u on. Are you sure your information is
authentic?"

"Perfectly," replied Hal calmly. "Brunnoi himself was our informer."

"In that case," said the count with a shrug of his shoulders, "you must
be right."

He turned, and with a few brief words to the Grand Duke, left the tent.
The lads talked for some moments with the Russian commander-in-chief,
and then left the tent, informing him that they would join their
regiment the following day. Outside, they climbed again into the
automobile and Hal drove the car to the house where they had left
Marquis.

The dog was overjoyed at seeing his friends again. His tail wagged
fiercely and he barked with gladness, insisting upon kissing all three,
in spite of their protests.

"Down, Marquis!" cried Hal with a laugh. "Do you want to eat us up. Now
what do you say, sir, will you be glad to rejoin your regiment
to-morrow?"

"Yes! Yes!" barked Marquis.

"Good!" said Chester. "But we will leave you here while we get something
to eat. Then we will come back and get you."

The three left the house, and made their way to the nearest restaurant,
where they ordered a sumptuous meal. It had been long days since they
had tasted food in plenty, and they ate hungrily. It was almost dark
when they left the restaurant and started after Marquis.

As they passed down a side street, five men armed with long knives
sprang out upon them. The three friends were caught off their guard by
the suddenness of the attack, and in spite of the fact that they drew
their swords, for they were again in uniform, their assailants pressed
them sorely. A sword thrust pierced Hal in the arm, and his weapon fell
to the ground. He drew his revolver with his left hand, however, and
fired point-blank at his adversary. His aim was true, and there was one
enemy less.

At the same moment Chester ran his opponent through, and Alexis brought
another to the ground. The other two turned and fled.

"I wonder what that was for?" said Chester, brushing himself off.

"I can't imagine why we should have been attacked," declared Hal.

He broke off; for at that moment he espied a figure standing in a nearby
doorway; eyeing them evilly. Hal caught Chester by the arm, and pointed
to the figure.

"There is the answer," he said quietly.

Chester gazed in the direction indicated. Then, with a sudden cry, both
boys dashed toward the doorway.

For the man they saw, with a sneer curving his lips, wore a long,
flowing, white