overlooking the field on the other side of the -road. A full moon threw its light from behind the house. Just beyond -the hedge of the field opposite they caught sight of a man smoking a -cigar.</p> - -<p>“There’s our proof,” said Maurice quietly.</p> - -<p>“By gum! we’ll dish them,” cried his brother.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_III"><span class="smcap">Chapter III</span><br /><br />THE YELLOW CAR</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>Next morning Maurice left the house at half-past nine, and walked -through the village to the station, carrying his black bag. Seeing -Count Slavianski and his secretary on the bench in front of the hotel, -he saluted them with a shade less coolness than usual, fully expecting -to hear the motor-car behind him before he was half-way to the station. -To his surprise, however, none of the foreigners arrived in time for -the train, and he supposed that he was to be allowed for once to make -the journey to London unshadowed. This idea was dispelled as soon as -he reached Sunbury. When the train drew up, he saw the Count and his -secretary on the platform. They entered a compartment some little -distance away.</p> - -<p>At Waterloo he stood at the bookstall for a few moments, looking out -for the Russians with sidelong glances. He saw nothing of them. Hailing -a taxi-cab, he was driven to the Foreign Office, which he reached at -a quarter-past eleven. On entering, he was taken this time to the -Under-Secretary’s room.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Buckland,” said the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> official; “I am sorry to say -that the despatch is not yet ready. News came early this morning which -caused the Secretary to modify his instructions to your chief. He has -drafted a new despatch, which is in course of being translated into -cipher. I am afraid it will not be ready for a couple of hours yet.”</p> - -<p>“That will give me time to make a few purchases,” said Buckland. “I -shall be able to catch the two-twenty?”</p> - -<p>“I hope so. It will be a pity to lose half a day.”</p> - -<p>“I will leave my bag with you, then, and return in good time. By the -way, you don’t happen to have heard of a gang of Austrian spies in -London?”</p> - -<p>“Not a word. Why do you ask?”</p> - -<p>“A number of foreigners have been living at Shepperton for a week or -two, and I’ve an idea they may be shadowing me. The chief of them -passes as a Count Slavianski.”</p> - -<p>“I never heard of him. Wait a minute.”</p> - -<p>He touched a bell, and a clerk appeared.</p> - -<p>“Ask <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Rowlands if he knows anything of a Count Slavianski, now -lodging at Shepperton.”</p> - -<p>The clerk soon returned.</p> - -<p>“<abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Rowlands heard of the Count this morning, sir,” he said, “and has -sent Williams down to inquire.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.” The clerk disappeared. “We shall know more presently. -Perhaps you had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span> better have a detective or two with you, as far as -Dover at any rate.”</p> - -<p>“I think not. They would only draw attention to me and show the -importance of my journey. These fellows, if they are spies, no doubt -have agents abroad, and would put them on the qui vive. I had better go -quietly, and try to find some means of throwing them off the scent.”</p> - -<p>“Just as you please,” said the Under-Secretary, with a smile.</p> - -<p>Buckland went up Whitehall into the Strand, made his purchases, and -started back again to the National Club. There was no sign of the -foreigners. He took an early lunch, and returned to the Foreign Office -at half-past one. The despatch still not being ready, he sat down to -wait. While so doing an idea struck him. He got some Foreign Office -paper, and amused himself by writing an imaginary despatch in the usual -cipher, jotting down the first words that came into his head. This he -sealed up in a long envelope like those that were ordinarily used, but -took the precaution to make a small mark on it, by which he would be -able to distinguish it from the real despatch.</p> - -<p>The minutes flew by. Two o’clock came. Holding his watch in his hand, -he began to doubt his chance of catching the Paris train. At a quarter -past he gave it up. It was half-past before he was summoned to the -Secretary’s room.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></p> - -<p>“You have lost the train,” said the Minister. “It was unavoidable, and -is perhaps not altogether unfortunate. The police have just reported a -number of suspicious characters hanging about the termini.”</p> - -<p>“I fancy I have been shadowed this morning, sir,” said Buckland. “A -Count Slavianski has been living at Shepperton for some weeks, with a -suite. A detective has been sent down to make inquiries.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed! Then it will certainly be inadvisable to charter a special -train and hold up the boat at Dover. We must do nothing to attract -attention. I leave the route entirely to your discretion. A -torpedo-boat will be at Brindisi on Friday, but should circumstances -render it necessary for you to choose some other route, you are -perfectly at liberty to do so. One thing is essential: that you should -lose no time.”</p> - -<p>“Might I have an Admiralty launch to put me across the Channel?” asked -Buckland.</p> - -<p>“Certainly. What is your idea?”</p> - -<p>“To dodge these fellows, if I can, and join the slow train to Dover at -some little station down the line. Then I could slip out at Dover Town -station, and cut off to the launch.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds promising. I will telephone to the Admiralty at once.”</p> - -<p>The arrangement was quickly made. Buckland shook hands with the -Secretary, locked the despatch in his bag, and left the building.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></p> - -<p>Glancing down Whitehall, he saw one of Count Slavianski’s underlings -forty or fifty yards away on the opposite side of the street. He began -to walk in the other direction towards Trafalgar Square, and was not -much astonished to see another of the foreigners hanging about, in -an apparently aimless manner, nearly the same distance away. As he -went slowly towards the Grand Hotel, this man moved on also. Buckland -crossed the road, and halted to look in at a bookseller’s window. A -glance to the left showed him that the other man had followed him at -about the same pace. There was no longer the least room for doubt. He -was being dogged.</p> - -<p>He went on, and glanced down Northumberland Avenue, on arriving at -the corner. At the entrance of the Victoria Hotel stood a large -racing motor-car, with a yellow body. It was empty, and neither Count -Slavianski nor any of his party was to be seen. But Buckland felt -certain that it was the Count’s car. “A very keen lot,” he thought. -Keeping a careful guard over himself so that he should not betray any -sign of consciousness that he was surrounded by watchers, he walked -into the hall of the Grand Hotel.</p> - -<p>“I thought you were never coming,” said George, springing up to meet -him. “I’ve been here hours. You have lost the train.”</p> - -<p>“Yes. Speak low, and don’t look towards the door. I’ll tell you all -about it.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p> - -<p>They seated themselves on chairs, placing them where there was no -danger of being overheard. Buckland lit a cigarette.</p> - -<p>“I had to wait while a new despatch was ciphered,” he said. “There’s no -doubt that I’m being shadowed, George. The Count and his secretary got -in at Sunbury; their car’s outside; and I’ve just seen two of their men -in Whitehall.”</p> - -<p>“By gum! the two others are somewhere about. I drove across country -to Richmond, but I believe I saw the yellow car behind me as I came -through Putney. It was a good way behind, and I couldn’t be sure of it. -I had enough to do to steer clear of the traffic from Putney on; but, -you may depend on it, they had their eye on me, and they know I’ve got -your baggage.”</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s pretty clear that they mean business. They’re bent on -intercepting my despatch. We know there are six of them; how many more -we can’t tell; but it looks as if they’ve made their plans on a pretty -large scale.”</p> - -<p>“It must cost a heap of money,” said George.</p> - -<p>“That’s a small matter compared with the value of the information they -hope to get. For every hundred they spend in obtaining news they may -save a million. They mean by hook or crook to find out what England’s -next move is to be, and when they take a matter of that sort in hand -they don’t do things<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> by halves. I’m certain they have made very -complete arrangements to shadow and run down any one passing between -the Foreign Office and our agency at Sofia.”</p> - -<p>“By Jove!” was all that George could utter for a moment. His notion of -it’s being what he had called a “lark” had quite vanished. “What will -you do, old man?” he asked at length.</p> - -<p>“I think I had better slip out by the back entrance in Craven Street, -and make a dash in a taxi for Herne Hill. You stay here till I ’phone -you from the station; then send the porter with my valise to Charing -Cross and tell him to book it through to Paris by the 9 o’clock. I’ll -wait at Herne Hill for the next Dover train.”</p> - -<p>“That sounds all right. But did they see you come in?”</p> - -<p>“You may be sure they did.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they’ll watch for you to come out again.”</p> - -<p>“They may not know of the back entrance. I’ll go and see.”</p> - -<p>He rose and left the hall. In less than five minutes he was back again.</p> - -<p>“One of the fellows is standing at the corner of Craven Street and the -Strand,” he said quietly. “There’s another, whom I don’t recognise, -strolling a little way down the street, and near him there’s a taxi -with its flag down.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></p> - -<p>“Just what you might have expected. You can’t get away without being -seen, that’s clear.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I must simply go openly, and take my chance. Where’s the -gyro-car, by the way?”</p> - -<p>“In the garage.”</p> - -<p>“Then this is what we’ll do. I’ll engage a taxi, and tell the chauffeur -to drive northward, and zigzag for a quarter of an hour or so through -the streets between here and Oxford Street. If he’s up to his work, it -will be impossible for the Count’s motor to keep the taxi in sight. -When we’re clear, we’ll drive straight to Herne Hill. You must get away -as soon as you can without attracting attention; then run out and make -for Herne Hill too. You’ll get along faster than any ordinary motor, -because you can squeeze through the traffic. I hope that I shall draw -them all off, so that they won’t trouble about you; but if they see -you, you must come on as fast as you can, with due regard to the speed -limit. Pick me up at Herne Hill, and run me down to Dover; an Admiralty -launch will be waiting for me there. Have you plenty of petrol?”</p> - -<p>“Enough to drive from here to Edinburgh. This is going to be great -sport after all.”</p> - -<p>Maurice beckoned the hall porter and asked him to call a taxi. In half -a minute it was at the door. Maurice walked out slowly, threw the end -of his cigarette away, and, as he stepped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> in, told the chauffeur to -drive to 73, Cavendish Square, the first number and address that came -into his head.</p> - -<p>“Beg pardon, sir, there is no number 73,” said the driver.</p> - -<p>“Oh no! Thirty-seven. Drive slowly.”</p> - -<p>At a glance towards the Victoria Hotel, Buckland saw that the yellow -car was no longer there, but he caught sight of it in a moment drawn -up on the south side of Trafalgar Square, opposite the offices of the -Hamburg-American Line. Looking over the lowered tilt of the taxi-cab -he failed to see the car in pursuit, but on reaching the Haymarket he -noticed another taxi-cab about forty yards behind, and behind that, -rapidly overhauling it, a small private motor-car. He was not sure that -these were on his track, and determined to put it to the test.</p> - -<p>“Driver,” he said through the speaking tube, “I think that taxi behind -is following me, and I want to shake it off. Take all the side streets -you come to; never mind about Cavendish Square; a sovereign if you do -it.”</p> - -<p>The cabman winked. He ran up the Haymarket, was checked by a policeman -at Coventry Street; then, when the traffic was parted, cut across into -Windmill Street, swept round into Brewer Street, turned the corner -into Golden Square at a speed that caused an old gentleman to shake -his stick and call for the police, and so by Beak Street into Regent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> -Street and presently into Savile Row. Long before this the taxi-cab -which had followed was lost in the traffic.</p> - -<p>“Well done,” said Buckland. “Now turn back and hurry to Blackfriars -Bridge, and then to Herne Hill. Choose the quietest streets.”</p> - -<p>He sat well back in the cab, congratulating himself on the success of -his stratagem. The driver made his way by a roundabout course to the -Strand, down Arundel Street to the Temple, and along the Embankment. -At the entrance to De Keyser’s Hotel Buckland noticed a man standing -with his hands in his pockets beside a stationary taxi-cab. No sooner -had Buckland passed than the man darted towards the cab, and said a -few words to a person inside. The vehicle instantly started in pursuit -across the bridge, the man who had given the alarm dashing into the -hotel.</p> - -<p>“Well I’m hanged!” said Buckland to himself; he had watched these -movements intently. The pursuers had evidently guessed that he might -make for one of the southern stations, and had set a watch probably -at all the bridges. He had no doubt that the man who had run into the -hotel was now telephoning to his friends, and the taxi-cab following -close behind would keep him in view. The number of his own cab had -almost certainly been noted as soon as he entered it.</p> - -<p>The affair promised to become even more serious than he had expected. -Considering<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> the best course to follow, he decided that there was -nothing better than to make all speed to Herne Hill, and then get -George to drive him straight to Dover. The Admiralty launch would be -there awaiting him. He could cross the Channel at once, while the -pursuers would have to wait for a boat.</p> - -<p>The chances of the traffic, and the eagerness of the cabman, enabled -him to outstrip the pursuing cab as soon as he had passed the Elephant -and Castle, and it was not in sight when he reached Herne Hill. There -the gyro-car was awaiting him. It was surrounded by an admiring crowd, -and Buckland wished that he could have chosen a less conspicuous -vehicle. Having paid and tipped his driver he sprang into the car.</p> - -<p>“Straight for Dover, George!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“Right. I have kept the gyroscopes working, in case anything happened. -Are they on your track?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. There’s a taxi after me: there it is, not a hundred yards away.”</p> - -<p>“Well, they can’t interfere with you openly. There’s no hurry. They’ll -be sold when they find that you are not going into the station. -Couldn’t we have them arrested?”</p> - -<p>“There’s no time. I should be wanted as a witness. Besides, there’s no -policeman. Now for Dover: you know the road?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. We’ll give them a run, at any rate.”</p> - -<p>The taxi-cab had by this time pulled up, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> no one had as yet -alighted from it. George started the gyro-car, and the crowd gave a -cheer as it ran forward at ten miles an hour. The occupant of the -pursuing cab had now stepped out, and stood on the pavement watching -the departing car with ill-concealed chagrin. He was a foreigner, but -not one of those whom the Bucklands had previously seen in the suite of -Count Slavianski.</p> - -<p>“He sees he is no match for us,” said George gleefully. “I think we are -safe now.”</p> - -<p>The suburbs were soon left behind, and as soon as the gyro-car came -into the main Dover Road, away from the bewildering traffic of London, -he increased the speed to twenty miles an hour.</p> - -<p>“Remember the limit,” said Maurice warningly. “We don’t want to be held -up.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll chance it,” replied George. “In any case, they’ll only take our -name and address, and the Government won’t mind paying the fine, I -fancy.”</p> - -<p>The gyro-car ran with much less noise than a motor-cycle, and being -also much less cumbersome than an ordinary motor-car, it was able to -travel at a high speed without attracting too much attention. Its -unusual shape did indeed arouse a certain curiosity and excitement -among pedestrians and carmen, but they were more interested in the -vehicle itself than in any calculation of its speed. There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> might, of -course, be police traps on the road, but it was probable that before -the police became aware of the approach of a car at excessive speed, it -would have shot past them.</p> - -<p>When they had passed through Gravesend, George ventured to increase the -speed to thirty-five miles.</p> - -<p>“I can get eighty or more out of it, if you like,” he said, and in -truth he was itching to put it to its maximum speed, in defiance of all -regulations.</p> - -<p>“I am quite satisfied as it is,” said Maurice with a smile. “We are -going faster than the ordinary train, and there’s no pursuit.”</p> - -<p>Here and there the speed had to be reduced in order to avoid the -traffic, but the narrowness of the vehicle enabled it to pass with much -less delay than a motor-car.</p> - -<p>“We’re nearly halfway,” said George, as he slowed down on approaching -Sittingbourne. “I say, old man, why shouldn’t I take you all the way to -Brindisi?”</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow——”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I mean it. I can send a wire to Aunt, and get some pyjamas and a -toothbrush in Paris. It would be the jolliest thing out.”</p> - -<p>This suggestion, which Maurice was at first inclined to scout, started -a train of thought. There was very little doubt that Count Slavianski -would take the first train to Dover, in the expectation of crossing the -Channel by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> the ordinary boat with Buckland. Having made such elaborate -arrangements, he would not stick at trifles to gain his end. On the -9 o’clock train from Charing Cross there would probably be the Count -himself and several of his men. They would cling to his track as he -journeyed across France, and not until he joined the torpedo-boat at -Brindisi could he feel safe.</p> - -<p>Moreover, when he remembered the outrages that had been committed with -impunity on the continental trains, he could not doubt that he would -meet with his greatest dangers on the other side of the Channel. Three -or four desperate men could certainly find or make an opportunity -of attacking him during the long and tedious journey to Brindisi, -especially on the Italian portion of it, when the train, as he well -knew, crawled along for twenty-two hours at an average speed of twenty -miles. He had his revolver, but that would avail him little if the -attack were of the nature of a surprise, as it assuredly would be. -If the train journey could by any means be avoided, he would have a -much better chance of eluding the trackers, keeping a whole skin, and -ensuring the safety of his despatch.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see why we shouldn’t try it,” he said after a minute’s -consideration.</p> - -<p>“Good man!” cried George, delighted.</p> - -<p>“Don’t be in a hurry,” proceeded Maurice. “Your licence doesn’t run in -France.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></p> - -<p>“Of course it doesn’t; but don’t you remember I spent the Easter -holiday in Normandy on a motor-bicycle? I wrote you, didn’t I? I’ve got -my licence for that in my pocket-book, and we’ll make that do.”</p> - -<p>“I foresee the necessity for a little diplomacy,” said Maurice, -laughing. “But you haven’t any licence at all for Italy.”</p> - -<p>“That’s true, but the Italians will do anything for a tip, won’t they? -I hope you’ve got plenty of money with you: there’ll be import and -octroi duties to pay.”</p> - -<p>“I think I can manage them. As for the licence, we shall see.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and I shall say you are not fit for your job if you can’t manage -a trifle like that. It will be great fun. With luck we should get to -Brindisi as soon as the train: and if you’re game to do without sleep, -or take turns with me at snatching a nap, we’ll beat the train.”</p> - -<p>“The roads in south Italy are pretty bad, you know.”</p> - -<p>“So are the railways, I’ll go bail. Besides, we don’t want such a good -road as the ordinary motor. I’m sure we can do it.”</p> - -<p>“Very well; I’m game, as you put it. There’s this advantage, that if we -come to grief——”</p> - -<p>“My dear chap, we shan’t come to grief; that is, unless we are smashed -up by some scorching motorist.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></p> - -<p>“I wasn’t thinking of a smash-up. We may find ourselves held up for -want of a licence, you know, and have no end of trouble. What I was -going to say was that we can join the train anywhere <i>en route</i>. -If they find we don’t leave Paris by it, they’ll not travel by it -themselves. We’ve several hours’ start of them, allowing for the -Admiralty launch, and if we go straight ahead we shall be a good many -miles on our way before the train starts, even; the Turin train doesn’t -leave Paris until 2.10 to-morrow afternoon. We shall have time for a -rest in Paris, and even then start several hours ahead.”</p> - -<p>“Ripping, old man. This will be better sport than going to Scotland -with Aunt Muriel. Here’s Harbledown; we shall be in Dover in another -three-quarters of an hour.”</p> - -<p>It was a quarter to four when they left Herne Hill. At twenty minutes -past six they arrived at Dover. They ran straight down to the Admiralty -harbour, where the launch, with steam up, was awaiting them. It was -a temporarily awkward matter, getting the gyro-car on to the launch, -for no preparations had been made for that. But British tars are handy -fellows. At a word from the lieutenant ten men, five on each side, -lifted the vehicle bodily and carried it on to the deck. Maurice gave -a hurried explanation to the officer, and scribbled a telegram to Mrs. -Courtenay-Greene to say that George would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span> not be home for a few days. -He handed this to one of the harbour men, the vessel cast off, and the -two brothers mounted to the bridge at the lieutenant’s invitation.</p> - -<p>Just as the launch was getting under way, George suddenly called -Maurice’s attention to a large motor-car dashing down the hill above at -a somewhat dangerous speed. It was coloured yellow.</p> - -<p>“Hanged if old Slavianski isn’t on our tracks already!” he cried. “By -Jove! I wonder how many policemen he has knocked over!”</p> - -<p>The car ran straight on to the quay and pulled up.</p> - -<p>“Can you lend me a telescope?” asked Maurice of the officer.</p> - -<p>In a few moments a seaman brought a glass from below. Looking through -it, Maurice saw Count Slavianski, his secretary, and two other men -standing beside the car, and speaking to a policeman, whose right arm -was outstretched towards the launch.</p> - -<p>“It’s rather a joke to think of these foreigners applying to a British -bobby for information about us,” said Maurice, handing the glass to his -brother.</p> - -<p>Next moment the men sprang into the car again, and drove quickly in the -direction of the inner harbour.</p> - -<p>“I hope we’ve seen the last of them,” said George.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></p> - -<p>“You may be sure we haven’t,” replied Maurice, who more fully realised -the seriousness of this headlong pursuit. “We must make the most of -our start. The Calais boat lands passengers in time for the train that -reaches Paris at 5.50 in the morning. We shan’t have more than a couple -of hours at the most.”</p> - -<p>“What’s in the wind?” asked the lieutenant, whose curiosity had been -aroused by the appearance of the odd-looking gyro-car and the evident -interest of his passengers in the proceedings on shore. And Maurice -Buckland told him as much as he thought proper of the story.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_IV"><span class="smcap">Chapter IV</span><br /><br />RUNNING THE PLANK</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>The Admiralty launch made the Harbour of Calais about a quarter-past -eight. There was a train for Paris waiting at the Gare Maritime, but -learning that it did not arrive until 4.15, the Bucklands decided to -stick to their plan of riding through the night. The production of -George’s card of membership of the Automobile Club, and a short and -pleasant interview between the naval lieutenant and the Custom House -officer, sufficed to frank the gyro-car without the payment of import -duty. Having enjoyed a meal on board the launch, the brothers were -ready to start at once, and with cordial good-wishes from the officer, -and amid many “Hé’s” and “Ah’s” and other exclamations from the -onlookers, they set off on their journey.</p> - -<p>The distance from Calais to Paris is a hundred and eighty odd miles. -George had cycled over the route in the previous spring, and knew its -general features. It would be easy, he thought, to maintain an average -speed of at least twenty-five miles on a highway kept in such admirable -repair as are all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> the French main roads, even allowing for slowing -down when passing through villages and towns. The sky was clear, and -illuminated by a half-moon, and the powerful acetylene lamp which he -carried at the front of the car shed its rays many yards ahead. The -interior of the car was lit by two small electric lamps, one on each -side.</p> - -<p>“There’s no chance of their catching us, is there?” said George, as the -car spun merrily along.</p> - -<p>“I think not,” replied Maurice. “They will have to wait for the train, -which doesn’t get to Paris until 5:50. We ought to be there before -four, so that at the worst we shall have an hour and a half before they -can arrive.”</p> - -<p>Before they had been two hours on the road, they were glad to think -that they had so much margin. George was not accustomed to steering the -car at a rapid pace by night, and Maurice’s experience was even less -than his brother’s, so that they found it by no means easy to maintain -the speed that George had mentioned. Until they reached Béthune they -had a clear run, but thenceforward they had to slow down more often -than they wished. There were <i>octroi</i> barriers, where they were -halted and examined, much to George’s disgust. He found also that the -places through which they passed had quite a different aspect at night -from what he remembered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span> of them by day, and more than once he had to -stop to allow Maurice to ask the way of a gendarme or an innkeeper. -At such times the curiosity excited by the unusual appearance of the -car found expression in questions which had to be evaded rather than -answered.</p> - -<p>It was growing light by the time they reached the Porte Maillot. Here -they had to submit to an interrogatory by the officer of the gate, -and George smiled discreetly as he witnessed for the first time his -brother’s diplomatic manner.</p> - -<p>“I never knew you could be so polite,” he said, as they ran down the -Avenue de la Grande Armée. “Perhaps it sounds politer in French than it -really is. But it’s rotten to have to pay a tax on the petrol we carry.”</p> - -<p>A few yards from the gate they saw a taxi-cab standing at the side of -the road. The driver was in his seat, and two men were entering the cab -as the gyro-car sped by.</p> - -<p>“Early birds—or late,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>The street cleaners paused in the work to wonder and admire, and when -the car came to the Place de l’Etoile Maurice turned about to glance -back at an old fellow whose comical expression of face amused him. He -noticed the taxi-cab coming at a good pace behind them; but the road -was so broad, and so clear of traffic, that George drove the gyro-car -through the Champs Elysées at a much higher<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> speed than he would have -dared in Hyde Park, and moment by moment it increased. He turned left -into the Rue Royale, then to right into the Rue <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Honoré, and ran the -car into the garage of the Hotel <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> James where he and Maurice had -both stayed during previous visits to the city. Having arranged for the -replenishment of the petrol tanks and the cleaning of the car, they -went into the hotel to get a wash and brush up, which they much needed -after their long journey over dusty roads. It was half-past four.</p> - -<p>Few of the hotel staff had as yet risen, and the travellers might -perhaps have been received with less consideration had not their former -visits, and their generous tips, been remembered. But a few minutes -after they descended to the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">salle à manger</i> an appetizing little -breakfast was put before them.</p> - -<p>“What a difference from England!” said George. “I say, Maurice, I’ll -just run into the garage to see that things are going all right. The -fellow looked rather sleepy. Pour out my coffee, will you? I shan’t be -a minute.”</p> - -<p>While he was in the garage, he heard the clatter of a horse’s hoofs and -the hum of a motor-car in the street; the sounds struck his ear all the -more forcibly because of the peacefulness of the neighbourhood. In mere -unreflecting curiosity, he stepped to the door and glanced out. Next -moment he started<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> back, pushed the door outwards until he felt that he -could not be seen, and peeped out through the narrow opening just as -the motor-car passed. There were three vehicles. The first was a large -racing motor, not unlike that with which he had become so familiar at -home, but its colour was a bright green. In it were seated—and the -sight sent a strange thrill through him—Count Slavianski and Major -Rostopchin, his secretary. Behind it came a taxi-cab, and a few yards -in the rear of this a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fiacre</i>, the driver of which was gee-hoing -and whipping up his horse to its best pace, with the evident intention -of keeping up with the motors in front. Within this two men were -seated. One of them George recognised as a servant of the Count’s; the -other’s head was at the moment turned away.</p> - -<p>George was thunderstruck. By what means had these persistent foreigners -arrived in advance of the mail?</p> - -<p>“Tell me,” he said in his best French to the man who was rubbing the -car down, “is there a train from London at this hour?”</p> - -<p>“Ah non, monsieur,” replied the man, “but there is a train from Calais. -It arrives at the Gare du Nord at 4:15, an hour and a half before the -London mail.”</p> - -<p>“A slow train?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, monsieur, a very slow train.”</p> - -<p>“It must be the train we saw at Calais,” said George to himself. “Those -fellows must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> have caught it: but how on earth did they cross the -Channel so soon?”</p> - -<p>He had the presence of mind to show no sign of his consternation and -anxiety, but strolled out of the garage and then dashed into the -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">salle à manger</i>.</p> - -<p>“I say, Maurice”—he began, but then remembering that the garçon had a -thorough command of English, he checked his impetuous tongue, and sat -down beside his brother, who had already started upon his breakfast.</p> - -<p>“Send him to fetch something,” he said in a low tone.</p> - -<p>“Bring me an <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">omelette aux fines herbes</i>,” said Maurice to the -waiter.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, sir, in five minutes.”</p> - -<p>“What is it?” asked Maurice, when the man had gone.</p> - -<p>“Those fellows are on our track,” said George breathlessly. “The whole -gang by the look of it. I have just seen a large green motor, a taxi, -and a <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">fiacre</i> go down the street. The Count and his secretary -were in the first.”</p> - -<p>“They went by?” said Maurice in amazement.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Then they don’t know our whereabouts, yet,” said Maurice, heaving a -sigh of relief. “But it won’t be long before they do. The place is -full of German spies, and if this so-called Russian is a German, as I -suspect, he’ll soon learn from one of his agents about the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> appearance -of an odd-looking thing like the gyro-car. Indeed, I shouldn’t be -surprised if those fellows I saw get into a taxi just this side of the -Porte Maillot were his men.”</p> - -<p>“But how did they get here in the time?”</p> - -<p>“They must have had a swift vessel with steam up waiting at Dover. -There’s no end to their resources when anything big is at stake. We’re -in for a race, George.”</p> - -<p>“You take it pretty coolly,” said George, who was quivering with -excitement.</p> - -<p>“That’s the first lesson I learnt from my chief. ‘Never get flustered,’ -he dinned into me. We shall have to trust to the speed of your car. -They don’t know where we are, nor which way we are going, which is one -to us. Get on with your breakfast; I’ll think it out.”</p> - -<p>He ate his omelet with an air of abstraction. After a few minutes he -called the waiter.