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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign, by Clair W. Hayes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign
+       The Struggle to Save a Nation
+
+Author: Clair W. Hayes
+
+Release Date: July 2, 2004 [EBook #12805]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BALKAN CAMPAIGN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                 THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN
+
+                                   OR
+
+                      The Struggle to Save a Nation
+
+                           By CLAIR W. HAYES
+
+AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies in Great Peril," "The Boy Allies at Liége,"
+"The Boy Allies on the Firing Line," "The Boy Allies with the Cossacks,"
+"The Boy Allies in the Trenches."
+
+                                  1916
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+IN THE AIR.
+
+
+"And how do you feel now, Mr. Stubbs?"
+
+Hal Paine took his eyes from the distance ahead long enough to gaze
+toward that part of the military aeroplane in which three other figures
+were seated. It might rather be said, however, that two of the others
+were seated, for the third figure was huddled up in a little ball, now
+and then emitting feeble sounds.
+
+In response to Hal's question, this huddled figure straightened itself up
+long enough to make reply.
+
+"I feel sick," came the answer in a low voice. "How long before we can
+get back to earth, so that I may die peacefully?"
+
+"Oh, I guess you won't die, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, chuckling a bit
+to himself.
+
+He turned his eyes ahead again and gave his entire attention to guiding
+the swiftly flying craft.
+
+The first streak of dawn had appeared in the east but a few moments
+before and gradually now it was growing light. High in the air, it was
+very chilly and those in the aeroplane had drawn their coats closely
+about them.
+
+"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?"
+
+This speaker was another of the passengers in the car, Chester Crawford,
+chum and bosom companion of Hal.
+
+"Somewhere over Central Austria," replied Hal, not taking his eyes
+from ahead.
+
+"I would rather that it were over Serbia, Montenegro or Greece," said the
+fourth occupant of the airship, Colonel Harry Anderson of His British
+Majesty's service. "I'm beginning to get a little cramped up here. I'd
+like to stretch my legs a bit."
+
+"You won't ever stretch them again, you may be sure of that," said a
+hollow voice, none other than that of Anthony Stubbs, American war
+correspondent, who now aroused himself enough to predict dire results.
+
+"What?" said Colonel Anderson. "And why won't I ever stretch my
+legs again?"
+
+"The undertaker'll do it for you," groaned Stubbs. "This contraption is
+bound to come down pretty quick and when it does it'll be all off."
+
+"Can't see why that should worry you any," remarked the colonel
+cheerfully. "It won't be your funeral."
+
+"No, but I'll have one at about the same time," Stubbs moaned. "I go down
+when you do."
+
+He raised his voice a trifle. "Let's go down, Hal," he continued. "I'm
+awfully sick."
+
+"Go down nothing," ejaculated Chester. "Think we want to give the
+Austrians another chance at us, huh?"
+
+"Better be shot by an Austrian than to die in this infernal machine,"
+declared Stubbs in a feeble voice.
+
+"This," said Chester calmly, "is an airship and not an infernal machine."
+
+"Well, it's my idea of an infernal machine, all the same," Stubbs
+groaned. "We'll all come down in pieces, as sure as you're a foot high."
+
+"Oh, I guess not," said Chester. "We--whoa, there."
+
+He broke off suddenly and seized the side of the machine, as did Colonel
+Anderson, just as the craft tilted dangerously to one side.
+
+"Help!" came a cry from Stubbs, as he went rolling toward the side of
+the craft.
+
+There appeared to be no danger that the little man would be thrown out,
+for the sides of the basket-like craft protected him, but he was plainly
+frightened and Chester gave him a hand, now that the machine had righted
+itself again.
+
+"It's all right, Stubbs," the lad said; "no danger at all. Sit up, now."
+
+The little man shook off the hand.
+
+"I don't want to sit up," he whimpered. "I want to jump overboard and end
+all this suspense. I might as well die now as ten minutes from now. Oh
+my, I wish--"
+
+"Well, Mr. Stubbs," came Hal's voice, "unless I miss my guess, you are
+likely to get your wish. Here comes one of the enemy to watch you die."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Chester and Colonel Anderson in a single voice.
+
+"Off to the right," replied Hal, quietly.
+
+Glancing in that direction, Chester and Colonel Anderson saw a large air
+craft headed in their direction.
+
+"After us, do you think?" asked Chester.
+
+"Can't tell," replied Hal, briefly.
+
+"Hardly probable," said Colonel Anderson. "Chances are the fellow
+believes we are one of his own kind and wants a word with us."
+
+"Maybe you're right," said Hal. "I'll hold to my present course anyhow
+and take a chance."
+
+The aeroplane continued on as before.
+
+Now Stubbs came to life once more.
+
+"Well, why don't you get a little speed out of this thing?" he demanded.
+"What are you going to do? Stand right here and let that fellow get us?
+What's the matter with you, anyhow? Trying to get me killed?"
+
+"Why, Mr. Stubbs," exclaimed Chester, in mock seriousness, "I thought
+that you were simply dying to be killed. Here's an Austrian coming in
+direct answer to your prayers. What's the difference whether he gets you
+now or ten minutes from now? It'll be all the same in a hundred years."
+
+"Think you're smart, don't you," snapped Stubbs. "Why should I want to be
+killed? I ask you now, why should I want to be killed?"
+
+"Well, really, I don't know," replied Chester, "unless it is because you
+are so awfully sick."
+
+"Sick!" shouted Stubbs. "Sick! Who said anything about being sick?"
+
+"Why, I understood you to say--"
+
+"Well, you understood wrong. Sick? No, I'm not sick, but we'll all be
+worse than sick if Hal can't coax a little speed out of this machine.
+Say!" this to Hal, "what are you waiting for, anyhow?"
+
+"Now you just hold your horses, Stubbs," replied Hal. "I'm running this
+party at this moment and I'm going to run it my own way. Colonel
+Anderson, if you hear any more out of our war-corresponding friend,
+kindly sit on him, will you?"
+
+"With pleasure," replied the colonel briefly.
+
+"Oh, you will, will you?" cried Stubbs. "Well, you won't. I--I'll--"
+
+He subsided after muttering to himself for some moments.
+
+The others now gave their undivided attention to the other craft, which
+by this time had drawn close to them.
+
+"Man wig-wagging forward, Hal," said Chester.
+
+"I see him," replied Hal, "but I can't make out his signals. Can you,
+Anderson?"
+
+"No, I can't. He evidently has something to say, though."
+
+"Well," said Hal, "we'll have to hold a sudden council of war. What are
+we going to do about it? Shall we stop and talk, trying to fool him, or
+shall we run for it?"
+
+"Well, if we were going to run, it would have been better before he got
+so close," said Chester. "Guess we may as well see what he has to say.
+These Austrian uniforms won't come in bad. You do the talking, Hal."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"All right," he said.
+
+He reduced the speed of the machine and the Austrian came closer.
+
+"Ahoy, there!" he said in German. "Who are you?"
+
+"Lieutenant Drizladaz, attached to the Austrian army at Trieste," Hal
+shouted back.
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"Mission," Hal yelled.
+
+"Where to?"
+
+Hal thought quickly.
+
+"Greece," he said finally.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"That," said Hal, "is none of your business. I have my orders and I
+haven't time to fool around here with you. I'm due back to-morrow night."
+
+There was a moment's silence from the other machine and then a
+voice called:
+
+"Has your mission anything to do with Greece's intervention in the war?"
+
+"Well, I can't say anything about that," replied the lad, thinking to
+give the other the impression that it was.
+
+"I see," was the answer shouted back. "Well, I wish you luck. Sorry you
+can't tell me all about it."
+
+"You probably will know soon enough," replied Hal.
+
+"Good. Don't want any company, do you?"
+
+"No, I guess not."
+
+"You want to be careful crossing the Balkans. I understand there are some
+British and French aircraft with the Serbians and Montenegrins. Look out
+for them."
+
+"I'll be on guard," replied Hal. "Thanks for the information."
+
+"Tell you what," said the Austrian, "I've been doing some scout duty
+there myself. I'll just trail along. May be able to help you out a bit"
+
+Hal didn't think much of this plan.
+
+"I can make it all right myself," he declared.
+
+"Suppose you can," was the reply, "but it is just as well to be on the
+safe side."
+
+"Well, suit yourself," said Hal, "but don't expect me to wait for you."
+
+"If you can distance me you will have to travel," returned the Austrian.
+"I've the fastest craft in the service."
+
+"I'm glad to hear that," replied Hal, and added to himself: "I
+don't think."
+
+"Set your pace," continued the Austrian. "I'll trail along behind."
+
+"No use talking any more, I guess," Hal muttered to his friends. "May as
+well go along."
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson nodded their assent and the machine moved
+forward again.
+
+Things might have gone well had it not been for Stubbs. Suddenly the
+little man uttered a yell and sat up straight in his seat.
+
+"Ouch!" he shouted. "I've got an awful pain!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+MONTENEGRIN MOUNTAINEERS.
+
+
+Hal drew a sharp breath and tightened his hold upon the steering wheel.
+
+There was no question that Stubbs' voice had carried to the occupants of
+the second craft, and as Stubbs had exclaimed aloud in English there was
+little doubt in the minds of our three friends that the Austrians would
+seek an explanation. Nor were they wrong.
+
+Came a hail from the Austrian:
+
+"Who've you got aboard, there?"
+
+"Prisoner," replied Hal, thinking quickly.
+
+"What are you doing with him?"
+
+"We--" Hal began, but the Austrian interrupted.
+
+"Spies, that's what you are! Down to the ground now, or I'll put a hole
+through you."
+
+"Guess it's no use fooling any longer," muttered Hal.
+
+He threw over the elevating lever and the large craft soared rapidly. At
+the same moment a shot rang out from aboard the Austrian, followed by a
+cry of surprise, and then the Austrian gave chase.
+
+"Get your guns and see if you can pick 'em off," Hal instructed Chester
+and Colonel Anderson. "I'll run this thing, but you fellows will have to
+do the fighting."
+
+"Suits me," responded Chester, examining his revolver carefully.
+
+Colonel Anderson also nodded his agreement to this plan.
+
+Hal now changed his course and the airship headed toward the south,
+bearing off a trifle to the east, in a direction that he believed,
+eventually, would land them in Serbia.
+
+It became apparent now that the Austrian had not boasted of the speed of
+his craft without reason, for he gained perceptibly.
+
+"We can't out-run him, Hal," shouted Chester.
+
+"Then we shall have to try something else," was the reply.
+
+Abruptly he reduced the speed of the craft and the Austrians dashed in
+range of the revolvers of the fugitives almost before they could have
+realized it.
+
+"Crack! Crack!"
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson had fired. There came a scream of pain from
+behind and the Austrian craft wobbled crazily. A moment later a man
+sprang to his feet, sought to retain his footing, threw up his arms and
+went hurtling into space.
+
+"Got one, Hal!" said Chester, quietly.
+
+"Good!"
+
+Came a volley of small arm fire from behind and bullets whined about the
+four friends. Again Chester and Colonel Anderson fired almost
+simultaneously and again their efforts were rewarded. A second man was
+put out of the fight, as they could see.
+
+At this moment Stubbs came into action.
+
+He arose from his seat and, grasping the side of the speeding craft with
+his left hand for support, stood to his full height. His right arm drew
+back, then flashed sharply forward again and a small object went spinning
+through the air toward the Austrian airship.
+
+It struck home and there was a terrible explosion, followed by several
+sharp cries of pain, as the Austrian airship seemed to split into a
+thousand pieces. A moment later these pieces disappeared.
+
+The three friends turned upon Stubbs.
+
+"What is this, magic?" asked Chester in surprise.
+
+"No," replied Stubbs, quietly. "Melenite. I just happened to see a stick
+of it here, so I threw it."
+
+"Well, you did a pretty good job, Stubbs," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"I didn't pitch for my college team two years for nothing," returned
+Stubbs modestly. "But now let's go down. I want to get my feet on the
+ground again."
+
+"It won't be much longer, Stubbs," said Hal. "Another two hours at this
+speed should put us across the Serbian frontier. Just be patient."
+
+"I'll wait," replied Stubbs, "but I won't promise to be patient."
+
+He sank back to his place and refused to talk further.
+
+While the big army craft is speeding across Austria it will be a
+good time to explain the presence of the four friends in their
+present predicament and introduce them briefly to those who have not
+met them before.
+
+Hal Paine and Chester Crawford were both American lads. With the former's
+mother, they had been in Berlin at the outbreak of the great war, and,
+after a series of interesting and exciting adventures, they made their
+way to Liége just in time to take part in the defense of that stronghold
+with the Belgian army.
+
+There they won distinction and lieutenancies in the Belgian service, the
+latter bestowed upon them by King Albert himself. They had been in France
+with the British troops that had stopped the German drive on Paris and
+had gone with the Allied army on its advance. They had seen service on
+all fronts and now considered themselves veteran campaigners.
+
+Colonel Anderson they had met in Berlin just after the Kaiser had
+declared war upon France. The colonel, lieutenant then, and Major
+Derevaux, a Frenchman, had taken the boys with them on their flight and
+the four had later encountered each other in many strange and
+unexpected places.
+
+Stubbs they also had met while on one of their many missions and had
+earned the little man's undying gratitude; but he had repaid whatever
+they had done for him, with interest, more than once.
+
+The boys, in their latest exploit, had been with the Italian army in
+the Alps. Two of the four friends having fallen into the hands of the
+enemy, the others had entered the enemy's lines in an effort to effect
+their escape.
