hand," he exclaimed.

Alexis placed his right hand across the German's shoulders and caught
him firmly and the boys saw by the expression on his face that he was
not certain of the outcome. The German had not boasted in vain. He was
indeed a giant.

"If ever men felt the joy of battle, these two do," exclaimed Hal to
Chester.

The two men were now gripped in a tight embrace. Von Bernstrum felt
Alexis over carefully, but gave him no opening.

"A man's chest," he grunted.

Alexis so far had uttered no word. Now he perceived that his opponent
was preparing for the loin throw and prepared himself to meet it. When
he had foiled this attack, he held his opponent for a moment at a
disadvantage.

Alexis gripped von Bernstrum for a hug. Had the German been a weaker
man, his ribs must have cracked; but he had caught deep breath, and the
Cossack might as well have tried to crush a tree.

"A good try!" muttered the German.

He now tested Alexis sorely. He tried a cross hitch, but failed. At
this, a smile broke out on Alexis' face.

Both lads, who had been watching the struggle nervously, now grew
confident. It was evident that the Cossack hoped for victory.

At last Alexis saw his chance. In getting the grip he wanted, it was
necessary for him to face the danger of putting himself in his
opponent's power; but the Cossack ventured to do this, for he realized
that by no other means could he throw him. Von Bernstrum saw his
opponent's move and took advantage of it, and for a moment Alexis was
afraid it was all over with him.

But he still held his ground. Von Bernstrum's grip grew weaker at last,
and the boys could hear him panting like a dog. Hal spoke to Chester.

"I believe he realizes that Alexis will master him," he exclaimed in a
whisper.

Chester nodded in assent.

Now Alexis put all the strength of his mighty shoulders, back and loins
into a mighty heave, and Freiderich von Bernstrum, giant though he was,
went flying across the room, his head striking the floor with a terrible
thud.

For a moment the lads were afraid Alexis had killed him; but for a
moment only. Calmly Alexis put on his shoes and donned his coat. Then he
turned to his young friends and waited. His attitude said as plain as
words:

"I have done the fighting. You do the rest."

Quickly Hal stooped over the fallen man and took a bunch of keys from
his pocket. Then, straightening up, he approached the door, opened it
and peered out. There