</p> - -<p>“Have you got a road-guide?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir: I will fetch it.”</p> - -<p>He soon returned with a copy of the Guide Taride. Maurice glanced -at the title page: “Les Routes de France, à l’usage des conducteurs -d’automobiles et cyclistes.”</p> - -<p>“The very thing. I will buy this, waiter; the proprietor can easily -replace it. It gives everything we want, George.”</p> - -<p>He turned over the pages until he came to the section dealing with the -roads out of Paris.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></p> - -<p>“They’ll watch the bridges, as they did in London,” he said, “but they -can’t watch all the gates, unless they have a much larger number of -men than is likely. We mustn’t cross the river, so we can’t take any -of the three roads to Marseilles; they all go by the Porte de Choisy, -and that’s on the other side of the Seine. Here we are: Paris to Melun, -forty kilometres. They don’t recommend the first route, by the Porte -Daumesnil and the Bois de Vincennes, so we’ll choose that. We shall -join the direct road at Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, thirteen kilometres -distant. And the sooner we start the better. Go and set your gyroscopes -working, while I pay the bill.”</p> - -<p>It took several minutes to set the gyroscopes running at full speed. -Maurice was anxious to start before this, but George pointed out that -they had better not appear in the street until the car was thoroughly -ready, in case any of the Slavianski scouts were on the watch.</p> - -<p>A few minutes after 5 o’clock they set off, running back through the -Rue Royale thence into the Rue de Rivoli, until, having crossed the -Place de la Bastille, they struck into the Avenue Daumesnil. There was -little traffic as yet in that broad thoroughfare, except for the wagons -of tradesmen and market gardeners coming into the city from the suburbs.</p> - -<p>“We mustn’t go too fast while we’re within<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> the walls,” said George, -“but as soon as we’re outside I’ll let her rip, old man. Keep your eye -on the map and tell me how to steer.”</p> - -<p>Maurice had opened the map of Paris and spread it on his knees. -Directed by him, George turned into the Rue de Charenton, left the -city at the Charenton gate, after exchanging a pleasant word with the -officer, and then set the car spinning along until they came to the -bridge over the Canal de Marne. Being now beyond the probable risk of -interference, George increased the speed to thirty-five miles an hour, -which he maintained for forty minutes, until they reached the outskirts -of Melun. There the road made a sharp descent.</p> - -<p>“Slow down here,” said Maurice anxiously. “This hill is dangerous, -according to the Guide, and the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">pavé</i> is rather slippery with -dew. A sideslip here would break us up.”</p> - -<p>Reducing speed to fifteen miles an hour, they ran down the hill. Before -they had reached the foot of it they saw, on turning a bend, that -the road about two hundred yards ahead was broken for mending on the -right-hand side—the side on which they were travelling, according to -the rule of the road in France. A thin rope was stretched half-way -across the road, supported on a light iron rod, from which hung a -lantern, that had, no doubt, been lit during the night. It was not yet -6 o’clock, and no labourers were on the spot; but on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> left-hand -side of the road, where there was a space between the excavation and -a wall just wide enough for the passage of an ordinary market cart, -a small motor-car was approaching the gap in the same direction as -the gyro-car at a low speed. There was plenty of time for it to pass -through the narrowed portion of the roadway before the gyro-car -overtook it, so George did not reduce his speed any further, but -sounded his hooter as a measure of precaution.</p> - -<p>The motor-car crawled on towards the gap, the chauffeur throwing a -glance over his shoulder, as if to see whether he had time to win -through before the vehicle behind overtook him. Moment by moment the -space between the two cars diminished. The gyro-car was within a few -yards of the narrow portion of the road, when suddenly the motor -stopped dead, completely blocking the passage, and the chauffeur sprang -from his seat towards the wall bordering the road on the near side. -George involuntarily let out a cry. There was no time to consult with -Maurice, nor even to hesitate between two courses. The momentum of -the gyro-car was so great that it could not be checked before dashing -into the stationary vehicle. To the left was the wall, to the right an -excavation several feet deep. Across it lay a narrow plank, used, no -doubt, by the workmen in wheeling their barrows from one side of the -hole to the other.</p> -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img002"> - <img src="images/002.jpg" class="w50" alt="A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT<br /></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> It was supported on the nearer -side upon some loose earth that had been thrown up from below. What the -support on the further side was George could not pause to determine. -His brother had waxed satirical about his unpunctuality, but in this -critical moment, when there was only an instant of time for decision, -the boy showed a surprising quickness. There was one desperate chance -of avoiding a collision, which, even if it did not result in personal -injury, might at least cripple the car. He steered straight for the -plank.</p> - -<p>There was a jolt, a sudden dip, and the sixteen-foot plank sagged -under the weight of the car. A moment of suspense; then there was a -more serious jolt as the front wheel apparently left the plank and -struck the bank of earth on the further side, just high enough to -make a passage for itself through the loose soil at the edge. The two -front wheels were through. Alter an almost imperceptible interval the -third wheel dropped from the end of the plank on to the earth, and -immediately afterwards the fourth wheel. The gyro-car was safely across.</p> - -<p>Almost before either George or his brother could fully realise the -narrow escape they had had, the car was forty or fifty yards down the -road.</p> - -<p>“Shall we stop?” asked George, panting with relief. “I’d like a word -with that ass.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></p> - -<p>“No, go on,” said Maurice quietly. He was looking back towards the gap. -“They are there!”</p> - -<p>“The Count?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t see him, but there are others. You were too busy to notice -them, but just as we came to the gap I saw several men jump up from -behind the wall and help to hoist the chauffeur over. The whole thing -was planned.”</p> - -<p>“Great Scott! How in the world did they get there in time?”</p> - -<p>“I expect they wired or ’phoned from Calais last night. They knew we -must take this road if making for Italy, and their agents must have -left Paris early to find a convenient place for waylaying us. They -couldn’t have chosen a better one, though, of course, the opening in -the road was purely accidental You’re a wonder, George. I should never -have had the nerve to do it.”</p> - -<p>“My dear chap, you would run the car across Niagara on a tight-rope if -you knew it as well as I do. But hang it all!—I hope it isn’t damaged. -Don’t you think we might pull up for a minute to have a look?”</p> - -<p>“We had better go on. The Count will be here before long to see how his -trap had succeeded, and the sooner we are beyond his lordship’s reach -the better. We are not out of the wood yet.”</p> - -<p>“Can’t we stop at Melun and put the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span> authorities up to collaring the -fellows as German spies?”</p> - -<p>“We’ve no proof that they are, and it would never do for me, in my -position, to set France and Germany by the ears. It would mean delay, -too. No: our job is to get to Brindisi as soon as we can. Run a few -miles farther; then we’ll halt to examine the car; but it goes so -easily that I don’t think much damage is done.”</p> - -<p>“All right. Are they after us?”</p> - -<p>“There’s no sign of them. We win the trick.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_V"><span class="smcap">Chapter V</span><br /><br />ACROSS THE ALPS</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>It was still so early in the morning that the gyro-car ran through -Melun without attracting attention, except from a few market-people and -a priest on the way to church. Maurice inquired the way to Sens of a -wagoner, and they mounted the hill towards the village of Sivry at a -speed of twenty miles an hour. On reaching level ground again George -increased the speed, and before 7 o’clock arrived at the crest of the -long hill descending to Montereau. The morning sun shed a brilliance -over the town, which had scarcely yet awaked to activity; and as the -travellers coasted down the hill, they forgot their excitement for a -few moments as their eyes delighted in the spectacle of river, church, -and castle.</p> - -<p>There being still no sign of pursuit, they halted at a blacksmith’s and -alighted. The clang of hammer on anvil ceased, and the smith, attracted -by the sound of the engines, came to his door.</p> - -<p>“Hé, messieurs!” he said on beholding the gyro-car balanced on its four -wheels, “comment ce diable de machine se tient-il debout?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></p> - -<p>Maurice laughingly explained, while George stopped to examine the -wheels. He found that the tyre of the foremost of them was gashed. -Luckily he had a spare tyre in the car, and, replacing the injured one -with assistance from the smith, he was ready to set off again in a few -minutes.</p> - -<p>On leaving Montereau they spun along the excellent road at the rate of -thirty-five miles an hour.</p> - -<p>“I presume they have a speed limit in France,” said Maurice, warningly.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, thirty kilometres. Every town can fix its own, I believe, and -it’s as low as six kilometres in some, but we needn’t bother about -that. There are no bobbies on the roads here, with stop-watches.”</p> - -<p>“But there’s a penalty, I suppose?”</p> - -<p>“No doubt, but I don’t believe they prosecute unless you do some -damage. Far more sensible than our ridiculous regulations.”</p> - -<p>“Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“What’s that mean?”</p> - -<p>“Your ignorance is deplorable. Haven’t you heard that prevention is -better than cure?”</p> - -<p>“That’s all rot: you don’t have all your teeth pulled to prevent -toothache. I wonder the French have such a proverb. It’s our confounded -British caution that let them get ahead of us in motoring and aviation. -And<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> look here, Maurice, don’t for goodness’ sake talk French to me. -Keep it for emergencies. I can’t stand it.”</p> - -<p>At Sens they waited only to purchase a spare tyre and to swallow a -plate of soup at the Buffet. Then they set off again, intending to get -a substantial <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">déjeuner</i> at Dijon. Both were rather sleepy, and as -the temperature increased Maurice began to doze. George took advantage -of this to spin along at a much higher speed than before. The road was -so good, running almost all the way through a valley, that the gyro-car -travelled with as little vibration, noise and dust as a motor-car of -the best make going at half its speed.</p> - -<p>It was a little past twelve o’clock when George came in sight of a -large town, which he guessed was Dijon. He nudged Maurice, exclaiming:</p> - -<p>“Here we are! I’m desperately hungry, and now’s the time for you to air -your French.”</p> - -<p>“Surely we’re not at Dijon already! It’s—let me see”—he turned over -the pages of his Guide—“it’s over three hundred kilometres from -Paris—a hundred and eighty miles. You must have been tearing along at -a terrific pace.”</p> - -<p>“Not fast enough to wake you. You don’t snore very loud, old man; but I -haven’t had to use my hooter.”</p> - -<p>Maurice ignored his brother’s impudence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> - -<p>“This Guide is all very well,” he said, “but it doesn’t name any -hotels. I shall have to inquire.”</p> - -<p>“Well, there are plenty of people about, staring at us with all their -eyes. Ask that dear old Sister of Mercy there: did you ever see such a -happy-looking old lady!”</p> - -<p>But here a red-trousered gendarme came up and requested Monsieur to -show his <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">certificat de capacité</i>. George was producing his -motor-bicycle licence, and a corner of it was visible, when Maurice -slipped a franc into the man’s hand and asked him to direct him to an -hotel.</p> - -<p>“Ah! Monsieur is English!” said the gendarme. “There is a good hotel in -the Place Darcy to Monsieur’s left. Merci bien, monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“As you’ve driven so fast,” said Maurice, as they went in the direction -indicated, “we ought to have plenty of time for a decent meal, even if -the Count is still after us. I’m afraid there won’t be time for you to -have a nap.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I’ll take my turn when we start again. I think I can trust you to -drive—for a few miles at any rate.”</p> - -<p>For seven francs they had a capital <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">déjeuner</i> at the hotel. When -they had finished, George had the machine oiled, and bought a supply of -petrol, and about 1 o’clock they started for the next stage of their -journey, Beaune, thirty-six kilometres distant.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span></p> - -<p>“Now, old boy, it’s up to you,” said George, as they left the town -behind them. “The road is quite flat, and we’ll get along all right if -you’re careful. Wake me if anything happens.”</p> - -<p>Maurice had driven the car once or twice at home, so that he undertook -the piloting without any tremors. But, being cautious by nature and -training, he contented himself with a speed of twenty miles. It was -more than an hour before he reached Beaune. George was fast asleep, so -his brother made no halt, but ran on at the same pace along an equally -level road for another two hours. Then, just after passing the village -of Romenay, where for the first time in more than fifty miles the road -undulated, he heard the characteristic hum of a motor-car some distance -behind. The gyro-car itself, moving at a comparatively low speed, made -so little noise that he was aware of the sound almost as soon as if he -had been walking.</p> - -<p>The road was clear, and, keeping his hand on the steering wheel, he -ventured to look round. A considerable quantity of dust was rising, and -through this cloud he was for a few moments unable to see whether the -motor was actually travelling the same road or not. But going round -a slight curve in the direction from which the breeze was blowing, -he saw, as the dust was carried aside, a motor-car running at a -great rate towards him, about half a mile away. He could take only a -fleeting glance, the alternate dip and rise of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> road necessitating -watchfulness; but that glance sufficed to tell him that the car was -running at a much higher speed than his own.</p> - -<p>He wakened George.</p> - -<p>“There is a motor behind us,” he said. “Just take a look at it.”</p> - -<p>George was up in an instant.</p> - -<p>“There’s so much dust that I can’t be sure of the colour of it,” he -said, “but it’s a powerful car, and gaining on us. What’s your speed?” -He glanced at the indicator. “Twenty! quite lady-like, upon my word. -Let me get back to my place.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t like the idea of running away,” said Maurice. “It may not be -the Count’s car at all.”</p> - -<p>“Prevention is better than cure, as you reminded me a while ago,” said -George with a grin. He looked back along the road again. “By gum!” he -cried, “it’s coming at a spanking pace. It must be a racer. Better be -on the safe side. I’ll drive; you keep your eye on it. You may be able -to see the colour of it when we come to a curve.”</p> - -<p>They exchanged places. George immediately increased the speed to -forty miles. At that rate he dashed through the village of Mantenay, -outstripping a train that was running along the line. Farm labourers -trudging home from the fields pressed into the hedges to avoid the car, -and at <abbr title="saint">St.</abbr> Julien, a mile and a half further, George narrowly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span> escaped -dashing into a flock of geese, which waddled off into the village pond -uttering shrill cries of alarm.</p> - -<p>“Better be careful,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Oh, geese don’t matter. I killed one near Caudebec at Easter, and the -owner came up in great excitement with a gendarme. But the gendarme -only shrugged his shoulders and said, as near as I could make out, ‘It -is forbidden to pasture geese by the roadside.’”</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled.</p> - -<p>“Pasturing geese is distinctly good,” he said. Again the road was quite -level.</p> - -<p>“It is still gaining, very rapidly now,” said Maurice, who caught -fleeting glimpses of the motor through rifts in the cloud of dust. “And -it is green as grass!”</p> - -<p>“Well, I hope the Count likes our dust,” said George. “He must be -getting his fill of it. We’ll go a little faster.”</p> - -<p>He advanced the speed-lever, and increased the pace to fifty, and -finally sixty miles an hour, at which rate the car dashed through -Javat. The horse attached to a market-wagon there took fright, and -galloped into a by-road only just in time to avoid a collision. The -kilometre stones flashed by at two a minute. A sign-post with a staring -warning, “<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Allure modérée</i>,” at the entrance to Montrevel, forced -George to reduce his speed to fifteen kilometres; but since this -applied equally to the pursuing motor he did not care<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> a rap for that, -as he said. By the time they reached Bourg there was no sign of the -motor, but when they had run up the narrow wooded valley of Alberine -beyond Ambérieu, Maurice, looking back, descried the pursuer rushing -along at a reckless speed, its dust trailing behind like the smoke of a -steam-engine.</p> - -<p>“They’ll lose up-hill,” said George. “We have the better of them there. -But it’s lucky the road is dry and pretty straight. If it were wet I -should have to slow down to avoid skidding.”</p> - -<p>The road now undulated frequently, the slopes in some places being very -steep. They dashed along beside a picturesque lake; then, a little -distance ahead, they saw a level crossing, and a man in the act of -shutting the gates. George sounded his hooter and increased the speed. -The man hesitated, looking up the railway line. Before he could make up -his mind the car raced through.</p> - -<p>A few miles further on they came to another level crossing. Here the -gates were already shut. Continuous hooting failed to bring out the -gate-keeper, and George had perforce to pull up.</p> - -<p>“Another chance for your French, old man,” he cried to Maurice. “Skip -out and run to the cabin yonder. Tip the man handsomely, and he’ll let -us through.”</p> - -<p>Maurice sprang out and hurried to the gate-keeper’s hut. The man was -eating his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> supper. Maurice lifted his hat, and, jingling the coins in -his pocket, said:</p> - -<p>“Will you be good enough to open the gates?”</p> - -<p>“Impossible, Monsieur; a train is due,” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“We have a little wager with some German gentlemen in a green car -behind,” proceeded Maurice, pouring out the words with extraordinary -quickness. “They say 1870 is forgotten: they can run across France -as quickly and easily as a Frenchman. They have only to call, and a -Frenchman will spring to do their bidding. We don’t believe that, we -English. You’ll let us through, I’m sure, and we shall be able to -show our German friends that the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">entente cordiale</i> stands for -something.”</p> - -<p>Before he was half-way through this speech the gate-keeper had moved -to the door. By the time it was ended he was running to the gate. He -looked up the line; the train was not in sight, and in less than half a -minute the gates were thrown open.</p> - -<p>“<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Conspuez les Allemands!</i>” said the man as the gyro-car ran -across.</p> - -<p>The moment it had passed he closed the gates, and stood looking up the -road for the impudent Germans.</p> - -<p>A few kilometres beyond Aix-les-Bains the road was blocked by the gates -of another crossing. Here Maurice told the same story,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> and the keeper -entered into the spirit of the trick even more thoroughly than the -other. The train would have passed, he thought, before the German car -could arrive, and he would have no reason for keeping the gates closed -against it.</p> - -<p>“But no matter, Monsieur,” he said. “If no reason, I can find an -excuse. I have a little shunting to do. The Germans shall see!”</p> - -<p>Pocketing Maurice’s coin with a cheerful grin, he shut the gates behind -the gyro-car and re-entered his cabin.</p> - -<p>Evening dusk was falling; it would soon be dark. Maurice was anxious to -cross the Italian frontier that night. The little town of Modane, where -he must necessarily stop to deal with the Customs officers, was still -more than a hundred kilometres ahead. It might not be so easy there as -it had been at Calais to get the gyro-car passed. Maurice was ignorant -of the regulations, whereas he had little doubt that the pursuers were -well informed on all essential points.</p> - -<p>“The worst of it is,” he said to George, “they are so horribly -persistent that we hardly dare stop even for a meal. They are -determined to run us down.”</p> - -<p>“Couldn’t we lay a trap for them and smash up their old motor?” -suggested George.</p> - -<p>“It’s too dangerous a game to play. We might trap the wrong people. And -I confess<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> I take a sporting interest in the race. We don’t want to -harm the fellows; they are only doing what they are paid for. I regard -it as a match between our Government and the Austrian, and so much the -more credit to us if we play the game.”</p> - -<p>“They won’t scruple about playing the game.”</p> - -<p>“That hardly absolves us, does it? Their only chance of getting my -despatch is to overhaul us and take it by main force, so that it’s -essential that we should keep ahead of them. We have managed to delay -them at the level crossings; we must see what we can do at Modane, and -if you’re game, and we get through, we’ll go right on to Turin.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you want your dinner?” asked George.</p> - -<p>“I am ravenous. We ought to have gained an hour or two by the time we -reach Turin, and can then get a meal. Look out, George; this is rather -steep.”</p> - -<p>They were descending the hill into Chambéry, and here, for the first -time since leaving Paris, they were delayed at the <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">octroi</i> -barrier. It was not yet dark, and hearing the hum of the approaching -car, the official stepped out of his little house into the road and -held up his hand as a signal to stop.</p> - -<p>“There is no tax on petrol here; why can’t they leave us alone?” -grumbled George, as he brought the car to a standstill.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span></p> - -<p>“They like to show their authority, I suppose,” replied Maurice. “Treat -them civilly, and all will be well.”</p> - -<p>“Permit me, Monsieur,” said the man courteously, lifting his hat.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, Monsieur,” said Maurice, rising in his seat.</p> - -<p>The man looked into the car to see if the travellers had anything -taxable concealed: then poked a bamboo stick down among the -air-chambers, George being on thorns lest he should puncture them. -Finding nothing suspicious, he smiled pleasantly, lifted his hat again, -and waved his hand to indicate that the car might proceed.</p> - -<p>“Confounded red tape!” growled George, as he re-started, after lighting -his lamp. “Now I’ll let her rip. What sort of road is it, Maurice? -Switch on the light and look at your Guide.”</p> - -<p>“It’s a hundred and one kilometres to Modane, a gradual ascent all the -way. We’re coming among the mountains.”</p> - -<p>“That’s all right. We’ll beat Slavianski easily, going up-hill. And how -much farther to Turin?”</p> - -<p>“A hundred and twelve: that’s about a hundred and twenty-seven miles -altogether.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ll do it in under four hours if the Customs don’t cause -trouble. We ought to get to Turin about eleven; there’ll be no traffic -on the road at this time of night; then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span> we’ll have dinner, and follow -it with supper: I feel as if I hadn’t eaten for a week.”</p> - -<p>They reached Modane in an hour and a half, and halted at the Customs -station. Maurice, feeling very stiff, alighted from the car, and -met the official at the door. He had already ascertained from his -Guide that the dues on motor-cars were levied by weight, but that -motor-cycles were passed on payment of a fixed due of forty-two francs.</p> - -<p>“Monsieur will place the car on the weighing-machine,” said the -official, politely.</p> - -<p>“Certainly, Monsieur, if you insist,” replied Maurice: “but, as you -perceive, our car is of the nature of a motor-cycle.”</p> - -<p>The man walked towards it.</p> - -<p>“It is as you say, Monsieur,” he said, staring at the car. “But, pardon -me, it runs on four wheels: <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">ma foi!</i> it <em>stands</em> on four -wheels! I have never seen such a thing before: it is not mentioned in -the regulations.”</p> - -<p>“No, it is a new invention,” said Maurice, courteously, as if he were -addressing a prince. “It is, as you see, a sort of double bicycle, and -is kept upright when stationary by the gyroscopes spinning at the back -there. You would like to look at them, no doubt.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t waste time,” said George in English.</p> - -<p>“It will save time in the end. Stop the spinning and let down the -supports.”</p> - -<p>The official was vastly interested in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> novel mechanism. Maurice -explained it as well as he could, perpetrating several howlers, as -George informed him afterwards; then he suggested that, as there was no -provision in the regulations, the law might be satisfied on the payment -of the sum for a motor-cycle.</p> - -<p>“But it is double, Monsieur. I must ask, I fear, for eighty-four -francs.”</p> - -<p>“Very well,” said Maurice, handing over the money.</p> - -<p>“Now, Monsieur,” said the official, “I must make out the certificate -for <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">importation temporaire</i>. You will give that up when you leave -the country, and the sum you have deposited will be returned to you.”</p> - -<p>“Do you think you could stretch a point, and let us go without that? -We are in a great hurry, and I will tell you why. I am proceeding on -an important mission for the English Government. There is a party of -Austrian gentlemen pursuing me in a green motor-car, hoping to defeat -me. They know your country thoroughly, every pass and by-road; it used -to belong to Austria, as you know, and I think they would like to get -it again.”</p> - -<p>The man let out an exclamation in Italian: there are no friends of -Austria in Italy!</p> - -<p>“But I think that while you have your Alpine troops on the frontier,” -pursued Maurice, “the Austrians had better remain on their own side of -the Alps.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span></p> - -<p>“<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Per Bacco!</i> I agree with you, Monsieur. These Austrians are -coming behind you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. They have chased us from Paris. Perhaps when they arrive you -would suggest that we are proceeding to Venice?”</p> - -<p>“Ah! I perceive. Yes, I will do so. You may pass without a certificate -if you will take the risk. But you should have a green light as well as -a white; it is the regulation.”</p> - -<p>“We will get one to-morrow. We must take our chance to-night. What is -the speed-limit in Italy?”</p> - -<p>“Forty kilometres in open country, Monsieur; twelve in town. At night, -fifteen.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you.” George was smiling. Maurice thanked the official -profusely, and with mutual compliments the interview closed.</p> - -<p>“Fifteen!” said George, as they set off again. “Fifteen be hanged! -we’ll do forty at the least,” and at that speed he set the car spinning -along the mountainous winding road that connects Modane with Turin. -There was little but the coolness of the air to tell them that they -were now crossing the Alps. It was too dark to see the form of Mont -Cenis towering above them, and even George felt a little regretful that -he could not get a glimpse of the mountains. They reached Turin soon -after eleven, and at the Hotel Europa did full justice to the excellent -repast with which they were provided at extraordinarily short notice.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VI"><span class="smcap">Chapter VI</span><br /><br />A NARROW MARGIN</h2> -</div> - - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p>The Bucklands spent very little time over their supper at the Hotel -Europa. Not knowing how far behind the pursuers were, Maurice hid under -his imperturbable mien a very real anxiety. George, for his part, was -much concerned about the gyro-car. After so long a journey as he had -just made, a railway engine would have a thorough overhauling; but -there was no time for more than a rapid examination of his mechanism. -He required petrol and oil; the hour was late, and no doubt all the -establishments where these essentials could be procured had been closed -long ago. It was just possible that they might be obtained in the -garage of the hotel; so, after satisfying his hunger, he left Maurice -to attend to the wants of his inanimate steed.</p> - -<p>Maurice, as he sipped his coffee, found himself wishing that someone -had invented a means of seeing in the dark, or of hearing at immense -distances. If he had possessed either of those as yet hitherto -unattained powers, he might have indulged in the sleep he needed, with -a mind at ease.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span></p> - -<p>A quarter of an hour after the gyro-car ran the plank at Melun, Count -Slavianski (whose name in private life was Max Mumm) arrived on the -scene with his so-called secretary, who was neither a major nor a -Rostopchin, but a German ex-sergeant of cavalry, by name Ernst Böhmer. -The Count—let him enjoy his brief ennoblement—was furious at the -failure of his trap. As Maurice Buckland surmised, he had telephoned -from Calais to his agents in Paris instructing them to watch the -southern road, and to devise any plan that seemed good to them for -stopping the gyro-car. The unusual shape of that unique vehicle made -its identification easy, and the Paris agents laid their trap at the -spot where the chance breaking of the road seemed to promise certain -success. Perhaps the Count’s anger was the more intense because he had -no reasonable ground for complaint. His instructions had been carried -out, and if he had not wasted time by waiting for information from his -emissaries at the bridges, he would almost certainly have reached Melun -before the men he was pursuing.</p> - -<p>His stratagem having failed, there was nothing to do but to continue -the pursuit. Without doubt the gyro-car would keep to the main road, -and in fact the Count had tidings of it at every place where his -racing-car had to slow down in obedience to local regulations. When he -caught sight of it for the first time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span> a mile or two beyond Romenay he -exulted. If he could only catch it before it reached Turin, he felt -very pretty sure that at some lonely spot on the mountain road he and -his three companions in the car would have the diplomat at his mercy.</p> - -<p>But at the level-crossing near Le Viviers he suffered an exasperating -check. The gates were closed. Insistent appeals failing to bring the -gate-keeper from his cabin, one of the men got out of the car to open -the gates himself. But a prudential management had ordained that the -apparatus should not be easily manipulated by the first-comer, and the -man was still fumbling with it when the keeper appeared from behind a -hedge, and with great indignation demanded what he meant by interfering -with the property of the railway.</p> - -<p>Then ensued a brisk and heated altercation, in which the honours lay -with authority. It is wonderful what assurance even the meanest office -gives. The Count demanded that the gates should be opened instantly. -The gate-keeper replied that not for the President of the Republic -himself would he open them until the train had passed. The Count -produced his card.</p> - -<p>“Germans!” muttered the official, sniffing.</p> - -<p>“But no; we are Russians!” cried the exasperated Count.</p> - -<p>“I know those Russians!” replied the man grimly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> - -<p>The Count produced a five-franc piece.</p> - -<p>“<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">Hé quoi!</i> you think to bribe me!” said the scandalised official.</p> - -<p>“Really, my good man,” said the Count, struggling to command his -temper, “you exceed your duty.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! Monsieur perhaps knows his duty well. Where is Monsieur’s -<i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">certificat de capacité</i>?”