+
+It was a daring adventure, but after a fight and chase, the four had
+managed to seize the airship in which we now find them and had at last
+fought their way clear. They had then held a council of war and decided
+that it was best to head for the Balkans, rather than to run the gauntlet
+of the Austrian flying craft which kept constant vigil in the direction
+of the Italian lines.
+
+Hal and Chester, typical American lads, were large and strong for their
+ages, which were within a year of each other, seventeen and eighteen now.
+In the rough lumber camps of the north, the two had had considerable
+experience in the use of firearms and the art of self-defense--fists.
+Also, during the school term each had practiced the use of the sword
+until, though by no means experts, they could give a fair account of
+themselves with this weapon--as each had done more than once.
+
+Fortunately, both lads had made a study of languages and spoke French and
+German fluently. They never had trouble on that score.
+
+The great war up to this point had not gone as successfully as the
+Entente Allies had hoped in the early days. The German lines on all
+fronts were seemingly stronger than ever before. Even the entrance of
+Italy into the war on the side of the Allies had failed to turn the
+balance, as it had been confidently expected it would. East and west, the
+German lines held, while in the Balkans the enemy was even now advancing
+against the heroic little Serbian army, which, before many days, was to
+be forced to relinquish its country to the iron heel of the invader.
+Montenegro, the smallest factor in the war, still was fighting hard--the
+rugged and gigantic mountaineers giving a good account of themselves upon
+all sides.
+
+This was the situation, then, as the airship containing Colonel Anderson,
+British officer, Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, and Hal
+Paine and Chester Crawford sped southward over Austria.
+
+Several hours after the sinking of the Austrian aeroplane Chester spoke.
+
+"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?" he asked.
+
+"I believe we must have crossed the frontier," replied Hal. "However,
+we'll wait another half hour before descending to have a look."
+
+The half hour up, Hal sent the airship lower and lower. Soon, a faint
+gray speck below became visible, assuming larger and larger proportions,
+until all aboard made out the ground beneath.
+
+And then, half a mile ahead, a body of troops were seen. Hal checked the
+speed of the craft immediately.
+
+"Don't know who they are," he explained. "We'll be careful. They may be
+all right and then again they may not be."
+
+He sent the machine higher again and a few minutes later the craft hung
+directly above the troops below.
+
+"I can't make out those uniforms," declared Chester.
+
+"Nor I," said Hal. "However, they are not Austrian, I can see that. We'll
+take a chance and go down."
+
+Again the machine moved closer toward the earth, and a few minutes later
+came to rest upon the ground a short distance from the main body of
+troops. A squad of men, let by an officer, came hurriedly forward,
+covering the four friends with their rifles.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "You must have miscalculated a
+bit, Hal. I recognize them now."
+
+"Well, who are they?" demanded the lad.
+
+"Montenegrins."
+
+"Good," cried Chester. "Then we are among friends."
+
+The four friends raised their hands in token of surrender as the officer
+and his men came toward them. A few paces away, the officer halted and
+addressed them.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"Can't understand that lingo," he exclaimed.
+
+He addressed the officer in English and the officer also indicated that
+he could not understand.
+
+"Don't want to tackle him in German if I can help it," said Hal. "It
+might not suit him."
+
+"Well, what's the matter with French?" Chester wanted to know.
+
+"Nothing, I guess," returned Hal. "I'll try him. We are British
+officers," he said, addressing the Montenegrin officer, "and we have just
+escaped from the Austrians."
+
+The Montenegrin understood and replied in broken French:
+
+"How am I to know you are not of the enemy?"
+
+"Well, I don't know, to tell the truth," Hal replied with a pleasant
+smile. "I am afraid it does look a little bad for us, as we have nothing
+to prove our identities. But if you have a British or French officer
+about here, perhaps we can convince him."
+
+The Montenegrin nodded.
+
+"Fortunately, we have," he said. He ordered one of his men to summon
+Colonel Edwards.
+
+"By Jove!" said Anderson. "I know an Edwards. I wonder can it be
+the same?"
+
+"No such luck, I am afraid," said Chester.
+
+But it was; and a few moments later Colonel Edwards and Colonel Anderson
+were shaking hands affectionately.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE KING OF THE MONTENEGRINS.
+
+
+With his hand upon Edwards' arm, Colonel Anderson approached Hal
+and Chester.
+
+"I want you to meet my two young friends," he said.
+
+Colonel Edwards shook hands with each lad in turn and then turned to
+Stubbs, who, during all this time, had been standing quietly, while he
+cast a critical eye upon the Montenegrin troopers who stood near.
+
+"A likely looking bunch of men," he muttered to himself. "I'll bet they
+could give a good account of themselves in a--"
+
+He faced about just in time to acknowledge Colonel Anderson's
+introduction to Colonel Edwards; then turned again to survey the
+mountaineers.
+
+"Good fighters, these," he said to himself, "or I miss my guess."
+
+"Now," said Hal to Colonel Edwards, "there is really no use of our
+standing here. I'd like to look up a place where I can turn in for a few
+winks. I'm dead tired and I imagine the rest of you are, too."
+
+Chester seconded Hal's motion and Colonel Anderson admitted his own
+fatigue. Stubbs settled the matter.
+
+"Where there are men there are beds," he said; "or at least cots, or
+pallets, or something. I'm going to find one."
+
+He moved toward a row of tents in the distance.
+
+"Hold on there," said Chester. "We're all going, Stubbs."
+
+In the meantime Colonel Edwards had been holding a consultation with the
+Montenegrin officer who had first accosted the friends.
+
+"I am sure that if you vouch for them they are all right," said the
+Montenegrin.
+
+"Thanks," said Edwards. "Then, with your permission, I shall conduct them
+to my own quarters."
+
+"And you may also make free with mine," said the other.
+
+Again Colonel Edwards expressed his thanks, in which the others joined,
+and then he led the way toward the distant tents.
+
+Fifteen minutes later the four friends were sleeping soundly, with never
+a care in the world, for it had been long since they had closed their
+eyes and they were completely worn out.
+
+Darkness shrouded the small tent when Hal opened his eyes. It was several
+moments before the lad could gain his bearings, but when at last he
+realized just where he was he bethought himself of the others.
+
+"Still sleeping, I guess," he said.
+
+He arose, moved to the door of the tent and passed out. A steady rumbling
+sound fell upon his ears and Hal, momentarily, was unable to account for
+it. But the solution soon came to him.
+
+"Troops moving," he told himself.
+
+He was right. Walking some distance from the tent, he made out, probably
+half a mile away, the dark forms of many men as they marched swiftly on
+in the darkness, their figures lighted up ever and anon by the gleam of a
+flashlight. But the camp in which the lad stood was perfectly quiet.
+
+"Now I wonder--" he muttered--gazed silently ahead a moment and then
+turned back toward the tent, saying to himself: "Guess I'll wake the
+others up."
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson were aroused without much trouble. Not
+so Stubbs.
+
+"What's the matter?" came the little man's query, when Hal prodded him
+gently in the ribs with his foot.
+
+"Time to get up," said Hal, briefly.
+
+For a moment Stubbs opened his eyes and peered into the darkness--for Hal
+had made no light.
+
+"Get up?" he exclaimed. "What! Anthony Stubbs get up in the middle of the
+night? Not much!"
+
+"But we are going, Stubbs," said Hal. "We don't want to leave you here by
+yourself."
+
+"Kind of you," said Stubbs sarcastically. "I can remember when you were
+not so solicitious of my welfare. Don't worry about me. I'll just sleep
+right along."
+
+He turned over and a loud snore a few moments later told that he was
+again in the land of dreams.
+
+Again Hal prodded him with his foot.
+
+"Stubbs! I say, Stubbs!" he called.
+
+Directly Stubbs opened his eyes.
+
+"And what's the matter this time?" he demanded aggrievedly.
+
+"Hurry!" Hal exclaimed, thinking to get the little man up by a ruse. "The
+Austrians are coming."
+
+"Run, then!" replied Stubbs. "I'll hide here. They won't bother me."
+
+"Now listen here, Stubs," said Chester, "just when do you want to get
+up?"
+
+Again Stubbs allowed his eyes to open and he peered into the
+darkness sleepily.
+
+"What day is this?" he inquired mildly.
+
+"Tuesday," replied Chester; "but what--"
+
+"Then call me Saturday," said the little man gently, and closed his eyes
+in sleep once more.
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Colonel Anderson. "He had you there, Chester."
+
+Chester appeared somewhat flustered.
+
+"Well, he'll have to get up out of there," he said wrathfully.
+
+"Oh, come on and let him be, Chester," said Hal. "I guess nothing will
+hurt him. We'll be back by daylight and I'll venture to say we will find
+him here, still snoring."
+
+"Well, all right," Chester agreed at length; "but to tell you the truth,
+I don't just like that answer he gave me."
+
+The three left the tent and Hal led the way toward where he had so
+recently perceived the passing troops.
+
+Infantry, cavalry and artillery were still passing in dense masses,
+moving westward.
+
+"I wonder where they are going?" said Chester.
+
+"To the front, I suppose," replied Hal.
+
+"Now do you really suppose they are?" asked Chester sarcastically. "I
+thought perhaps they were on dress parade. Say, just where are we anyhow?
+Do either of you know?"
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "I meant to ask Edwards, but I
+forgot all about it. He told us, you remember, he would be in the tent
+on our left. We'll go back and have him out. Perhaps we can learn a
+few things."
+
+"Suits me," Hal agreed. "We can't see anything here but troops, and we
+have seen too many of them to be much interested. Come on."
+
+Fifteen minutes later found them seated in the tent Colonel Edwards had
+commandeered for his temporary headquarters and the colonel himself doing
+the talking.
+
+"You are perhaps fifteen miles northwest of Cettinje, the capital of
+Montenegro," he explained.
+
+"And where are these troops going?" asked Hal.
+
+"Reinforcements to the Austrian front," said Colonel Edwards. "Also some
+of them, can they be spared, will be rushed to the aid of the Serbians,
+who, from all accounts, are being sorely pressed by the new German
+offensive."
+
+"New German offensive?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"Why, yes. Haven't you heard of it?"
+
+"No. Will you explain?"
+
+"I'll try," said Colonel Edwards. "I'll revert back to the start. On
+Friday, August 13, news reached London, where I was then stationed, that
+an Austro-German army of more than 300,000 men was massing at a point on
+the Serbian frontier and it was asserted that the Kaiser was about to
+strike a blow at Serbia in order to improve Teuton prospects in the
+Balkans, where Roumania and Greece had been reported as waiting a
+favorable opportunity to join the Allies.
+
+"The great German victories in Russia, following the fall of Warsaw, had,
+however, caused the Balkan kingdoms to waver, and Bulgaria was said to
+have strong pro-German leanings. On August 16 the Austro-German army
+crossed the frontier and began a bombardment of Belgrade, the capital.
+This led to a crisis in the Greek parliament, where the Venizelos party
+caused the downfall of the cabinet, which supported the king's attitude
+of strict neutrality--a neutrality he had promised his consort, who is
+the sister of the Kaiser, as you know.
+
+"On August 21 Serbia made it known that in accordance with the advice of
+the Allies, she was willing to grant the demands of Bulgaria for the
+return of territory taken in the last Balkan war, and for a time it
+seemed that Bulgaria would enter the war on the side of the Allies.
+However, on September 19 it was said that Bulgaria would join the Central
+Powers, thus permitting Germany to establish an unbroken line of allies
+from the Baltic to the Bosporus.
+
+"On October 5, the Allies, upon invitation of the Greek premier, began
+the disembarkation of troops at Saloniki to go to the assistance of the
+Serbians; and, so far as I know, they are still landing."
+
+The three friends had listened attentively to this account of the Balkan
+situation. They had heard some inkling of the seriousness of the Serbian
+plight, but had not realized until now that Germany had at last set out
+to crush the little Balkan kingdom as she had crushed Belgium in the
+early days of the great war.
+
+"And what is the latest on the Bulgarian attitude?" asked Colonel
+Anderson.
+
+"Well, I haven't heard anything later than I have told you, but my
+personal opinion is that Bulgaria, sooner or later, will join the
+Germans."
+
+"Fools," said Colonel Anderson, briefly.
+
+"And Greece?" inquired Chester.
+
+"I don't know, but I believe Greece will keep out of the war just as long
+as she possibly can. Certainly, the Greek people will never consent to
+aiding the Germans."
+
+"You never can tell," said Colonel Anderson sententiously.
+
+Outside the tent it was now growing light, for time had passed swiftly.
+Hal noticed the light filtering in.
+
+"Great Scott! I had no idea it was morning," he said. "It must have been
+after midnight when we awoke. Let's get outside."
+
+They left the tent and Hal went into their own quarters a moment, where
+he found Stubbs up and about to emerge. Together the five walked toward
+the eastern extremity of the camp.
+
+Came a sudden blaring of trumpets and a body of horse swept toward them.
+The riders drew rein almost before the friends, dismounted and stood at
+attention, while a figure who had been in the center also jumped to the
+ground. This figure of huge stature, a man of advanced age, who
+dismounted nimbly in spite of his years, walked toward the spot where
+stood the five friends. Edwards came to attention, as did the others.
+
+"The king!" said Colonel Edwards in a low voice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+
+Nicholas, king of the Montenegrins, came forward slowly, his head bowed
+as though in grief, and it seemed for a moment as though he would pass
+Hal, Chester and the others without seeing them. But even as he drew
+abreast of the five, he looked up suddenly. His gaze rested upon Colonel
+Edwards and the Englishman bowed low. Colonel Anderson did likewise. Hal,
+Chester and Stubbs remained erect.
+
+The king smiled slightly at Colonel Edwards, whom he plainly knew, and
+glanced inquiringly at the others.
+
+Colonel Edwards approached him.
