ou, has
stood us in good stead."

"Well," said the Grand Duke thoughtfully, "I will not order him to
accompany you, for he would be out of his element on the other side;
but, if he is willing to go, he has my permission."

After some further talk the boys took a friendly farewell of the
commander-in-chief of the Russian armies and left the tent. They hunted
up Alexis immediately.

"Well, Alexis," said Hal, "to-morrow we start back for France!"

The giant Cossack was on his feet in a moment.

"You mean you are going away for good?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Chester.

Alexis, although not an emotional man, was stirred deeply. The boys
realized it in an instant; but he was not the man to give way to his
feelings, and he said simply:

"I am sorry. I wish that you would remain here."

Then Hal broached his plan.

"Alexis," he said, "how would you like to come with us?"

The giant looked at him in surprise.

"Go with you?" he exclaimed. "To France?"

"Yes."

"But what would I do in France?" he questioned.

"Fight!" replied Chester briefly.

"True!" muttered Alexis.

"The Grand Duke has given his permission, if you desire to go," said
Hal, "and we would indeed be glad to have you. We have grown very fond
of you."

"And I of you," replied Alexis.

"In France," said Chester, "there are no such men as you. You would be a
veritable Hercules, a man among men. Brave men there are there in
plenty, but none such as you."

His vanity thus appealed to, Alexis saw the matter in a different light.
He slapped one great fist down upon the table in a mighty blow.

"I'll go!" he shouted.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ON NEUTRAL SOIL.

"Surely you are not afraid, Alexis?" exclaimed Chester.

"Afraid!" shouted Alexis. "Of course I am not afraid. But"--he eyed the
large aeroplane dubiously--"but a man was not made to fly about in the
air like a bird, particularly a man of my weight. Besides, I do not like
great height. If I stand upon a precipice, I am immediately struck with
the notion that I must jump off. If I jumped from an aeroplane I might
upset it."

Both Hal and Chester laughed.

"I was that way myself once," said Chester, "so I know just how you
feel. Many a man, otherwise very brave, has that same horror of height.
However, you will soon get used to it."

"Maybe so," said Alexis dubiously. "However, if one man can fly, why, so
can I. I am willing to take a chance."

"Good!" exclaimed Hal. "Now to ge