So Jan and
Jo went off to look for them. We searched two cafes--meeting again with
our old acquaintance the schoolmaster from Nish--plunged into all sorts
of odd corners, and at last met Colonel Stajitch in a restaurant. He
greeted us.
"I have a great favour to ask," he said diffidently. "If I might I
should like to give to you a little appendix. It is my son. He is
seventeen, but is very big for his age. If the Austrians catch him I do
not know what will become of him."
We were introduced to the boy, and at once consented.
"I will decide for certain to-morrow," said the colonel. "Can I meet you
at seven o'clock?"
We hunted once more for West. Ran him to earth at last in the Hotel de
Paris. This hotel could perhaps have existed in the Butte de Montmartre,
but even there it would have been considered a disgrace. We had to pass
through a long room crammed with sleeping soldiery, stepping across them
to get to the door opposite. Every window was tight shut, and after one
horrified gulp we held our breath till we reached the interior
courtyard.
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