+
+"Your majesty," he said, "I would crave your permission to present
+another of my countrymen and three Americans, who have seen service with
+your allies in the western theater of war."
+
+The king nodded his head affirmatively and Colonel Edwards motioned the
+others to approach. The king extended a hand to each and spoke a few
+pleasant words.
+
+"I hope," he said, "that you will make yourselves perfectly at home in my
+camp. I am sorry I have no better to offer you." He turned to Edwards. "I
+have faith in you English," he said, "and for that reason I was about to
+summon you this morning. I have a mission of importance, and some danger,
+I would have you undertake."
+
+"I shall be pleased, sire" replied Colonel Edwards with a bow.
+
+The king smiled.
+
+"I knew you would be," he said. "Now this mission will necessitate
+probably more than a single man. You shall pick the others. It seems
+simple, but I can assure you it is not. Among the Albanian tribesmen, I
+am told, there is a disposition to doubt the justice of our cause and the
+cause of our allies. A spirit of unrest is rife there. I would have it
+looked into. I have faith in the majority of the Albanians, but a few
+agitators could do much harm right now. The reason I say one man could
+hardly undertake the task is that he would hardly have time to cover the
+necessary ground. Two might do; even more would be better."
+
+At this point Colonel Anderson stepped forward.
+
+"If you please, your majesty," he said, and hesitated.
+
+"Speak, sir," said the king.
+
+"If you please, your majesty," Colonel Anderson repeated, "it would give
+me, and my friends here, the utmost pleasure to be of some slight
+service to you. With your permission, we shall offer our services to
+Colonel Edwards."
+
+A smile stole over the king's rugged face.
+
+"I have always said," he declared, "that the British and the Americans
+come nearer to being like my own people than any others. You have my
+permission, sir, for yourself and your friends, and I have no doubt of
+the success of the mission." He turned again to Colonel Edwards. "You
+will make all possible haste?"
+
+"What we may, with caution," was the reply.
+
+"Good. Then I shall expect you back within the week."
+
+Again all bowed before the king and after a few words of farewell the
+Montenegrin monarch resumed his walk.
+
+"Well, I feel better now," declared Hal. "We've got something to do, so
+we won't feel as though we had no business here."
+
+"My sentiments, exactly," agreed Chester.
+
+"Well, they are not mine," declared Stubbs. "Say! what's the matter with
+you fellows, anyhow? Look at all the trouble we had finding a safe place
+to come down, and now you are running around looking for more trouble.
+You are not going to get Anthony Stubbs into any Albanian mountains, I
+can tell you that."
+
+"You don't have to go if you don't want to, I'm sure," said Colonel
+Anderson stiffly. "I had no idea you were afraid."
+
+"Afraid!" echoed Stubbs. "And why shouldn't I be afraid, I ask you? Why
+shouldn't I be afraid, eh? I don't know anything about mountains. I don't
+know anything about mountaineers. I don't want to know anything about any
+of them. All I want to do is--"
+
+"Get a little news for the _New York Gazette_," Chester interrupted.
+
+"Eh?" exclaimed Stubbs. "What's that? News? Sure, I've got to get some
+news. By George! Might be a good feature story up in those mountains."
+He turned to Colonel Edwards. "Count me in on this little trip, will
+you?" he said.
+
+Colonel Edwards hesitated. He didn't know Stubbs as well as the others.
+
+"Well--" he began.
+
+"Oh, he's all right, Colonel," said Hal. "It's just his way. He's no
+coward. He is no more afraid than you are."
+
+"Don't you believe it, Colonel," said Stubbs. "I assure you I am scared
+to death. But I am more afraid of losing my job with the _New York
+Gazette_ than I am of these Albanian mountaineers, so if I go I am just
+choosing the lesser of two evils. I want to go with you fellows. But
+please remember one thing: I'm no fighter. If it comes to a fight, you
+can count me out; but if it's a question of run--well, you'll find me
+with you, or far ahead."
+
+"Then if the others have no objections, I am sure that I shall be pleased
+to have you accompany us," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"And when shall we start?" asked Hal.
+
+"Just as soon as we can."
+
+"Walk, ride, or what?"
+
+"Horses, until we reach the top of the mountains. Then we'll walk. Also,
+we will discard our uniforms--anyhow, I don't imagine you like the cut of
+those Austrian garments."
+
+"I don't, and that's the truth," Hal agreed.
+
+"Good. We'll change immediately. You go to my quarters and wait. I'll
+rustle up some civilian clothes and have them sent you. Also I'll arrange
+for our mounts and other details. I'll meet you here two hours from now."
+
+With this Colonel Edwards betook himself away and the others returned to
+his quarters.
+
+Half an hour later the clothes arrived and the four friends hastened to
+climb into them, Stubbs the while muttering to himself.
+
+"Great Scott, Stubbs!" said Hal at last. "Quit your grumbling. Any one
+would think you were going to a funeral."
+
+"And so I am--maybe," returned the little man. "And what worries me is
+that it is likely to be my own."
+
+"You are a cheerful sort of a companion, I must say," declared Chester.
+"What's the use of yelling before you are hurt?"
+
+"Because I probably won't be able to afterwards," was the reply.
+
+Colonel Edwards was waiting when the four made their way to the appointed
+spot. The horses were picketed nearby.
+
+"All ready?" asked the colonel. "Guns? Ammunition?"
+
+All nodded.
+
+"Then there is no use waiting longer. We may as well be moving."
+
+He led the way to the horses and leaped lightly to the saddle. The others
+followed suit. Edwards waited until all were mounted and then headed his
+horse toward the north.
+
+"Let us ride," he said.
+
+All through the morning hours and well into the afternoon they rode
+along without adventure. They were challenged several times by
+Montenegrin outposts, but were allowed to proceed after an explanation
+by Colonel Edwards.
+
+It was four o'clock by Hal's watch when Colonel Edwards at last drew rein
+in the far outskirts of a tiny mountain village.
+
+"We'll leave our horses here," said the colonel, dismounting.
+
+He led the way to a small barn near a smaller hut. Approaching the hut
+he gave a loud whistle. A man emerged and Colonel Edwards engaged him
+in conversation. At length the man nodded. Colonel Edwards turned to
+the others.
+
+"We'll turn our horses over to him," he said. "I told him we would be
+back within seven days and wanted him to keep the animals here for us. He
+has agreed."
+
+"But will he?" asked Hal.
+
+Colonel Edwards shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"You know as much about it as I do," he replied. "However, we have
+no choice."
+
+"Well, they might come in handy if we get back," declared Stubbs. "When
+we return this far we are liable to be in considerable of a hurry, and if
+the horses were not here it would be a terrible disappointment for us, at
+least. If we come back, we'll probably come on the run."
+
+"And why will we come on the run?" Chester wanted to know.
+
+"Bayonets behind," returned Stubbs briefly. "Rifles, revolvers and
+whatnots. Oh, yes, we'll--"
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal severely, "you would be a kill-joy at any feast. When
+it comes to plain, downright pessimism, you take the cake. Your equal
+does not exist."
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say I'm good for something," muttered Stubbs.
+
+"Well, if a pessimist is good for anything, you come first always,"
+said Chester.
+
+By this time the mountaineer had stabled their horses. Colonel Edwards
+gave him a piece of money, and mumbling his thanks, the man moved away.
+
+"Which way?" asked Colonel Anderson.
+
+Colonel Edwards drew a small map from his pocket, which he consulted for
+some moments.
+
+"About five miles straight along this mountain road," he said at last.
+"There we cross the Albanian frontier, and there, also, we part company,
+or some of us do. Some of us will strike off to the right and the others
+to the left. You know what his majesty said. We would not learn much if
+we all went together."
+
+"True," returned Hal. "Well, let's be moving."
+
+They trudged along the rough, hilly road at a fair gait; but the walking
+was difficult and it was almost two hours later that Colonel Edwards
+again called a halt at what appeared to be a fork in the mountain pass.
+
+"We'll split up here," he said briefly.
+
+"And how?" asked Chester.
+
+"That's up to you fellows. Of course, I'll take charge of one party, and
+I suppose Colonel Anderson should be entrusted with the other."
+
+"Of course," said Chester. "I'll go with Colonel Anderson. Hal and Stubbs
+can go with you."
+
+"One way as well as another," was the reply.
+
+And so it was decided. There was a last handshake all around and the two
+parties went their separate ways--Colonel Anderson and Chester taking the
+more level trail to the right, and Colonel Edwards, Hal and Stubbs moving
+off along the rough pass to the left, leading more abruptly upward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A SHOT FROM AMBUSH.
+
+
+Up, up and still up the road that Colonel Edwards, Hal and Stubbs had
+selected continued, winding first to the right and then to the left
+until all three had practically lost all sense of direction. Hal
+mentioned this.
+
+"Don't know just where we are," he said.
+
+"No," agreed Colonel Edwards. "However, it doesn't make much difference.
+We'll be around here for several days. Chances are the sun will come out
+before we get ready to leave and then we can get our bearings."
+
+"Maybe there won't be any sun," said Stubbs.
+
+"There you go again," said Hal. "Of course there'll be a sun. What's the
+use of hunting trouble?"
+
+"I'm not hunting trouble," Stubbs disclaimed. "I just said maybe there
+won't be any sun."
+
+Hal threw up both hands in a gesture of dismay.
+
+"You're beyond hope," he declared.
+
+After what seemed like hours of climbing, though in reality it was not
+more than two at the most, the three reached what apparently was the top
+of the mountain, and the road stretched out level ahead of them, heavily
+shaded on both sides with trees.
+
+"Nice place for a fellow to hide and shoot a man," said Stubbs almost
+cheerfully.
+
+Hal just looked at the little man but said nothing. Edwards grinned.
+
+"Real cheerful little fellow, aren't you?" he said dryly.
+
+Stubbs grinned back at him.
+
+"I just said--" he began.
+
+"We heard you," interrupted Hal.
+
+The three trudged along silently for a few moments. Then, coming to a
+place where the trees crowded the road even closer and the branches hung
+low across their path, Stubbs again broke the silence.
+
+"An assassin--" he began.
+
+The interruption this time came from another source.
+
+The little man's hat suddenly leaped from his head. There was the low
+whine of a bullet and a rifle cracked from the woods on the left.
+
+Stubbs threw himself to the ground almost before his hat settled near him
+and he gave a loud cry.
+
+"Help!"
+
+Startled though they were by the unexpectedness of the attack, Colonel
+Edwards and Hal acted promptly. A revolver flashed in the hand of each
+and both fired into the woods toward the point from which the shot had
+come. Then they leaped for shelter among the trees that lined the road on
+the right. Stubbs, for the moment forgotten, still lay in the road and
+seemed to be attempting to bury his head in the dirt.
+
+Hal, now sheltered by trees, perceived the little man's plight.
+
+"Can't leave him there," he called to Edwards. "Cover me if you can."
+
+Edwards nodded and held his revolver ready.
+
+Hal dashed quickly from his shelter, grasped Stubbs by the right arm,
+jerked him violently to his feet and turned his face toward the woods on
+the right.
+
+Stubbs seemed too frightened to realize in what direction lay safety, and
+breaking from Hal's hold, whirled about and dashed across the road,
+almost directly toward the spot from whence had come the shot a few
+moments before.
+
+Hal gave a cry of dismay and dashed after him. But even as he would
+have given chase, there came a second rifle shot from the trees and
+Hal felt the breeze as a bullet sped by his ear. At the same moment
+Edwards yelled:
+
+"Come back!"
+
+Hal wasted no time in thought. He obeyed Edwards' command and dashed back
+to shelter with all speed.
+
+"Whew!" he muttered. "That was pretty close."
+
+"Rather," agreed Edwards dryly. "Where did the little man get to?"
+
+"Oh, he's over there with our unseen enemy some place. He got away from
+me."
+
+"I saw him," said Edwards grimly. "He's likely to have a warm time on the
+other side of the road."
+
+Hal grinned in spite of himself, as he replied:
+
+"He is that. I suppose we should do something to help him, but I am frank
+to say I don't know just what."
+
+"We'll have to figure some way to get rid of that fellow," said Edwards.
+"He's dangerous. Apparently there is only one."
+
+"Tell you what," said Hal, "you stick here. I'll sneak through the trees
+here for a quarter of a mile, cross the road and double back. If I can go
+quietly enough perhaps I can catch him off his guard."
+
+Edwards considered this plan.
+
+"Might be done," he said finally. "I don't think of anything else. Off
+with you then."
+
+Hal walked still deeper into the woods and then turned to his left.
+Keeping himself well screened from the road he made his way carefully and
+silently along. At last, when he felt sure that he could no longer be
+seen by their unexpected foe, he approached the road again.
+
+The lad poked his head out cautiously and, after a quick glance back to
+make sure there was no one in sight, crossed the road at a bound, almost
+expecting as he did so to hear a bullet whiz near.
+
+No bullet came.
+
+Once safe on the other side, the lad turned again to his left and doubled
+back. He went more cautiously now, making sure of each footstep that he
+might not warn the unseen foe of his approach.
+
+In the woods there was the silence of death.
+
+Hal, moving slowly forward, now felt that he must have reached the point
+from which the two shots had been fired and stopped and listened
+intently. Once he thought he heard the sound of a snapping twig and
+became perfectly quiet, waiting for the sound to be repeated; but it did
+not come again.
+
+"Guess I must have been mistaken," the lad told himself, as he moved
+forward again.
+
+Five minutes later Hal stopped suddenly in his tracks. He had heard a
+sound close at hand and knew he was not mistaken this time. A twig had
+snapped perhaps twenty yards to his right and as far ahead.
+
+Hal grasped his automatic more firmly.
