Chapter 4 MARIE DULCé.

Things seemed to have quieted down when the three found themselves again before the café. Apparently there had been but a faint-hearted pursuit. All breathed easier.

"They can't have believed very much in that spy story," remarked Frank.

"It would seem that way," agreed Lord Hastings. "Evidently they took your friend's words as the ravings of a man intoxicated."

"A good thing, too, sir," said Jack. "None of them will molest us, unless it is the doughty lieutenant himself."

"We don't need to worry about him, I guess," said Lord Hastings. "Now we must get busy. I wonder--" as a sudden thought struck him, "if your friend," he turned to Frank, "the young lady, I mean, couldn't give us, or get for us, the information we desire."

"I guess she could, sir," replied Frank, "if we could find her."

"She probably is still in the café," said Jack.

"And so probably is Lieutenant Holzen," replied Frank dryly.

"True," said Lord Hastings. "We can't afford to risk another encounter. Guess we'll have to hunt up the place she lives. All we have to do is ask where Mademoiselle-by the way, Frank, what is her name?"

"I don't know, sir. She didn't tell me."

"What?" exclaimed Lord Hastings in surprise. "You are a nice gallant, you are. So you failed to find out her name, eh?"

"Yes, sir. She was just going to tell me when the music stopped."

Jack laughed.

"Maybe she wasn't so anxious to tell you," he said.

"Now look here," said Frank, "don't let's start that again. If it touches you on a sore spot, I'll drop the subject."

"Oh, all right," said Jack.

"Well, the matter should not be so difficult, anyhow," declared Lord Hastings. "We'll ask someone the name of the young lady who sings."

"Perfectly simple, sir," agreed Jack. "Whom shall we ask?"

"The first person we see," was the reply.

Lord Hastings led the way down the street. An officer approached. Lord Hastings accosted him in German.

"I have recently been ordered to Heligoland," he said. "A moment ago I was in yonder café," pointing, "and the young singer in there bears such a striking resemblance to the daughter of a friend of mine that I should like to know if she is the same."

"And the name of the young lady to whom you refer?" questioned the German.

"Henrietta! Henrietta Blucher!"

The German laughed.

"Then you are mistaken," he said pleasantly. "The young lady who sings in yonder café is Marie Dulcé and she is a French girl."

"I had not taken her to be French," returned Lord Hastings. "Can you tell me where she lives?"

"Why, certainly," was the reply, and the German named an address and gave the necessary directions for getting there. "I don't imagine," he added, "you will find her home much before 12 o'clock, the café does not close until eleven."

Lord Hastings thanked the man and the latter took himself off.

"Well, we have that much to go on, anyhow," said Lord Hastings. "Now the best thing for us to do is to go to Mlle. Dulcé's home and await her arrival."

"And maybe they won't let us in," said Jack.

"We'll have to chance that."

An hour later they sought the address given and mounted the steps. Lord Hastings rang the bell. A pleasant-appearing woman of middle age answered their summons. At a glance Lord Hastings knew she was French and he addressed her in that language.

"Could it be that you are Madame Dulcé?" he inquired courteously.

The woman smiled as she answered in the affirmative.

"We," said Lord Hastings, indicating Frank and Jack as well as himself, "would have a few words with your daughter Marie when she returns home. We have sought her here rather than at the café for several reasons."

A look of deep anxiety spread itself over Madame Dulcé's face and she asked excitedly:

"What has she done, sir? Surely she will not be arrested? You do not take her for a spy?"

"You need have no fear," returned Lord Hastings reassuringly. "We mean no harm. May we come in and wait?"

"Certainly."

Madame Dulcé led the way into a small, though cozy parlor and took their hats and coats.

"Marie will be here soon after twelve," she said. "She always comes straight home, for she knows I worry about her."

"How does it happen that she sings in the café?" asked Lord Hastings.

"Because we are so poor," was the reply. "Her salary there enables us to keep the wolf away from the door. Frau Heffler, who also sings, was the one who so kindly gave her the opportunity."