</p> - -<p>“What right have you to ask that?”</p> - -<p>“Never mind,” said the Frenchman.</p> - -<p>With an oath the Count drew from his pocket-book the licence headed -“République Francaise.” The man took it and scrutinised it carefully, -comparing the little photograph pasted on its left-hand side with the -original before him, wrinkling his brow as he read the name, Alexis -Slavianski, the birthplace, Borisoglebsk, and the other details -required by the authorities. This wasted another five minutes. Then -the Count lost his temper utterly, and exchanged a wordy war with the -gate-keeper, which had no other result than to waste more time. It was -twenty minutes before the train ran by, and not till then did the man -open the gates for the passage of the motor-car.</p> - -<p>“We have forgotten 1870, have we?” he said with a chuckle, as the car -disappeared in a cloud of dust.</p> - -<p>At every crossing the Count had the same experience, with slight -variations, chiefly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> against him, in the period of waiting. His -eagerness, impatience, and finally abuse convinced the gate-keepers -that they were serving their country in delaying him, and the absence -of other traffic on the road enabled them to give free play to -their patriotism without inconveniencing their fellow-countrymen. -Consequently the green motor reached Modane nearly two hours after the -gyro-car had left it.</p> - -<p>At Modane occurred the worst check of all. The Customs officer -took a long time in weighing the car, and then, by an unfortunate -miscalculation, asked for a hundred francs more than was due. He -demanded to see the Count’s <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">certificat de capacité</i>, and made -out with great deliberation a similar licence for Italy. He was -equally deliberate in preparing the certificate for <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">importation -temporaire</i>, and the Count, fume as he might, had to wait for -that document. Every impatient word he spoke lengthened the delay; -the officer broke a pen, made a blot which he erased until not a -vestige of it was visible, all with the most charming courtesy and -frank apologies. He entertained the Count with a full description of -an extraordinary car which had passed through on the way to Venice a -little earlier, noting with keen enjoyment the exasperation which the -traveller, weary after his long journey, vainly tried to conceal. By -the time the motor-car once more took up<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> the pursuit, the Bucklands -had finished their supper, filled their tanks, and run forty miles -beyond Turin in the direction of Venice.</p> - -<p>This was, however, only a blind. If the Count could be deluded into -rushing on to Venice, so much the better. About forty miles from Turin -George turned into the road leading southward through Alessandria to -Genoa. It was a beautiful night, the air crisp and clear, the sky a -dark blue vault spangled with stars, and a rising moon shedding a -white radiance over everything. The road was good and fairly level. -The brothers took turns at driving and napping, and kept up an even -pace of about thirty miles an hour. It was five o’clock in the morning -when they reached Genoa. Putting up at a quiet hotel where Maurice had -formerly stayed, they got a bath, breakfasted, and spent some time in -studying the map. In Italy the Guide Taride no longer served them, and -they had to choose their own route. They decided to run to Rome by way -of Pisa and Leghorn, then to Naples, and thence across the Peninsula to -Brindisi. By six o’clock they were again on the road.</p> - -<p>“This is the Grand Tour with a vengeance,” said George as they sped -along, with the blue Mediterranean on their right, and on their left -the olive-clad slopes of the Apennines. “I should like to do it at a -more leisurely pace.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span></p> - -<p>“I don’t know. I find the speed exhilarating.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a confession for a cautious old diplomat! Well, if you like it -you shall have it. There’s no one about.”</p> - -<p>He opened the throttle, and soon had the car spinning along at nearly -seventy miles an hour.</p> - -<p>“Look out for the turn ahead,” said Maurice anxiously, after a minute -or two.</p> - -<p>“All right.”</p> - -<p>He threw off the power, but there was scarcely any slackening of speed. -He clapped on the brakes gently; the bend in the road was very near. -It happened to occur at a little hollow, partly overshadowed by trees, -and a few yards of the roadway were covered with a film of greasy -mud. The brakes, now fast set, were unequal to the demand upon them. -Experienced motorist as he was, George had the sickening feeling to -which the most hardened never becomes accustomed; the car was skidding. -It swung round; he managed to steer it past a stone post at the -roadside, shaving the obstacle by an inch; and then it seemed to vault -the shallow ditch, and was finally brought up in the middle of a hedge -of brambles. But it maintained its balance.</p> - -<p>“This is more excoriating than exhilarating,” said Maurice coolly, as -he passed his handkerchief over his scratched cheeks. “You steered -wonderfully, but I think for the rest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> of our journey we had better be -respectable, even if we are dull; we can’t afford time for repairs.”</p> - -<p>“You’re right, as usual, old man. By Jove! that was a squeak. I had the -most ghastly feeling. I hope there’s no buckling.”</p> - -<p>They got out and examined the car. There was no apparent injury. -Dragging it back to the road they resumed their journey, content to jog -along, as George described it, at thirty miles an hour.</p> - -<p>It was a pleasant ride along that coast road, through fishing villages, -with the sea, sparkling in the early sunbeams, on one side, and -groves of oranges, lemons, and olives on the other. Here was a row of -date-palms, there an avenue of plane trees, and at intervals brightly -decorated villas gleaming amid abundant greenery. The road began to -be populous with fishers, donkey-drivers, girls going to the lace -factories, barefooted young labourers on their way to the vineyards and -olive-yards. They stopped to gaze at the gyro-car; a youth would raise -a “Viva!” a girl wave a coloured kerchief—smiling, happy people in a -smiling country.</p> - -<p>Presently Pisa hove in sight, with her marble cathedral and leaning -tower gleaming white in the sunlight. But the travellers could not -wait for sightseeing; they ran across the Arno and along the pine-clad -road to Leghorn, passed through this grimy seaport, on and on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> until, -as they topped a rise, the battlements of the fortress at Volaterra -struck upon their view. Through the narrow, steep street of Colle, -crowded with children, who shrieked as they tumbled out of the way; -along the cypress-shaded road, winding over and around the hills; and -they see the towers of Siena. Still they do not halt, until one of the -front tyres burst with a loud report, and they had to stay at a little -village while it was replaced. They profited by the enforced stop to -take their luncheon. The village inn had little to provide them except -hard brown bread and eggs fried in butter, with a sourish wine for -beverage. But they were hungry enough not to be fastidious. After a -halt of half-an-hour they set off again, and ran along steadily through -the hot afternoon until, about four o’clock, they came to Rome.</p> - -<p>Here they stayed an hour for an early dinner. The next important stage -would be Naples, and as they could not hope to reach that city until -past midnight, they thought it best to have a full meal before going -on. They bought petrol and two new tyres at the British Stores, and -left at 5 o’clock. Six hours later they came to Naples, having again -slept and driven in turn. There they took a light meal. The mail train, -as Maurice knew, arrived at Brindisi at 11:30 a.m. It was possible -that the Count himself, or if not he, some of his men, had boarded the -train, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> since it was all-important that it should not reach the -port before them, they refused to yield to the solicitation of fatigue, -and started at 2 o’clock in the morning for the ride across from sea to -sea.</p> - -<p>They had an easy run to Eboli, but after crossing the Sele river, when -dawn was breaking, they found the road difficult. The soil was loose; -there was scarcely half a mile level; the ascents and descents were -steep and dangerous. George was in a constant state of anxiety lest a -tyre should be punctured, and drove more slowly than at any previous -part of the journey. They had almost forgotten the pursuers. What was -their amazement and consternation, as they began the ascent of a steep -acclivity, when, hearing the sound of a motor behind them, they turned -their heads and beheld the green motor flashing at headlong pace down -the incline they had just descended.</p> - -<p>George instantly threw open the throttle, and the gyro-car raced up the -hill at a speed of forty miles. The motor was little more than fifty -yards in the rear when it reached the foot of the hill. Then it lost -ground, but as soon as it arrived at the crest it picked up its speed -again. It was a tremendous race. For many miles the road switchbacked -among the hills. Now the motor would gain, now the gyro-car. Wherever -he could, George ran along the fairly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span> level foot-track by the -roadside, thus escaping the loose shingles of the ill-kept highway. -Here the motor-car could not follow it. Fortunately there was little -traffic. At one point he swerved suddenly to avoid a man driving a -diminutive donkey. Warned by the hooter, the man snatched up the -donkey, and carried it to the side out of harm’s way. Dense volumes -of dust rose behind the gyro-car, flying full in the faces of the -pursuers; but ever and anon the hum of their car could be heard, and -the Bucklands could not but admire the reckless courage of the Count -and his party in maintaining so high a speed on so rough a road.</p> - -<p>Through Potenza both vehicles rushed like whirlwinds, separated -by only a few hundred yards. The speed-limit was set utterly at -defiance. Then the switchbacking began again, the dips occurring at -even shorter intervals. The road would drop several hundred feet -within half-a-mile; in ten miles there were as many as sixteen steep -ups and downs. Sometimes the green motor was left out of both sight -and hearing, and then George would hope that it had broken down. But -it always reappeared whenever an abrupt curve forced him to slacken -speed for fear of skidding, even though in his excitement he took the -corners at a pace that he would not have dreamed of risking a few hours -earlier. The gyro-car had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> always this advantage in the race: that it -was capable of higher speed than the motor when pressed. It was only a -question of taking risks, and neither Maurice nor George was unready to -do this.</p> - -<p>The sun was now beating down fiercely on the travellers, and gilding -the dust-cloud that almost continuously hid the pursuers from view. But -the heat was tempered by the rush of air as they whirled through it, -and at these altitudes the air itself was cool. As the gyro-car spun -along, the few pedestrians whom it met or overtook turned to gaze at -it in amazement. Mile after mile was covered, until at Ginosa nearly -three-quarters of the distance between Naples and Brindisi had been -completed.</p> - -<p>“We shall do it!” cried George jubilantly, as they ran down the hill a -few miles farther on.</p> - -<p>Hardly had he spoken when he was suddenly conscious that the power -had given out. The car ran on for some distance by its own momentum, -but it was only too clear that the engine had ceased to work. With a -smothered exclamation George brought the car to a standstill, let down -the supports, and sprang out. Maurice listened anxiously; there was no -sound from behind. Had the green car broken down too?</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VII</span><br /><br />AN ACT OF WAR</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>For a brief, breathless moment George almost lost his head. Then, -pulling himself together, he said:</p> - -<p>“We can’t go on, Maurice. We must get the car out of the road before -those fellows come up.”</p> - -<p>There was nobody in sight of whom to ask assistance. But a little way -down the road Maurice spied a narrow by-lane.</p> - -<p>“Can you put the engine to rights?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“I can have a shot at it,” replied George. “The ignition is all right; -there may be something wrong with the compression or the carburettor.”</p> - -<p>“Well, let us wheel the machine down that by-lane and hope the Count -will run by and not discover us, though that’s hardly likely when he -doesn’t see our dust.”</p> - -<p>“I hope to goodness he’s had a smash,” said George as they wheeled -the car as fast as possible down the by-way. It was narrow, but not -so narrow that a motor-car could not follow it. It was also stony, -and broken by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> deep ruts; but George was able to pick a track for the -gyro-car, and the two pushed it for about a kilometre until they were -out of sight from the highway. Then George stripped off his coat and -began to examine the engine, while Maurice walked a few yards back to a -spot whence he could see the road.</p> - -<p>Almost before he got there he heard the fast-approaching sound of -the motor-car. A minute later he saw it dash by the end of the lane. -Evidently the pursuers had not yet discovered that the gyro-car was -no longer in front of them. But they were rushing at such a pace that -the absence of dust ahead must soon make them suspect the truth, and -then it was hardly doubtful that they would cast back and look about -for tracks. It happened just as he expected. Within five minutes he -heard the returning hum: the motor passed slowly back. Two men were -walking beside it, examining the road. They discovered the track of the -gyro-car turning into the lane, jumped into the motor-car, which swung -round and began to run towards the place where Maurice stood concealed.</p> - -<p>“They fancy we have taken a short cut,” said Maurice to himself; “they -would come on foot if they thought we had broken down.”</p> - -<p>It was soon clear that the motor was in difficulties. The road became -rougher the farther it proceeded. It jerked and jolted over the stones -and into the ruts, going<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span> quickly, at the imminent risk of overturning, -or of an axle breaking. Its pace was soon reduced; for a moment or two -it came to a stop, but started again immediately. Maurice, keeping out -of sight, did not report progress to George for fear of flustering him. -The boy was working busily inside the engine.</p> - -<p>As the seconds passed, Maurice became more and more anxious. The -pursuers would soon come in sight of him; then they would instantly -guess that the gyro-car had broken down, and the two brothers would -stand a poor chance against four determined and unscrupulous men -in a wild country. He ran back; George had heard the throb of the -approaching car, and called him with a low whistle.</p> - -<p>“A few seconds, and we’ll be all right,” he said.</p> - -<p>At that moment the motor came in sight, moving now at less than a -walking-pace. Two hundred yards separated pursuers and pursued. The -Count and two of his followers sprang from the car and rushed towards -the gyro-car. George slammed down the casing and started the engine. -Maurice was already in his place. In a moment George was beside him. -He pulled over the gear lever, depressed the pedal, and the car was -off. The Count was now within twenty yards of them. When he saw George -spring into the car he whipped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span> out his revolver and fired shot after -shot; but his haste and the movement of the car ruined his aim. George -had already declutched and changed into the second speed. The car -gathered way, and, running within a wide rut, in less than a minute was -out of sight.</p> - -<p>“Won by a neck!” said George with a gay laugh.</p> - -<p>“By a head, I should say,” remarked Maurice—“a head with brains in it. -I had no idea you were so expert a mechanician. What was wrong with the -engine?”</p> - -<p>“The carburettor. The nozzle was foul, so that the petrol couldn’t get -into the float-chamber fast enough. It didn’t take me long to put it -right when I discovered what was wrong: that always takes time.”</p> - -<p>“We had a lucky escape. Now we really owe a good deal to the Count. He -will have to back his car to the main road; there’s no room to turn it, -and to follow us is impossible; the road gets worse and worse. We get -off through his error of judgment. He ought to have run straight on -and cut us off from Brindisi. Now, barring another accident, he is too -late.”</p> - -<p>“We may lose ourselves.”</p> - -<p>“Oh no! According to the map, this road runs to Castellane, which is -not very far from the main road. It makes a sharp turn a few miles from -where we left it. We shall find somebody there who’ll direct us, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> -then we shall only be about sixty miles from Brindisi.”</p> - -<p>They ran on to Castellane, thence regained the highway below Mottola, -and the road being fairly level, reached Taranto in twenty minutes. -There they halted for a few minutes to drink a glass of lemonade, then -made by way of Francavilla for Brindisi, where they arrived at 11.20, -ten minutes before the mail train was due.</p> - -<p>“Do you remember that Virgil died here?” asked Maurice, as they passed -the column marking the end of the Appian Way.</p> - -<p>“Poor chap!” said George. “He might have chosen a cleaner town. Perhaps -it <em>was</em> cleaner in his time; it is a disreputable-looking place -now.”</p> - -<p>The streets were indeed squalid in the extreme. Here and there stood -half-finished buildings, the ground floor complete, but falling into -decay. On open patches heaps of garbage polluted the air, and the -harbour itself had an air of neglect and stagnation.</p> - -<p>The gyro-car was soon surrounded by a motley crowd, apparently of many -nationalities. Maurice rejected the officious offers of shabby touts -to guide him to an hotel, and George steered direct for the harbour. -As good luck would have it, they saw an English naval officer walking -along by the harbour wall. Maurice sprang out of the car and accosted -him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> - -<p>“Yes, I am in command of the torpedo-boat wired for from London,” he -said, in reply to Maurice’s question.</p> - -<p>“My name is Buckland. My brother and I have come across the continent -in his gyro-car. We want to get on to Constantinople without delay.”</p> - -<p>“I’m sorry to say we’ve had a mishap. My vessel went aground outside -the harbour in the mist this morning. If we can get her off, it will be -two or three days before she can put to sea. Understanding that the job -was urgent, I wired to Malta, but I doubt whether another vessel can -arrive within a couple of days; they are all at manœuvres. They might -recall one by wireless, but she would certainly have to return to Malta -for fuel. It’s rather a bad job.”</p> - -<p>“It is indeed. We have been chased all the way by a gang of German or -Austrian spies, who want to get hold of a despatch I have. We only got -away by the skin of our teeth; no doubt they’ll be here before long.”</p> - -<p>“The deuce they will!” said the officer. “Did they molest you at all?”</p> - -<p>Maurice related the circumstances of the breakdown, and how the -pursuers had fired at them.</p> - -<p>“That’s good enough. Charge them with assault on the highway. The -authorities here will take care of them.”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid I can’t afford the time. It<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> would mean endless delays, -and I’m sorry to say we haven’t quite clean hands ourselves—we don’t -possess a licence.”</p> - -<p>“That’s a trifle. Our consul can put that right; the authorities won’t -interfere with a man in your position.”</p> - -<p>“The less said about that the better,” returned Maurice; “my errand is -best kept quiet. What I am concerned about is how to get to Sofia. I -want to save time, and don’t at all relish the idea of kicking my heels -here for days waiting for a torpedo-boat. Isn’t there a vessel in the -harbour that will take me?”</p> - -<p>“There’s a weekly service to Port Said, and an occasional boat to -Constantinople. It takes more than three days, though. Look here, let -us get out of this crowd and go to the hotel and talk it over. That’s a -queer machine of yours.”</p> - -<p>They proceeded to the hotel, George explaining the mechanism of the car -as they went. At lunch they discussed the situation, having asked the -proprietor to let them know if a green motor-car appeared in the town.</p> - -<p>“The delay is very annoying,” said Maurice. “If we wait for a vessel -it will take us four or five days to get to Sofia; that’s a week -altogether. Isn’t there a steamer across the Strait of Otranto?”</p> - -<p>“There’s a sailing vessel that takes eleven hours to make Corfu, but -that won’t help you much.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span></p> - -<p>“Why not cross in the gyro?” suggested George.</p> - -<p>“What!” exclaimed the officer.</p> - -<p>“It goes perfectly well on the water,” pursued George. “How far is the -strait across?”</p> - -<p>“From about fifty to a hundred miles. But the idea, pardon me, is -absurd. The sea is calm enough now; but these waters are subject to -sudden storms, and your car could not live through anything like a sea.”</p> - -<p>“I’m inclined to think we might try it, nevertheless,” said Maurice. -“If the weather holds we could make the passage in seven or eight -hours.”</p> - -<p>“And then?”</p> - -<p>“Then we should have to make our way across Albania.”</p> - -<p>“Over the mountains! My dear sir, it’s quite impossible.”</p> - -<p>“Our gyro can go wherever there’s a track,” protested George.</p> - -<p>“You would be murdered <em>en route</em>,” said the officer; “they’re all -brigands there.”</p> - -<p>“When I was in Constantinople,” said Maurice, “I made acquaintance with -several Albanians, and learnt something of the language. I think we -might get through safely.”</p> - -<p>“But, my dear sir, what about petrol? You will use far more in crossing -the Adriatic than you would over the same distance by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span> land, and -you can’t possibly carry enough with you to take you to Sofia over -mountainous country. There’s no chance whatever of getting petrol on -the other side.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is decidedly awkward,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Don’t give it up,” urged George. “Surely there’s a vessel of some sort -that could take us over, and plenty of petrol too.”</p> - -<p>“Let us ask the proprietor; he will know,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>The proprietor, on being summoned, told them that a small trading -vessel, the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>, plied between the Italian and Dalmatian -ports, frequently trading at Durazzo and Hagio Saranda. She was -lying in the harbour, and would, no doubt, sail in the course of the -afternoon. Maurice at once decided to go down to the harbour in company -with the naval officer and interview the skipper, leaving George to -look after the gyro-car and be on the watch for Slavianski and his crew.</p> - -<p>There were two or three Austrian vessels in the harbour, including an -Austrian-Lloyd liner bound for Trieste. Maurice had no doubt that, -although the arrival of the green motor-car had not yet been reported, -Slavianski had by this time reached the town. Probably he was keeping -out of sight, but some of his party would be spying on the movements of -the Englishmen. If they went openly on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> board the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>, -she would almost certainly be followed by one of the Austrian vessels -and overhauled at sea. But suddenly an idea occurred to Maurice: that -the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> should put off at her appointed time, carrying -some tins of petrol, if they could be taken on board without attracting -attention. Somewhat later, the gyro-car should run to some little spot -northward, take the water, join the vessel in the offing, and be towed -by her across the Adriatic. By that means not only would petrol be -saved, but immediate pursuit would be rendered impossible; for though -Slavianski would certainly chase the gyro-car as soon as it was clear -of Brindisi, he would be quite helpless when it ran into the sea, and -be compelled to return. At any rate, much time would be gained.</p> - -<p>The naval officer laughed when Maurice put this plan to him.</p> - -<p>“This is strategy, if not diplomacy,” he said. “You are determined, -I see; the next thing is to interview the skipper of the -<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>, and find out whether he will make terms with you.”</p> - -<p>“Five English sovereigns will go a long way, I think,” returned Maurice.</p> - -<p>And so it proved. The skipper, a stalwart native of Gallipoli, whose -broad Southern patois was not easy to understand, readily agreed to -undertake what was required of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> him. Maurice took him to a certain -extent into his confidence, and he needed no persuasion to play a trick -on Austrians. He suggested, as the spot to which the English signori -should drive, Villanuova, a little place about thirty kilometres up -the coast. It was not so far distant as Maurice would have liked, -but Antonio Fagazzi assured him that beyond it the coast roads were -impossible. The arrangement made was that the gyro-car should start -about three hours after the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> sailed.</p> - -<p>“When I have you in tow, signor,” said the skipper, “I will make all -sail for Durazzo, and with the fair south wind behind us, we shall make -port early to-morrow morning.”</p> - -<p>“Durazzo is farther north than I want to go. On the other side I must -make for Monastir and join the railway from Salonika. Hagio Saranda -would suit me better.”</p> - -<p>“We shall make better sailing to Durazzo, unless the wind shifts, -signor,” said the skipper.</p> - -<p>“Very well, we will be at Villanuova at dusk.”</p> - -<p>They turned to retrace their way to the hotel. At the harbour gates -they were met by a postal official, who handed a telegram to the naval -officer and stood patiently expecting a gratuity.</p> - -<p>“Just like our Intelligence Department,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> said the officer on reading -the telegram. He handed it to Buckland, who read:— <i>Nobleman -notorious foreign spy: be on guard.</i></p> - -<p>“The fruit of the inquiry set on foot by the Foreign Office three days -ago,” said Maurice. “It’s very good of them. Now I wonder whether I -could get a map of Albania in the town? I don’t know the country, -except in a very general way, and I should like to be able to take my -bearings.”</p> - -<p>“The chances are a hundred to one against you,” said the officer; “but -we’ll see.”</p> - -<p>Inquiries at all the likely shops in the main street proved fruitless.</p> - -<p>“We shall have to take our chance,” said Maurice. “Now I must return to -my brother, and tell him what we have arranged. We must also have some -petrol sent to the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> at once—as much as we can load -onto our car; and a couple of tyres. We can’t expect to get through -without punctures on the mountains yonder.”</p> - -<p>“Let us hope only your tyres will be punctured,” said the officer -grimly. “I don’t envy you your journey.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_VIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter VIII</span><br /><br />A ROMAN ROAD</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>Meanwhile George had thoroughly overhauled the car.</p> - -<p>“She’s in tip-top condition,” he said. “Not a sign of weakness -anywhere. Have you seen anything of Slavianski?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” replied Maurice. “I don’t think he has come into the town. -The arrival of a racing motor could not fail to attract attention. The -Foreign Office has discovered who he is, and telegraphed to us to be on -our guard.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you for nothing,” said George with a grimace. “Have you made all -arrangements?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. The skipper is a stout fellow, and if his seamanship is as good -as his Italian is bad, we shall make Durazzo in less than twelve hours.”</p> - -<p>“What about passports, by the way?” asked the officer. “You can’t -travel in Turkey without them.”</p> - -<p>“I have mine,” replied Maurice. “George must pass as my chauffeur; I -daresay they’ll let him in without difficulty in that capacity.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> - -<p>Having dined early as the guest of the officer, they left the hotel -about five o’clock, running the gauntlet of a crowd of urchins who -shrieked entreaties for alms. George had started the gyroscopes while -still in the garage. They proceeded due westward over a gradually -ascending road until they ran down into the little town of S. Vito de -Normanni. Immediately after leaving this town Maurice, looking back, -saw the green car speeding after them at a tremendous pace.</p> - -<p>“They haven’t given it up, then,” said George, when Maurice informed -him.</p> - -<p>He opened the throttle until the car spun along at the rate of nearly -seventy miles an hour. For a few minutes the racer held its own, but -then began to drop away, not from any defect of speed, but owing to -the bumpiness of the road. Just before reaching Ostuni there was a -short, steep hill, first down and then up. George did not slacken speed -until he reached the by-road that turned abruptly to the right towards -the sea. When round the corner he drove at maximum velocity, crossed -the railway line, and came to the hamlet of Villanuova, within twenty -minutes of leaving Brindisi. Maurice looked anxiously behind. There was -no sign of the motor-car; it had indeed overshot the by-road.</p> - -<p>Amid the wonderment of the fishermen, the gyro-car ran down the beach, -and into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> sea. The <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> was not in sight, and George -steered eastward to meet her. They were nearly a mile from the shore -when they saw the motor-car emerge from the village. It halted for a -few minutes; no doubt Slavianski was scanning the sea. Then it turned -about, and disappeared from view.</p> - -<p>“He’s running back to Brindisi,” said George. “Will he pursue us in one -of those Austrian boats, I wonder?”</p> - -<p>“It’s a lost game, I think,” replied Maurice. “It will be dark before -he can overtake us, and even his perseverance won’t be able to discover -us then. But I wish the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> were in sight.”</p> - -<p>There were several craft, including a large steamer going south, near -the horizon, too far off to be distinguished with any certainty. None -of them was the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>. The travellers became anxious; had -Antonio Fagazzi failed them?</p> - -<p>“If she doesn’t appear soon we shall be in a pretty hobble,” said -George. “I can’t do more than seven knots on the water.”</p> - -<p>“We could steer for Durazzo by your compass if the weather keeps -reasonably fine,” suggested Maurice.</p> - -<p>“That’s true, but we should consume a terrible quantity of petrol, -and probably shouldn’t have enough left for a hundred miles’ run in -Albania. Has that skipper sold us?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> - -<p>“I doubt it. Perhaps he had to wait for the petrol. We had better -cruise about, and not too far from Villanuova.”</p> - -<p>An hour went by; darkness fell, and they switched on one of the small -electric lamps that lit the interior of the car. The wind blew cold, -and their spirits sank: the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i> might easily pass them -in the dark, and they hesitated to light the powerful acetylene lamp, -lest it attracted foes rather than friends. At last, when they almost -despaired, they caught sight of a light some distance out at sea to the -north-east. Immediately afterwards a second light appeared, near the -first, but swinging like a pendulum.</p> - -<p>“I fancy that’s a signal,” said George; “I’ll light our lamp and -show it in that direction; it’s too far northward to be seen towards -Brindisi.”</p> - -<p>“We might make towards it, don’t you think?” said Maurice. “If you find -we are wrong, we must try to slip away in the darkness.”</p> - -<p>They moved slowly towards the swinging light, George every now and then -turning his lamp inwards. In half an hour they came up with a sailing -vessel, hove to.</p> - -<p>“Is that the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>?” Maurice called in Italian.</p> - -<p>“<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Si, Signori</i>,” came the reply. “An Austrian gunboat ran down a -little while ago, and I thought it best not to take you in tow while<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> -she was in sight. Now that they have this telegraphing without wires, I -feared she might communicate with the Austrian vessels in the harbour.”</p> - -<p>Maurice complimented the man on his forethought. A rope was thrown -from the deck; George made it fast to the gyro-car; the skipper hauled -up his courses, and the vessel sailed away on the smooth sea, under a -cloudless sky, towards the Illyrian coast. The brothers slept for the -greater part of the night, too fatigued to feel the want of overcoats -or rugs.