+
+"Hope I get the first shot," he muttered.
+
+Suddenly he caught sight of a form as it flitted from one tree to
+another. Quickly the lad raised his revolver and fired.
+
+There was no outcry, and looking again, the lad saw no one.
+
+"Missed him," he muttered. "Well, I've betrayed myself! Now I'll have to
+be more careful."
+
+He lay down upon the ground behind the tree where he had taken shelter
+and waited patiently. Ten minutes later he thought he saw an object move
+behind a tree a scant fifteen yards away.
+
+Again the lad fired.
+
+This shot was followed by a startled cry as a figure leaped to its feet
+and started off through the woods at full speed.
+
+Hal sprang to his feet.
+
+"Halt!" he cried.
+
+The figure seemed to run faster than before.
+
+Hal paused and leveled his revolver in deliberate aim. His finger
+tightened on the trigger--then, suddenly he let his arm fall.
+
+"Stubbs!" he cried in amazement.
+
+The running figure was indeed the little war correspondent.
+
+"By Jove!" muttered Hal. "Another moment and I would have shot him." He
+raised his voice in a shout: "Hey, Stubbs!"
+
+But the little man ran on, unheeding.
+
+"He'll run right smack into that other fellow if he doesn't watch out,"
+Hal told himself. "Well, I suppose I'll have to stop him."
+
+Still holding his revolver in his right hand, he also broke into a run
+and made after the fleeing Stubbs.
+
+Several times he called, but Stubbs paid no heed. Then Hal grew angry.
+
+"I'll get you if I have to chase you right back to the door of the _New
+York Gazette_" he muttered to himself.
+
+He gained at every stride and was rapidly overtaking the war
+correspondent, although Stubbs, with head lowered, looking neither to the
+right nor to the left, his arms working like pistons, ran blindly on.
+
+Suddenly Hal stopped almost in his tracks and his heart leaped into
+his throat.
+
+From behind a tree directly in Stubbs' path, stepped a short squat
+figure, with great long arms dangling at its side. A revolver was
+clasped in the right hand and the weapon was slowly raised until it
+covered Stubbs.
+
+Hal gave a loud cry of warning, raised his own revolver and fired. But
+even as his finger tightened on the trigger he knew he had missed. Stubbs
+was so close to the other figure that the lad had been afraid of hitting
+him. Consequently the bullet went wild.
+
+But though it missed its mark, Hal's bullet undoubtedly saved Stubbs'
+life, for it attracted the attention of the enemy for a brief moment; and
+in that moment, Anthony Stubbs, still unaware of the danger that
+confronted him, dashed head first into his would-be slayer.
+
+So great was the force of the impact that both were hurled to the ground.
+With rare presence of mind, Stubbs, recovering his breath before his
+unexpected opponent realized what had happened, reached out and procured
+the other's revolver and hurled it aside.
+
+Then he attempted to get to his feet, but at this point the other came
+back to life and seized him by the legs.
+
+"Hey! Leggo my legs!" shouted Stubbs.
+
+The other held him tightly.
+
+"Let me up!" cried Stubbs again.
+
+Still the other clung fast, while Stubbs raised a cry for help.
+
+At this juncture Hal reached the combatants. He was about to lend a hand,
+when he saw that Stubbs' opponent was unarmed, and drew back.
+
+Stubbs did not see him, and apparently believing that he was to get no
+help, he turned to give battle. He kicked out with his left foot and the
+foot came free. He followed suit with the right foot and felt it strike
+something soft. At the same moment there came a cry of pain from Stubbs'
+opponent and the grasp upon his other leg relaxed.
+
+Quickly the little man leaped to his feet and darted toward the spot
+where he had thrown the revolver. He snatched it up and leveled it at his
+adversary.
+
+"Hands up there!" he called.
+
+There came a choking cry from the queer figure and the long arms were
+raised high in the air.
+
+"Good for you, Stubbs!" cried Hal at this juncture.
+
+Stubbs gazed about sharply.
+
+"About time you were getting here," he said. "I had a terrible fight with
+this fellow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A STRANGE ENCOUNTER.
+
+
+Hal laughed aloud.
+
+"Terrible fight, eh?" he exclaimed. "Of course you did. What else could
+you do? You had to fight. Pretty lucky, Stubbs."
+
+"Lucky!" echoed Stubbs. "What do you mean, lucky? If you had been here
+in time to see me tackle this fellow you would have known what a hard
+time I had."
+
+"I saw you," replied Hal. "You can put down your gun, now. I'll take care
+of this fellow."
+
+He leveled his own revolver at the queer-looking creature before him and
+Stubbs placed his newly-acquired revolver in his coat pocket.
+
+Hal motioned to his prisoner to approach. The latter did so with an ugly
+scowl on his face. He seemed not to have the slightest fear and came up
+to the lad unflinchingly.
+
+"Speak English?" asked Hal.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+"French?"
+
+The man nodded.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Nikol."
+
+"Nikol what?"
+
+The man did not reply, and Hal surveyed him critically. He was at least
+thirty-five years of age, could not have been an inch more than four feet
+in height, and his long, knotted arms, apparently as strong as a
+gorilla's, reached almost to the ground, where his huge hand clasped and
+unclasped nervously. Involuntarily Hal shuddered.
+
+"Must be as strong as an ox," the lad muttered. "Lucky for Stubbs he
+kicked at the right time and happened to land."
+
+"What's your last name?" the lad demanded again.
+
+"Haven't any," was the reply.
+
+"What are you, an Albanian?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+The man did not reply.
+
+Stubbs had been an interesting listener to the conversation and became
+decidedly impatient when the dwarf refused to answer Hal's questions.
+
+"Why don't you speak?" he demanded aggressively, taking a step forward.
+He felt perfectly safe now that Hal had the man covered.
+
+Instantly there was an unexpected change in the dwarf's manner. He
+stepped back a pace and bowed his head before the angry Stubbs.
+
+"I did not know that you wished me to answer," he replied civilly. "I
+will talk to you, for you are the first man who has ever conquered me;
+and you are a small man, too--a dwarf."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Stubbs still more angrily, for "the dwarf" had
+touched upon a tender spot. "Dwarf, am I? What do you mean by talking to
+me like that?"
+
+Again he took a step forward and the Albanian drew back.
+
+"You will please excuse me," he said humbly. "I did not mean to offend.
+For myself I am proud that I am a dwarf and I was glad that it was one of
+my own kind who conquered me."
+
+Stubbs, greatly flattered, threw out his chest and turned to Hal.
+
+"You see," he exclaimed, "if you have any doubts as to how I overcame
+this man, he will tell you himself. Won't you, Nik--Nikol?"
+
+Nikol bowed.
+
+"I will, sir," he replied.
+
+"Well, you seem to have done a good job," Hal replied. "I don't believe I
+could have overcome him. In fact, I am sure of it. Now if you will kindly
+order your newly made slave to answer my questions, perhaps we may learn
+something."
+
+Stubbs gave the order in the tone of a man born to command and the dwarf
+nodded his understanding.
+
+"If my boss knew I could give orders like that, I'd have a better job,"
+was Stubbs' comment as Hal turned to Nikol.
+
+"What are your sympathies in this war?" asked the lad quietly.
+
+"My sympathies," was the reply, "I have kept locked up here," and Nikol
+tapped his breast with one of his huge fingers. "But, now that my
+conqueror requests me to talk, I will tell you. My sympathies are with
+Montenegro; always have been and always will be."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Hal. "Then perhaps you can tell me something of the
+Austrian sentiment in these mountains."
+
+"The Austrian sympathy is very strong," was the reply. "Not so much here
+as further north. Thousands of tribesmen there are only awaiting the
+arrival of the Austrians to join their ranks. Some have joined already."
+
+"And is there not danger for a man of your sympathies in these parts?"
+
+The Albanian shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I have said," he replied, "that I keep my sympathies locked up here,"
+and again he tapped his breast.
+
+Hal was silent for a few moments, considering a plan that had come to
+him. At length he turned to Stubbs.
+
+"Will you ask your newly made friend," he said, "if he will join us? He
+will be invaluable. He can lead us where we would go without question."
+
+Stubbs grasped the situation instantly.
+
+He put the question to the Albanian. For long minutes the man hesitated,
+and then he, in turn, asked a question.
+
+"You say that you are working in the interests of Montenegro?" he asked.
+
+"I can give you my word," replied Stubbs soberly.
+
+The dwarf extended a hand to Stubbs and looked him in the eye.
+
+"Such men as you, such fighters as you, do not lie," he said gravely.
+
+Stubbs blushed like a schoolboy as he extended a hand, which was
+seized in a grip that brought tears to the little man's eyes. But he
+bore the pain bravely, for he did not wish to lose caste in the eyes
+of his new admirer.
+
+"Come then," said Hal. "We'll pick up Colonel Edwards again and be
+moving."
+
+He led the way back to where the first shot had been fired and raised his
+voice in a shout:
+
+"All right, Edwards?"
+
+"All right," was the reply.
+
+"I've caught the enemy," explained Hal. "You can come from under cover."
+
+He led the way to the road and a moment later Colonel Edwards
+joined them.
+
+"What have we here?" he exclaimed, after a glance at the dwarf.
+
+"A guide," replied Hal; "the same being the man who fired at us, and also
+Stubbs' own prisoner."
+
+"Stubbs' prisoner?"
+
+"Exactly. He captured him single-handed."
+
+Colonel Edwards eyed Stubbs in the greatest surprise, until Hal explained
+in a low voice, so that neither Stubbs nor the dwarf might hear.
+
+"Well, we may as well be moving then," said Colonel Edwards. "Have your
+guide take the lead, Stubbs."
+
+Stubbs, undeniably proud at the honor now being bestowed upon him, did as
+requested, and the dwarf led the way down the road at a rapid gait.
+
+Hour after hour they walked along encountering no one, until shortly
+before nightfall when they drew up near a small hut. Here Nikol went
+forward and secured food, which he brought back in his hands. This they
+devoured hungrily, drank from a little brook, and moved forward again.
+
+Now Nikol deserted the beaten path and struck off through the mountains
+proper, climbing steep hills, leaping ruts and gullies, rocks and brooks,
+but making such good progress that the others were hard pressed to keep
+up with him.
+
+Darkness fell suddenly and Stubbs shuddered.
+
+"Nice place for an assassin here, too," he muttered gloomily.
+
+"Back at it, are you?" said Hal. "What will your friend Nikol say?"
+
+Stubbs did not reply.
+
+Suddenly the dwarf halted and motioned the others to silence. All
+listened intently and directly made out what the sharp ears of Nikol had
+caught first--the sound of approaching footsteps.
+
+Nikol motioned the others back into the shadow of a great rock and
+stepped boldly forward. Then he hesitated a moment, came back and spoke
+to Stubbs in a low voice, yet loud enough for the others to hear.
+
+"If I should chance to be outmatched," he said, "you will come to my
+assistance? The others," he snapped his fingers, "are no good. You
+will come?"
+
+Taken wholly off his guard, Stubbs stuttered and stammered.
+
+"You will come?" Nikol repeated again.
+
+"Ye-e-s, I'll come," Stubbs articulated at last.
+
+Nikol wasted no further time in words, but moved forward perhaps a
+hundred yards. Then he halted and stood still, waiting.
+
+The sound of footsteps drew nearer and still nearer, and then suddenly
+Nikol sprang forward, silently and swiftly.
+
+There came a sudden startled cry from ahead and then a great,
+boisterous laugh.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" exclaimed a voice in French. "Look what has attacked
+Ivan Vergoff."
+
+For some reason that he could not explain, Hal left his place of
+concealment and moved toward the combatants. The others followed him.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" came the great voice again. "Ivan Vergoff, the greatest of the
+Cossacks, attacked by this puny pygmy."
+
+Hal had now approached close enough to see the gigantic figure of Nikol's
+antagonist and to witness the struggle.
+
+The giant had stooped over and seized Nikol by one arm. He pulled, but
+the dwarf, his feet firmly planted on the ground, did not budge. It was a
+great exhibition of strength, for Hal knew that the stranger must be a
+powerful man.
+
+This time the giant did not laugh.
+
+"A strong man," he muttered aloud. "A strong man, though he be a pygmy."
+
+He now extended another arm, seized the dwarf around the middle and
+lifted him high above his head. With his right arm the dwarf struck the
+face that gazed up at him as he was suspended high in the air.
+
+The big man gave a roar like that of an angry bull, hurled the dwarf from
+him and then jumped after the flying figure with remarkable agility for a
+man of his huge size.
+
+But even as he would have seized Nikol again, Hal stepped forward.
+
+"Wait!" cried the lad, who had been doing some quick thinking. "Your name
+is Ivan Vergoff and you are a Cossack?"
+
+The big man paused suddenly and glanced about him.
+
+"Yes!" he shouted. "What of it?"
+
+"Only," replied Hal quietly, "that I bring you word of your
+brother, Alexis!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+NEW FRIENDS.
+
+
+The big man paused and turned an enquiring eye upon Hal, whom he could
+dimly perceive in the darkness.
+
+"Alexis!" he echoed. "What of him? How do you know I have a
+brother Alexis?"
+
+Hal replied rapidly in the Russian dialect which he had picked up during
+his service with the Cossacks, as told in the story of "The Boy Allies
+With the Cossacks," while the man listened intently. Then the giant set
+the dwarf upon his feet remarking:
+
+"Now, you just stay there a little while. I may have more to say to you
+later, but right now I would know something of my brother Alexis, whom I
+have not seen in years. And my brother Stephan, also, what do you know of
+him?" he demanded of Hal.
+
+The lad shook his head.
+
+"Not much," he said. "But come, we'll find some spot where we can make a
+fire and I'll tell you what I know of Alexis."
