hat we are spies."

"Stackanoff! That man must die, Western," the stern answer came. "He
has treated me with the foulest brutality. I am half-starved, and
altogether lame, for the second wound I received while trying to escape
has festered, and I am racked with fever. For God's sake get me out of
this, old chap!"

"I mean to," Phil cried cheerfully. "We have no idea how we shall get
out yet, but we gave the Russians the slip once before, and will do so
now. Be ready at any moment. But I will try to warn you in good time.
Now I will slip back, but to-morrow I will come right down into your
prison."

Carefully lowering himself, it was not long before he was back in his
own cell, and telling Tony all that had happened and what chances there
were of escape.

"Speak low, mate," said Tony cautiously. "Tell yer what it is. This
'ere Froggy"--and he nodded contemptuously at Pierre--"ain't worth a bag
of salt. My advice is, don't tell him what we're up to. You can see he
ain't got the pluck to get out of this, and he's bound to know he'll
catch it if we get away and leave him. So he'll round on us if we're
not careful."

"Impossible!" exclaimed Phil.

"Look at the fellow then, and perhaps you'll change your mind," replied
Tony in a whisper.

Pierre was lying disconsolately in his corner, and when Phil glanced at
him the Frenchman's eyes were shifty. He looked ill at ease, and was
evidently deeply curious as to his fellow-prisoners' movements.

"What for does monsieur mount ze chimney?" he asked peevishly. "Eef ze
door open, what happen? Vraiment, ze bang;" and he shuddered at the
thought that all would be shot.

"Look here," said Phil sternly, and with hardly repressed anger and
contempt, "that man Stackanoff has got us in his clutches, and if we are
to live we must escape. I went up the chimney for that purpose, but
could see no way out in that direction. If we find a loophole, you must
decide whether to accompany us; but mind me, do not attempt to betray
us, or we will break your neck!"

"Betray monsieur! Ah, non!" the little man cried, lifting his hands in
expostulation. "Surely I will come with you. I will brave ze death."

"Mind yer do then," grunted Tony, looking searchingly at him.

But the incident, small as it was, was sufficient to put Phil and his
friend on their guard, and after that they kept their counsels to
themselves.

At dusk, the sour-faced jailer brought in some bread and