</p> - -<p>At daybreak on the following morning they saw, far ahead, the -castellated fortress of Durazzo gleaming white on its rocky headland, -with the Albanian hills behind. Just as Brindisi had evoked memories of -Virgil and Horace, so Durazzo—the Dyrhacchium of the ancient world, -and the starting-point of the Via Egnatia—had familiar associations in -Maurice’s mind. As they stepped on to the jetty he said to George:</p> - -<p>“It’s odd to think that Cicero may have come ashore on this very spot? -He chose Dyrhacchium as his place of exile when he fled from Clodius.”</p> - -<p>“Well, all I can say is,” said George, “that I’ve lost all my respect -for Roman noses. Brindisi was bad enough, but there are several -generations of stinks here.”</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled, and turned from him to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> meet the Customs officer, who -addressed him in Italian. The gyro-car was being swung ashore from the -deck of the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>.</p> - -<p>“I am at a loss, Signor,” said the officer, eyeing the vehicle in -perplexity. “I have no scale for such a thing. Is it a boat or a -motor-car?”</p> - -<p>“It is both, Signor,” replied Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Then I fear I must refer the matter to Constantinople. It will be a -week or more before I receive a reply. Meanwhile I must, of course, -impound the machine.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps that will not be necessary, Signor,” said Maurice, pleasantly. -“As a boat it is not subject to duty, I presume. I am quite willing to -pay the duty on a motor-car and on the petrol we carry.”</p> - -<p>“That will be sufficient, Signor. But have you a passport?”</p> - -<p>Maurice produced it, and the official handed it back after inspection.</p> - -<p>“And this other?” he added, indicating George, who stood looking on -with the air of suspicion common with persons who hear a conversation -in a language they do not understand.</p> - -<p>“He is my chauffeur; he doesn’t count, Signor,” replied Maurice, -smiling as he thought how indignant George would be if he understood -him.</p> - -<p>This explanation satisfied the official, who accepted the English money -offered him in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span> payment of the duties, and allowed the travellers -to pass. They made their way, wheeling the gyro-car, through the -single dirty street of which Durazzo consists, avoiding the small -hairy bullocks that lay here and there, and the swarms of red-capped -children who buzzed about them, calling out: “<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Capitagno! O capitagno! -Pará! pará!</i>” Maurice beckoned one, and asked him in Italian -to lead him to the little hotel recommended by the skipper of the -<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Margherita</i>, promising him a couple of <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">paras</i> for his -trouble. Meanwhile the sailors were trundling the tins of petrol in the -rear.</p> - -<p>The hotel was kept by an Italian, who gave the English -<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">capitani</i>—all well-dressed strangers are captains in Durazzo—a -satisfactory breakfast.</p> - -<p>Maurice entered into conversation with him, and learnt, with a certain -misgiving, that there were several Austrians in the town. For some time -past there had been an influx of Austrians into the seaboard districts -of Albania. They had been diligent in making friends with the people, -sympathising with them in the diminished prosperity of the ports due to -the railway from Salonika, hinting that the day of independence would -soon dawn for them, and that when they finally threw off the Turkish -yoke they might get a slice of territory from Servia or Montenegro. -These hints and suggestions fell on a ready soil. The Albanians were -still sore from the stern suppression of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span> their rising a few years -before, and the disarmament which had been attempted by the Turks. -They resented also the endeavours of the Turkish Government to enforce -the use in their schools of Arabic characters instead of the Latin -alphabet, which had been formally adopted in a national congress. Their -discontent was being artfully fomented by Austrian agents, who had -plenty of secret service money at their disposal. Something of this -was already known to Maurice; but the hotel-keeper having, as a good -Italian, a cordial dislike of the growth of Austrian influence, told -his English guest a great deal that was not suspected by the British -Foreign Office.</p> - -<p>Maurice was making a careful mental note of all this for the benefit of -his chief, when Antonio Fagazzi came in hurriedly:</p> - -<p>“<i lang="it" xml:lang="it">Per Bacco!</i> Signor,” he cried, “there is a steam-launch making -all speed for the harbour. She shows no flag yet, but she is as like an -Austrian launch that lay in Brindisi harbour yesterday as one egg to -another.”</p> - -<p>This news was disquieting, in the light of what Maurice had learnt -from the hotel-keeper. He had good hope of escaping the pursuit of -Slavianski if they once got among the mountains and had only natural -difficulties to contend with. These difficulties, of course, were -serious enough. Apart from the risks of travelling through a wild -and unknown country of rugged mountains, there was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> danger of -falling among brigands. To this must now be added the probability -that the Albanian mountaineers, who would, perhaps, in any case be -likely to regard the travellers as fair game, would be egged on by the -Austrians to attack them, not merely as travellers, but as enemies of -the country. It was the Young Turks that were troubling Albania, and -the Young Turks were encouraged by England. Slavianski, if he was in -the approaching launch, would not scruple to make use of odium and -prejudice to effect his purpose.</p> - -<p>Maurice thanked the skipper, and learning from him that the launch -would probably not make the harbour for half an hour, decided to leave -Durazzo at once. The gyro-car could travel a good distance in half an -hour. He told George rapidly what he had heard. They laid in a stock -of food and wine—this of a poor quality, but the best, and indeed the -only, beverage the hotel afforded—and bought a fez each as a measure -of precaution, Maurice saying that if they passed through the country -in infidel hats, some fanatical Moslems might be provoked to molest -them. Then they prepared to start.</p> - -<p>But they were not to get away easily. At the door they were beset by -people, old and young, begging the <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">nobili capitani</i> to purchase -their wares. Maurice sternly refused, knowing that if he bought from -one, the rest would clamour the more persistently. They had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> mounted -into the car, when the bimbashi of the Turkish garrison came up and -demanded to see their <i lang="hu" xml:lang="hu">taskereh</i>. Maurice amiably showed him the -passport, and gave him the same explanation about George; whereupon -the officer became very friendly, and began to ask questions about -the mechanism of the car. It required all Maurice’s tact to make his -answers brief without offence; and when at last the car was started, -nearly a quarter of an hour had passed.</p> - -<p>Maurice felt miserably handicapped by the lack of a map. Monastir, the -place he intended to make for, was, he knew, due east of Durazzo, but -he did not know how far distant it was, nor could the hotel-keeper -tell him with any certainty. The road at first ran over a plain, but -it was worse than the worst by-lane in the wildest part of England. -To an ordinary motor-car it would have been quite impassable, and -even a cyclist would have had to dismount frequently. But over such -rough ground the gyro-car had an advantage. Its equilibrium was not -easily disturbed; it could even run in a rut that would prove fatal -to motor-car or bicycle. Yet it was only at a very modest pace that -the travellers were able to pick their way along this apology for -a highway. George’s patience was severely taxed when he found it -impossible to maintain a higher average speed than about six miles an -hour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span></p> - -<p>The ground rose gradually towards a barren range of hills, along the -sides of which ran a track so narrow, that if it had rained there would -have been the greatest risk of skidding on the slippery clay soil. -George had to drive with infinite care, crawling along at a walking -pace, and often applying the brakes. When they had crossed the ridge -they saw a broad river winding picturesquely between high cliffs, and a -village nestling among olive-grounds. Here Maurice would have liked to -engage a guide, but reflected that there was no time to make inquiries, -and it would be imprudent to employ a man without recommendation. -Maurice knew enough of the Albanian language to ask the way of the -keeper of a small <i lang="hu" xml:lang="hu">han</i>, as the inns are called, and learnt that -Tirana, the first town of any size, lay about four hours’ journey -across the river. Beyond Tirana, another four or five hours’ march, lay -Elbasan, and though its distance from Durazzo could scarcely have been -more than forty miles as the crow flies, it was clear that they would -be lucky if they reached it by nightfall.</p> - -<p>They passed on, and found that the river wound so frequently that they -had to ford it eight times before they finally crossed it by a stone -bridge. At this point the road was a trifle better, and they were able -to drive faster. At another time they might have been interested in -the scenes along the road—the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> luxuriant olive-gardens, the women -trudging with heavy bundles on their backs, knitting as they walked; -the teams of mules laden with black wool, and driven by black-cloaked -men who called upon Allah as the strange vehicle ran past them. But their -anxieties forbade more than a fleeting attention to their surroundings. -They crossed little streams on crazy plank budges, each one of which -gave George a shudder; and as they approached Tirana were amazed at -the immense flocks of turkeys that infested the road, and stubbornly -refused to heed the warnings of the hooter.</p> - -<p>Tirana itself proved to be even more dirty than Durazzo. They were -hungry, but wished to reserve for emergencies the food bought at -Durazzo, yet hesitated to seek a meal in the wretched-looking -<i lang="hu" xml:lang="hu">hans</i>. Plucking up their courage, they entered that which -appeared least offensive, and found themselves in a low room, -suffocatingly hot, festooned with cobwebs, and swarming with -cockroaches. They made a meal of grapes, the only article of food for -which they had any appetite, and left the place in a few minutes, to -find the whole population gazing with awe at the gyro-car.</p> - -<p>On again, through a broad, undulating plain, and once more into the -mountains, covered with beech and oak and a tangle of ferns and -creepers. Looking back over the splendid prospect when they reached -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> crest, they saw, in the valley about four miles away, a party -of horsemen following the same track as themselves, and riding at -extraordinary speed, considering the nature of the ground. They were -too far away to be distinguished, but, strung up to anticipate pursuit, -the Bucklands did not doubt that Slavianski and his companions had -engaged Albanian guides, and were hot-foot in chase.</p> - -<p>“We can go wherever horses can,” said George, “and faster. They daren’t -go at more than a walking-pace in these hills. By the time they get -here we ought to be a dozen miles away.”</p> - -<p>“I shouldn’t risk too high a speed,” said Maurice; “a single slip, and -we’re over a precipice.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t be nervous, old man. Those white minarets yonder should be -Elbasan; but we can’t venture to put up for the night, can we?”</p> - -<p>“I’m afraid not. It will be four o’clock by the time we get there, -at a guess; we shall have to go on until it’s dark, and then either -find a shelter in some village, or camp in the open. It will be quite -impossible to run by night, as we did in Italy.”</p> - -<p>“Well, luckily it’s fine. I suppose there are no wild beasts in these -parts?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t know.”</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a fit of the blues,” said George. “I hoped we had seen the -last of those fellows.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span></p> - -<p>“I confess I’m off colour too. There is evidently a good deal at stake -with Slavianski, or he wouldn’t have kept it up so long. We have had -good luck so far, but the country is getting wilder as we go on, and we -shall come across the mountaineers before long. If we are held up, we -shall be overtaken.”</p> - -<p>“Confound your despatch!”</p> - -<p>“I’m not troubled about my despatch,” said Maurice with a laugh; “that -is, I don’t think Slavianski will find it. The bother is the delay. The -Foreign Secretary would have risked the telegraph, I think, if he had -had any inkling of Slavianski’s game.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we’ve had some fun,” said George; “but I hope it’s not going to -be spoilt now. I’d relish a stand-up fight, with a fair chance; but -this handicap’s rather unfair, don’t you think so?”</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow, have you lost faith in your gyro-car?”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_IX"><span class="smcap">Chapter IX</span><br /><br />THE HONOUR OF AN ALBANIAN</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>Passing a long stretch of walled olive-gardens, the travellers arrived -at Elbasan. The gate in its high and massive wall stood open. They ran -through into a narrow, dirty street, roofed over with matting and dry -leaves, scattering the groups of wild, sullen-looking inhabitants, some -of whom raised a fierce cry of “Shaitan!”; others put their fingers -into their mouths and whistled shrilly, after the manner of English -butcher-boys. But the travellers were not molested; they left the town, -spun through a barren valley, and crossing the river Skumbi by the high -one-arched bridge, found themselves climbing a steep and difficult path -that wound along at the edge of clay precipices, so narrow that if they -had met another vehicle, or a mule-train, further progress would have -been impossible.</p> - -<p>They had nearly reached the top, going slowly, as the perilous nature -of the path demanded, when they saw, bright against the grey wall -ahead, a young man with a rifle in his hand, intently watching them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span></p> - -<p>“Our first brigand!” said George. “Have your revolver handy.”</p> - -<p>“The disarmament is evidently a fiction,” said Maurice. “Sound your -hooter; he is stepping into the middle of the path.”</p> - -<p>“Better not, in case Slavianski is within earshot. I’ll give him a -shout when we come near, and if he doesn’t budge I’m afraid we shall -have to bowl him over.”</p> - -<p>But at that moment a shot rang out from the hill above. The man gave a -cry, staggered, and dropped his rifle, which fell over the precipice, -and could be heard clashing against the saplings that grew out of the -clayey wall. There was a shout from the hill-top, and a second man -scrambled down the steep and rugged slope about two hundred yards away. -The wounded man drew his dagger and faced about as if to await the -onslaught of his enemy; but as the car came up with him, he seemed to -realise that without a rifle his case was desperate, and with a sudden -spring clutched at the side of the vehicle and began to run along -beside it. His action would have overthrown a motor bicycle, but the -gyroscopes kept the car steady.</p> - -<p>“Beat him off!” cried George, thinking that the man meditated an -attack. It was impossible to shake him off by increasing the speed -on such a dangerous path, so he slowed down in order to give Maurice -assistance if it were needed. But the man begged him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span> earnestly to -proceed, and on the impulse of the moment Maurice leant over the side -and helped him to scramble into the car. There was a sharp bend in the -path a few yards ahead. As they came to this, a bullet struck the face -of the cliff at an angle, and bespattered them with crumbs of hard -clay. Next moment they turned the corner, and were out of sight of the -man who had now descended to the path.</p> - -<p>George, though dubious of the prudence of his brother’s impulsive -action, ventured to run a little faster in spite of the risk. -Before the car reached a second bend another bullet whistled past, -unpleasantly close, and again he increased the speed.</p> - -<p>“Go easy,” said Maurice, after a minute or two. “We must be out of -reach now. The oaks below there are very picturesque, but I shouldn’t -care for a closer acquaintance with them.”</p> - -<p>At this point the precipice on their left broke away at the height of -several hundred feet, and through a cleft beyond they saw a snow-capped -mountain towering into the sky. On the other side, far below, lay -a dense oak forest, through which they caught glimpses of a river -sparkling like a silver thread.</p> - -<p>Mustering his stock of Albanian phrases, Maurice questioned the man.</p> - -<p>“You were attacked. Why?”</p> - -<p>“For blood, excellence,” was the reply.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span></p> - -<p>Maurice had lived long enough in the Balkans to understand what -the man’s answer implied. Either he, or one of his family, perhaps -generations before, had injured a man of another family, and there -was a relentless blood-feud between them. Maurice did not press the -question, but, as dusk was falling, asked the man whether he knew of a -<i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">han</i> in the neighbourhood where they might put up for the night.</p> - -<p>“No <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">han</i>, excellence,” replied the man; “but the house of -my family is near; there you will be welcome. You have saved me, -excellence. <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">Tan giat tjeter!</i>” (Long life to you!)</p> - -<p>They went on for a short distance. Then, at a narrow defile in the -hill, they left the track at a word from the Albanian, and climbed -up a still narrower path, winding intricately amid dark, overhanging -woods. After about half a mile they came to an opening among the trees, -where stood a tiny village clustered at the foot of the hill. First -was a square three-storied building, with a narrow door in one face, -and small windows on two sides. This was the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>, a sort of -watchtower for the village, and there, as the Albanian explained, lived -his grandfather, his father, two uncles, three brothers, and a cousin, -with their families. Beyond were smaller houses, which appeared to be -entered through a hole in the wall, approached by ricketty ladders.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span></p> - -<p>At sight of the gyro-car, a child, dressed in a kind of sack, screamed -shrilly and fled into the house. George stopped the car; they all -alighted, and the Albanian led them to the doorway, paying no heed to -the explanations of the neighbours who flocked up.</p> - -<p>Following him, the travellers mounted a crazy ladder to the top of -the house, and found themselves in a vast dark room. At the further -end a fire was smouldering under a kind of tent. As their eyes became -accustomed to the dimness, they saw nearly a score of persons, male and -female, squatting on chests ranged round the walls. Their guide spoke a -few words. Instantly there was commotion. A woman threw a faggot on the -fire, which flared up, revealing smoke-blackened rafters, from which, -as from the walls, hung weapons, field implements, haunches of dried -meat, and festoons of smoked fish. Others of the company strewed the -floor with sheepskins and cushions for the visitors, and an old man -removed a millstone that blocked a narrow window, and shouted: “We have -guests; we have guests.” The travellers wondered at this, until they -learnt presently that it was a warning to the people of the hamlet: -while guests were in the house, blood-feuds were in abeyance.</p> - -<p>The family’s reception of their guests lacked nothing in warmth. A kid -was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span> instantly cut up in preparation for a meal; <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">rakia</i>, a kind -of spirit, was poured from stone pitchers into earthenware goblets; no -questions were asked. When the grandson of the old man explained what -the strangers had done for him, there were loud cries of praise and -gratitude; and hearing that they had come on a devil machine, the whole -party trooped out of the house to inspect it. Maurice asked that it -might be placed in safety, and it was wheeled into the large chamber -that occupied the ground floor, and served as stable and storeroom.</p> - -<p>The old man meanwhile attended to his grandson’s injury. He professed -to be an expert in the treatment of gunshot wounds. He took the white -of an egg and a handful of salt, mixed them together, poured the -liquid on the man’s injured arm, and bandaged it. This would suffice -for an hour or two, until he had compounded a lotion of <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">rakia</i> -and pine resin. While he was doing this he explained to Maurice, who -knew enough of the language to follow him, that the man who had fired -the shot owned the house opposite. He had accused Giorgio—such was -the young man’s name—of setting fire to his haystacks. The charge had -been considered by a council of elders, and Giorgio was acquitted. But -in Albania acquittal is no bar to a second trial; indeed, the case -had been heard two or three times, always with the same result. Then -the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> ill-feeling between the families found vent in a free fight, in -which a relative of the accuser had been killed. Now there would be no -peace until either Giorgio or one of his family had been slain, and -the honour of the accuser “cleaned.” For some weeks Giorgio had not -ventured to leave the house alone until this day. If accompanied by a -relative he would be safe, but alone he was always in danger. It was -only because the enemy had been absent for some days that he had gone -out unattended, and evidently he had met the avenger returning home.</p> - -<p>While they were eating their supper, Maurice, knowing that, as a -guest, he could depend on his host’s friendship, explained briefly, -and in halting speech, the circumstances in which he was placed, and -his intention of proceeding next day to Monastir. The old man was much -troubled. The Inglesi, he said, were disliked in Albania. They were -represented by the Austrians as friends of the Turks and the Serbs, -whom the Albanians hated and distrusted equally. He recommended that -the travellers should call themselves Austrians, and be very free with -their money as they passed through the villages in the interior.</p> - -<p>They were still talking, when there was the sound of a shot without. -The women and children shrieked: the men started up in great -indignation at this breach of the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> truce, which ought to -remain inviolate while guests were in the house. One of the sons ran to -the door, and soon returned shaking with laughter. The shot had merely -been fired by one of their neighbours in sport.</p> - -<p>An hour or two later, when the women were preparing for the guests beds -of reed mats, felt sheets, and red-cotton pillows, laid on the chests -by the wall, a loud voice was heard outside hailing the master of the -house. Feeling secure in the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i>, the old man once more removed -the millstone from the window, and asked who spoke and what he wanted. -It was too dark to see. Maurice tried to follow the ensuing dialogue, -and understood enough of it to make him desperately uneasy.</p> - -<p>“You Giulika, I know you, Christian dog that you are,” cried the -man without. “I demand that you give up the English spies, who are -overrunning the country on a contrivance of Shaitan himself.”</p> - -<p>“What, you Moslem pig, have you come from Elbasan on a fool’s errand? -Shall I deliver up my guests? It is no custom of my house to betray -those who seek my hospitality. Know that I take what guests I please, -and keep them.”</p> - -<p>“Hound, they are spies, infidels like yourself. Give them up, or you -will suffer a grievous punishment when the Bey hears of it.”</p> - -<p>“Get you back whence you came,” cried<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> the old man, “lest evil befall -you. Who are you to bid Giulika lose his honour by betraying a guest? -Begone! Trouble me no more.”</p> - -<p>He spat out of the window and replaced the mill-stone.</p> - -<p>Maurice had understood only a part of what had been said. The old -man explained to him that the summoner was a swordsmith of Elbasan, -a Moslem, and an ill-conditioned fellow. And from the clanking of -horses’ bits that he had heard at a little distance he believed that -the swordsmith was accompanied by a considerable party. But no matter -who they were, or how numerous, he would never defile his honour by -betraying his guests.</p> - -<p>Begging old Giulika to excuse him, Maurice turned to consult with -George, who was looking puzzled and anxious.</p> - -<p>“It’s very unfortunate that we are here,” said the elder brother. “The -old fellow refuses to give us up, but I’m afraid he’ll suffer for it. -The man who summoned him is a Moslem; he’s a Christian himself; and -though the Christians and Moslems live peacefully enough as a rule, -they fight like tiger-cats if they’re set by the ears. I’ve no doubt -that Slavianski has hired a lot of ruffians who’ll commit any sort of -outrage for pay, and if he works up the anti-English feeling, we may -have a whole tribe attacking us. We’ve no right to involve the old man -and his family in our difficulties.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> - -<p>“Couldn’t we slip away in the darkness? One of the family might guide -us.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll ask him. My good friend,” he said to the old man, “we thank you -for your hospitality, but we know what trouble we may bring upon you. -We wish to go to Monastir; could one of your sons or grandsons guide -us, if we slip out of the house by-and-by?”</p> - -<p>Giulika reflected, and spoke to his sons.</p> - -<p>“It is not wise, stranger,” he said at length. “My honour is engaged, -by the law of Lek, to protect you for a day after you leave my house. -By night, it is true, you could go up into the hills, and be safe: but -when it is light, you would be seen, and your presence would be shouted -from hill to hill, until the whole country was roused. That is certain -if you proceed to Monastir by Ochrida.”</p> - -<p>“Could we not go some other way?” suggested Maurice. “I wish ultimately -to reach Sofia.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, there is a long and difficult road to the north. It would be -safe, perhaps, to travel by way of Prizren. The people of the north do -not love the Austrians: it is only they of the south that are flattered -and deluded by them. They do not love the Serbs nor the Montenegrins, -but they have no wish to change bad neighbours for worse masters. Do -they not remember what has befallen the Bosnians?”</p> - -<p>“It is a very long way to Prizren, and thence to Bulgaria,” objected -Maurice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p> - -<p>“True; it is farther than to Monastir, and more hilly. But I tell you, -friend, it is safer.”</p> - -<p>“How could we go?”</p> - -<p>“Along the banks of the Black Drin. It is a bad road; but not -impossible.”</p> - -<p>At this an idea struck Maurice. If they could gain the bank of the -river, they might float down the current on the gyro-car without any -expenditure of petrol. The river would only take them a short distance -in the direction they wished to go, because it swept westward towards -the Adriatic; but a river journey would have the advantage of keeping -them off the frequented roads, and probably out of sight from the -pursuers.</p> - -<p>“How far is it to the river?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“About five hours’ march to Struga, by the main road: about seven hours -to the Drin below Struga, by the mountain paths. Why does my friend -ask?”</p> - -<p>“The machine you saw is a boat. Could we take it over the paths you -mention?”</p> - -<p>“You have brought it from Elbasan, by the mercy of God,” said the old -man with a smile. “Why should you not take it to the Drin? For myself, -I would not trust my life to it; but the Inglesi are great adventurers. -The mountains to the north are higher than those you have passed, but I -know of a pass that avoids the highest summits. The track begins but a -little way behind this house; it climbs the hill, and then winds in and -out among<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span> the lower slopes of the mountains above the Drin.”</p> - -<p>All this time the old man had preserved a cheerful demeanour, evincing -no anxiety as to what might be going on outside. The silence there -seemed to Maurice suspicious. Slavianski had shown such persistence -hitherto that he was hardly likely to draw back when, to all -appearance, he had his quarry in a trap.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there was a great commotion without. Shots rang out, followed -by fierce cries. Then came from below a crash as of some heavy body -driven against the massive door, which had been closed and bolted at -nightfall.</p> - -<p>“They are trying to break in!” cried George.</p> - -<p>The old man showed no trace of alarm. Some of the younger members of -his family climbed up a ladder in a corner of the room, leading to the -roof, where a store of stones and combustibles was kept for just such -an occasion as this. George, thinking of the safety of the gyro-car, -snatched up a rifle and cartridges and hurried down the ricketty ladder -to the ground floor. Maurice followed him, gripping his revolver; and -Giulika took a rifle from the wall and descended the steps more slowly.</p> - -<p>The Bucklands had just reached the door when it was burst in, yielding -to a tremendous blow from something of the nature of a battering-ram. -They fired at the crowd<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span> beginning to swarm in. In darkness themselves, -they were able to take good aim at the enemy by the glare of -combustibles flung down from the roof. The shots from the black doorway -checked the rush. The assailants shrank back, into a shower of stones -hurled at them from above. At the same time, to Maurice’s surprise, -they were met by a fusillade from the opposite house—the dwelling of -the man who owed “blood” to Giorgio, and had that very day attempted -his life. It was one of the inconsistencies of this strange people. As -a private person Giorgio was the man’s deadly enemy, to be stalked and -shot down without remorse as a family duty. But as a fellow-villager, -attacked by men of another place and another religion, he was to be -helped even at personal risk. “Blood” was forgotten in face of a public -danger.</p> - -<p>Taken thus between two fires, and battered by the falling stones, -the assailants were utterly discomfited. The crowd fell apart, they -flitted away into the blackness beyond, and in the fitful light of the -fireballs from the roof, Maurice caught a glimpse of Slavianski and his -party hastening after the Albanians.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_X"><span class="smcap">Chapter X</span><br /><br />SOME RIDDLES AND A NURSERY RHYME</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>Old Giulika, laughing with a childish delight in the discomfiture of -the enemy, closed the door, and, since the bolts had been broken, had -it barricaded with balks of timber that were kept on the ground floor. -Then he returned with his guests to the living apartments at the top -of the house. He was quite cheerful. He joked with the men of his -family on their victory, and ordered the women, who showed no alarm, to -prepare a sumptuous supper to celebrate it. The larder, which consisted -of two large dug-out troughs, did not contain anything very dainty; -but a fowl and a young pig were soon simmering in a huge pot of beans, -and on these, served in wooden ladles, and hard maize bread, the men -feasted; the women would eat when their lords had finished.</p> - -<p>The guests had little appetite. They were very weary, but too anxious -and troubled to sleep. The air of the room was hot and oppressive, -and by-and-by the old man, perceiving how pale they were, asked if -he could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> serve them in any way, and, at their request, immediately -removed the millstones from the two unglazed windows, and let in a -current of cool air. He chuckled as he returned to the company. The -enemy, he said, had encamped some little distance away, around a large -fire; evidently they wished to be out of reach of stones from the roof. -They, too, appeared to be cheerful. Strains of song rose from the -encampment—fierce songs of war, of struggles with the Turks, and the -heroic deeds of Scanderbeg. Presently these ceased, and there was a -vast stillness without.</p> - -<p>But not within. After supper the guests expected the family to repair -to their mat beds, and felt some delicacy in remaining among them. -But Giulika commanded the women and children to retire behind their -curtains, and the men to form a group in the middle of the room.</p> - -<p>“We must cheer our guests,” he said, “unless they wish to sleep.”</p> - -<p>Maurice assured him that to sleep was impossible.</p> - -<p>“That is well,” said the old man; “too much sleep is bad for men. Now, -Marko, ask a riddle. And you, Doda, go to the roof to watch.”