+
+"Good," boomed the big man. "Follow me."
+
+Without another word he turned on his heel and strode away whence he
+had come. The other four followed him, Nikol the while muttering
+angrily to himself.
+
+Stubbs turned upon him suddenly.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "Don't you know it's cold
+here? I want to sit by the fire awhile. Keep still."
+
+The dwarf made no reply, but became silent. It was plain enough that he
+stood very much in awe of Stubbs.
+
+After a five-minute walk through the dark woods, the big Cossack wheeled
+sharply to the left, and walking swiftly for perhaps fifty yards drew up
+before what appeared to be a solid rock.
+
+Looking closer in the darkness, however, Hal saw a slight opening at the
+bottom, the space between the rock and the ground being perhaps three
+feet. The rock, apparently, rested upon more solid ground farther back.
+
+"Follow me," said the big man again.
+
+He dropped on his hands and knees and wriggled through the opening.
+
+At this point Stubbs manifested a desire to leave the others in
+the lurch.
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed. "You're not going to get me under there. How do you
+know what he may have in mind to do to us?"
+
+"Come, Stubbs," said Hal. "Don't be a quitter all the time. Nothing is
+going to hurt--"
+
+Before he could finish his sentence he felt himself seized in a powerful
+grip from behind. He twisted about with an effort and looked down upon
+the scowling face of Nikol.
+
+"Here! What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+The dwarf grinned at him evilly, and still retaining his hold, gazed
+at Stubbs.
+
+"He insulted you," he said. "What shall I do with him?"
+
+"Great Scott! Let him down!" exclaimed the little man, anxiously. "He
+didn't do anything to me."
+
+"But he insulted you," protested Nikol. "I heard him say--"
+
+"Oh, that was just in fun," cried Stubbs. "Let him go."
+
+The dwarf's hold relaxed and Hal jumped away.
+
+"Don't try any of that on me again," he said, facing Nikol angrily. He
+turned to Stubbs. "You just instruct this fellow to keep his hands off
+me, or I shall have to take my gun to him."
+
+"Oh, he didn't mean any harm," Stubbs protested.
+
+"Maybe he didn't and maybe he did," replied Hal. "At any rate, I don't
+like that kind of treatment. You tell him what I said."
+
+"He was just sticking up for me," said Stubbs, aggrievedly. "But I'll
+tell him."
+
+He did so, but the dwarf said nothing.
+
+At this juncture the big Cossack poked his head from beneath the rock.
+
+"Are you coming in here or not?" he demanded in a gruff voice.
+
+"Coming," said Hal, dropping to his knees.
+
+"Look here, Hal," said Stubbs, "I don't like the looks of this place.
+Maybe we had better stay outside."
+
+"Nonsense," Edwards spoke up at this point. "The man means us no harm."
+
+Hal had disappeared beneath the rock and Edwards dropped to his knees and
+crawled after him.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs to himself, "I don't like this, but I guess I might
+as well go along."
+
+Motioning Nikol to follow him, he, too, dropped to all fours and crawled
+slowly beneath the big rock.
+
+Beyond the rock, a brisk fire made dimly visible what appeared to be a
+large cavern. The fire seemed to be in the exact center of a large
+underground room and beyond it Hal thought he could make out the mouths
+of dark passageways that led off in several directions.
+
+"Come up to the fire and get warm," the big Cossack invited.
+
+The others accepted the invitation, first discarding their heavy outer
+garments. When all appeared comfortable, the big Cossack spoke.
+
+"Now," he said, addressing Hal, "tell me of Alexis. He is--"
+
+"Dead," Hal interrupted quietly.
+
+Ivan sprang to his feet.
+
+"Dead!" he shouted. "And you dare to tell it to me? You, no doubt, had a
+hand in his death!"
+
+"On the contrary," returned the lad quietly, "I tried to save him, as
+did my chum; but it was too late. But he died like a brave man and a
+true Cossack."
+
+Ivan was silent for several moments, and then said sneeringly:
+
+"And what do you know of the Cossacks?"
+
+"Well, very little, to be sure," Hal confessed, "though, for a short
+time, I had the honor of serving in a Cossack regiment."
+
+"What, you?" exclaimed Ivan incredulously. "Impossible."
+
+"No; what I say is true," said Hal. "And it was there that I met your
+brother Alexis, than whom I have never seen a braver man."
+
+"'Tis true," muttered Ivan. "Alexis was ever a brave man, though much
+given to boasting. Also, barring perhaps myself, he was the most powerful
+man I have ever seen."
+
+"He was indeed," replied Hal, "and it will give me pleasure at some time
+to relate to you some of the remarkable feats I have seen him
+accomplish."
+
+"Alexis has related enough," returned Ivan dryly. "But come, now, tell me
+what you know of him."
+
+"Well," Hal began, "I met Alexis first--"
+
+He stopped suddenly and listened attentively.
+
+"What was that?" he demanded.
+
+"What?" asked Edwards.
+
+"I thought I heard a voice calling. Sounded like a cry for help."
+
+Ivan broke into a loud laugh.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he cried. "Guess you heard my prisoners."
+
+"Prisoners?" Hal repeated inquiringly.
+
+"Yes. I came across them this afternoon. They sought to ply me with
+questions. I treated them respectfully enough, but when they continued to
+plague me, I just picked them up and brought them here. I have a
+suspicion they may be Austrian spies and if there is one race of men for
+whom I have no use, it is the Austrians. But they do not annoy you, do
+they? If so, I shall go back and have a word with them. After that I
+assure you they will annoy you no more."
+
+"Oh, no," Hal hastened to say. "They do not annoy me in the slightest.
+But what do you intend to do with them?"
+
+"Well, I don't know exactly," returned Ivan. "You know I have read
+somewhat, and I remember the things I have read. For instance now, I
+would like to be like one of the old kings, or say even a present-day
+American, of whom I have heard much. They have slaves and things. Why not
+make my prisoners my slaves?"
+
+"I assure you you are wrong about the Americans," said Hal. "I chance to
+be one myself, so I know. Of kings, I cannot say."
+
+"Never mind," said Ivan. "We'll attend to them later on. Right now I have
+a desire to hear your story. Proceed."
+
+Hal did so. He related his and Chester's first meeting with Alexis, the
+big brave-hearted man who had once played an important part in their
+lives, as related in "The Boy Allies With the Cossacks." He told of the
+many exciting adventures the three had gone through together.
+
+And as the lad progressed with his narrative, Ivan became more interested
+with each word; and by the time Hal had come to an account of his
+brother's last great fight, Ivan was on his feet, his face glowing.
+
+"By St. George!" he cried. "I knew he could do it. Boaster or not, he was
+a brave man. But go on. And after he had killed the three Germans there
+on the sand, then what?"
+
+"Why, then," said Hal, "a German bullet struck him in the right
+shoulder; a moment later another lodged in his right side. But Alexis
+did not pause. He rushed right into the thick of them, using his now
+empty pistols and at last striking out with his bare fists. Men tumbled
+on all sides.
+
+"From behind and from both sides, the Germans darted at him, firing their
+revolvers and stabbing him with the swords. By this time, we had finished
+repairing our machine and we rushed to his aid, and for a moment the
+Germans gave back. Then they closed in and we were all hard pressed.
+Alexis was bleeding in a dozen places but he fought on. And then aid came
+from an unexpected source."
+
+"Where?" demanded Ivan excitedly.
+
+"Troops," replied Hal. "Troops sent to protect the neutrality of the
+country; and with their approach the Germans who were still upon their
+feet fled. Chester and I dragged Alexis to our own craft and we also
+ascended. There we did what we could for him, but he realized that he was
+past aid, and he died as a brave man should. We buried him in England
+with honor, and with him the Cross of St. George, personally bestowed
+upon him by the Czar."
+
+For a long time after the lad had finished, Ivan was silent. Then he
+said, his fists clenching:
+
+"I would I had been there! There would have been a different story to
+tell!"
+
+Hal was about to reply, but a voice sounded suddenly. Hal pricked up his
+ears. Surely he recognized that voice. The cry came again.
+
+"Chester!" shouted Hal, and sprang to his feet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DESPERATE VENTURE.
+
+
+Before Ivan could raise a hand to stay him, had such been his intention,
+Hal had darted across the cavern in the direction from which had come the
+sound he had recognized as Chester's voice. It was very dark there and
+the lad could not make out his surroundings, but he seemed to have
+brought up against a solid wall. He explored the smooth surface with his
+hands, but could find no opening in that particular spot. Then he came
+upon one of the narrow passageways and entered it without hesitation, for
+he believed it was in that direction he would find Chester.
+
+Now heavy footsteps sounded behind him and Ivan's voice roared:
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"It is Chester--my friend who was with me when Alexis died," returned
+Hal. "I heard his voice. He must be near some place and in trouble."
+
+"Ho!" said Ivan. "He will be one of my prisoners, I expect. I remember
+that one was rather young."
+
+"Well, let him out, will you?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"Certainly," returned Ivan.
+
+He passed Hal and led the way down the dark passage. Presently Hal heard
+a huge rock move and then footsteps came toward him.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked.
+
+There came a cry of surprise.
+
+"That you, Hal?" came in Chester's voice. "How on earth did you
+get here?"
+
+"That's rather a long story," replied Hal, "but it seems that it's a good
+thing I did get here. I thought a heard a sound awhile back. It must have
+been you."
+
+"Anderson and I have been yelling for the last week, it seems," said
+Chester ruefully. "We didn't hope to be fortunate enough to raise you,
+but we thought some one might hear us."
+
+"Well, come on out here to the fire--and you, too, Colonel," his last to
+Colonel Anderson, who now came forward, closely followed by Ivan.
+
+They needed no urging, for they had been shut up in the cold so long
+that they were almost frozen. Introductions now followed all around and
+Ivan seemed genuinely pleased to meet Chester. He was profuse in his
+apologies for his rough treatment, while Chester was dumbfounded to
+learn that his captor was the brother of his old friend Alexis. They
+shook hands heartily.
+
+"If you had not pestered me with so many questions, I would not have
+bothered you," Ivan explained. "To tell the truth, I took you for a
+couple of Austrian spies."
+
+"Tell us, Chester," said Hal, "what have you learned?"
+
+"Learned?" echoed Chester. "We haven't learned anything, except that it
+is awfully cold in these mountains. I'm going to tell you right now, it's
+no fun being locked up in an icebox."
+
+"It is not," Colonel Anderson agreed dryly, stretching his feet out
+to the fire.
+
+"I'll tell you how it came about," said Chester, smiling at Ivan.
+"Colonel Anderson and I had just completed a most terrible climb. Coming
+once again to a level spot we sat down to rest. We saw a man coming
+along--a big man, none other than Ivan here. I suggested that we ask him
+a few questions."
+
+"You asked them, all right," said Ivan.
+
+"Well," Chester continued, "he didn't tell us much. In fact, he was as
+mum as an oyster. Colonel Anderson took a hand with no better luck. It
+seems that between us we talked too much. Ivan here didn't like it. He
+said he guessed he'd have to take us along with him. We said we were
+satisfied to stay where we were. This didn't suit Ivan. He reached for
+me and I dodged; but with his other hand he grabbed Anderson and held
+him helpless.
+
+"I drew my gun but I was afraid to fire for fear of hitting the Colonel.
+I thought I would rap the big man over the head with the butt of the
+weapon. I ventured a trifle too close and he nailed me, too. He shook me
+so hard that I dropped my gun. Anderson hadn't been able to get at his.
+Then Ivan relieved him of it, and still holding us each by an arm, he
+brought us here.
+
+"When he shoved us under the rock ahead of him, we decided to jump him if
+he came in. We jumped him. It didn't do much good, did it, Colonel?"
+
+Chester turned to Colonel Anderson with a smile.
+
+"Not much," was the Colonel's dry response.
+
+Ivan grinned sheepishly.
+
+"I didn't mean to hurt you too much," he said. "You see, sometimes I
+don't realize my own strength. I guess maybe I squeezed your arms
+too hard."
+
+"Well, now tell us about yourself, Hal," said Chester, "and who is this
+little fellow who hangs so close to Stubbs?"
+
+"This little fellow," returned Hal, "has appointed himself Stubbs' best
+friend. Stubbs overcame him in fair fight this afternoon and he thinks
+Stubbs is a great man."
+
+"Well, what's the matter?" Stubbs broke in. "Don't you?"
+
+"Of course," Hal hastened to assure him.
+
+Stubbs subsided grumbling.
+
+"The question now is," Colonel Edwards declared, "what are we going to
+do? There is no use staying here longer than we can possibly help. We had
+better be moving."
+
+"Hold on," shouted Ivan, jumping suddenly to his feet. "Tell me what it
+is you are going to do? Perhaps I may lend a hand. I know something of
+these mountains."
+
+Colonel Edwards glanced at Hal. The boy nodded.
+
+"Might be a good idea," he said.
+
+Then Colonel Edwards explained. Ivan heard him patiently.
+
+"Well," he said at length, "nothing would please me more than to join
+this expedition." He spoke to Hal. "You have told me of the service
+rendered the Czar by my brother Alexis. I am ashamed that I have been
+idling here in these mountains while my country needs me. I shall try
+and make up for it in the future. Now, I believe I can tell you what you
+want to know."
+
+"Then," asked Colonel Edwards, "is there a strong Austrian sentiment
+among the Albanians?"
+
+"Until a month ago there was little Austrian sentiment," returned Ivan,
+"But recently there has been a change, and the change I lay at the door
+of a single man."
+
+"An Albanian?"
+
+"It is even worse than that. The man is a Montenegrin. And still worse.