"I see," said Lord Hastings, and became silent.

The time passed slowly; but it passed. Frank waited eagerly, for he was anxious to see the girl again. Jack noticed the look on his chum's face and remarked:

"Now just be patient. Marie will soon be here."

Frank smiled.

"It's not as bad as that, I assure you," he returned.

Came the sound of light footsteps without. A key turned in the front door and the footsteps came toward the parlor.

"You have company, mother?" asked the girl's voice as she tripped forward.

"Some gentlemen to see you, Marie," was the reply.

In the doorway the girl stood spellbound for a brief instant, as she made out the faces of the callers. At first she did not recognize Lord Hastings and Jack, but she knew Frank instantly.

"Lieutenant Chadwick!" she exclaimed.

She came forward with outstretched hand and again Frank bent low over it.

"But tell me," she said. "How were you able to find my home? And what is it you want of me?"

"I found your home by asking," returned Frank. "As for what we want, I would first present my commander and brother officer to you."

Introductions followed all around and then the girl repeated her question.

"I would rather," said Lord Hastings, giving Marie a sharp look, "if we could speak with you alone."

"But my mother--" protested the girl.

"I know," continued Lord Hastings, "but she need have no fear."

Madame Dulcé arose and smiled.

"I shall leave you," she said. "When you have finished your talk, will you call me, Marie?"

The girl nodded and Madame Dulcé left the room.

"Now, gentlemen," said Marie, turning to the others.

"As commander of this party," said Lord Hastings with a smile, "I guess it is up to me, as the Americans say, to do the talking." He gazed at the girl earnestly. "You know something of us already," he added, "so there is no harm in putting ourselves further in your power."

"You need have no fear that I shall betray you," said the girl.

"I had no such thought," responded Lord Hastings courteously. "Well, then the situation is this," and he told her why they had come to Heligoland.

"And what is it you want of me?" said the girl, when he had concluded.

"Recalling what you told Mr. Chadwick you would do for France," said Lord Hastings quietly, "I am here to put you to the test."

The girl sprang to her feet and her eyes flashed for a brief instant. Then she sat down again.

"Try me," she said quietly.

Lord Hastings nodded his satisfaction.

"Then," said he, "can you tell me something of the fortifications of Heligoland? Can you tell me its weak spots and its strong? Can you tell me how many men there are here-how many battleships? In short, can you tell me anything that will be of value to the Allies?"

"I can," was the quiet reply. "Ever since the war broke out I have been learning things-and trying to learn more-and I have stored them up in my memory for just this chance. It has been my ambition to serve France and it makes me happy to think I can do so at last."

"Good," said Lord Hastings. "Then perhaps the best way will be for you to answer my questions."

"Bien, Lord Hastings."

"First, then, from what you have learned, where is the weakest spot in the fortifications-the spot that would be most susceptible to attack?"

"I can answer that quickly," was the reply. "There is none."

"The number of ships in the harbor?" was Lord Hastings' next question.

"At the moment, seventy-two, cruisers, dreadnoughts and torpedo boats. The others are in the Kiel Canal, or in the Baltic."

"And the number of men now stationed here?"

"I can't answer that exactly, but the number is comparatively small. I can find out in the morning."

"We'll pass that for the moment, then. Is there a submarine base here, or do the underwater boats operate from Kiel?"

"There is a submarine base here."

Thus Lord Hastings questioned the girl at length and she answered quietly and comprehensively. The conversation continued for more than an hour. Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank storing what the girl told them in their memories for future use.

"And now," said Lord Hastings, "for the final question."

Marie Dulcé smiled.

"I'm ready," she said.

"Is there any way in which you can procure for me a map of the fortress itself, including all its details?"

For a brief moment the girl was silent. Then she sprang to her feet, her eyes once again flashing.

"I can and I will!" she cried determinedly. "You shall have the paper to-morrow night before eight o'clock."