</p> - -<p>One of his grandsons drank off a mug of <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">rakia</i>, and mounted to -the roof. Another cleared his throat, and said:</p> - -<p>“Though it is not an ox, it has horns;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span> though it is not an ass, it has -a pack-saddle, and wherever it goes it leaves silver behind.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! that is a good one,” cried Giulika. “What is the answer, friend -Inglesi?”</p> - -<p>Maurice’s head was racking, but he smiled, and pretended to consider; -he would not hurt the feelings of these hospitable folk. But he -confessed in a few minutes that the riddle was beyond him.</p> - -<p>“Aha! it is a fine riddle: a snail, friend,” and he chuckled with glee. -“Ho, Doda!” he called up the ladder, “is there anything?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” was the reply.</p> - -<p>“That is well. Now, Dushmani, it is your turn.”</p> - -<p>His second son, a big, fierce-looking fellow, with a huge moustache, -scratched his shaven head; all heads in Albania are shaven, leaving -patches of hair of various shapes.</p> - -<p>“What is that which wears the wool inside and the flesh outside?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“A splendid riddle!” cried his father; “Answer that if you can, friend.”</p> - -<p>Again Maurice considered. He repeated the riddle in English to George, -who was making heroic efforts to appear interested.</p> - -<p>“They must think we’re kids,” he said, sourly.</p> - -<p>“Well, smile, old boy; they’ve done a good deal for us.”</p> - -<p>George grinned vacantly at his host, who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> slapped his thigh, and asked -if the young Inglesi had discovered the answer.</p> - -<p>“No, we are not good at riddles in England,” said Maurice. “We cannot -tell.”</p> - -<p>“A candle!” shouted the old man, triumphantly. “You would never have -guessed that. Now I will give one myself.”</p> - -<p>So an hour or two passed, every riddle being received with the same -gravity, every answer with the same simple joy. At intervals Giulika -called to his grandson on the roof; the answer was always the same. -Then they fell to telling stories. One of these tickled even George -when Maurice translated it to him.</p> - -<p>“A man,” said Giulika, “bought a donkey in the bazaar and led it away. -Two thieves followed him. His back being turned, one slipped the halter -from the donkey and put it over his own head. The other went off with -the donkey. When he had had time to escape, his mate began to pull and -groan. The purchaser looked back, and lo! there was no donkey, but -instead, a man. ‘Where is my donkey?’ he asked, in great amazement. -‘Woe is me!’ cried the thief; ‘I am that luckless being. A magician -turned me into a donkey for fifteen years; the time has just come to an -end. I am a man again, and have nothing, and know not where to go.’ And -the kind man released him, and gave him some money.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> - -<p>Roars of laughter greeted the end of the story. Then Giorgio, the young -man who had been wounded, and had hitherto kept silence, announced that -he had had a very funny thought. It tickled him so much that for a time -he could not tell it; and even while he told it, laughter interrupted -him after every sentence.</p> - -<p>“Suppose a cow fell from the cliff opposite,” he said. “It would be -broken all to pieces. Every man would run to pick up a bit for supper. -Then suppose, just as they got there, the bits all joined into a cow -again and ran away!”</p> - -<p>The thought of their disappointment amused the company so much that -they shouted again and again. More stories followed, and all the time -Maurice was pondering on his plight, wondering what the next day would -bring forth. Slavianski had not given up his purpose; the encampment -outside was proof of that. The darkness had been to his disadvantage -in the first attack; would he renew his onslaught on the morrow? Was -the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i> strong enough to withstand him? Was it right to imperil -the lives and goods of these kindly, simple Albanians? Presently, from -sheer exhaustion, both George and Maurice fell into an uneasy sleep, -from which they were roused, as the dawn was stealing into the room, -by a shout from Doda, who had remained on the roof. The enemy were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span> -advancing to the attack. There was a score of Albanians, and four -Europeans, and the tall, bearded leader of the Europeans was urging on -men who bore a heavy tree-trunk slung on ropes.</p> - -<p>The old patriarch, instantly ordered the ladder leading to the ground -floor to be drawn up. He knew that the door would not withstand a -battering-ram. At the same time the rest of the men went to the windows -and the roof and fired at the assailants, some of the boys hurling -stones down among them. There were scattered shots also from the other -houses in the village. The enemy replied briskly with a fusillade. -Several of them were hit, but the others rushed forward to the door, -broke it in with one stroke of the ram, and poured into the house, -followed by the Austrians.</p> - -<p>But here they were baffled by the removal of the ladder. They shouted -to the old man, commanding him to deliver up his guests. They fired -through the trapdoor; there was no one on the second storey, but the -Mauser bullets pierced the logs that formed the floor of the upper -room, and sent the inmates for safety to the roof. Thence they fired, -but sparingly, for they had not many cartridges; their stock of -missiles also was becoming exhausted: but the old man declared that -they were safe—there was no ladder in the village long enough to -replace that which had been withdrawn.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> - -<p>What was to be the end of it? The answer was soon made clear. A smell -of burning arose from the bottom of the house. The invaders had set -fire to some of the stores. Maurice could not but regard this as -merely a warning; he could scarcely believe that Slavianski, however -unscrupulous, deliberately intended to burn down the house and all -that it contained. Giulika, looking grave at the destruction of his -property, took the same view, and declared that such threats were -vain; every Albanian must know that his honour was committed to the -preservation of his guests, and he could never give them up. Such -loyalty in a half-savage mountaineer stirred Maurice to admiration.</p> - -<p>“The car!” cried George suddenly. “If a spark catches the petrol the -whole place will be blown up.”</p> - -<p>Without an instant’s hesitation Maurice sprang down into the room, down -the ladder to the next floor, and, leaning over the opening, called -aloud that he surrendered.</p> - -<p>“Count Slavianski,” he cried, “spare the household.”</p> - -<p>“Assuredly, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Buckland,” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“And wheel the gyro-car into the open, away from the fire, or the -petrol will explode.”</p> - -<p>The Count evidently had not thought of that. The fire had indeed been -started by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> the men of Elbasan, without orders from him, and he had -been too much occupied to remember the danger. Fortunately the car was -at the rear of the large chamber; the fire was at the front. He ordered -the Albanians to beat out the fire, explaining to them that the Inglesi -had surrendered, and the siege was at an end.</p> - -<p>By this time Maurice had been joined by George and the men of the -household. Giulika was almost angry at the turn of events. But Maurice -courteously waved aside his expostulations, and, the ladder having been -let down, descended to the ground.</p> - -<p>“I congratulate you,” said the Count in French, his eyes gleaming with -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>“On what, may I ask?” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“First, on the ingenuity of your scheme of travel; now, on your return -to your senses. The air is fresher outside; shall we continue our -conversation there?”</p> - -<p>They went into the open air. At a sign from Rostopchin, George and the -members of the household were disarmed as they came one by one down -the ladder, the Austrian explaining, in answer to Giulika’s indignant -outcry, that the weapons would be returned very soon.</p> - -<p>“Now, Monsieur,” said Slavianski when they were outside, “I have wasted -so much time that we had better come to business at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> once. You have a -despatch from your Secretary of State?”</p> - -<p>“You say so, Monsieur le Comte.”</p> - -<p>“I ask you to hand it to me—to save trouble.”</p> - -<p>“Of course I shall hand you nothing.”</p> - -<p>“Then I must search you. Resistance is useless.” He glanced -significantly at the group of Albanians who stood beside their horses a -few yards distant.</p> - -<p>“I shall not resist,” said Maurice with a smile. “But you will permit -me to make a formal protest.”</p> - -<p>“A protest can do no harm,” said the Count, grinning, “Now, if you -please.”</p> - -<p>The search was concluded in a surprisingly short time. From one pocket -the Count removed a revolver, from another a long envelope with the -official seal, and addressed to His Majesty’s agent and consul-general -at Sofia. He did not attempt to conceal his elation. Breaking the seal, -he drew from the envelope the folded paper it contained, opened it, -and, after a glance, said:</p> - -<p>“Seeing that the game is up, you will no doubt save time by deciphering -the despatch.”</p> - -<p>“I won’t deprive you of that pleasure,” said Maurice serenely.</p> - -<p>The Austrian smiled. Taking a little book from his pocket, he turned -quickly over a few pages.</p> - -<p>“We are not without resources, <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Buckland,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span> he said. “I have here -the key to your Foreign Office cipher.”</p> - -<p>A faint smile showed itself on Maurice’s face. George, who, a moment -before, had glowered with indignation, for Rostopchin had tied his -hands behind him, now grinned broadly. The scene was peaceful. -Hostilities had ceased: Giulika and his men leant disconsolate against -the wall of their house; the half-dozen neighbours lolled at their -doors, idly watching; and the intruders from Elbasan stood beside their -horses, looking on with silent curiosity.</p> - -<p>The Count rapidly pencilled, with the aid of his key, the translation -of the despatch. After a word or two a look of puzzlement stole upon -his face. He knit his brows, compared the words before him with the -key, and summoned Rostopchin to his side. The two spoke in whispers -inaudible to Maurice, who had lighted a cigarette, and was pacing up -and down unconcernedly.</p> - -<p>“It is clearly correct,” said Rostopchin. “Finish it; we shall get the -explanation by-and-by.”</p> - -<p>The Count proceeded with his task. In twenty minutes he had finished. -His puzzlement had but increased. With a frown of irritation he pored -over what he had written with Rostopchin.</p> - -<p>“There must be a secret within a secret,” said the secretary.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span></p> - -<p>The Count strode towards Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Zis, is it correct?” he asked in English curtly, spreading his -transliteration.</p> - -<p>Maurice glanced over it.</p> - -<p>“Quite correct, Monsieur le Comte,” he said.</p> - -<p>“Zen vill you tell me vat zis mean? I do not understand it:—</p> - -<p class="poetry p0"> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hey, diddle, diddle,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ze cat and ze fiddle,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Ze cow jomp over ze moon——</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>“Vat is ze meaning of zis—zis <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">galimatias</i>?” demanded the Count, -his English failing him.</p> - -<p>“It is very idiomatic,” said Maurice, “but as you have deciphered it -correctly, I have no objection to putting it into plain English. ‘Hey,’ -Monsieur, is an exclamation of warning: equivalent to ‘look out,’ -‘beware,’ in French, <i lang="fr" xml:lang="fr">gare</i>. ‘Diddle,’ is ‘to deceive,’ ‘take -in,’ ‘to spoof,’ ‘lead anyone a wild-goose chase.’ The cat, as you are -aware, is not a musical animal, but there is a certain variety, bred -in our county of Cheshire, that smiles at any mention of fiddlesticks. -The cow is—just a cow. It may be of any nationality: Russian, German, -or even Austrian, but it is merely a cow, unless specially qualified. -‘To jump over’ or ‘shoot the moon’ is English argot for a sudden change -of address. The moon refers to the lunatics—you have the same word, -<i lang="de" xml:lang="de">Mondsüchtige</i>—who are deceived or diddled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> thereby. ‘The little -dog laughed to see such sport’—that is quite clear; but we usually say -in English, ‘it is enough to make a cat laugh,’ referring to——”</p> - -<p>But at this point in Maurice’s commentary, delivered in an even, placid -tone of voice, the Count’s rising fury burst its bounds.</p> - -<p>“Sapperment!” he cried. “You dare to play viz me! I give you ten -minutes—ten minutes, and no more, to consider. You vill tell me vere -your despatch is”—he tore up and cast away the fragments of the bogus -despatch—“or if your message is merely verbal you vill acquaint me viz -it.”</p> - -<p>“And if I do not, Monsieur le Comte?”</p> - -<p>“If you do not, you shall be shot.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XI</span><br /><br />IN THE SMALL HOURS</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>The amusement with which George had listened to his brother’s ironic -nonsense turned to dismay and despair. Helpless with his hands bound -behind him, he hurried to Maurice’s side.</p> - -<p>“He does not mean it?” he cried.</p> - -<p>Maurice shrugged, and lighted another cigarette.</p> - -<p>“Whatever happens to me, old boy, you won’t betray our secret.”</p> - -<p>“No; but—he <em>can’t</em> mean it, Maurice.”</p> - -<p>Further speech was prevented when Slavianski came up and demanded that -Maurice should take off his coat and waistcoat. These he searched -thoroughly: there was no despatch in pockets or lining. Meanwhile -Rostopchin and the other Austrians had gone to the back of the house, -taken the valise from the gyro-car, turned out its contents, and -thoroughly overhauled them. Then Slavianski himself joined them and -searched the gyro-car, finding nothing but the Guide Taride, the maps -they had bought <em>en route</em>, and the provisions<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span> brought from -Durazzo. By this time the ten minutes had expired.</p> - -<p>The Count returned to the front of the house. His face was black with -rage. Addressing George, he cried:</p> - -<p>“Are you a fool like your brozer? Vere is ze despatch?”</p> - -<p>“I have nothing to say to you,” replied George, his cheeks going white.</p> - -<p>“Zen I vill shoot your brozer before your eyes: and if zat does not -cure you of your obstinacy, ze next bullet shall be for you.”</p> - -<p>He raged up to Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Once more I demand zat you tell me vere is your despatch, or vat it -contained. It is ze last time. Refuse, and you vill be shot. Don’t -flatter yourself zat I shall hesitate.”</p> - -<p>“I have no information to give,” replied Maurice, between puffs of his -cigarette.</p> - -<p>The Count strode to him, snatched the cigarette from his lips, and bade -his men tie his hands behind. When this was done he called forward one -of the Albanians from Elbasan.</p> - -<p>“Shoot that man,” he said, pointing to Maurice.</p> - -<p>The Albanian lifted his rifle slowly. Maurice faced him squarely, with -not so much as the tremor of an eyelid. The man hesitated, looked from -Slavianski to the prisoner and back again, then grounded his rifle.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> - -<p>“No, no, excellence,” he said. “In fair fight, yes; for blood, yes; it -is my duty. I have killed five men for blood; but I will not shoot a -man like a dog. If that is the way in your country, do it yourself; it -is not our way.”</p> - -<p>Cries of applause broke from his comrades. Slavianski turned angrily -towards his own countrymen. There was a something in their demeanour -that gave him no hope of finding among them an executioner. With -a snarl of rage he whipped out his own revolver and pointed it at -Maurice, whose eyes looked into his unflinchingly, and whose lips -curved in a slight smile. His finger was on the trigger.</p> - -<p>“My Government has a long arm, Monsieur le Comte,” said Maurice quietly -in French. “Had you not better think it over?”</p> - -<p>“Bah!” cried the Count, dropping the muzzle slightly, nevertheless. -“Your ambassador at Constantinople has given warning that Englishmen -travel in this country at their own risk.”</p> - -<p>“True,” replied Maurice, as calmly as if he were discussing a matter -quite impersonal; “at their own risk—of interference by the people of -the country. You are not an Albanian, Monsieur.”</p> - -<p>“You will disappear—the mountains swallow you.”</p> - -<p>“But not you, Monsieur. You are known to have tracked me to Brindisi; -it is known at Brindisi that you followed me to Durazzo. <span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> This is a time of peace. If you shoot -me, if I disappear, you will be suspected of murdering me, and whatever -your services may have been to your Government, I think it will hardly -protect you.”</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img003"> - <img src="images/003.jpg" class="w50" alt="A TENSE MOMENT" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">A TENSE MOMENT<br /></p> -<p>Rostopchin touched his chief on the arm, and spoke to him in low tones. -The Count gnawed his moustache, frowned, muttered a curse. Then, with -an angry gesture, he called to his men to take the prisoners into -the house, and walked towards his Albanian allies. After a short -conversation with them, he too entered the house.</p> - -<p>The brothers, on reaching the first floor, were placed against the -wall. Their legs were bound. Leaving two of his men to guard them, -Slavianski mounted to the upper floor with Rostopchin. In a few moments -the women and children came hurriedly down the ladder. On reaching the -ground floor they were turned out of the house. Giulika and his men -looked on sullenly; they were too few to oppose any resistance. The men -from Elbasan laughed. They had no quarrel with them. Even though some -of them had been wounded in the recent fighting, they were too much -accustomed to hard knocks to bear a grudge on that account, so long as -their honour was not concerned. They had been engaged to hunt down the -Inglesi, and knew that if they raised a hand against the villagers, -now that the Inglesi were captured, it would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> start a feud that might -involve the whole countryside.</p> - -<p>Slavianski and Rostopchin took up their quarters in the upper floor of -the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>. By and by they summoned one of the men left to guard -the prisoners to prepare a meal. After a time all three came down, -descended to the lower floor, and passed out of the house.</p> - -<p>“You were fine,” said George in a murmur to his brother. “I was in a -most horrible funk. I’m glad I wasn’t put to the test.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’d have come through all right. What I was most conscious -of was a raging thirst. Monsieur,” he said, addressing the guard in -French, “may I have some milk, <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">rakia</i>, coffee, or water, if it is -drinkable?”</p> - -<p>The man grinned.</p> - -<p>“The Count’s order is that you have nothing,” he said.</p> - -<p>“They’re going to starve us into giving in,” said Maurice to his -brother.</p> - -<p>“The fiends!” muttered George. “How long can you hold out?”</p> - -<p>“Long enough to tire them, I hope. When they think of it, they’ll see -that we’re no good to them dead. They haven’t found, and won’t find, -the despatch; they’ll suppose I carry a verbal message; and starvation -is just as much murder as shooting.”</p> - -<p>“If they’d only give us a drink! It’s like an oven here now that the -sun is getting up.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> My mouth is parched already: don’t people go mad -from thirst?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! it won’t come to that. They’ll give in presently.”</p> - -<p>But the hours crawled on, and neither food nor drink was given to them. -The Austrians re-entered the house. As they passed, Maurice, in a -rough, husky whisper, said to the Count:</p> - -<p>“Monsieur, will it not satisfy you that we are hungry? Is it in your -instructions to torture us with thirst?”</p> - -<p>Slavianski went by without a word. The man who had been on guard -mounted the ladder, his place being taken by the fourth member of the -party.</p> - -<p>The long day drew out towards evening. The two prisoners at first lay -still and tried to sleep. But the heat and stuffiness of the room, the -cramping of their limbs, and their increasing thirst caused almost -unendurable pain. They tossed and writhed, now and again calling in -hoarse whispers for water, only to be answered with a jeer. The voices -of the others came to them from above; through the window floated -sounds of laughter and singing; and as the light faded they felt -creeping upon them the numbness of despair.</p> - -<p>Again the guard was changed. The man lit a small candle-lamp, and sat -against the wall, a revolver beside him. Within and without the sounds -were hushed; their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span> enemies slept, but no sleep came to cool their -fevered brows. Their guard began to doze; breathing hard, waking with -a start, then dozing again. By and by his breathing became regular; -he too was asleep. How many hours passed it was impossible to tell. -Wakeful, tortured with pain, the prisoners longed for morning.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they heard a slight creaking sound. The guard awaked, sat -erect, and looked about him. The prisoners were lying where they had -been placed; all was well; and after a minute or two his loud breathing -proclaimed that sleep had again overcome him. There was a second creak, -a rustle, and a man slid into the room through the window. He stole -across the room towards the sleeping guard; there was a gurgle; then -silence. The prisoners raised themselves slightly from the floor, and -saw the intruder approaching them. Without a word he stooped and with -swift, silent movements cut their bonds. Then for a few moments he -rubbed their numbed wrists and ankles, and signed to them to follow -him. They saw now that the bars had been removed from the window. -He motioned to Maurice to climb up. When he did so, he saw a ladder -resting on the wall just below the sill, its lower end standing on a -wagon beneath. He looked anxiously below. Nobody was in sight, but from -round the corner of the house came the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span> glow of a fire. He descended, -slowly, painfully; George followed him; last of all their rescuer -issued forth and climbed down.</p> - -<p>From the wagon they reached the ground. In the dim glow the Englishmen -saw that their deliverer was Giorgio.</p> - -<p>“Where is the car?” whispered Maurice.</p> - -<p>“At the front of the house,” he replied. “Come with me.”</p> - -<p>They followed him towards the trees at the back of the house. Here they -were met by Giulika, Marko, and the other men of his family, together -with half a dozen strangers.</p> - -<p>“Come with us, friends,” said the old man.</p> - -<p>“We cannot leave the car,” whispered Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Is it worth a life?” was the reply.</p> - -<p>“Yes, we must have it.”</p> - -<p>They spoke in whispers. How was the car to be removed without -discovery? There was no time to lose. The men in the upper floor might -waken; there would be no wakening for the guard in the room below. -Marko stole to the corner of the house. Between the house and the camp -fire a number of horses were tethered. They cast a shadow on the spot -where the gyro-car rested against the wall. Marko beckoned, and George -joined him. After a moment’s hesitation they crept round on all fours, -placed themselves one on each side of the car, and wheeled it silently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span> -round the corner to the side of the house, and thence to the back.</p> - -<p>“Come with us,” said Giulika.</p> - -<p>He led the way through the trees, up a steep path in the hill-side. -Maurice helped George and two other men to wheel the car. It was a -rocky path; there were frequent stumbles in the darkness, and they -shivered lest the slight sounds they made should reach the ears of the -men encamped below, who were not all asleep. The hum of voices rose and -fell.</p> - -<p>After a few minutes the slow procession halted, and Giulika offered a -gourd full of sour milk to the famished Englishmen, of which they drank -greedily.</p> - -<p>“Long life to you!” said the old man cheerily. “My honour is clean, and -only one man is dead.”</p> - -<p>“Could we not have gagged and bound him?” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“The other was the shorter way,” said Giorgio. “He might have waked -while I cut your bonds, and made a sound.”</p> - -<p>“And we had to think of our honour,” added his grandfather.</p> - -<p>Maurice did not reply. Honour has different meanings in different -places.</p> - -<p>They went on again. The moon was set, and the stars gave little light. -Following a winding gorge between two almost perpendicular cliffs, -George thought that there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span> would be no danger in lighting his lamp. -By its bright flame they were able to see the way, and marched more -quickly. Giulika went first, behind him came the Bucklands, with four -men wheeling the car; the rear was brought up by the rest of the -company, to keep a watch over the backward track. Maurice drew out his -watch; it was nearly one o’clock. They had three or four hours until -dawn, and Giulika said they must travel as far as possible before -sunrise. The car had probably left a track by which the direction of -their flight would be discovered. There were few dwellers in these -mountain solitudes, but someone might see them when daylight came, and -the passage of so strange a vehicle would almost certainly be announced -from hill to hill by shouts.</p> - -<p>“Where are you leading us?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“By the path I spoke of, to the Black Drin,” answered Giulika.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XII</span><br /><br />THE SWAMP</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>Yard by yard the path became steeper, and at times bent so abruptly -that only with the greatest care, and by the united efforts of the -whole party, could the gyro-car be dragged or pushed round. More -than once Giulika muttered an imprecation on the people who invented -machines. On foot, even on horseback, the narrow path presented -little difficulty to a mountaineer, and the simple old man could not -understand why two travellers, in peril of their lives from enemies, -should enhance their danger by clinging to a thing of metal. He -admitted, however, that the lamp was a good one, and even said that he -should like to have a light as brilliant in his <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>; it would -enable the women to knit at night!</p> - -<p>When they had gone so far from the village that there was no risk of -a sound reaching the Albanians at their camp fire, George started the -motor actuating the gyroscopes, and so made the haulage of the car -easier, since the men no longer needed to concern themselves with -keeping it upright. This fact caused no little consternation among -them,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span> and one asked earnestly whether the Inglesi would assure him -that the car was not a creature of Shaitan.</p> - -<p>They soon found that, difficult as it was to get the machine up-hill, -it was still more difficult when the path took a downward trend. At -such times the car had a tendency to break away from the hands of those -who held it. By-and-by it occurred to George to climb into the car at -the head of such descents and apply the brakes. Even then, however, the -men had to hang upon it, for powerful as the brakes were, they were -scarcely strong enough to hold it at the steepest parts.</p> - -<p>Progress was slow. To start the driving motor was out of the question: -the one consolation was that no petrol was being consumed. Eager as -all were to reach the river, Maurice was determined not to jeopardise -the remainder of his journey to Sofia by over-haste. Both George and -he felt utterly worn out. The strain of constant travelling, the want -of sleep and food, the agitation of the past day, were telling upon -them heavily. They nibbled at hunks of hard maize bread given them by -Giulika, and at some polonies they had bought at Durazzo; but with -the exhaustion of their nervous energy they had lost appetite. Their -present perils, and the thought of possible dangers to come, kept them -on the rack.</p> - -<p>It was indeed anxious, terrifying work, this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span> scrambling up rough, -tortuous acclivities, then diving headlong into what seemed at times an -almost perpendicular gulf. The path was little more than a goat track. -Here a huge mass of rock blocked the way; there the track diminished to -a width of little more than four feet, with a sheer cliff on one side, -and on the other a precipice of unknown depth. Giulika confessed that -but for the light of the lamp he would never have attempted the more -hazardous portions of the path; and the Englishmen were thankful that -the surrounding darkness concealed from them the full measure of the -risk they were running.</p> - -<p>Suddenly they heard the baying of dogs.</p> - -<p>“We are coming to the house of Zutni; he is a friend,” said Giulika.</p> - -<p>Descending a long incline, a bend in the track brought them in sight of -a rectangle of light. A door stood open, and out of it came a gigantic -mountaineer, gun in hand. He was dazzled by the white glare of the -lamp, and called suspiciously to the strangers to halt. Giulika went -forward; his friend recognised him, and kissed him affectionately. A -few words passed between them: then, hearing that two Englishmen were -with the party, Zutni advanced, shook them warmly by the hand, and -invited them to enter his house.</p> - -<p>“Be welcome!” he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span></p> - -<p>“Is it safe to delay?” Maurice asked of Giulika.</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed,” replied the old man. “We have come far; the Austrians -will not dare to follow on horseback in the dark, and they may not -discover our flight until the morning.”</p> - -<p>The house was a small one, perched on a rocky eminence. The whole party -entered; Giulika and his men, according to Albanian custom, handed -their weapons to their host, who hung them beside his own on the wall. -He placed mats for the Englishmen before a blazing fire; his women -pulled off their boots, and in a few minutes grilled for them some -mutton steaks on skewers. <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">Rakia</i> was produced: “Good health, -friends,” said the jovial host; and the travellers, basking in the -warmth, ate and drank with relish.</p> - -<p>Giulika related what had occurred. His friend listened with indignation.</p> - -<p>“You have done well,” he said, “but will not the villains slay your -women and children and burn your house when they find that you have -gone?”</p> - -<p>“Aha!” chuckled Giulika. “The women and children are safe: I sent them -this afternoon towards Ochrida to my brother.” (It was really a very -distant cousin, but the ties of blood are close in Albania). “As for -my house, it is likely to be burnt; but it is God’s will. I could not -betray my guests.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span></p> - -<p>“True. And do I see Leka among you? Is it <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i>?”</p> - -<p>“Yes: it is <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> until we return to the village. Leka is an -honourable man.”</p> - -<p>And then Maurice learnt, with amazement, that among the villagers who -had accompanied him was the man who had shot Giorgio. The blood-foes -were at this moment squatting side by side, laughing and talking in the -friendliest way, drinking alternately out of the same mug. The truce -between them would hold until they returned to their village: then Leka -would watch for an opportunity of stalking and slaying his enemy, with -no more compunction than if he were a noxious beast.</p> - -<p>“Sleep, friends,” said Zutni presently to the two Englishmen, who were -nodding. “The Inglesi need much sleep; it is one of God’s mysteries. I -will wake you when day comes. Long life to you!”</p> - -<p>They needed no pressing. Zutni’s wife brought some mats for pillows, -tucked them up in blankets with her own delicate fingers, and they -slept till daybreak, oblivious of the insects that feasted on them.</p> - -<p>In the wan, grey light Zutni awoke them. The fire was raked together: -the women made strong coffee; and after a breakfast of coffee and hot -maize bread baked on the hearth they set off to resume their journey. -Zutni himself accompanied them; like Giulika,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> he felt responsible for -his guests, and had resolved to see them safely to the Drin.</p> - -<p>When they looked back upon the track they had traversed, they could -scarcely realise that it had been possible to cross the rugged -mountains behind them. Looking forward, it seemed equally impossible -that they could climb the heights in front with so cumbrous a vehicle -as the gyro-car. Peak after peak thrust its pinnacles into the sky. The -path was visible for only a few yards ahead, and as each rugged corner -was rounded, another came into view. But the terrors of the night had -vanished. Daylight, while it revealed the difficulties and dangers of -the journey, enabled the travellers to avoid them; and the Albanians -hauled and pushed and dragged joyously, grunting with satisfaction -as each new obstacle was surmounted. The only check upon their high -spirits was the necessity of moving quietly, in order not to attract -attention from any who might be wandering on the heights. For the same -reason George did not start his engine. In the clear mountain air its -throbbing might be heard for many miles. But it was possible now to let -the car run down many a downward slope by its own weight, so that the -progress was nearly twice as rapid as it had been in the darkness.</p> - -<p>After they had been marching for about an hour, and began to find the -descents longer than the ascents, they came to the blackened<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span> ruins of -a small mountain village. In answer to Maurice’s inquiries, Giulika -explained that the houses had been burnt by the Turks in the last -rising. The Ottoman troops, coming to a village and finding any of -the men absent from their homes, would assume that they were with the -insurgents, and burn their houses. There was no more effective means of -crushing an insurrection, for the Albanian’s house is his all.</p> - -<p>“What we want is a good government,” said the old man. “You Inglesi -have a good king, they say; why does not he come and govern us?”</p> - -<p>This was a question which Maurice found it difficult to answer in any -way that could satisfy the simple mountaineer, to whom international -politics was an unknown world. He was listening sympathetically -to Giulika’s recital of the misdeeds of the Turks, when the party -encountered a more serious obstacle than any they had yet met. A -mountain stream, running towards the Drin, had spread out into a wide -swamp, dotted with boulders. So soft and oozy was the soil, that the -leaders of the march sank deep into it. There was not water enough -to float the car, and its weight would clearly prevent its being run -across. Nor was there any possibility of carrying it as the sailors had -carried it from the quay to the launch at Dover: the men could not get -a firm footing.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p> - -<p>They halted, looking blankly at one another. Zutni said that the morass -could be circumvented, but only by striking back into the mountains, -and following a track that would take them several hours’ march out of -the direct course. Such loss of time was dangerous, and might prove -fatal. Remembering how the man from Elbasan had refused to shoot him at -the bidding of Slavianski, Maurice asked Giulika whether the Austrian -might not have permanently lost the help of his allies. But the old man -answered that this was unlikely. The Elbasan had obeyed the dictate of -honour in refusing to kill a helpless prisoner; but the same sense of -honour would bid him fulfil his obligation to his employer when the -prisoners were free. They would certainly pursue on horseback, and the -delay involved in fetching a circuit about the swamp would enable them -to gain upon the fugitives.</p> - -<p>While they were discussing the perplexing situation in which they found -themselves, George’s eyes lighted on the ruined buildings perched on -the heights about half a mile in their rear.</p> - -<p>“If there are any planks left whole in those buildings,” he said to -Maurice, “there is a chance for us. We could lay them on the mud and -form a track. It would be slow work getting across even then, but -quicker than going miles round.”</p> - -<p>Maurice explained the suggestion to Giulika.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span> He at once sent half a -dozen men back to the village to see if the fire had spared enough -timber to serve the purpose. The Englishmen gazed with admiration as -the lithe young men hastened up the slope, as nimbly as goats. In an -extraordinarily short time they were seen returning, each carrying one -or more long, rough, blackened planks, ripped from a half-demolished -barn. They brought news as well. They had caught a glimpse of horsemen -approaching through a defile in the hills behind.</p> - -<p>“How far away?” asked Maurice anxiously.</p> - -<p>Their answers left him very much in the dark. Time and distance are -alike vague to the people of Albania. One said an hour’s march, another -declared that it was less; all were agreed that if the swamp were dry -ground, the pursuers would overtake them before they had reached the -other side, and from this Maurice inferred that the distance between -the two parties was even less than the mountaineers supposed.</p> - -<p>Without the loss of a moment he instructed them how to lay the planks. -The first having been thrown down upon the mud, a man carried a second -along it and placed them end to end, and so on, until there was a -kind of pier, sixty or seventy feet long, extending into the swamp. -George then mounted into the car to steer it, and it was pushed from -behind until it reached the furthermost plank. At<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span> times the planks -sank until they disappeared below the surface; but then, although the -wheels were running in several inches of ooze, the boards beneath them -afforded a sufficiently firm foundation. Each plank was held by a man -at the nearer end as the car ran over it, so that it should not swerve, -George well knowing that the slightest deviation to right or left must -precipitate the vehicle into the morass.</p> - -<p>Behind the car marched the whole of the party in single file. The last -man, on gaining the second plank, lifted the first and handed it to -his comrade in front. Thus each board was raised in turn. When the car -arrived at the end of the pier, and came to an enforced standstill, -a man passed through it and laid a plank beyond, and the pier was -reconstructed as before. Then the advance was carried for another sixty -feet, and the operation was once more gone through.</p> - -<p>“Upon my word, I’d rather face the precipices,” said George to Maurice, -as the car reached the end of the third section. “They were not half so -trying to the nerves as this slow crawl.”</p> - -<p>“Have patience, my dear fellow,” replied his brother. “It was an -uncommonly happy thought of yours. We’ve the consolation of knowing -that, as we take up our path behind us, Slavianski can’t follow, and -will have to go the roundabout way that we have escaped.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span></p> - -<p>“Do you see any sign of the fellow?”</p> - -<p>“Not yet. The mountain track winds and undulates so much that we shan’t -catch sight of him till he comes to the ruins.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I hope that won’t be yet, for if the Albanians are anything of -marksmen, they can pick us off long before we get to the other side. -And we can’t go any faster; these fellows are working splendidly. I -suppose if we get through to Sofia safely your chief will reward ’em -pretty handsomely.”</p> - -<p>“It isn’t in the regulations, as the Customs officer told us,” said -Maurice with a smile. “Still, I daresay we shall be able to do -something for them—if we get through; we’re not out of the wood yet.”</p> - -<p>By slow stages the party had advanced about a quarter of a mile into -the swamp, and only forty or fifty yards yet remained, when there was -the report of a rifle. Glancing round, Maurice saw a group of horsemen -halted in the ruined village; several had dismounted. Then came three -<em>cracks</em> in rapid succession.</p> - -<p>“They’re no good!” cried George gleefully, when neither man nor car was -hit.</p> - -<p>“The range is too long for accurate shooting,” said Maurice, “but they -can alter that. See, they are coming down, and much faster than we did.”</p> - -<p>The horsemen were putting their steeds to a pace that seemed to the -onlookers dangerous. Before they were half-way down the hillside,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span> -indeed, one of the horses stumbled, throwing its rider.</p> - -<p>“He is an Austrian,” said Giulika laughing. “No Albanian, Christian or -Moslem, would leave his saddle so quickly as that.”</p> - -<p>On coming within a quarter-mile of the swamp the horses began to -gallop; but the fugitives had advanced another sixty feet before they -reached the edge. There the horsemen reined up, flung themselves from -their saddles, and fired a scattered volley. Maurice looked grave as -the shots whistled round, but the danger of the party was not so great -as might be supposed, even had the Albanians been better marksmen, -because the fugitives were not grouped, but marched in a line. The car -itself formed the best target. One or two bullets struck its framework, -and George felt a little nervous lest one should find its billet in -the petrol-tank. But no harm was done until a shot struck Giorgio in -the arm, just below the spot where his former wound was bandaged. He -growled with rage; but his grandfather laughed at his ill-luck, and -Maurice could not help smiling when Leka, the young man’s blood-foe, -said cheerfully:</p> - -<p>“Never mind. We’ll have <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> until your wounds are healed.”</p> - -<p>“Hadn’t you better be friends for life?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“And lose my honour, excellence?” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> Leka. “No; I would sooner drown -myself in this swamp.”</p> - -<p>The Albanians laid the track over the last stretch with wonderful -speed, and in a few minutes the car and the whole party touched -<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">terra firma</i>. The pursuers were still firing, but without -effect. Some of Giulika’s party paused to return the shots, but their -marksmanship was no better than their opponents’, and Giulika presently -ordered them to desist.</p> - -<p>By this time Slavianski had recognised the hopelessness of further -shooting. Mounting his horse again, he rode for a few yards into -the swamp, as if to test the possibility of direct pursuit, but he -halted when the animal’s legs had disappeared almost to the knees, -and returned to the shore. In a few moments his party were in their -saddles, and started at a gallop to make the circuit of the swamp.</p> - -<p>“Really, his perseverance deserves to be rewarded,” remarked Maurice, -as he mounted to his place beside George in the car.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XIII"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIII</span><br /><br />A LANDSLIP IN THE HILLS</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>On the eastern side of the swamp the ground rose so gradually that it -was possible, for the first time since the escape from the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>, -to start the engine. The car’s easy motion surprised and delighted the -Albanians, who ran along beside it with cries of admiration. Giulika -himself, old as he was, kept as good a pace as the younger men, and -when Maurice invited him to enter the car he declined.</p> - -<p>“Never in my life have I been carried by anything but a horse,” he -said, “and I am too old to try new things. Nothing but a horse shall -carry me until I am borne to my grave.”</p> - -<p>After a time the path again became steep and rough, and the pace had to -be moderated.</p> - -<p>“How far are we from the river?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“About an hour’s march,” replied Zutni, who was more familiar with this -part of the country than Giulika. “The track is very bad.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> - -<p>“Shall we not come to a valley?”</p> - -<p>“No, excellence. The river runs between high rocky cliffs. There are -but few places where we can get to the water.”</p> - -<p>“And will the horsemen come to the track we are following?”</p> - -<p>“They must. But it is a long way round, and, if we do well, we may -reach the river before they discover us. But it is a very bad track.”</p> - -<p>It proved, indeed, to be even more difficult than any they had formerly -traversed. Again their progress was checked at every few yards, either -by an abrupt bend that demanded the most careful manœuvring, or by a -narrowing of the path between a perpendicular wall on one side and a -yawning chasm on the other. To keep the engine going was only a useless -expenditure of petrol, except when mounting an incline. At one spot -the ascent was so steep that the car had to be lifted by the whole -party and hoisted over a sharp ridge. Progress was terribly slow. The -sun was now high in the heavens, and its rays were reflected with -scorching heat from the rocks. The Englishmen began to feel sick and -dizzy. Their boots, soaked through during their passage of the morass, -were torn into shreds by hard marching over the rugged ground, and both -felt that if they did not soon gain the river, they would be incapable -of continuing their journey without a prolonged rest; then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span> all hope -of escaping Slavianski must be abandoned, and when once again in his -clutches they would hardly win release.</p> - -<p>They struggled on. Then, rounding a bend in the narrow track, they saw -themselves faced with an insurmountable obstacle. To the right was a -craggy precipice, to the left a steep and rugged hill-slope. A mass of -earth, loosened, apparently, by rains, had slid down the slope across -the path, blocking it to the height of several feet. Even the Albanians -were aghast.</p> - -<p>“It is God’s will,” said Giulika, with the fatalism of his race. “God -sent rain that washed the earth down. The way is blocked for ever. No -man will reach the Drin by this path again.”</p> - -<p>“Is this the path by which the Austrians must come?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Certainly it is; there is no other,” was the reply. “We must go back -and meet them, or, if you please, stay here and shoot; we can kill a -good many of them before we ourselves are killed.”</p> - -<p>Maurice consulted with his brother.</p> - -<p>“The question is, are you willing to be collared again?” said George, -when he understood the position. “I am not, I tell you frankly. There -will have to be a fight, and it’s not our fault; they fired at us. If -any of these fellows have pluck enough to keep Slavianski off while the -rest of us work, I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span> don’t see why we shouldn’t cut a way through this -obstruction—it’s loose earth.”</p> - -<p>Maurice put the suggestion to Giulika and Zutni, and with them examined -the position. It was clear that, posted behind the rocks at the bend -in the path, a few bold spirits could hold a regiment at bay. Screened -from sight themselves, they would have the enemy in full view, and as -these approached the bend they would be completely at the mercy of the -hidden marksmen. The Albanians, accustomed to mountain warfare, grasped -the possibilities of the situation; their only doubt was whether the -obstructing bank of earth could be cut through in time, but they were -ready to make the attempt.</p> - -<p>Accordingly a division of the party was made. Zutni and a few of the -best marksmen posted themselves behind convenient rocks; the rest, with -assistance from the Englishmen, set to work with knives and rifles -to cleave a way through the obstacle. It was arduous work, lacking -proper implements, and with the sun beating upon them in all its midday -strength. As George pointed out, the gyro-car needed only a narrow -passage, and if the enemy could be held off for an hour or two the task -might be accomplished.</p> - -<p>Some ten minutes after they had begun work, there was a crack from -Zutni’s rifle. Slavianski and his party, approaching on horseback -in single file, at once came to a halt. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> Albanians among them -recognised that they had the worst of the position, and though as -yet only one shot had been fired, they guessed that there were -other marksmen lurking behind the rocks. They dismounted and held a -consultation, their perfectly-trained horses standing stock-still.</p> - -<p>Presently the man next to Zutni caught sight of the muzzle of a rifle -edging round the bend, and then the arm of the Albanian holding the -weapon. Keeping his eye fixed on the slowly-moving objects, the -watcher bided his time. Then there was a crack and a flash: the rifle -dropped from the hand of the advancing enemy on to the path. The arm -disappeared. But in a few moments the fallen rifle was drawn slowly -backward by an unseen hand.</p> - -<p>Save for the noise of the shots, and the sounds made by the men in -clearing the path, the silence of that mountain solitude had hitherto -been scarcely broken. Now an eagle, which had been startled by the -crack of the rifles, flew over the place with a hoarse scream, and -there broke in upon it the voice of Count Slavianski urging the -Albanians, in their own tongue, to make a dash upon the fugitives. -Maurice smiled when he heard the answer, roared in so loud a tone that -it was plain the Count was some distance behind his vanguard.</p> - -<p>“You are our leader, excellence,” cried the men. “We follow you.”</p> - -<p>It was not surprising that the mountaineers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span> were reluctant to advance. -They knew from what had happened already that the first man to show -himself round the corner would be shot before he could see his enemy -to make a target of him. And there was a delicious irony in the man’s -retort that pleased Maurice. The Count, however courageous he might -be—and the Englishmen had had no reason to doubt his courage—was -debarred from undertaking the office of leader by the narrowness of the -path. It was blocked by the men and horses of his party, and no change -could be made in the order of their advance, unless they were willing -to retrace their steps for some distance, to a spot where a cleft in -the rocky hill-side would permit them to turn without falling over the -precipice. But this plan had apparently not yet occurred to them, for -Slavianski continued his exhortations, which led to an altercation that -became increasingly acrimonious.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the men of Giulika’s party had been working like navvies, -or rather, with much more alacrity than George had ever seen English -navvies display. The discussion beyond the bend was still proceeding -when a narrow passage for the gyro-car was completed.</p> - -<p>“It is done, praise God!” cried Giulika, who, in spite of his years, -had toiled as hard as any of the younger men. “Now I will tell my -English friends what they must do. We cannot all go at once, because -when those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> Moslem pigs beyond discover our absence they will follow at -once, and we shall have gained nothing. It will be best for you to go -on with your machine, while we remain to hold the path. Giorgio, poor -unlucky one, is no good as a fighter until his wounds be healed: he -will guide you.”</p> - -<p>“Is it much further to the Drin?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Not a great way, and presently the road will be easier. This track -runs into a broader path when you come within sight of the Drin, and -you will be able to make your machine buzz.”</p> - -<p>“And you can hold the path behind us?”</p> - -<p>“Surely we can. You have seen how slow those infidels are to face our -bullets. Without doubt we can keep them back until our cartridges are -all spent.”</p> - -<p>Clearly the plan suggested by the old man was the best in the -circumstances. George vaulted into the car to manipulate the brakes, -the path now becoming a gradual descent, and Maurice and Giorgio walked -ahead.</p> - -<p>For some two miles they threaded their way between bluffs and -precipices. There was no sound of firing behind them, which Maurice -regarded as a favourable sign. But to his surprise Giorgio became more -and more uneasy. Every now and again he stopped to listen, and to scan -the path behind and the country around, where a view was possible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p> - -<p>“What are you troubled about?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Why are there no shots, excellence?” Giorgio asked, in return.</p> - -<p>“I suppose our pursuers are still considering whether to try to force -the pass or not.”</p> - -<p>“Ah no! Look!” cried Giorgio, pointing to the left.</p> - -<p>Following the direction of his outstretched finger, George and Maurice -saw, far above them on the skyline, perhaps a mile distant, a series of -specks moving in the same direction as themselves.</p> - -<p>“That is why there are no shots, excellence,” said Giorgio. “They must -have gone back to a narrow gorge that runs up into the mountains, a -very bad path, but shorter than this one. It leads to the road my -grandfather spoke of. If they get there first they can block our way -to the Drin. But the road there is pretty good, and if you make the -machine buzz loud, you can dash into them and throw them over the -cliff, horses and all.”</p> - -<p>“We had better get there first, if we can,” said Maurice, repeating to -George what he had just heard.</p> - -<p>“We must make a dash for it, and take our chance,” said George. “I’m -not going to be collared again. Get into the car, old boy, and Giorgio -too. The path isn’t so bad as it was, and if we don’t get a puncture we -shall do very well.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> - -<p>Maurice mounted to his seat beside his brother. There was no proper -accommodation for a third person in the car, but Giorgio crouched in -the narrow space between the seats and the gyroscopes. George started -the engine, and the car began to gather away. The Albanian, stolid and -iron-nerved as he was, gasped with dismay as the vehicle ran down the -incline, bumping a little when, in spite of George’s careful steering, -it crossed a hollow or a knob of rock. The path began to switchback. -Then it was a series of rushes at the up grades and scrambles down the -slopes on the other side, with the brakes hard on. George knew well -that a few yards of specially bumpy ground might break a spring or -puncture a tyre; but the risk seemed to him negligible by comparison -with the greater risk of being intercepted. More than once he felt the -indescribable movement of the rear wheels that betokened skidding, and -he could not repress a shudder as he recognised how the swerving of an -inch or two to the right must plunge them over the chasm. But he set -his teeth and kept a firm grip on his levers, and after nearly half an -hour of this perilous driving he saw with joy that the path left the -rocky face of the cliff, and ran into a wider and more level track.</p> - -<p>They looked ahead. No one was in sight. They looked behind, along -the narrow track by which the pursuers must come. There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span> was no sign -of them. But they heard shouts from the heights above them, long, -vociferous, howling calls that must have made great demands on the -lungs of the shouters. To Giorgio’s dismay these shouts were answered -on their right. It seemed as if they would have to reckon with enemies -on both sides of them. But at present on neither side was an enemy -visible.</p> - -<p>The path being now less rugged and tortuous, with no yawning precipice -at its edge, George increased the speed of the gyro-car. Giorgio said -that they would soon come in sight of the Drin. All at once George was -conscious of a lack of power in the engine. He opened the throttle, to -no effect.</p> - -<p>“We are done for,” he said in despair. “Something is wrong.”</p> - -<p>He brought the car to a standstill and leapt out. The explanation was -immediately obvious. A trail of petrol lay behind the car, stretching -out of sight.</p> - -<p>“The outlet plug of the tank has fallen out,” he cried, “and I haven’t -another.”</p> - -<p>He ran back, searching the path for the missing plug. Maurice sprang -after him, snatching up Giorgio’s rifle, in case the enemy came in -sight. George hurried to the spot where the trail of petrol began, but -there was no plug.</p> - -<p>“What an ass I am!” he cried. “We were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> going at a good speed, and of -course the plug might be carried some yards. Hunt back along with me, -Maurice.”</p> - -<p>So many stones lay on the path that they almost despaired of finding -the plug. But Maurice’s foot by-and-by struck against something which -the instinct acquired in searching for lost golf balls told him was not -a stone. He stooped, and picked up the missing plug.</p> - -<p>“Good man,” said George. “It’s lucky we’ve plenty of petrol left, for -the tank is as empty as a drum, you may be sure.”</p> - -<p>They ran back to the car, replaced the plug, and filled the tank from -one of the tins. Then they started again; the accident had cost them -more than five minutes. The shouts from the hill-tops sounded nearer. -Giorgio now and again flung out his hand on one side or the other, to -signify the exact direction from which the shout came. Like a batsman -who has just been “let off” in the long field, George seemed to become -reckless. He drove the car at a speed that made Giorgio cling in terror -to the back of the seat, and even provoked a remonstrance from Maurice.</p> - -<p>“All right, old man,” said George jubilantly. “We’ve got another life, -and——By Jove! Is that the Drin?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes,” shouted Giorgio in wild excitement. “It is the Black Drin. -We have won the race.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XIV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XIV</span><br /><br />A RUSH THROUGH THE RAPIDS</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>Far below the travellers, at the foot of steep cliffs, clothed here and -there with forest, but in many places bare, flowed the Black Drin. It -seemed to Maurice to belie its name, for its waters were of a yellowish -brown. They drove on rapidly, sometimes losing sight of the river, but -catching glimpses of villages and cultivated fields in the distance.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes they entered a narrow gorge which, as Giorgio -explained, led straight down to the river. A fast run brought them to -the brink of the stream. To the Albanian’s amazement and alarm George -ran the car straight into the water. He was rather uneasy himself when -he found how the additional weight of a third person depressed the car. -The stream was shallow and sluggish, and he had to bring the car very -near to the middle of the current before he was satisfied that it would -float without risk to the wheels. If they should strike with any force -upon a rock in the bed of the river they might buckle, or the tyres -might be punctured, and then it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span> would be good-bye to any chance of -finishing their journey.</p> - -<p>Owing to the make of the car, it was impossible to employ the rods that -supported it when the gyroscopes were not working to fend off obstacles -in the channel. All that George could do was to keep a sharp look-out -over the edge of the wind-screen, and steer what appeared to be the -safest course.</p> - -<p>“I suppose the channel deepens as we proceed, and we shan’t be in such -danger,” he said.</p> - -<p>Maurice asked a question of Giorgio.</p> - -<p>“Yes, excellence,” replied the man. “The river becomes deeper after the -rapids are passed, and deeper still when it joins the White Drin and -flows towards the sea.”</p> - -<p>“Rapids, are there!” cried George, when the man’s reply was translated. -“I hope they’re not bad ones.”</p> - -<p>“The water is very swift there,” Giorgio replied to a question from -Maurice. “And many rocks stand out of it. Assuredly you will not think -of running through the rapids, excellence?”</p> - -<p>George declared that he certainly would run the rapids, unless they -were very bad. What else could be done? The bank of the river on either -side appeared too high and rugged even for a climber to scale.</p> - -<p>Georgio explained that before they came to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span> the rapids they must -pass the bridge that spanned the river near the hill-side village -of Trebischte to their left. He threw out his hand to indicate the -locality of the village.</p> - -<p>“A bridge?” said Maurice. “Then there is a road, and we may still be -intercepted.”</p> - -<p>“That is true, excellence. The river makes many windings, and there are -goat-tracks over the hills leading to Trebischte.”</p> - -<p>“And if we run on to the land and cross the river by the bridge at -Trebischte, what then?”</p> - -<p>“Then, excellence, you will have a difficult path until you come to the -road to Prizren.”</p> - -<p>“The only thing to be done,” said George, “is to make all speed for the -bridge, and get there first. I think old Giulika might have managed -this a little better. Why didn’t he make straight for the bridge -instead of leading us over that wretched mountain path?”</p> - -<p>“He was discretion itself,” replied Maurice. “You remember we have not -passed through a single village. The old man chose an unfrequented -route to ensure that we should not be molested or checked.”</p> - -<p>“I daresay you are right. I’ll set the propeller going, though I wanted -to trust to the current alone, so as to save petrol. But if there’s a -chance of those ruffians reaching the bridge before us, the faster we -go the better.”</p> - -<p>Almost immediately after the propeller was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span> started there was a faint -shout from some elevated spot on the left.</p> - -<p>“They hear the buzz,” said Giorgio. “Trebischte is over there.”</p> - -<p>A few minutes afterwards there were more shouts, much louder, and now -on both sides of the river. It appeared that one party was answering -another. As yet no one was to be seen. But in a few moments, as the -gyro-boat rounded a bend, its occupants saw a lofty one-arched bridge -spanning the stream. On either side a steep path led up into the hills. -Giorgio looked anxiously around.</p> - -<p>“See,” he said, pointing to the left-hand path.</p> - -<p>The Englishman espied a number of men hurrying down towards the river. -Just above them stood some horses.</p> - -<p>“The path is too steep for horses,” said Maurice. “Do you see -Slavianski and Rostopchin among the men?”</p> - -<p>“I see them,” said George grimly. “We’ve got to shoot the bridge -before they get to it, or they can pick us off as we pass. Slavianski -won’t care a rap what he does now. Despatch or no despatch, he means -to have his revenge on you for the dance you have led him. We’ll beat -him. With the current in our favour we are going ten or twelve knots -now. But—great Scott! there’s another lot on the other side, and much -nearer, too.”</p> - -<p>“No doubt the fellows we heard shouting,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span> said Maurice, with an -anxious glance at a line of men running at breakneck speed down the -path on the right. “Some of them must reach the bridge before we do. -But they have no rifles; that’s one point in our favour.”</p> - -<p>That the men were unarmed was due to the fact that they had been -working in the field above the river, and had left their labour in -response to the cries from the further bank. But they were followed -at a long interval by some of their comrades, who had delayed to -fetch their rifles from the hedge under which they had laid them. The -Albanian and his weapon are rarely parted.</p> - -<p>Three or four men gained the bridge when the gyro-boat was still some -fifty yards from it. Shouts from the hills beyond had already apprised -them that the travellers were to be intercepted. For a second or two -they were lost in amazement on beholding the extraordinary craft -bearing down towards them. Then, stationing themselves in the middle of -the bridge, they prepared to hurl down on the gyro-boat, as it passed -beneath, some heavy stones from the more or less dilapidated parapet.</p> - -<p>Maurice had already divined their probable action. It was a fearsome -prospect, and one that called for promptitude. He caught up Giorgio’s -rifle—</p> - -<p>“Put the helm hard over, George, when I give the word,” he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span></p> - -<p>At the same time he rested the rifle on the gunwale and took aim at the -man nearest to the right bank.</p> - -<p>“Now!” he said, as he fired.</p> - -<p>The wheel spun round, and the gyro-boat swerved abruptly towards the -right bank. It was impossible to tell whether the shot had taken -effect. The Albanian, when he saw the rifle pointed at him, dropped -down behind the parapet, loosing his grip on the stone he was preparing -to cast. His fear not only robbed him of his chance, but prevented his -companions from hurling their stones, for those who were already on the -bridge imitated his ducking movement with great celerity, and those who -were still running had to pass him before they, too, could seize upon -the missiles.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of confusion. Then the men began to hurry towards -the bank, evidently supposing that the occupants of the gyro-boat -intended to land there. But another turn of the wheel caused the boat -to swing back into its former course. It shot under the arch, and -before the Albanians could turn about and rush to the further parapet, -the boat was beyond the reach of their missiles, speeding merrily on in -the middle of the stream.</p> - -<p>Shouts now sounded on all sides; rifles cracked, and bullets began to -patter in the water, none striking the boat or any of its occupants.</p> - -<p>“Dished ’em, old man!” cried George, gleefully,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> stopping the engine. -“That was a very neat idea of yours. We must be going ten knots with -the current, and as they can’t possibly pursue us along the banks, I -think we’re safe.”</p> - -<p>“What do you say, Giorgio?” asked Maurice of the man, who had crouched -low in the boat while it ran under the bridge, but now raised himself -and looked around. For a few moments he made no reply; then, pointing -first to the right bank and then to the river ahead, he said—</p> - -<p>“There is danger, excellence. You see!”