+He bears the same name as the king of Montenegro, Nicolas. He has, most
+likely, another name, but I do not know it."
+
+"But why should a Montenegrin seek to raise the enmity of the Albanians
+against his own people?" Chester demanded.
+
+"There is but one reason--gold," said Ivan simply.
+
+"And his methods?" inquired Colonel Anderson.
+
+"More gold," was the reply.
+
+"I see," said Colonel Anderson. "Furnished by the Austrians, eh?"
+
+"How else? I have had several interviews with this Nicolas. He seems to
+think I could be of use to him. In fact, he has made me offers. But while
+I have taken no part in active fighting, although I admit I have
+neglected my own country, I have not fallen low enough for that sort of
+work. However, I did not tell Nicolas that. I temporized with him and I
+suppose he believes he can win me over if he cares to make his offer
+tempting enough."
+
+"All this," said Hal slowly, "suggests a plan."
+
+"Well?" said Chester, expectantly.
+
+"And by this plan of mine," Hal continued, "we may accomplish even more
+than we set out to do."
+
+"Explain, Hal," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"It's very simple. We'll have Ivan take us to Nicolas. He can tell him we
+are Germans, or what you please. Being, apparently, friends of Ivan's, we
+shall be received. Then Ivan can appear to fall in with his plans. At the
+first opportune moment, we shall take charge of Mr. Nicolas and escape."
+
+"H-m-m-m," mused Colonel Edwards. "You say all that easily enough, but
+you can take my word for it, it will be no small job."
+
+"Of course not," Chester agreed, "but still we should be able to do it.
+And if we do, we shall have removed the cause of the Albanian enmity
+toward Montenegro. There will be no such strong Austrian sentiment once
+the supply of gold is cut off."
+
+Ivan jumped to his feet and clapped the lad on the back.
+
+"Good!" he exclaimed eagerly. "I'm with you; and if it comes to a fight,
+you will find that you can use me to advantage."
+
+"I am sure of it," smiled Hal.
+
+Ivan, in turning, cast his eye upon the little dwarfed figure of Nikol.
+He walked quickly toward him and extended a hand.
+
+"We didn't finish our little argument awhile ago," he said simply. "I see
+no reason why we should finish it. Why should we fight each other when
+there are others to fight?" He turned to Hal. "I'll guarantee this man
+will give a good account of himself," he said. "I doubt if there is
+another man in the mountains, besides myself, who has his strength. He
+will prove his worth."
+
+He turned to Nikol again and the dwarf grinned at him, showing strong
+white teeth.
+
+"You are right," he said and gripped Ivan's hand hard.
+
+"Well then," said Colonel Edwards, "the sooner we get started the sooner
+we may get back again. When shall we start, Ivan?"
+
+"Immediately," was the reply, and the giant moved toward the mouth of
+the cavern.
+
+"Now, look-a-here, you fellows," said the voice of Anthony Stubbs. "I've
+been a whole lot of places with you and I hope to go with you a whole lot
+more, but I claim it is downright foolishness to stick our heads into a
+brigand's lair. What's the use? The best we can get is the worst of it."
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal quietly, "you don't have to go along if you don't want
+to. You can stay right here."
+
+"What?" exclaimed the little man. "Stay here by myself? I should say not.
+I don't want to stay here alone and I don't want to go hunting brigands.
+What I want to do is get some place where it's safe. I don't like this
+country, if you want to know it."
+
+"It's a good country," said Nikol abruptly.
+
+Stubbs looked at the dwarf in surprise. It was the first time the
+Albanian had talked back to him.
+
+"What do you know about it?" demanded Stubbs. "You never saw a
+regular country."
+
+The dwarf bowed his head in some confusion. Apparently Stubbs' spell
+still held good over him.
+
+"Come, Stubbs, don't be stubborn," said Chester.
+
+"Well, all right," said the little man, shaking his head sadly. "I'll go
+if the rest of you do, but I want to tell you right now, I protest!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE TRAITOR.
+
+
+"If I am not mistaken," said Ivan, "here comes Nicolas now."
+
+He pointed to a large, bearded individual, who, surrounded by probably a
+dozen other figures, was advancing toward them. The man swung along with
+the free and easy stride of the mountaineer, looking neither to the right
+nor to the left, his head erect and of haughty mien.
+
+"Pompous sort of a looking customer," said Colonel Anderson to Hal.
+
+"Rather," said the lad dryly. He glanced at the others, Colonel Edwards,
+Stubbs, Nikol, Ivan and Chester, and muttered hurriedly: "After this we
+must do all our talking in German."
+
+The others nodded their understanding and all fell silent as the
+Montenegrin traitor and his henchmen approached.
+
+It was the morning following the night upon which they had left Ivan's
+retreat. The journey had consumed the whole night, but in spite of
+their fatigue, each member of the party of seven was on his mettle.
+Now, as Nicolas drew closer, Ivan took a step in advance of the others
+to greet him.
+
+The traitor's face lighted with pleasure as he recognized the big
+Cossack.
+
+"Ah, Ivan," he said, "I am glad to see you."
+
+He noticed the others, and a slight frown flitted across his face. He
+swept his arm toward them in a comprehensive gesture. "Who are these?"
+
+"One of them you probably know," said Ivan and he indicated Nikol.
+
+Nikol nodded affirmatively.
+
+"The others," Ivan continued, "I came across in the mountains last night.
+They are Germans and were seeking you."
+
+"Seeking me?" exclaimed Nicolas in astonishment. "And why should they be
+seeking me?"
+
+"You will probably know," returned Ivan, "when I tell you they come
+from Germany."
+
+"Ah," said Nicolas. "Of course I know, Ivan. Will you have them
+come forward?"
+
+"One moment, Nicolas," said Ivan. "First I would have a word with
+you myself."
+
+"Proceed," said the Montenegrin.
+
+"Well, then," Ivan went on, "you may remember a certain proposal you have
+made me upon several occasions?"
+
+"I do," exclaimed Nicolas, with unfeigned eagerness. "Can it be that at
+last you have decided to--"
+
+"Accept?" interrupted Ivan. "Yes; I have decided to accept; and these
+Germans here have had something to do with my decision. They have told me
+how Germany and Austria combined will eventually win the great war and of
+the good things that will be in store for all of us when that day comes.
+You are right, Nicolas, it is well to be on the winning side."
+
+"And I am glad you see it that way," declared Nicolas, extending a hand,
+which Ivan grasped, much to his distaste. "I have long wanted a trusted
+lieutenant, and you shall be he."
+
+"Thanks, Nicolas," returned Ivan. "I had not expected that. Had you told
+me before it might have influenced me sooner. But now I shall have the
+others approach. By the way, you speak German?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good; then there is no need of an interpreter."
+
+He raised his hand and at the signal the others came forward. Ivan
+presented each in turn, applying to each a German name that had been
+agreed upon during the night's travel. Nicolas expressed his pleasure at
+seeing them and after a few words of pleasantry, said:
+
+"Now, gentlemen, if you will accompany me to my quarters, I shall try and
+make you feel at home."
+
+As they walked along Hal and Chester took stock of the Montenegrin. Big
+he was, fully as tall and as broad as Ivan himself, and his great arms
+hung below his knees. He was the personification of rugged strength and
+brutality. From Nicolas the lads turned their eyes to Ivan. There was
+scarcely a noticeable difference in the stature of the two men and from
+casual observation it would have been hard to choose between them in the
+matter of strength. But the one noticeable difference was in the eyes.
+
+Ivan's eyes looked one straight in the face, while Nicolas' shifted
+uneasily when he was observed closely. It was the difference in the eyes
+that told the difference between the two men better than anything else.
+
+Presently Nicolas stopped before an extremely large hut, built up close
+beside a giant rock. He stood aside and motioned the others to enter.
+They did so and Nicolas, after a word to his men, came in after them and
+closed the door. Then he motioned them all to seats and sat down himself.
+He eyed his guests in silence for a few moments, and finally remarked:
+
+"Well?"
+
+Hal took it upon himself to do the talking.
+
+"First," he said, "we would like to know how you are progressing?"
+
+"Beautifully," was Nicolas' reply. "I have distributed the gold given me
+for that purpose, first, of course, taking out my own share. The
+Albanians, knowing the poverty of the Montenegrins, have been convinced
+by the gold that final success in this war must crown the Austrian arms.
+Austrian sentiment is becoming greater each day. But I need more money."
+
+"That is what we have come to see you about," said Hal. "You see,
+that while you are well informed as to just what is going on here, we
+have only your word for it. You may be telling the truth--and you may
+be lying."
+
+Nicolas jumped to his feet, his fingers twitching.
+
+"You dare--" he began.
+
+"Nonsense," said Hal, remaining perfectly quiet. "This is no time for
+heroics. I have come here to find out something and I am going to find it
+out. Now how much of this gold have you given out as ordered, and how
+much have you kept for yourself?"
+
+"I--I--well, I have--" Nicholas began.
+
+"As I thought," said Hal. "You have been holding out. We can't have
+anything like that, you know. Where is the gold?"
+
+Nicolas, for a moment, seemed about to make a denial, but Hal eyed him
+steadily, and he said at last:
+
+"It is under this floor here," and he tapped the floor with his foot.
+
+"All right," said Hal. "In shape to be carried?"
+
+"Why yes, I guess half a dozen men could carry it well enough."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," said Hal, "because I want you to dig it out
+right now."
+
+Again Nicolas started to protest, but apparently thinking better of it,
+changed his mind and said:
+
+"It shall be as you say. But you will not hold this against me, my having
+held some of the gold for my own?"
+
+"Not if you do as I say."
+
+"And I shall have more gold?"
+
+"We shall see; perhaps."
+
+"Then I shall uncover the other," said Nicolas.
+
+He stooped to his knees and lifted a loose board in the floor.
+
+"One moment," said Hal. "Your men outside. We can take no chances with
+them. If they knew you had all this gold stored here there would be a
+fight. Step outside and tell them to go away."
+
+This time Nicolas obeyed without even hesitating.
+
+While he was outside, Hal whispered quickly to the others:
+
+"There is no use delaying. We'll give his men time to get out of hearing
+and then we'll grab him."
+
+"But the gold, what are you going to do with that?" Ivan wanted to know.
+
+Hal smiled a bit.
+
+"I don't know how I happened to think of that," he said, "but now that we
+practically have it in our hands, I vote that we turn it over to the
+impoverished little kingdom of Montenegro."
+
+"By Jove! Good!" exclaimed Colonel Edwards. "My boy, you have a wonderful
+head on your shoulders. I am proud to know you."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal. "Now, as long as I have been doing the talking, I may
+as well continue. We'll keep quiet until we are sure this traitor's men
+are out of earshot and then we'll take possession of Mr. Nicolas and his
+unearned gold."
+
+A few moments later Nicolas re-entered the hut.
+
+"Get rid of them?" asked Hal, briefly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good. Then get busy and bring your gold out."
+
+"Look here," said Nicolas, eyeing Hal somewhat angrily. "I don't like
+your tone exactly."
+
+"I don't exactly care whether you do or not," returned Hal quietly. "You
+are pretty small fry in this game, Nicolas, and I'm not afraid of you.
+Remember, if anything should happen to me, you'll have the German
+government on your trail, and then what would you do for gold?"
+
+Nicolas opened his mouth to reply; then thought better of it and closed
+his lips without uttering a sound.
+
+"All right, now that we understand each other," said Hal. "Get to work
+and produce the gold."
+
+Nicolas waited no further, but did as commanded.
+
+"One," counted Hal, as the man drew from beneath the board a little
+sack of gold.
+
+One after another Hal counted them as they were laid on the floor at his
+feet, until in all there were seventeen little sacks, just small enough
+to permit of being stowed away in outside coat pockets.
+
+"Two for each of us to carry," said Hal, looking around, "and one over.
+I'll carry the extra one in my hand."
+
+"And don't I get any of this?" demanded Nicolas, looking at the bags of
+gold longingly.
+
+"You do not," replied Hal, quietly. "This money is to be given where
+it will do the most good. You have had your chance with it. Now it
+is my turn."
+
+"Very well," said Nicolas, with a shrug of his shoulders. "But I have
+made my agreement with the Austrian government; and when the war has been
+won, I shall get my pay."
+
+"Perhaps," said Hal, with a double meaning, that was, of course, lost
+upon Nicolas, "you shall receive your just pay before the war ends."
+
+"Do you really think so?" asked Nicolas eagerly. "I hope so."
+
+"But now," said Hal, "it is time to be moving. Pick up the gold, men, and
+let's get away from here."
+
+The others obeyed. Each stowed two sacks in his pocket and Hal carried
+the seventeenth package in his hand. Then Hal motioned them out the door.
+He emerged after them and his hand was on his automatic as he did so.
+
+"Which way?" asked Chester.
+
+"Straight ahead," said Nicolas.
+
+"No," said Hal quietly. "About face. We are going the other way."
+
+"Where to?" demanded Nicolas surlily.
+
+"Right back to Cettinje," replied Hal, "where you shall be turned over to
+the Montenegrin authorities to meet the fate you deserve!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FLIGHT.
+
+
+Nicolas stopped short in his tracks. His face went red, then white, then
+flushed a dull red again. For a moment there was a deathly silence and
+then the Montenegrin sprang toward Hal with a cry of fury. The boy stood
+his ground.
+
+"I wouldn't if I were you," he said very quietly.
+
+His automatic glistened in his hand at his hip. Nicolas gazed down
+and then pulled himself up short as his eyes rested on the weapon. He
+said nothing.
+
+"I'm glad to see you're sensible," Hal continued. "Now you will take the
+lead, and for your own sake, I advise you to take the shortest cut in the
+general direction of Cettinje. Ivan, and you, Nikol, will see that he
+goes in the proper direction."
