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Page 39
"The quicker we get back to the cellar the better," was the former's
observation.
And they returned at a clip, scrambling into the cellar as quickly and
silently as they could, and made for the upper floors.
"Come into my room," said Fitzgerald; "it's only midnight."
Breitmann agreed. If he had any reluctance, he did not show it.
Fitzgerald produced cigars.
"Do my clothes look anything like yours?" asked Breitmann dryly,
striking a match.
"Possibly."
They looked themselves over for any real damage. There were no rents,
but there were cobwebs on the wool and streaks of coal dust on the
linen.
"We shall have to send our clothes to the village tailor. The
admiral's valet might think it odd."
"Where do you suppose he comes from?"
"I don't care where. What's he after, to take all this trouble?
Something big, I'll warrant."
And then, for a time, they smoked like Turks, in silence.
"By George, it's a good joke; you and I trying to choke each other,
while the real burglar makes off."
"It has some droll sides."
"And you all but broke my arm."
Breitmann chuckled. "You were making the same move. I was quicker,
that was all."
Another pause.
"The admiral has seen some odd corners. Think of seeing, at close
range, the Japanese-Chinese naval fight!"
"He tells a story well."
"And the daughter is a thoroughbred."
"Yes," non-committally.
"By the way, I'm going to the Pole in June or August."
"The Italian expedition?"
"Yes."
"That ought to make fine copy. You will not mind if I turn in? A bit
sleepy."
"Not at all. Shall we tell the admiral?"
"The first thing in the morning. Good night."
Fitzgerald finished his cigar, and went to bed also. "Interesting old
place," wadding a pillow under his ear. "More interesting to-morrow."
Some time earlier, the individual who was the cause of this nocturnal
exploit hurried down the hill, nursing a pair of skinned palms, and
laughing gently to himself.
"Checkmate! I shall try the other way."
On the morrow, Fitzgerald recounted the adventure in a semi-humorous
fashion, making a brisk melodrama out of it, to the quiet amusement of
his small audience.
"I shall send for the mason this morning," said the admiral. "I've
been dreaming of _The Black Cat_ and all sorts of horrible things. I
hate like sixty to spoil the old chimney, but we can't have this going
on. We'll have it down at once. A fire these days is only a nice
touch to the mahogany."
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