</p> - -<p>“I see them running from the bridge back up the hill, but what of -that?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“They will run to the rapids and cut us off there,” replied Giorgio. -“There is a short path to them across the hills.”</p> - -<p>“But they can’t run so fast as we are going.”</p> - -<p>“True, excellence; but the river bends and twists so much that they -will be there long before we shall, and we shall be in very great -danger. No fisher of this country has ever dared to go down the rapids.”</p> - -<p>“We shall see when we come to them. Where is the other party—those who -were pursuing us?”</p> - -<p>Giorgio looked back along the left bank, but Slavianski and his men -were not in sight. There was no path along the bank, which was a line -of precipitous cliffs, and Giorgio surmised that the pursuers had -retraced their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span> steps towards their horses, and would make their way -over the hills towards the rapids.</p> - -<p>A moment later he cried out that he saw another party ahead of them, -and pointed to a spot on the left, where, high on a ridge, and too far -away to be distinguishable, several men were hurrying down towards the -river. Apparently they were few in number, and in a few moments they -were lost to sight behind a shoulder of the hill.</p> - -<p>“It looks as if the whole countryside has been roused,” said Maurice. -“There’s no doubt we are in a fix, old boy.”</p> - -<p>George looked much perturbed. The situation was a desperate one. On -each side lofty and precipitous rocks: ahead, unnavigable rapids; two -parties on the hills, making for this critical place by short cuts; and -in front a third party already approaching it. These numerous enemies -would choose spots on the cliffs above the river from which they could -pour a hail of bullets on the gyro-boat as it came level with them.</p> - -<p>“We must run the gauntlet. We’ve no choice,” said George. “Perhaps -when we get there we shall find some way of escape. I’d give anything -at this moment for a bullet-proof awning. But it’s no good wishing for -what we haven’t got. You ought to have shot that ruffian Slavianski -when you had the chance.”</p> - -<p>“I rather grudge him my revolver,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span> Maurice. “If we do manage to -get away, the fellow will never dare to show his face in England, at -any rate.”</p> - -<p>“Nor if we don’t, either; but that won’t be much comfort to us.... The -current is rather swifter here; we can’t be far from the rapids, I -should think.”</p> - -<p>The river wound from side to side erratically, and the cliffs seemed -to be higher. None of the enemy were now in sight. Ahead, and on both -sides, mountains many thousands of feet high appeared to hem the stream -in completely. The surroundings reminded George of the scenery in the -fjords of Norway, or the lochs in Scotland: its rugged majesty was -softened by the sun’s engilding rays.</p> - -<p>Never very wide, the river at length narrowed to little more than a -gorge, with almost perpendicular walls, several hundred feet high, -descending into the water. It was hard to imagine that the stream could -find a way through what appeared to be a solid barrier of rock; but as -the gyro-boat sped on upon the quickening current, there was always a -bend where the river swept round a bluff.</p> - -<p>The boat was now rushing on at a greatly accelerated pace, and the -proximity of the rapids warned George to stop the propeller. There -might be just the possibility of running into some creek or upon some -level bank if the rapids proved too dangerous. Almost suddenly they -came to a reach where the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> swirling and foaming of the water told of -rocks in the bed of the stream, and there was a perceptible increase -of speed. Tense with nervous excitement, George bent forward over the -wind-screen, his eyes fixed on the channel, his fingers clutching the -steering wheel.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Giorgio, stout-hearted enough on land, cowered like a very -craven in the bottom of the boat, ejaculating Aves and Paternosters -as fast as the words would pour from his lips. From moment to moment -Maurice and his brother glanced around in search of any possible -landing-place or refuge; but on either hand there was nothing but bare -rock rising sheer from the stream.</p> - -<p>The boat made its own course down the tortuous channel. As the current -became ever swifter, it was almost hopeless to attempt to steer: the -boat went in whatever direction the seething torrent bore it, swerving -to this side and that, dashing between the rocks, shaving their jagged -edges, as it seemed, by a hair’s-breadth.</p> - -<p>A sudden bend in the river gave the voyagers at once relief and a new -alarm. The water ran more smoothly, the worst perils were passed; but -the perpendicular walls had given place to banks still steep, but more -broken—rather a succession of crags and irregular columns of rock than -walls. And here, at several points on the right bank, perched on rocks -overhanging the river, stood armed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> Albanians in wait, while on the -hillside above them others were clambering and leaping down to find a -post of vantage.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the brothers had conversed cheerfully, neither letting the -other guess the full measure of his anxiety. But now the moment was -too critical for speech. Numerous as were the perils they had met -and overcome since they started on their adventurous journey, both -recognised that the severest ordeal of all was imminent. They sat -firmly in their seats, with tight-closed lips, and eyes fixed straight -ahead. Maurice offered no suggestion. He knew that George would act as -the emergency demanded. To both it was obvious that the single chance -of escape, and that a desperate one, lay in rushing past the enemy at -the highest speed of which the boat was capable. The Albanians had -been hurrying over a toilsome path; even allowing for the short cuts, -they must have made extreme haste to arrive at this spot before the -boat, favoured as it had been by a current of ten miles an hour. The -Bucklands knew from experience how detrimental to steady aiming is such -violent exertion, and both nourished a faint hope that the Albanians’ -arms would prove too unsteady to take good aim at a rapidly-moving -target.</p> - -<p>It was no time for half-measures. George started the motor. The effect -did not become manifest for some few seconds; but then, under the -combined impulse of current and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span> propeller, the boat shot forward -at the rate of at least seventeen miles an hour—a desperate speed -considering the rocky nature of the channel.</p> - -<p class="center p0 p2"><span class="figcenter" id="img004"> - <img src="images/004.jpg" class="w50" alt="THE RAPIDS OF THE BLACK DRIN" /> -</span></p> -<p class="center p0 caption">THE RAPIDS OF THE BLACK DRIN<br /></p> - -<p>The ambuscaders had been timing their attack by the rate of the -boat when it first came into view. Taken aback by the sudden and -unlooked-for increase of speed, they were flustered. Some raised their -rifles hastily to their shoulders; others, who were unarmed, stooped to -lift the rocks and small boulders which it was their purpose to hurl -at the boat when it came within striking distance. The man nearest to -it was a trifle too late in his movement. His rock was a large one; -before he could heave it above his head to make a good cast, the boat -shot by, and he had to jerk it from him at haphazard. It splashed into -the river, being only a yard behind the boat, in spite of the man’s -unpreparedness. The occupants were drenched with the shower of spray.</p> - -<p>Picture the scene. The gyro-boat dashing along in mid-stream at the -mercy of the impetuous current. In it two young men, conspicuous by the -red fez, their features pale and strained. Only George was needed to -manage the boat; Maurice might have crouched with Giorgio in the space -between the side and the gyroscopes; but he disdained to shrink from -a danger which his brother could not evade. Above, at heights varying -from sixty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span> to a hundred and fifty feet, big moustachioed Albanians, -rugged mountain warriors, standing on rocky ledges, firing down at the -boat, or hurling stones and rocks with the force of sinewy muscles and -high altitude. For a hundred yards the occupants of the boat carried -their lives in their hands, and over all the sun beat mercilessly down.</p> - -<p>Bullet after bullet flashed from the rifles. Rocks of all sizes plunged -into the river, behind, before, to right and left of the boat. Now -and then there was a metallic crack as a bullet struck the steel -framework. A boulder crashed upon the vessel, tearing a long gash on -the exterior of the hull, but above the water line. A smaller rock hit -the wind-screen, rebounded, struck George’s arm, and rebounding again, -found a final goal on the head of Giorgio, who crouched face downwards -on the bottom, pattering his prayers. George was in terror lest a large -boulder, more accurately or luckily aimed, should plunge into the -interior of the boat, for such a missile might break a hole through -the bottom, or hopelessly damage the engine if it struck fair. But the -only injury suffered by the vessel during that terrible half-minute was -the shattering of the glass case of the gyroscopes, which were not in -motion.</p> - -<p>Nor were the passengers destined to escape unscathed. When they had -half run the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span> gauntlet, a rifle shot struck Maurice above the knee. -The burning, stinging pain was intolerable; yet neither by sound nor -movement did he give sign that he was wounded. Everything depended on -George’s nerve, and Maurice felt that a cry of pain might draw his -brother’s attention from his task. George knew nothing of the wound. -Looking neither to right hand nor to left, he kept his gaze fixed on -the channel ahead.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a new factor entered into the situation. There were rifle -shots from the heights on the left bank. Maurice glanced up in dismay; -surely their case was now hopeless; they were running into the jaws of -destruction. For some seconds he was unable to catch a glimpse of these -new assailants. Then an abrupt turn in the channel carried them out of -sight from the enemy on the right bank, and at the same time brought -the men on the left into view. A gleam of hope dawned upon Maurice’s -troubled mind.</p> - -<p>“Giorgio,” he cried, “look up. Who are these?”</p> - -<p>The Albanian timorously raised his head. Then he sprang up in the boat -and, looking upward, shouted with delight. On the bare hillside above -the river stood a party of eight or ten Albanians. As the gyro-boat -swept into view they shouted and fired off their rifles, not, however, -aiming downwards, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span> shooting into the air, their usual mode of -expressing pleasurable excitement.</p> - -<p>“It is grandfather Giulika,” cried Giorgio, “and Marko, and Doda, and -Zutni; yes, and there is Leka, my blood-foe. All are there. Praise to -God, excellence! They have come over the hills to our help. While they -stand there those dogs behind cannot pursue us further. We are saved!”</p> - -<p>“But where are the Austrians?” asked Maurice. “They were on the left -above the bridge as we passed.”</p> - -<p>“We shall soon know, excellence,” said Giorgio. “Stop the boat, and I -will speak to my grandfather.”</p> - -<p>George shut off the engine, and the current being much less swift now -that the boat had come beyond the rapids, they drifted along slowly. -Then Giorgio lifted up his voice, and in clear trumpet tones, with a -force that caused his face to flush purple and the veins in his neck -to swell, he bellowed a question to the party above. The answer came -in a long, loud chant from Marko, and though the distance was several -hundred feet his words were clear and distinct.</p> - -<p>He explained that, some while after the travellers had left the scene -of the landslip, the enemy retreated along the path, and turned into -the narrow gulley leading up to the hills. Giulika, suspecting their -intentions, decided to follow them. After some time,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span> when the pursuers -came in sight of a village on the further bank, they called to the -people there to hasten down to the river and intercept the boat. Their -shouts were heard by Giulika and his party, who instantly left the -direct track towards the Drin and hurried to a point above the rapids -where they in their turn could command the ambuscaders.</p> - -<p>“Where is the Austrian hound?” asked Giorgio.</p> - -<p>“That we know not,” replied Marko. “We can see the Moslems behind, -across the river; they are no longer pursuing; but there is no Austrian -among them.”</p> - -<p>“Surely he has not found another short cut to head us off again?” said -Maurice to Giorgio.</p> - -<p>“No, excellence; he cannot do that, for he would have to cross the -river by the bridge at Lukowa, and then recross. There is no other way.”</p> - -<p>“That is good news indeed. And now what had we better do?”</p> - -<p>Giorgio shouted to the men above. This time the answer came from Zutni. -He said that about three hours’ march down the river was a bridge, and -the bank was low enough there to allow the boat to run ashore.</p> - -<p>“And what then?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Then there are mountains for many days’ march eastward. It is a very -difficult road,” replied Zutni.</p> - -<p>“We had better keep to the river,” said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span> Maurice to George. “It is -joined by the White Drin some distance to the north, and if I am -not mistaken, Prizren, the old Servian capital, is not far from the -confluence. From there we can make our way to the railway, and then -we can either go by train to Nish and change there for Sofia, or make -straight across country, whichever seems best. We shall find somebody -to advise us in Prizren.”</p> - -<p>“Whatever you like, old man,” said George. “At present I want nothing -but a rest. Look how my hand trembles.”</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow, you are dead beat, and no wonder. Let me take your -place. We can float on the stream, and I can steer.”</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong?” asked George, seeing his brother wince as they changed -places.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ve got a scratch on my leg—nothing to speak of.”</p> - -<p>“Let’s have a look.”</p> - -<p>On examination it proved that the bullet had passed through the flesh -just above Maurice’s right knee. Luckily it had not severed an artery. -They dipped their handkerchiefs in the stream and extemporised a -bandage.</p> - -<p>“That will do until we get to Prizren,” said Maurice. “Now take it -easy.”</p> - -<p>“What about Giorgio?”</p> - -<p>“He must leave us at the bridge they spoke about. I daresay his friends -will meet him there. We can’t take him with us out of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span> way of his -blood-foe; probably he wouldn’t come if we asked him, so far from his -home, and he would be of no use to us as a guide. But we owe a great -deal to old Giulika and his family, and must do something to repay -them.”</p> - -<p>It was arranged between Giorgio and his friends that all should meet at -the bridge, and the marching party soon disappeared among the hills. As -the boat floated down with the stream, the Bucklands and Giorgio ate -and drank ravenously of the food they had with them.</p> - -<p>“This is like heaven,” said George, as he leant back, “after the strain -of the last few hours. D’you mind if I go to sleep, old man?”</p> - -<p>“Not I. You must want sleep badly. I’ll see that we don’t run aground -and jog you when we come to the bridge.”</p> - -<p>It was more than two hours before they came to the bridge, and they had -waited another hour before Giulika and his party arrived. The meeting -was hilarious. The Albanians appeared to take it all as a great joke, -and the fact of having got the better of an Austrian and a Moslem -from Elbasan afforded them vast satisfaction and amusement. Giulika -regretted that, being so far from home, he could not give a feast to -celebrate their triumph, but assured the Englishmen that if they would -honour him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span> with a visit at some future time he would assemble all his -kinsfolk and hold high revel.</p> - -<p>“Will you give Giorgio a tip?” asked George, as the man stepped on to -the bank to join his friends.</p> - -<p>“He would be terribly insulted,” said Maurice. “Whatever we do for him -and his people must be done delicately. I’ll see to that when we get to -Sofia.”</p> - -<p>He thanked Giulika warmly for his hospitality and kindnesses, and -promised to accept his invitation some day. Then they parted with -mutual congratulations and compliments, the Albanians to face the long -march across the hills, the Englishmen to continue their voyage down -the river.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XV"><span class="smcap">Chapter XV</span><br /><br />THE END OF THE CRUISE</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - - -<p>It was now late in the afternoon. The Bucklands were both on the verge -of exhaustion after the fatigue and the excitements they had undergone, -and since it was impossible to reach Prizren before dark, they decided -to float down the stream for a short distance until they came to some -secluded spot where they might rest. In little more than an hour they -reached a cove in the left bank where they could lie up without the -risk of being seen, except from some passing boat, and since they had -as yet neither passed nor met a vessel of any kind, it seemed likely -enough that nothing would disturb them.</p> - -<p>So it proved. Taking turns to watch, they remained throughout the night -in the cove, and when day broke felt refreshed by their rest. They -breakfasted on the remnants of the food they had brought from Durazzo, -and set off about 7 o’clock.</p> - -<p>The voyage down the Black Drin was slow and uneventful. Careful -navigation was required to avoid the rocks and reefs with which the -bed of the river was studded. Here<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span> and there they caught sight of -villages perched far up on the hillsides. At one point they saw a -file of horsemen winding along a path two or three hundred feet above -the river, and for a moment feared that they might be Slavianski’s -party; but the boat had apparently not been noticed, and the horsemen -disappeared.</p> - -<p>About 3 o’clock they came to the junction of the Black Drin with the -White. Since the united stream flowed from this point westward, they -could no longer avail themselves of the current, nor could they proceed -up the White Drin without an expenditure of petrol which they did not -care to afford. It was time to resume their land journey. The banks of -the river were still so lofty that they found no landing-place until -they arrived at a many-arched bridge. Here they left the water and took -to the road, which was little more than a bridle-track. A few minutes’ -run brought them to another bridge, crossing a tributary stream. At the -near end of the bridge was a <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>, and as the gyro-car came to -it a man stepped into the path, holding a rifle.</p> - -<p>“Shall we run past him?” asked George.</p> - -<p>“I think we had better pull up,” replied Maurice. “We don’t want a -bullet in our backs. I daresay he will give us some food if we approach -him properly.”</p> - -<p>George halted the car, and Maurice gave<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span> the man a courteous -salutation, and, taking the bull by the horns, asked if he could -provide a meal. The man looked amazed at the question, then curious, -and finally said gruffly that the strangers might eat if they chose, -but he had nothing but bread to offer them. This Maurice accepted, and -while eating it asked how far it was to Prizren. Hearing that it was -only four hours’ march, he decided to push on at once; and, thanking -their reluctant entertainer, the travellers set off again. The road -improved as they entered the dusty plain of Prizren. They overtook many -people as they sped along—goat-herds, mule-drivers, horsemen, women -carrying huge bundles of wood, and here and there an ox-sledge. George -was amused to see them skip aside at the sound of the hooter, and many -were the cries of consternation and affright as the humming car ran by.</p> - -<p>At length the minarets of Prizren came into view, and in a few minutes -they passed the guard-house at the entrance to the town. The main -street was cleaner than any they had seen since leaving Italy. It -was thronged with people, who had come out of their houses, now that -the heat of the day was past, to shop in the bazaars and gossip with -their neighbours. Here was a tailor’s shop, blazing with colour; -there a saddler’s, where hung bright saddle-bags, and horse-trappings -with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span> scarlet tassels; in the open spaces were piled vast quantities -of luscious fruit, the sight of which made George’s mouth water. But -the car was attracting so much attention that Maurice thought it best -to find a <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">han</i> at once before they were mobbed. They stopped -at the first <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">han</i> they came to, and by that time there was a -considerable crowd about them, who looked on in hushed amazement as -they alighted.</p> - -<p>Entering the place, Maurice was received by a portly <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i>, -whose guests rose from their seats and courteously saluted the -newcomer. George remained outside to keep an eye on the gyro-car. When -Maurice explained that he wished the car to be taken to a safe place -for the night, the host sent two of his household to wheel it to the -stables. Maurice took occasion to explain that anyone who meddled -with it would suffer a severe shock, and to emphasise his warning got -George to let off a cloud of smoke into the faces of the bystanders, -who scuttled away holding their noses. Feeling assured that the car -would not be molested, the travellers entered the inn; the innkeeper -and his attendants removed their boots and pressed strange drinks upon -them, which they politely declined, asking for coffee. Soon they were -furnished with an excellent supper—a fowl boiled with rice, maize -bread and honey. This was a banquet, compared with the meagre and -uncertain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span> meals they had had since leaving Durazzo, and they enjoyed -it thoroughly.</p> - -<p>“We will stay here for the night, and go on to-morrow,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Is it safe to delay?” asked George.</p> - -<p>“Quite, I think. The people here are very suspicious of Austrians, and -Slavianski won’t venture to follow us any further. But we’ll start as -soon as it is light to-morrow. Is there enough petrol to take us to -Sofia?”</p> - -<p>“That depends on whether we can make a straight run of it. If we have -to double and wind as we have done up to the present, we certainly -shall not have enough. It is about a hundred and fifty miles from here -to Sofia, I think you said?”</p> - -<p>“About that. We shall have to cross the railway. There’s a branch line -to Mitrovitza, a few miles from here; a few miles further on there’s -the main line running north to Nish and Belgrade; and about forty -miles beyond that, across the hills, there’s Kustendil, from which -there’s a wretched train service to Sofia; so if we do break down -<em>en route</em>, we shall have opportunities of boarding a train. The -mischief is that there’s such a poor service that we may be hung up for -twenty-four hours or more.”</p> - -<p>“Let us hope it won’t come to that,” said George.</p> - -<p>Here one of the inn attendants offered him a cigarette which he had -just rolled, and another<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span> a glass of a liqueur called <em>rosolio</em>. -George accepted the former, but declined the latter, which led to -a polite inquiry on the part of the host whether his guests were -Mussulmans. Before Maurice could reply, there came a tremendous -banging at the door, which had been fastened to keep out the crowd. -The <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i> sprang up and rushed, uttering loud imprecations, to -deal with the inquisitive person who he supposed was intruding upon -his guests. But on throwing open the door he became suddenly dumb, -smiled with great deference, and bowed himself nearly double as a stout -Turkish officer in a green-braided uniform clanked into the guest-room, -followed by half-a-dozen soldiers similarly attired.</p> - -<p>The inmates instantly rose from their stools or the bundles of hay on -which they were sitting, and made humble obeisance. Maurice got up and -saluted, telling George in a low tone to do the same. Ignoring the -obsequious bowings of the company, the officer marched up to Maurice, -gravely saluted him, and then, with an air of great importance, -addressed him in Turkish.</p> - -<p>“The effendi will have the goodness to show his teskereh,” he said.</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled as he replied to the man, and produced the document from -his breast-pocket.</p> - -<p>“Who is the buffer?” whispered George.</p> - -<p>“An officer of zaptiehs—a kind of gendarmerie,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span> said Maurice. “No -doubt everybody in the town knows of the arrival of two strangers in a -devil machine. We were bound to be questioned.”</p> - -<p>The officer proceeded to examine the document with great solemnity, and -a frown showed itself on his features as he read. After a minute or two -he looked up and said sternly:</p> - -<p>“The teskereh is not in order, effendi. You must come with me -immediately to the konak.”</p> - -<p>“That I must decline to do,” replied Maurice with a smile, “at least -until I have finished my meal and washed. We have come a long way, and -are, as you see, dirty. We are Englishmen, and we should discredit our -nation and dishonour the Chief of the Police if we appeared before him -in our present condition. If, therefore, you will be good enough to -wait for a few minutes, we shall be happy to accompany you.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, effendi,” said the officer, “we will wait.” He spoke to his -men, who squatted on the floor in a half circle round the travellers, -lighted cigarettes, and stared solemnly at the prisoners.</p> - -<p>“What did he say?” asked George, somewhat uneasy.</p> - -<p>“He is going to take us to the police station.”</p> - -<p>“But he read your passport!”</p> - -<p>“I am not at all sure that he did. He held<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span> it upside down, from -which I infer that he knows no language but his own. A few words -with the Chief of the Police will no doubt set things right. But we -are disreputable-looking objects, and I’m afraid there are no toilet -arrangements here. Unluckily my valise is at Giulika’s <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>: we -haven’t so much as a comb between us. We must do the best we can.”</p> - -<p>Explaining to the host that they desired to wash, they were led to the -courtyard behind the inn, where two of the servants poured water over -their heads from a tin wine-measure, this performance being stolidly -watched by two of the zaptiehs. There was no soap to be had, and -the travellers had to be content with this imperfect ablution. They -returned to the inn; their battered boots were pulled on, and amid -respectful salutes from the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i> and his people, they passed -into the street under the escort of the officer and his men.</p> - -<p>A slight evening mist was gathering over the city. They marched up -the steep cobbled streets towards the konak, perched on a ridge up -the mountain side, a motley crowd following at their heels. After a -fatiguing climb they came to the courtyard of the konak, guarded by -sentries perched on wooden platforms, and, passing these, came to the -long untidy building. Mounting a few steps, they reached the great -hall, where the officer left them under charge of his men while he went -to report their presence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span></p> - -<p>The scene was more novel to George than to Maurice. The great hall was -thronged with people, dressed in every variety of costume and colour. -Here was a rough countryman from the hills, there a portly merchant; -soldiers marched up and down with clanking heels, or lounged against -the wall; messengers elbowed their way through the crowd with shrill -outcries. The noise was deafening as the people chatted, laughed, -disputed in a score of different dialects. George thought that they -were politer than an English crowd would have been, since they paid -little attention to the newcomers.</p> - -<p>Presently the officer returned, and led the travellers through a -curtained doorway into a large room railed off at one end, where a -number of officers and secretaries were seated on a divan raised a few -inches above the floor. In the centre, cross-legged in an arm-chair, -sat the Chief of Police. He rose as the prisoners were led forward, -saluted, and signed to them to seat themselves on the divan near him. -George was amused at the elaborate ceremony that followed. The whole -company rose and saluted, then sat down again, but immediately half -rose from their seats in turn, and repeated the salutation. George -copied his brother faithfully, thinking what a pleasant description he -would make of the ceremony when he got home again.</p> - -<p>These preliminaries being concluded, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span> Chief ordered the officer of -zaptiehs to make his report.</p> - -<p>“Excellence,” he said, “these men came into the city in a strange -machine, that makes a noise like a motor-car, but is such as I have -never seen before. They are Austrians, and spies; their presence -in this city is very injurious to our Government. The elder has a -passport, which I deliver to your excellence, who will no doubt give -orders that the spies be lodged in the prison.”</p> - -<p>“What have you to say, effendi?” asked the Chief, not looking at the -passport, from which Maurice inferred that he, too, was unable to read -it.</p> - -<p>“I compliment you, excellence,” said Maurice blandly, “on the zeal of -your officers. His information is not absolutely correct, but that is -a small matter; it is well that in these times every care should be -taken. In the first place we are not Austrians, but Englishmen.”</p> - -<p>Here there was a rustle of interest among the company.</p> - -<p>“How do you prove that?” asked the Chief suspiciously. “You speak -Turkish; how should Englishmen do that?”</p> - -<p>“I have lived for some time in Constantinople, excellence,” replied -Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Why are you here?”</p> - -<p>Maurice thought it inadvisable to explain either his position in the -diplomatic service or the object of his journey. There was in Prizren,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span> -as he knew, an Austrian vice-consul, from whose ears he wished to keep -these particulars.</p> - -<p>“Your excellence knows the singularity of our insular habits,” he said -gravely. “We think that travel has a beneficial effect on the mind. -Tastes differ, of course, but having a wish to cross the mountains, I -came with my brother, a student of mechanics, to test the merits of -a car that he has invented. You are doubtless aware that the English -are friends of your country, and I assure you that we have none but -innocent designs in coming here.”</p> - -<p>The Chief of Police stroked his chin.</p> - -<p>“You say you are English,” he said at length. “What is the chief town -of England?”</p> - -<p>“To the best of my belief it is London,” replied Maurice, whereupon the -official nodded gravely.</p> - -<p>After a few more questions, he announced that the Englishmen were free -to return to the inn, but since the hour of business was already past, -they must present themselves before the Pasha next day; he would give -a final decision. Thereupon a lengthy ceremony of leave-taking ensued, -and the travellers were permitted to depart without a guard.</p> - -<p>George laughed heartily as Maurice, on the way back, repeated the -substance of the conversation; but Maurice was annoyed at the further -delay which a visit to the Pasha would involve. Turkish etiquette -demanded that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span> should remain until the Pasha had paid a return -visit, and then he would be lucky if he got off without visiting other -important men in the town.</p> - -<p>“We should have done better to go to Constantinople from Brindisi,” he -said.</p> - -<p>“My dear chap,” replied George, “I wouldn’t have missed this for -anything. To be arrested as Austrian spies, after being chased by -Austrians for a thousand miles, is decidedly comic. Of course, if you -really want to escape the Pasha we might scoot off in the night, but I -confess I’d like to see him, and I’d rather have a good night’s rest -and ride in daylight.”</p> - -<p>“Well, let us hope the Pasha won’t keep us long.”</p> - -<p>On regaining the inn, they found that the only sleeping apartment was a -tiny box of a room, approached by a rickety ladder. Here they settled -themselves on rugs provided by the genial host, and tumbled off to -sleep, unaware that sentries had posted themselves at the door.</p> - -<p>Next morning they were awakened by the sound of the ladder being -replaced, and rose to see the host and three of his family climbing up, -laden with towels and battered wine-pots full of water.</p> - -<p>“Good morning, excellencies,” said the smiling <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i>. “Knowing -your fondness for water, we have brought plenty for the washing. If you -will be pleased to step on to the balcony<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span> yonder, and lean over, we -will pour the water over your heads.”