+
+The dwarf's face was covered by a comical grin and his long arms waved
+about eagerly as he gave his assent. He turned to Stubbs.
+
+"You will walk with me?" he asked.
+
+For a moment Stubbs hesitated. He gazed first at the little man and
+then at the great bulk of Nicolas. Then his eyes roved to the huge
+form of Ivan.
+
+"By Jove! I'd rather be alongside Ivan there," he muttered to himself,
+"but it wouldn't do to let this little fellow think I'm afraid. You're
+taking a long chance, Anthony, but I guess you had better do it. All
+right," he said to Nikol, and ranged himself at the dwarf's side.
+
+"I wouldn't try any tricks if I were you, Nicolas," said Ivan, as he
+swung into step behind the traitor, Nickol and Stubbs, the prisoner in
+the center.
+
+Colonel Edwards and Colonel Anderson came next in line and Hal and
+Chester brought up the rear.
+
+"It's a good two days' journey back," said Hal to Chester, "and, the
+chances are, we will encounter many of Nicolas' friends en route. We'll
+have to be careful."
+
+"We shall indeed," returned his chum. "One little slip and there is no
+telling what may happen."
+
+Night brought them to Ivan's cavern again and there they decided to spend
+the night. It had now been more than twenty-four hours since they had
+closed their eyes and all were tired out.
+
+They experienced no difficulty getting Nicolas under the rock into the
+cavern, nor did the Montenegrin seek to attack them as they crawled after
+him, as Hal had half feared he would. He seemed completely dejected and
+downcast. He had not spoken a word during the day's march.
+
+"I'll put him in your erstwhile prison," Ivan said to Chester with a
+grin. "I guess he'll be safe enough there for the night."
+
+He did so.
+
+"Well, I'm going to turn in," said Stubbs. "I'm dead for sleep. I tell
+you, it's no fun hoofing it over these mountains, particularly when you
+are guarding a prisoner like I have been all day, never knowing what
+minute he may make a break for liberty. No, sir, it's no fun."
+
+"Did you watch him pretty closely, Stubbs?" asked Chester.
+
+"I did," replied Stubbs, briefly.
+
+"Why?" continued Chester. "Afraid he might jump you? Hope you didn't
+think he could catch you if you had a two-foot start."
+
+Stubbs drew himself up majestically.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" he demanded in a ruffled tone.
+
+"Oh, nothing," said Chester, smiling.
+
+"If you mean to insinuate that I was afraid--" began Stubbs in an
+injured tone.
+
+"What!" interrupted Chester. "You afraid, Mr. Stubbs? You do me an
+injustice, I assure you. Why, I have seen you fight, Mr. Stubbs. Now, do
+you, by any chance, remember your battle with three wildcats?"
+
+"I do," said Stubbs, considerably pleased. He turned to Nikol. "Did I
+ever tell you about that fight?" he asked.
+
+Nikol shook his head and eyed the little war correspondent with interest.
+
+"Well, I did," continued Stubbs. "It was in Belgium. Three of the beasts
+attacked me in the dark and gave me a terrific struggle. But I killed
+them all, as these two boys can tell you."
+
+Nikol was all smiles. He was glad that the man who had conquered him was
+such a royal gladiator.
+
+"And you were not hurt?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, nothing to speak of," said Stubbs, modestly. "A few scratches.
+Nothing serious."
+
+"They are bad beasts to fool with," said Nikol. "My brother had both
+eyes scratched out in an encounter with a single wildcat. And you
+killed three."
+
+"There wasn't much chance of your eyes being scratched out, was there,
+Mr. Stubbs?" said Chester.
+
+"And why not?" demanded the little man,
+
+"Come now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you don't mean to tell me you have
+forgotten you were lying flat on your face dodging bullets when the cats
+jumped you."
+
+"No, I hadn't forgotten," said Stubbs in an injured tone. "But was it my
+fault that I had stumbled over a stone in the darkness a moment before?"
+
+"Well, no, possibly not," Chester admitted. "But it's funny you didn't
+think to mention that stone at the time."
+
+"If you are determined to laugh at me," said Stubbs with an air of
+ruffled dignity, "I have nothing more to say. Any man is likely to fall."
+
+"So he is, Mr. Stubbs," agreed Chester, "and I don't know but I'd fall
+myself if I saw three wildcats coming for me. Yes, I would, and I'd try
+to get my head just as deep in the ground as possible, like an ostrich,
+and then maybe they couldn't see me."
+
+For a moment Mr. Stubbs glared at the lad angrily and seemed about to
+speak; then turned on his heel angrily and strode to the far side of the
+cavern, where was the pallet which had been assigned to him.
+
+Chester broke into a little laugh, which died suddenly as he stared down
+into the angry face of Nikol, which glared up at him.
+
+There was a deep frown on the dwarf's face and he tapped himself upon the
+breast with one finger as he said:
+
+"Any man who insults my friend, insults me. You have cast reflections
+upon my friend's courage. He, being your friend, overlooks it; but I, the
+man whom he worsted in fair fight, cannot. You must apologize."
+
+Here Hal interfered. He had had such an encounter with the dwarf himself
+and he understood the situation.
+
+"Hey, Stubbs!" he called. "Come back here, quick!"
+
+Stubbs, just about to lie down upon his pallet, hurried back. He took in
+the situation at a glance and turned upon Nikol angrily.
+
+"Here," he cried. "You keep out of my quarrels. I was big enough to
+attend to you, I can do the same with the rest of them."
+
+"But he said--" protested the dwarf, pointing a finger at Chester.
+
+"I don't care what he said," Stubbs said. "I can fight my own battles."
+
+Nikol, deeply offended, drew back, and without another word, walked to
+the pallet that had been assigned to him. Stubbs, feeling somewhat better
+now that he had been able to berate some one and thus soothe his injured
+feelings, also stalked away without another word and lay down on his
+pallet. A moment later he was fast asleep.
+
+"Do you suppose there is need for one of us to stand watch, Ivan?"
+asked Hal.
+
+"I do not believe so," was the reply. "No one knows where my cavern is
+and we are not likely to be disturbed."
+
+"I vote we turn in immediately then," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"Second the motion," said Colonel Anderson. "We've got to be on the move
+early and we've got to have some sleep first."
+
+"Here goes, then," said Chester, and moved to his own place.
+
+The others also sought their pallets and soon there was silence in the
+cavern. Completely worn out, the travelers slept like logs.
+
+Several hours later, had they not been so completely exhausted, the
+sleepers undoubtedly would have heard strange noises from that part of
+the cavern in which Nicolas had been confined.
+
+Came a faint grinding sound, which gradually became louder and louder,
+but which, after a time, ceased altogether. Then came a softer sound,
+that of footsteps coming slowly from the dark passageway; and a moment
+later Nicolas himself stepped into the glare of the fire.
+
+His clothing was torn about the shoulders and his open hands dripped
+little drops of blood. He rubbed them together tenderly.
+
+"Had I been a weaker man it would have been impossible," he muttered.
+
+For he had pushed aside the heavy rock that guarded his prison--a rock
+that Ivan had believed not another man save himself could move.
+Apparently Nicolas had been underestimated.
+
+Now the Montenegrin moved softly toward the entrance to the cave, fearful
+at every step that he would awaken the sleepers. It was dark within and
+this fact probably is all that prevented his escape.
+
+In moving toward the entrance he passed close to the pallet upon which
+Stubbs slept. One of the little man's hands was stretched out across the
+floor and Nicolas' heavy boot came down squarely upon it.
+
+A sudden loud cry shattered the deathly stillness of the night, followed
+by a more piercing cry.
+
+Instantly every one was awake, though only half so, for the awakening had
+come so suddenly.
+
+At Stubbs' first outcry, Nicolas, with a muttered imprecation, had dashed
+for the exit. He fell upon his knees and was about to crawl outside when
+Nikol, more wide awake than the others, flung himself forward and clasped
+his long arms about the Montenegrin's neck.
+
+Nicolas drew back in the cave and pulled himself to his feet in spite of
+the dwarf's frantic efforts to hold him down. Then, seeing the size of
+his opponent, Nicolas laughed aloud and sought to fling the little man
+from him. But Nikol held him firmly.
+
+But in spite of the dwarf's great strength, Nicolas was too big and
+powerful for him. The powerfulness the dwarf might have overcome, but the
+size was too much.
+
+Plucking away the arms that were tightened about his neck, Nicolas held
+the dwarf away from him with his left hand, then struck him heavily in
+the face with his right. Taking a step more toward the center of the
+cavern, he hurled his opponent across the room.
+
+Nikol struck the floor with a thud and lay still.
+
+Now, realizing the need of haste, Nicolas turned quickly and made as
+though to move toward the exit. But he had delayed too long. The dwarf's
+efforts to hold him, though futile, had been enough to prevent the
+Montenegrin's escape.
+
+A second huge form--the form of Ivan--barred the exit.
+
+"Come on, have a try," said Ivan, with a grin.
+
+Nicolas gave a loud cry--the cry of a cornered beast. Then he sprang.
+
+"I'll kill you!" he yelled in a voice of thunder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A FIGHT.
+
+
+All the others in the cavern were on their feet now, all save Nikol, who
+still lay unconscious where Nicolas had hurled him. Stubbs shrank back in
+the dark, but Hal, Chester and the two British officers quickly produced
+revolvers with which they covered Nicolas.
+
+Ivan, out of the tail of his eye, caught sight of these movements. He let
+out a roar even as Nicolas sprang upon him.
+
+"Put up those guns!" he shouted. "I'll attend to this fellow with my bare
+hands. Stand back!"
+
+There was something in the voice of the big Cossack that impelled the
+others to obey; and they drew back, circling about to watch the struggle.
+Even Stubbs picked up courage enough to come forward; and hardly had the
+fight begun when Nikol, too, pulled himself up and cast his eyes upon the
+combatants.
+
+Nicolas sprang upon Ivan with outstretched arms, his fingers spread wide.
+His object was to clasp one of his strong hands about Ivan's throat, thus
+obtaining an advantage at the outset. But Ivan had divined his intention
+at the moment he sprang, and ducking with remarkable agility for a man of
+his size, he came up inside the other's arms and grasped his opponent
+around the middle with both arms.
+
+Then he squeezed; and the spectators drew their breaths audibly, for it
+seemed that no man could stand such a strain. But Nicolas bore up under
+it, and when Ivan, out of wind, was forced to relinquish his hold,
+Nicolas whirled upon him quickly and the fingers of his left hand sank
+into the Cossack's throat. Chester uttered a faint cry of alarm, for a
+hold such as this, obtained by such a powerful man as Nicolas, was indeed
+a thing to be feared. Ivan leaped quickly backward, carrying Nicolas with
+him, but the latter retained his hold; and then he brought his right fist
+up under Ivan's chin. It was a hard blow and Ivan staggered.
+
+With his left hand, Nicolas jerked the big Cossack forward again, and
+shot his right fist into Ivan's face as he did so. Then, apparently
+thinking his opponent done for, he released his grip on Ivan's throat and
+stepped back.
+
+But he had counted without the endurance and courage of the giant
+Cossack. The fingers about his throat gone, Ivan, his head reeling
+dizzily from the effects of the hold and the two hard blows, staggered
+back several paces; then, with a loud cry, sprang forward again.
+
+Nicolas also cried aloud as he stepped forward to meet the antagonist he
+considered all but beaten. Ivan came forward with arms outstretched, and
+unheeding the two hard blows that Nicolas struck him, he again grasped
+the Montenegrin in a tight embrace. Nicolas wrapped his arms about Ivan;
+and there they stood for the space of several seconds, each vainly trying
+to move the other.
+
+Suddenly Ivan gave back a step and as Nicolas came forward with him, the
+Cossack thrust a leg behind his opponent and pushed with all his might.
+Nicolas was caught off his balance and before he could recover himself
+Ivan twisted sharply with his leg. Nicolas went over backwards, with Ivan
+on top of him.
+
+The two men struck the floor with a terrible crash; a cry was wrung from
+the spectators, for it seemed that a fall with such force could mean
+nothing less than broken bones for one of the fighters. But apparently it
+did not; for, still locked in each other's embrace, the men were
+struggling furiously for advantage upon the floor.
+
+Ivan was still on top, but the Montenegrin, with both arms around the
+Cossack's neck, was making desperate efforts to roll his opponent over.
+
+Nicolas lay squarely upon his back and Ivan's arms, wrapped around him at
+the moment of encounter, were pinioned beneath the other. The big Cossack
+was making strenuous attempts to free his right hand and still hold his
+opponent down with his great bulk. And at last he succeeded.
+
+At the same moment Nicolas also released his hold and flopped over on his
+face. Apparently he had given up all hope of overcoming Ivan and was now
+acting purely upon the defensive. Ivan acted too late to prevent his
+opponent from turning over, but now he seized him by both shoulders, and
+planting his feet firmly upon the ground, by a mighty effort, jerked
+Nicolas to his feet.
+
+It was a marvelous exhibition of strength and brought a cry from Stubbs,
+than whom there was no more interested spectator of the struggle. Nicolas
+now whirled suddenly and his right fist caught Ivan a terrible and
+unexpected jolt on the point of the chin. Ivan reeled back several paces
+and Nicolas followed him closely, shouting:
+
+"I've got you!"
+
+The words seemed to have a strange effect upon Ivan. He seemed to recover
+himself with an effort and his right and left fists shot almost
+simultaneously in mighty blows. The first went wild, but the second
+caught Nicolas squarely upon the side of the neck and checked his rush.
