Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 5, 2025
But they all agreed on one thing, as expressed by Chester: "We'll make a break for freedom at the first opportunity, no matter what the odds against us." One of Robard's hirelings brought them a bite to eat about noon and again shortly after 6 o'clock. Darkness fell and still Robard himself had failed to appear. "Maybe the time for departure has been postponed," said Chester.
Twenty minutes later the three prisoners found themselves in a first class section on the special express for Venice, vigilantly guarded by two Austrians, who had been placed in charge of them after they had been securely tied up at Robard's command. Robard himself had entered another compartment with the ambassador.
"I don't know whether I have done for you or not," came Robard's voice after a pause, "and I don't care. In fact, I hope I have. Now, just to blacken your reputation a bit, if I have killed you, I shall go through with my plan." The boys could hear him stalk heavily across the room. A moment later a door slammed. Hal rose to his feet and passed a hand across a moist brow.
Within the half hour mentioned, the door was flung suddenly open and a small man hurried in. He gazed quickly about him and then spoke to Robard. "Everything ready?" he asked. "Yes, sir," was Robard's answer. The ambassador for such the newcomer was gazed rapidly about him. His eyes rested on Hal, Chester and Uncle John. "Who are these?" he demanded with a wave of his hand in their direction.
Do you understand, I forbid it!" Now Robard's voice rose angrily. "You forbid it!" he exclaimed. "You forbid it! Well, little good will that do. I will see that the work is carried out if I have to do it myself. And what is more, I will see that the blame falls on you. You are right. I have plotted to discredit you, and I shall do it, or my name is not Robard."
She started with Clotilde Robard's story of Jules, told of her accidental meeting with him, of all that she knew of his hard life with Brossard, and of her longing for some one to play with. Then she acknowledged that she had planned the barbecue secretly, fearing that madame would not allow her to invite the little goatherd.
"I can hear them talking. Listen." Hal and Uncle John also laid their ears to the wall. "But," and the ambassador's voice came faintly to them, "such a thing as you suggest is dishonorable." "What has that to do with it, sir?" came Robard's reply. "Our enemies would do the same thing had they the opportunity. All's fair in war, you know, sir." "Not that," said the ambassador.
Robard cast discretion to the winds, and, lowering his revolver, struck at the lad. It was the chance for which Chester had been waiting and hoping. He ducked under the heavy blow, and instead of returning it, he kicked out with his left foot. His aim was true and Robard's revolver fell to the floor with a clatter. Chester pounced on it, beating the Austrian by the fraction of a second.
"Robard," said the ambassador sternly, "you may consider yourself under arrest." There was the sound of a scraping chair and heavy footsteps moving in the room beyond. "Another move and I shall fire," came Robard's voice. "Man, you don't know what you are doing," came the surprised voice of the ambassador. "Don't?" said Robard, with a sneer in his voice. "I'll show you."
Then he waited for Robard to come at him again. Turning, Robard advanced more cautiously this time. Chester feinted with his right, and sent his left to Robard's nose. Blood flowed. Chester danced about the big Austrian, raining blows upon him almost at will.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking