room, looking out into a little court. Through these a
dim light streamed. The windows were heavily barred. Hal and Chester
tested the bars. Alexis, however, after one look, sat down in deep
disgust. If his wounds bothered him any, he did not seem to mind them.

"No chance of escape here," said Hal, after shaking one of the heavy
iron bars.

"I should say not," agreed Chester, after making a test.

They turned from the windows just as a key grated in the lock of the
heavy door, and a man of huge stature, topping the giant frame of Alexis
by more than an inch, entered the room.

"Good evening," he said politely enough. "I have come to see if you
require anything. We have been instructed to treat you kindly."

"A little liberty is about all," said Hal, with a rueful smile.

"I am sorry," replied the newcomer, also smiling slightly, "but that is
the one thing I cannot grant you. I suppose you wonder who I am?"

The boys nodded.

"I," said the newcomer, striking himself a hard blow on the chest, "am
Freiderich von Bernstrum, brother of Heinrich von Bernstrum, commander
of this fortress, and I am kept cooped up here while there is fighting
to be done--me, Freiderich von Bernstrum, a real fighter!"

"Hm-m-m," muttered Hal to himself as he glanced keenly at Alexis. "Two
of a kind."

Alexis moved restlessly as the big German made this boast. It was plain
to both lads that, while he might like to brag himself, he did not
relish hearing another do so.

"Yes," continued von Bernstrum, "I would go to the front. But my
brother, he would stay here. You see," and the talkative German leaned
closer to the lads, "he has a fair captive in the tower above, and he
seeks to marry her."

"And who is she?" demanded Hal.

"I will mention no names," replied the German. "Enough that she is a
Russian countess."

Alexis jumped to his feet and advanced upon the big German.

"You have dared to lay a hand upon a Russian lady?" he demanded.

The German eyed him amusedly.

"And what of it?" he demanded. "However, you need have no fear. She
prefers me, and I shall take her away from him."

Alexis raised a threatening hand, but Hal stayed him.

"Quiet," he whispered. "Some good may come of this if you obey me."

Alexis subsided.

Hal approached Chester and whispered.

"Keep von Bernstrum in conversation while I have a word with Alexis."

Chester did as Hal ordered, and the latter whispered to the big Cossack:

"Do you think