Robbers (page 2)

Robbers 
Page 2
 
3. Romania and the Expedition 

Sir Keith Hargreaves disembarked at the international airport in Bucharest at the late hour of half past 11 pm. 
Hardly anyone was thre except night security staff. He checked at security and rested at Arrival Lounge for a few 
minutes. Malcolm Townes was with him, as agreed. He set out from the airport grounds to meet local people and try to employ a man or two for their purpose. Within about one hour, Townes returned rather excitedly and informed Sir 
Keith that he found two lower middle class fellows who were available to help at low fee. He summoned them and one 
man, aged 64 years entered. 

"Do you know what we are going to do," Sir Keith asked slowly, so that the man could understand him. 
"Yes, sir."
"You are not afraid?" 
"A little, sir. It is because of Count Frederic, sir." 
"I have learned about him, a bit," Sir Keith assured him.
"That is well, sir. Shall we make our move, sir?"
"Yes, let us go."

 The team of four men headed for the airport taxi stand. As with the grounds themselves, only a few men were at the stand, or essentially two taxis with chauffeurs; but none wanted to make the journey. 

"Sir, they are afraid to send us," the 64 year old explained. "That is rather obvious. Have you a vehicle, Franz 
Tesla?" 
"I have, sir. Please wait here. Armand, stay with them."

 Franz Tesla hurried to his cottage and returned with a small motorcycle and a bicycle for his friend, Armand. The 
visitors climbed behind Franz Tesla and all four men started towards the city cemetery. They reached the gate by 
quarter past 12 midnight. The cemetery was deserted. Franz explained that the keeper went home before 11 pm. 
Relieved to do the work secretly, the two scholars began to search for Count Frederic's grave. Then, Franz Tesla
indicated an old mausoleum. Sir Keith was certain that Count Frederic was buried in that. They headed at once for 
the ground. By 12:45, they found a lonely plot of earth and the mausoleum erected on it. The gate was standing but 
a careful examination revealed that it would fall from its hinges within 6 months, without attention to it. The 
Englishmen were dead set upon entering. However, Franz Tesla suggested that he and Armand should go in first. Sir 
Keith remembered his colleague's advice in Arkham, and agreed to wait outside. Franz and Armand crept inside the
mausoleum cautiously. As they found the coffin, the moon appeared over the site and illuminated the coffin.

"Franz, what if the Count awakens?" 
"We will run like bats from hell."

 Not more than 5 minutes after these words were uttered, when the lid slowly opened and crashed upon the earth under it. In the moonlight, a gaunt, stern looking figure with shadowed deep-set eyes and straight white hair sat bolt 
upright in the coffin. 

"Who dares to waken Frederic Vanescu from his slumber?" he demanded.