ee I have kept my word," he said. "I was not shot."

"How did you escape?" demanded Hal, asking the only question he could
think of at that moment.

"Never mind that," replied the bandit. "Get your clothes on quickly, and
come with me."

Under the muzzles of the two revolvers, the lads dressed hurriedly. The
presence of Alexis in the adjoining room--the giant lying completely
covered up by bed clothes--passed unnoticed. But Alexis, beneath his
covering, heard what was going on and understood.

"Go out ahead of me," ordered Brunnoi.

He dropped his two revolvers into side pockets, but kept his fingers on
the trigger of each.

"One false move and I'll drop you," he said quietly. "Now, march!"

Slowly the lads left the room, and Brunnoi followed them; but hardly had
they disappeared through the door, when Alexis bounded out of bed and
silently followed.

At the outside door, Brunnoi stepped back to allow his captives to pass
out first. For an instant he was off his guard. It was Alexis'
opportunity and he leaped suddenly forward.

Brunnoi heard the sound of the giant's footsteps. He turned quickly, and
drew his revolvers, but the Cossack's leap was too quick. With a single
movement he sent both of the weapons from the bandit's hands, and
reached out to seize him.

Brunnoi was as slippery as an eel. He eluded Alexis' grasp and darted
through the door. Now without weapons, he took to his heels.

Hal perceived the flying apparition, and reached out a hand to detain
him. He clutched the flowing white beard of the bandit chief--and the
beard came away in his hand. Brunnoi fled down the steps and made good
his escape, Hal being too surprised to move.

Chester and Alexis were equally as astonished.

"Well, what do you think of that?" demanded Chester, in great surprise.
"A false beard! But I wonder how he escaped from the firing squad."

"It's too deep for me," Hal admitted. "But we had better report this to
the Grand Duke."

Together they made their way to the quarters of the commander-in-chief.
The latter listened to their story with interest.

"I have just learned of Brunnoi's escape from the firing squad," he said
when they had finished their account of their experience with the bandit
chief. "Count de Reslau, being a Hungarian himself, was greatly
interested in this Brunnoi. He asked me for a pass to see him, I granted
this request. The guards saw the count leave the tent after a few
moments' conversation