</p> - -<p>The travellers good-humouredly accepted the host’s kind attentions. -A crazy balcony ran along at the back of the inn. They stepped on -to this, removed part of their clothing, and leant over, while the -wine-pots were emptied successively over their heads and bare backs. -In the courtyard below, two sentries and a dozen idlers watched the -performance with grave interest. When it was over, and the assistants -had rubbed them dry, they descended to the common room, to eat a -breakfast of the same fare as their supper.</p> - -<p>Maurice knew that it was impossible to see the Pasha until midday was -passed, so George and he spent the morning in wandering about the -streets, always closely attended by the sentries. After an early dinner -they set off for the Seralio. At the door an official wanted to pull -off their boots, but Maurice objected to this, pointing out that it -was not the custom of his countrymen, who showed respect by taking off -their hats, whereupon the man pulled aside a heavy curtain over the -doorway, and gave them admittance.</p> - -<p>They found themselves in a long room furnished in European style. The -Pasha, a tall, handsome Turk, gorgeous with medals and decorations, was -seated at a small table at a window overlooking the city. Rising at -their entrance, he motioned them to seat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span> themselves on chairs beside -his own, and offered them glasses of a pink syrup.</p> - -<p>“I am exceedingly sorry, Messieurs,” he said in French, “that you -have been inconvenienced by the action of our police. When they heard -of your arrival, they suspected you to be Austrian spies, but no -sooner did the Chief of the Police see you, and perceive your noble -appearance, than he felt the groundlessness of his suspicions.”</p> - -<p>Maurice made suitable acknowledgment of so handsome a compliment, -remembering that he was dirty and tattered, and had several days’ -growth of bristles on his chin. He then had a short conversation with -the Pasha on the state of the country, the last revolution, the reforms -of the Young Turks, and finally asked permission to continue his -journey eastward.</p> - -<p>“You are travelling on some wonderful machine, I am told,” said the -Pasha.</p> - -<p>“It is novel, excellency,” replied Maurice, “and if you would care to -see it, we shall be most happy to show it to you.”</p> - -<p>“You do me great honour,” said the Pasha. “I shall return your visit -presently, and shall then be charmed to inspect your car.”</p> - -<p>Coffee and cigarettes were brought in, and after the interview had -lasted an hour the visitors rose to go. Maurice’s wound had as yet -given him little trouble, but he moved somewhat stiffly after remaining -seated. The Pasha noticed this, and asked whether<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span> Maurice, like -himself, suffered from rheumatism. On being told that the lameness was -due to a slight accident in the hills, he insisted on summoning his -hakim, who immediately discovered that it was a gunshot wound, and -reported the fact to the Pasha.</p> - -<p>“You were molested on your way?” the Pasha asked. “I will provide you -with an escort for the road.”</p> - -<p>“It is unnecessary, excellency,” said Maurice quickly. “Our car will go -so fast that even horsemen would find it difficult to keep up with us, -and we shall rely on our speed for safety.”</p> - -<p>“Then we will have a race,” said the Pasha eagerly. “There is a -suitable course along the valley of the river. It will amuse me to see -a race between a horseman and your car. I will arrange it, and let you -know the time fixed.”</p> - -<p>No one could have guessed from Maurice’s demeanour that he was annoyed -at the proposition. He politely assented, and after having had his -wound dressed with strange ointments by the hakim, he returned with -George to the inn.</p> - -<p>George spent the greater part of the afternoon in overhauling the -mechanism of his car. The glass case in which the gyroscopes spun was -wrecked, and could not be replaced in Prizren; but the gyroscopes -themselves, the motors, and the dynamo were uninjured, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span> there was -quite enough petrol left to make the run to Sofia, if a direct route -could be followed. The proposed race, George thought, was rather a -nuisance, for it would consume a good deal of petrol, without carrying -them a yard on their way. And yet!—an idea struck him that made him -chuckle with anticipated delight, and astonished the grave bystanders, -who had watched his proceedings in stolid silence.</p> - -<p>Maurice meanwhile had found the time drag. Unwilling to leave the inn -in case the Pasha called in his absence, he sat in front of the door -to watch the passers-by. Down the steep street came hill-men driving -pack-animals, women with empty pitchers on their heads, zaptiehs with -rifles slung over their backs, long-bearded scribes, gipsy tinkers—but -never a sign of the Pasha. Small boys gathered opposite the inn and -watched the stranger as he smoked cigarette after cigarette, and rushed -forward at intervals to pick up, not the discarded ends, but the -matches he had thrown away. After a time Maurice got the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i> -to despatch one of his sons to find out if the Pasha was coming; but -the youth could get no farther than the sentries at the entrance of the -Seralio, who replied to his question with a threat to kick him if he -was impertinent.</p> - -<p>When George had satisfied himself that the engines were in good working -order, he sought his brother.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span></p> - -<p>“Well, old man,” he said cheerily, “how’s the leg?”</p> - -<p>“Quite easy. The hakim’s ointments seem to be effective. But I’m -getting very tired of this.”</p> - -<p>“What will happen if we don’t wait for the Pasha?”</p> - -<p>“We shall have some trouble to get out of the city. They will -immediately jump to the conclusion that we are shady characters. The -Pasha’s <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">exeat</i> is necessary. The worst of it is that if he has -set his heart on this ridiculous race we shall have to waste more time. -Probably he won’t be satisfied with one, but will want to keep us -racing for hours.”</p> - -<p>“Well get over that,” said George, laughing. “I’ve had an idea.”</p> - -<p>And then he told his brother of the notion which had occurred to him as -he cleaned the engines.</p> - -<p>“A very happy thought,” said Maurice. “I’ll question our host and see -how the land lies.”</p> - -<p>Evening came, but still no Pasha; and at sunset, there being nothing -else to do, the Bucklands turned in, expecting to be honoured by a -visit in the morning. They had not been long asleep, however, when they -were roused by the sound of shots in the street. They sprang up and ran -to the hole in the floor, from which the ladder had been removed to -secure their privacy. More shots were fired<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span> outside; there was a loud -banging at the door and a hullabaloo of voices.</p> - -<p>By the dim light of a small lamp the guests saw the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i> hurry -to the door and throw it open. Instantly he fell forward in an attitude -of supplication, to receive a cuff on the head from one of the Pasha’s -guard, who entered, followed by the Pasha himself.</p> - -<p>“Where are the Inglese effendis?” said the great man. “Acquaint them -that I am come to pay them a visit.”</p> - -<p>“Great Scott!” ejaculated George, when Maurice told him what was -happening. “What a time to come! We can’t receive him here.”</p> - -<p>“We must. Roll up these rugs and make some sort of a divan, and for -goodness’ sake don’t smile; you must be as grave as a judge, or he’ll -be mortally offended.”</p> - -<p>The <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">hanji</i>, having placed the ladder in the hole, clambered up -with a lamp and announced the august visitor, and descended again, to -be soundly cuffed for being so long about it. When the Pasha mounted -and entered the room, he found the two Englishmen sitting in state on -what had but recently been their bed.</p> - -<p>“A thousand regrets, Messieurs, for disturbing you,” said the Pasha, -smiling affably, and seating himself on the rugs beside the Englishmen -as soon as he had acknowledged their respectful salutations. “I thought -it would be quite in the Frankish manner to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span> call on you at this time; -such is the custom in Paris and London, I understand, and I did not -dream that you would have retired to rest so soon.”</p> - -<p>“We are charmed to see you, excellency,” replied Maurice, “and only -regret that you should have been troubled to waken our sleepy host.”</p> - -<p>He called for coffee. After a little more polite conversation the -Pasha broached the matter of the race. Maurice suggested that the -starting-point should be some little distance eastward of the city, -where the road was not likely to be blocked by traffic, and that the -course should be to the railway line and back, a distance of about -forty miles, the horseman to be allowed a fresh mount for the second -half. To this proposal the Pasha assented the more eagerly because he -was by nature somewhat indolent, and would be spared by this scheme -the necessity of riding out to a distant winning-post. He said that he -would send out swift messengers to forbid any movement of man or beast -on the road until the race was over, and to arrange for a horse to be -in waiting at the railway line. The hour fixed for the start was 10 -o’clock next morning.</p> - -<p>Before leaving, the Pasha wished Maurice to accept a fine Roman coin -that he wore among his medals; but having no present of equal value to -offer in return, Maurice gracefully<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span> declined it. The Pasha departed -with his guards, and the Englishmen, relieved at having come through -the interview without disgrace, unrolled their rugs and devoted -themselves again to slumber.</p> - -<p>The town was agog next morning. News of the race had penetrated -everywhere, and the whole population, dressed in all their finery, -wended their way from a very early hour towards the vast plain where, -in the year 1389, the Turks won the great victory that established them -in Europe. A company of soldiers marched with much bugling and drumming -to clear the way for the Pasha, and at 11 o’clock—only an hour late, -which was punctuality to a Turk—he rode out resplendent amid his -staff. A great throng of boys ran after the gyro-car as it went slowly -to the starting-place, a rival crowd following the horseman chosen for -the contest, a lithe and sinewy Albanian arrayed in festive colours, -and mounted on a superb arab.</p> - -<p>At the starting-point the soldiers had much trouble in keeping back the -immense assembly of spectators, who shouted and gesticulated in great -excitement, every now and then letting off a rifle fully charged. The -Englishmen wondered that no one was injured in this promiscuous firing; -the expenditure of cartridges in Albania in mere festive sportiveness -is enormous.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span></p> - -<p>It was clear that horse and gyro-car could not start side by side, -for the animal reared and plunged at the sound of the engine, evoking -shrieks of mingled terror and delight from the boys. Maurice suggested -that the horseman should have a hundred yards start. With the car -behind him the horse would not be alarmed, though perhaps he might -be spurred on by the humming sound. This plan approved itself to -the Pasha, who appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself, and told -Maurice in a confidential aside that, whether he won or lost, he was -to be entertained at a magnificent banquet that night. The course was -cleared; the competitors took their places on the road; and at the -sound of a whistle, followed instantly by a wild discharge of firearms, -the race began.</p> - -<p>The horseman set off at a furious gallop. George contented himself with -a moderate pace, smiling at the frenzied cries that broke from the -spectators lining the road. On each side extended the plain, the soil -cracked by the summer heat, the scattered hawthorn scrub burnt brown. -Clouds of dust flew from the horse’s hoofs, and still denser volumes -behind the gyro-car. At one spot a line of bullock-carts loaded with -maize was drawn up beside the road, and the drivers burst into shouts -of applause for the horseman, and derision for the gyro-car dropping -behind moment by moment.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span></p> - -<p>“It’s a shame to take in the Pasha; he’s a decent old boy,” said -George, when, after about five miles, the spectators being now out of -sight, he quickened pace.</p> - -<p>“The King’s business must be attended to,” said Maurice sententiously; -“we have wasted quite enough time.”</p> - -<p>As the gyro-car made up on the horseman, he made desperate efforts to -keep his lead. When almost upon his heels, George reduced speed, and -allowed him to draw away for a few minutes; then quickened again. At -length, ten miles having been covered, and all danger of pursuit being -at an end, George thought it time to put in practice the idea which had -occurred to him at the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">han</i>. He opened the throttle, increased -his speed to fifteen, twenty, thirty miles an hour, caught up the -horse, and as he passed, let out a volume of smoke. Startled by the -noise and the fumes, the horse broke from the control of his rider, and -dashed madly across the plain. By the time that he again answered the -bit, the gyro-car was far ahead, concealed in a cloud of whirling dust.</p> - -<p>Still further increasing the speed, George drove the car over the -undulating plain until suddenly the railway line came in sight. A group -of horsemen were halted there, with a led horse among them. George -steered a little to the left to avoid them, slackened pace when he -approached the line, and when the car had bumped over the rails, set -off again at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span> full speed, heedless of the shouts of the waiting party.</p> - -<p>“The horseman is not in sight,” said Maurice, glancing back.</p> - -<p>“At any rate he’ll win the prize,” said George with a laugh. “I hope -the Pasha will give it him.”</p> - -<p>On they went, across the Morava river, across the main line from -Salonika to Belgrade, past stockaded villages, over low dusty hills, -never checking the pace until, about 5 o’clock, the domes and minarets -of Sofia hove into view. Soon they entered the city, slowing down as -they ran through the street. They passed shops where cheese and onions -lay on open counters, larger establishments where silk hats and French -gloves were on sale, dodged electric cars, and a gendarme who was too -much amazed to call on them to stop.</p> - -<p>“There’s the Italian agent,” said Maurice, indicating a frock-coated -gentleman crossing the street. “He won’t recognise me.”</p> - -<p>They drove through a crowd of wondering market-people, and finally -halted at a large building, surrounded by trees, that might have passed -for an English country-house.</p> - -<p>“Here we are,” said Maurice, heaving a sigh of relief. “Now I’ll -deliver my despatch, and then for a bath, a meal, and bed.”</p> - -<p>The door-keeper stared as Maurice alighted from the car and approached -him. A puzzled look appeared on his face, then a smile of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span> recognition. -He saluted; Maurice stepped into the hall. In a few minutes he returned -with his chief, who listened with amazement to the outlines of his -adventures. Maurice introduced him to George, who had remained in the -car. Then, lifting the bonnet, George produced a soiled envelope which -had lain concealed in the mechanism.</p> - -<p>“The despatch, sir,” he said, handing the document to the agent.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Chapter_XVI"><span class="smcap">Chapter XVI</span><br /><br />RECONCILIATION AND REWARDS</h2> -</div> -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p>It would be too much to say, perhaps, that the receipt of the despatch -prevented a European war; but certain it is that within a few days -afterwards the troops which had been mobilising on the frontier -disbanded, and the British Foreign Office was credited with an -unusually successful stroke of diplomacy. Among the telegrams that -passed between London and Sofia was one from the Foreign Secretary -warmly complimenting <abbr title="mister">Mr.</abbr> Buckland on his achievement, and another from -the editor of a well-known paper asking for a detailed narrative, a -request which, by the rules of the Service, Maurice was bound to refuse.</p> - -<p>The Bucklands were for a week or two the lions of Sofia society. -They were dined, danced, invited to receptions and reviews; George -was introduced to the King, who honoured him with two words and a -cigarette. Then, in response to an agitated letter from the Honourable -Mrs. Courtenay-Greene, he one day left by train for Constantinople, -the gyro-car being conveyed on a truck, and thence returned home by -steamer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p> - -<p>He had just come down from Cambridge for his first vacation when he -received a letter from Maurice that threw Mrs. Courtenay-Greene into -a fresh state of agitation. His leave having been cut short in the -summer, Maurice had been recompensed with a fortnight at Christmas, -and had decided to avail himself of this opportunity to revisit the -hospitable Albanian and reward him, or, if his pride forbade the -receipt of pecuniary compensation for the losses he had suffered, -to thank him in person for the services he had rendered. George at -once announced his intention of joining his brother, and despatched a -telegram asking where they could meet. Mrs. Courtenay-Greene protested -against being left to spend Christmas without her nephew’s society, but -George was determined, averring that Christmas in Albania would be much -better fun than in London. Sheila called him a pig, but in the next -breath said he was quite right, and she only wished she could go too.</p> - -<p>The brothers met at Trieste, went thence to Scutari by steamer, and -engaging a trustworthy guide, set off on horseback for Giulika’s -dwelling in the hills.</p> - -<p>It was a bright, cold afternoon when they jogged along the high road -from Elbasan. The weather for the last week had been rainy, and George -was aware for the first time that mud is not at its worst in London. -On the low ground the road was sometimes impassable,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span> and the riders -had to pick their way where the mud was at least fathomable. When -they came into the hills they found that their journey was scarcely -less dangerous than it had been in summer with the gyro-car, for the -horses slipped often on the rocky, frosted track, and the riders had to -dismount and lead them.</p> - -<p>They had nearly arrived at the path leading from the road to Giulika’s -little village, and were resting at the top of a steep ascent, admiring -the scene of wild grandeur outspread before them, when suddenly their -ears were caught by the sound of a shot.</p> - -<p>“Blood, excellency,” said their guide with a careless shrug.</p> - -<p>They lifted the field-glasses which were slung over their shoulders, -and scanned the surrounding country. For some time they saw nothing but -the rocks and crags, the dark fir forest below, the snow-clad peaks -above. But presently there were more shots, and now they descried, far -away, but in the direction of the road they were travelling, several -puffs of smoke. Then, a sunbeam lighting the spot, they saw four men -crouching behind some rocks, with rifles in their hands.</p> - -<p>“I say, Maurice,” said George, “do you see that one of those fellows is -a European?”</p> - -<p>“D’you think so?”</p> - -<p>“I am sure of it. I can’t see his features, but he’s a European by the -cut of him. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span> suppose he’s a traveller attacked by brigands. Hadn’t we -better lend a hand?”</p> - -<p>“I think you’re right,” said Maurice, after a long look through his -glass. “There are some Albanians creeping round the hill above them to -take them in the flank.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I see their white caps. Come on. There are not too many of them -for us to tackle. The traveller is probably an Englishman; no one else -would tour in Albania at this time of year.”</p> - -<p>They had dismounted to rest their horses after the climb. Springing to -their saddles, they rode down the hill as fast as they dared, in spite -of the expostulations of their guide, who declared in much agitation -that it would be fatal to intervene between Albanian mountaineers and -“blood.”</p> - -<p>There was a cessation of the firing. In a few moments the combatants -were concealed from view by the craggy cliffs; but hurrying on, the -riders came on the scene at a moment when the European and the two -Albanians with him were hard pressed by a dozen men, who had surrounded -them, and were on the point of charging home. Letting out a shout, -Maurice fired his revolver, and with George at his side dashed to the -rescue.</p> - -<p>The attacking party paused in astonishment. At the same moment the -European, whose back had hitherto been towards the riders, turned his -head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span></p> - -<p>“By gum!” ejaculated George.</p> - -<p>It was Slavianski. His glance was but momentary; he turned about to -face his enemy, and the Bucklands noticed that in spite of the peril -of his situation he appeared quite unperturbed. His right arm had been -wounded; he grasped his revolver with his left hand, and his mouth was -set with grim determination. But just as Maurice and George sprang from -their horses he swayed, staggered, and fell to the ground. And then -from beyond the rocks rushed Giulika, Giorgio, Marko, and the other men -of his household. Maurice shouted to them to halt, not before two or -three shots had been exchanged between them and Slavianski’s escort.</p> - -<p>Hostilities ceased. While some of the men kept a watch on Slavianski, -Giulika warmly greeted his former guests.</p> - -<p>“Welcome, excellencies,” he said. “You are come in time to see -vengeance taken on your enemy and mine.”</p> - -<p>“How does he come here?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“The Austrian dog, when running down the steep path towards the Drin -that day, fell and broke his thigh,” answered the old man. “We did not -learn of it until the other day. He has been laid up ever since in the -house of a man of Trebischte, who is a famous bone-setter. But it was a -bad case, and needed much time, and only now is the cure complete,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span> and -one leg will always be shorter than the other.</p> - -<p>“A few days ago we learnt by examining the breastbone of a black cock, -one of my own breeding, that an enemy would fall into our hands, and -we made <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> with Leka until this happy event should come to -pass. And lo! one told me that the man from Trebischte was taking to -Durazzo the Austrian who burnt my <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i> when he found that you -had escaped; and we made an ambush for him here, and we have him, and -now he shall die.”</p> - -<p>“Let me have a word with him,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>Slavianski was seated on a rock. His escort of two were amicably -chatting with Giulika’s party. Maurice, as he went up to him, was -struck by his worn and haggard appearance.</p> - -<p>“I hear you had an accident, Monsieur le Comte,” he said in French.</p> - -<p>“Precisely, Monsieur,” replied Slavianski. “My thigh was broken, and -the healing has been long, though the limb was set with marvellous -skill by the Albanian yonder. I am not so young as I was.”</p> - -<p>“And Major Rostopchin?”</p> - -<p>“Is doubtless enjoying himself, Monsieur. He has apparently forgotten -me. He left me, intending to make his way with the third member of my -party to Trieste.”</p> - -<p>“I am sorry to see you in such a plight,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span> said Maurice, “but, of -course, you are in no danger now. My friend Giulika will not be -implacable.”</p> - -<p>“I am not sure that I thank you, Monsieur,” said the Count bitterly. “I -am lamed for life; my failure in that little business in the summer has -discredited me with—you know whom; and a bullet through the head would -be an easy way out of a hopeless situation. But I should have killed a -few of these ruffians first.”</p> - -<p>“It was evidently a mistake to burn the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>, Monsieur——”</p> - -<p>“But they killed my man,” interrupted the Count. “The mistake was in -turning aside on the road to Castellane. If I had got into Brindisi -before you it would have been all up with you.”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps,” responded Maurice with a smile. “By good luck and my -brother’s ingenuity I managed to score a point, and I bear you no -grudge. The thing now is to secure your safety. We have come to -compensate the old man for the losses his loyalty to us entailed, and I -daresay we can persuade him to let bygones be bygones. You had better -accompany us to the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>, I think.”</p> - -<p>He returned to Giulika, and after a short conversation the old man gave -orders to Giorgio and Marko to bring the Count to the <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i>. The -whole party set off, and, striking up the bypath, soon came to the -village.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span> The evidences of Slavianski’s vengeance were manifest. The -<i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i> was a mere shell. The interior had been burnt out, with -all the old man’s furniture and stores. He could not hope to repair -the damage until he had reaped the crops of several years. Since the -destruction of his property he and his family had lived in the houses -of neighbours. The Englishmen were invited to enter one of these, -Slavianski being left outside in charge of the young men.</p> - -<p>Giulika entertained his guests with the same kindly hospitality as on -their former visit. He did not speak of his misfortunes, but begged to -have a fall account of their adventures after leaving him at the Drin. -Nothing more delighted him than the story of the race at Prizren, and -he laughed heartily at the thought of the Pasha’s disappointment when -the horseman returned alone.</p> - -<p>Maurice had to exercise much circumspection in broaching the object -of his visit. The old man was restive at the least suggestion that he -should take a reward for his services, or even accept compensation for -the losses he had suffered.</p> - -<p>“Shall I be paid for keeping my honour unstained?” he said.</p> - -<p>“That is not the way to look at it,” replied Maurice. “Your honour was -concerned with protecting us as individuals, but through us you were -doing a service to our King, to your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span> own Sultan, and to the people of -this country and of others. It is on their behalf that I come to you. -If I had not succeeded in reaching Sofia, there might have been war.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we are ready,” said the old man with a smile. “We are a free -people; we obey none unless we choose; but if there is a war, we flock -like butterflies.”</p> - -<p>Finding that he was on the wrong tack, Maurice tried again. After a -long argument he persuaded Giulika that the King’s honour demanded that -he should make some recognition of the services rendered to him by a -stranger, and assured the old man that he durst not return to England -with the money he had brought. Giulika agreed that if the King’s honour -was involved, it would not become him as an honourable man to do -anything to smirch it, and consented to accept a sum that would enable -him to rebuild his <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">kula</i> and replace the weapons and furniture he -had lost.</p> - -<p>Having succeeded on this point, Maurice turned to the question of -Slavianski. In this, too, he found that “honour” was a good card to -play. He pointed out that the Austrian had been entrusted with the -duty of obtaining a paper on which his Government set much store; that -he had soiled his honour by his failure; and that, by the traditional -laws of Lek, the slaying of his man while asleep demanded blood. In -this regard the vengeance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span> taken by Slavianski had been moderate. He -reminded Giulika that the Austrian was ill and weak, incapable of doing -further harm, and for ever disgraced with his employers. By harping on -this string Maurice in course of time aroused in the old man’s breast a -feeling of sympathy for the Austrian, and he at last declared that he -might go free.</p> - -<p>While they were talking, a young man entered whom Maurice recognised as -Leka, the man who had wounded Giorgio.</p> - -<p>“Welcome, excellency,” said the man. “I am glad to see you again.”</p> - -<p>“Is there still blood between you and Giorgio?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Why, yes, excellency, there must be. We have <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> just now; but -when Christmas is past he must look out.”</p> - -<p>Giulika explained that, except during <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i>, Giorgio never left -the house unless accompanied by his mother or sister, whose presence -protected him from the attack of his enemy.</p> - -<p>“And how long is this to last?” asked Maurice.</p> - -<p>“Until Giorgio is killed, excellency,” said Giulika simply.</p> - -<p>“But why not pay blood-gelt, and end the feud?”</p> - -<p>“Giorgio is the innocent one,” replied the old man, indignantly. “He -was falsely accused: why should we pay? Besides, we have no money: -there are too many to be<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span> paid. Leka must have one purse, and the -elders of the village another, or else an ox; and the Sultan’s officer -another, but we never pay him unless we can help it. Still, we have not -money enough for the others, so it is useless to speak of it.”</p> - -<p>Inquiry elicited the fact that the total amount came to about £25 in -English money.</p> - -<p>“It is a pity that two such brave men should be enemies,” said Maurice.</p> - -<p>“We are not enemies,” said Giorgio, quickly: “there is only blood -between us. In <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> we hunt together and are very good friends.”</p> - -<p>“Well, I have some money that is lying idle,” said Maurice. “It cannot -be better employed than in removing the blood between you. Will you let -me have the pleasure and the honour of settling your feud?”</p> - -<p>“It is good of you, excellency,” said Giulika. “I think myself that it -is foolish that there should be blood between two such fine young men, -and if Leka’s honour is cleaned they will be like brothers.”</p> - -<p>“I am ready, excellency,” said Leka. “It is a pity I did not kill -Giorgio when I shot at him, and then you would have kept your money.”</p> - -<p>Maurice smiled as he handed over the necessary piastres. When the -payment had been made, Leka and Giorgio kissed each other, and the -former promised to buy a new rifle for his friend.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span></p> - -<p>The Bucklands spent Christmas with their Albanian friends, accompanying -them for ten miles over the hills to a little church. It was packed -with people in bright costumes; a week’s <i lang="sq" xml:lang="sq">besa</i> had been sworn, -so that all the blood foes of the neighbourhood could meet as friends. -Hundreds of rifles were stacked against the wall outside. After service -there was a wild rush for these, and a shooting competition began, the -spectators firing off their rifles out of sheer high spirits. Shots -were fired again as the assembly broke up and returned to their several -villages, to resume their feuds on the morrow.</p> - -<p>Next day the Bucklands started for Scutari, accompanied by Slavianski, -for whom a mule had been provided. At Scutari they parted. Maurice -had thought of warning the Austrian not to set foot in England again, -but the man was so much broken down with illness that he forbore to -increase his bitterness of spirit.</p> - -<p>He saw him only once again. The course of promotion brought Maurice -at length to Vienna. He was one day entering a club with an Austrian -officer with whom he was on friendly terms. The door was opened by -a man who had once been handsome, but was now worn and haggard, and -walked with a limp. He started as he saw Maurice, hesitated a moment, -and raised his hand to the salute.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span></p> - -<p>“He knows you?” asked the officer in surprise.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Maurice. “I met him during a little trip I made a few -years ago in a gyro-car.”</p> - - -<p class="p4 p0 center big">THE END.</p> - -<p class="center p0 p4 small">BRADBURY, AGNEW & <abbr title="company">CO.</abbr> <abbr title="limited">LD.</abbr>, PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter transnote"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - - -<p>In several cases, obvious errors in punctuation have been fixed.</p> - -<p>The page number for Chapter IV in the <a href="#CONTENTS">Table of Contents</a> was corrected -from 68 to 63.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_65">Page 65</a>: “for the first time is brother’s” changed to “for the first -time his brother’s”</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_126">Page 126</a>: “who call upon Allah” changed to “who called upon Allah” </p> -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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