+Before he could give ground, Ivan brought his huge right fist forward
+again to the point of Nicolas' chin. The Montenegrin reeled.
+
+But Ivan, having the advantage for really the first time, gave his
+man no time to recover. He leaped forward and for a third time seized
+his opponent in a close embrace. This time Nicolas had been unable to
+draw a deep breath before the great arms closed about him and he
+weakened suddenly.
+
+In fact, he weakened so suddenly, that Ivan, believing victory his,
+released his hold; and this overconfidence almost proved the Cossack's
+undoing. Nicolas, realizing that he could not again free himself from
+Ivan's embrace, had decided upon a bold stroke, and by apparently giving
+up the struggle had placed himself in Ivan's power absolutely.
+
+Then, when Ivan released his hold, Nicolas dropped suddenly to his knees
+and seized Ivan by the legs and pulled sharply. Caught completely off his
+guard, Ivan toppled over backwards. Nicolas jumped upon the prostrate
+form and again his fingers sought Ivan's throat.
+
+But Ivan was too quick for him and the fingers failed to find their mark.
+Ivan doubled up his knees suddenly and thus prevented Nicolas from
+obtaining his hold; then, straightening out his legs, he hurled Nicolas
+from him. Instantly the Cossack was on his feet and after his opponent.
+
+Nicolas also sprang to his feet and as the two men came together again
+they threw wrestling tactics to the winds and brought their fists into
+play. It was plainly apparent that neither had ever been schooled in
+the art of self-defense and there was nothing skillful about the fight
+that followed.
+
+The attempts of each to ward off the blows of the other were ludicrous
+and of little avail. Almost every blow started went home and it became
+apparent to the spectators that in this kind of fighting the man who
+could withstand the most punishment and land the hardest blows must be
+the victor.
+
+Several hard jolts had found their way to Ivan's face, but he did not
+show any symptoms of being unable to continue the battle. His face was a
+sight, but so was the face of Nicolas, for the matter of that. Both men
+swung hard and often, and nine out of every ten times each landed.
+
+Also both were panting heavily now and it was perfectly plain that the
+fight must come to an end soon. And it did, but more suddenly than could
+have been expected.
+
+Nicolas, swinging wildly for Ivan's chin, had left an opening as large as
+a house. The merest novice must have taken advantage of it. To Hal and
+Chester, both skillful boxers, it was the best opening that had been
+presented during the entire fight, and Hal cried out:
+
+"Quick, Ivan!"
+
+But his words were not needed. Ivan had seen the opening and had
+acted promptly.
+
+"Smack!" his right fist landed heavily between Nicolas' eyes.
+
+"Smack!" it was his left landing on the point of Nicolas' jaw.
+
+"Crash!" It sounded like the breaking of bones. There was a brief
+silence, followed by another crash. The first was Ivan's right over
+Nicolas' mouth and the second was the sound caused as Nicolas tumbled to
+the ground, unconscious.
+
+There was a twinkle in Ivan's eye as he surveyed his fallen foe.
+
+"Some fighter, that fellow," he said. "I didn't believe he had it in him.
+But I would have had him sooner if he hadn't fooled me."
+
+"You certainly would," said Hal. "You see, Ivan, that's your trouble. You
+know nothing of boxing. Had you been, a boxer you could have polished him
+off easily."
+
+"There is no science to using your fists," said Ivan decidedly. "The only
+thing is to hit your opponent before he hits you."
+
+"True enough," said Chester, "and that's where skill plays a part. For
+instance now, I suppose I could keep you from ever touching me, big as
+you are, and I venture to say I could land upon you almost at will,
+though possibly not hard enough to put you out. You're too big for that."
+
+"Ho! Ho!" laughed Ivan gleefully. "Hear the little fellow talk. Why, you
+couldn't even lay a finger on me. I would just hold out one of my long
+arms and you couldn't get near me."
+
+Chester smiled.
+
+"It sounds easy enough," he said. "But take my word for it, I know what I
+am talking about."
+
+"Well, show me," said Ivan.
+
+"I will some time," was the reply. "Right now we'll have to tie Nicolas
+up and finish our sleep."
+
+But when Nicolas had been safely secured, Ivan declared that he would not
+go to sleep until he had proven to Chester just how easy it would be to
+handle him.
+
+"Well, all right, then," said Chester, "I'll show you. But remember,
+don't you crack me too hard if you do happen to land."
+
+Chester placed himself quickly in an attitude of defense, left arm
+extended slightly, right arm well back. Crouching slightly and treading
+on his toes, he stepped lightly around Ivan, who, with arms wide, waited
+for him to come in.
+
+Chester feinted quickly with his left and brought his right forward as he
+stepped in close. The right fist bumped the giant's chin gently, for
+Chester had not struck hard. A moment later his left landed almost in the
+same spot, a trifle harder, and he escaped Ivan's rush and wild swing by
+side-stepping nimbly.
+
+There was a puzzled expression on Ivan's face as he followed the lad
+about the cavern, Chester dancing nimbly first to this side and then
+that. Once the lad let the giant come close, and when he swung, Chester
+jerked his head aside sharply and the blow passed over his shoulder.
+
+Quickly then Chester stepped forward and with his open left palm smacked
+Ivan smartly across the left cheek. He performed a similar operation with
+his right; then stepped back and dropped his hands.
+
+"Well?" he said, eying Ivan inquiringly.
+
+"Well, you did it," said Ivan, greatly crestfallen. "How, I don't know.
+Will you teach me?"
+
+"Some time," said Chester. "Now, let's finish that sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A CHASE.
+
+
+"We ought to be pretty close to the place we left our horses,"
+said Chester.
+
+"I was just thinking that, myself," agreed Colonel Anderson. "Must be
+around here some place."
+
+"We shall be there within the hour," said Nikol, to whom the situation
+had been explained. He had declared he could lead them straight to the
+place they had left the animals.
+
+"So you see, Mr. Stubbs, we are not coming back in such a hurry after
+all," said Hal.
+
+"We're not there yet," mumbled Stubbs. "An hour is an hour. We've been
+altogether too lucky, if you ask me. It's about time something happened."
+
+"Croaking again, eh?" said Chester. "I never saw a fellow like you
+before. You see trouble in everything."
+
+"So I do--when I'm with you," declared Stubbs. "It's been my experience
+that wherever you and Hal happen to be, there also is trouble. I'm a
+peaceable man, I am. I believe in taking all precautions. But here we go,
+walking along as though we were on your uncle's farm. No thought of
+danger among any of you. But I've got a hunch--"
+
+"You've always got a hunch," Hal interrupted.
+
+"Well, all right," said Stubbs. "Just remember I've warned you."
+
+They continued on their way in silence.
+
+"To tell the truth, we have been remarkably fortunate," declared Colonel
+Edwards. "I had expected to bump into some of Nicolas' friends before
+this. It's funny."
+
+"It's not too late yet," said Stubbs.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, with some exasperation, "if you--"
+
+"Hold on," said Stubbs. He pointed ahead and slightly to the left. "Here
+comes a gang after us now."
+
+The others glanced in the direction indicated. A body of men afoot,
+perhaps a dozen all told, were approaching.
+
+"Yes," said Chester, "here comes a gang, but that's no sign they
+are enemies."
+
+"Everybody is an enemy in these parts," said Stubbs sententiously.
+
+"By George, you are the limit, Stubbs!" declared Chester. "Now, I'll
+tell you what I'll do. I'll just bet you something pretty you're wrong
+in this case."
+
+"Well, I ain't wrong," returned Stubbs, forgetting his grammar. "I'll
+take that bet. But in the meantime you fellows have a look at your guns.
+I may need protection."
+
+This was good advice and the others realized it. They acted on it and the
+chamber of Colonel Anderson's revolver snapped with a click that
+emphasized his next remark:
+
+"Can't trust them," he said.
+
+The men were close now, and they appeared to be friendly enough. At sight
+of the prisoner in the center, one of them cried:
+
+"Ho, Nicolas! where are you going?"
+
+Quickly Hal stepped behind the prisoner and out of sight of the
+strangers, his revolver was pressed into Nicolas' back.
+
+"No foolishness," he said in a low voice.
+
+"Rather risky for you in these parts, isn't it, Nicolas?" said another of
+the strangers.
+
+Nicolas heeded Hal's advice.
+
+"I'm with friends," he returned. "There are enough of us here to look out
+for ourselves."
+
+"Where are you bound?"
+
+"Not far. I have a little business a couple of miles farther on."
+
+"Want any company?"
+
+Nicolas hesitated a moment and there came a queer gleam into his eye. And
+before Hal could say a word, he replied:
+
+"Well, you can come along if you want to."
+
+This reply staggered the others a bit, but it was too late now. Hal saw
+that he had not acted promptly enough, but to order Nicolas to change his
+decision would have aroused the suspicion of the others. There was
+nothing for it but to make the best of a bad situation.
+
+"All right, we'll come along then, Nicolas," said the man who
+appeared to be the leader of the newcomers. "Might be a little gold
+in it for us, eh?"
+
+"There might be," agreed Nicolas, with an evil smile.
+
+Hal held a whispered consultation with the others and it was agreed it
+would be foolish to bring matters to a climax now.
+
+"Wait until we get our horses," was Chester's advice.
+
+The augmented party now continued on its way.
+
+Half an hour later they came to the place where they had left their
+horses some days before. The man who had taken care of them advanced to
+meet the party.
+
+"Horses still here?" asked Colonel Edwards.
+
+The man nodded.
+
+"And can you spare us three extra ones?"
+
+The man considered.
+
+"Do you wish to buy?" he asked at last.
+
+Colonel Edwards indicated that he did.
+
+"Then I can accommodate you," was the reply. "I have a dozen of my own
+animals, but times are hard and I need the money."
+
+He named a sum and Colonel Edwards agreed to pay it.
+
+"Have them all brought out immediately," the Colonel instructed.
+
+The man bowed and departed after pocketing the money the Colonel gave
+him. Colonel Edwards returned to the others.
+
+"It's all right," he said in a low voice. "Our horses are still here and
+I have bought three more--one each for Nikol, Ivan and Nicolas."
+
+"Good," said Hal.
+
+He gathered his friends about him, Nicolas in the center, and in a few
+brief words explained a plan he had hit upon:
+
+"We'll walk slowly toward the barn," he said. "Nicolas will tell the
+others to remain where they are." He eyed the traitor coldly. "Then we'll
+dash into the barn and mount. When we are all ready, we'll make a dash
+for it, shooting as we do so."
+
+"As good a plan as any, I guess," said Colonel Edwards, after a moment's
+hesitation. "Let's get started."
+
+Slowly they moved toward the barn. Nicolas' friends, seeing him moving
+away, followed, but still kept at some distance.
+
+The friends entered the barn without being molested. The mountaineer had
+just finished with the last horse and Hal gave the word for all to mount.
+
+"Keep Nicolas in the center," he said, "and if he makes a false move,
+shoot him. He's too dangerous a man to be running around loose."
+
+While the others mounted, Hal moved to the door to watch the men without.
+He arrived there just in time to meet a man who would have entered. Hal
+produced his automatic.
+
+"Get back there!" he commanded.
+
+The man took one look at the revolver and leaped back in a hurry. A
+moment later a voice called:
+
+"What's the matter in there, Nicolas?"
+
+"Answer him," said Chester, prodding Nicolas with his revolver. "Tell him
+everything is all right."
+
+Nicolas did so.
+
+Came the voice from without again:
+
+"Trying to give us the slip, eh? Don't want to divide up the gold with
+us, I guess? Well, we're coming in after you."
+
+"All ready?" asked Hal at this juncture.
+
+Chester glanced around quickly.
+
+"Ready, as soon as you mount," he replied quietly. "Hurry!"
+
+Hal took one more look out the door and saw that the men were
+approaching, separated widely.
+
+"They're coming!" he cried, and leaped astride his horse. Then he called
+to the mountaineer,
+
+"Open the door wide!"
+
+For a moment the mountaineer hesitated. He saw that there was trouble
+coming and he knew that it was none of his business.
+
+Hal aimed his automatic at him.
+
+"Open it wide, quick!" he commanded.
+
+The man hesitated no longer. He threw wide the door.
+
+Again Hal glanced quickly about him; then gave the command in a
+sharp voice:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+Out the door they charged at a gallop--Hal and Chester in the lead, next
+Colonel Anderson and Nicole, then Nicolas and Stubbs, with Ivan and
+Colonel Edwards bringing up the rear.
+
+Outside the door the enemy had drawn somewhat closer together and they
+stood with drawn revolvers as the riders charged.
+
+There was no time for flight, and in spite of the fact that the charge
+was a distinct surprise, the foe opened with their revolvers.
+
+Without checking their wild speed, Hal and Chester fired point blank into
+the faces of the men who barred their way. Whether they hit or not it was
+impossible to tell, but two men who were unable to jump out of the way in
+time, were knocked down by the foremost horses and the rest of the little
+troop passed over their prostrate forms.
+
+But now beyond the enemy, Hal and Chester, leading, did not check the
+speed of their horses, for Colonel Edwards had mentioned the fact
+that there were more horses in the barn, and all knew that there
+would be pursuit.
+
+Behind, some of the men had fallen to their knees and taken
+deliberate aim at the flying riders, and the sharp crack, crack of
+the weapons continued for several seconds. Bullets flew near, but not
+one struck home.
+
+Out of revolver shot, Hal and Chester drew up their horses to take stock.
+
+"Any one hit?" demanded Hal.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+"All right," said Hal, "we'll move on again."
+
+Colonel Edwards, glancing to the rear at that moment, called:
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+The others looked back.
+
+It was true. With loud shouts and waving their revolvers aloft, almost a
+dozen men galloped forward.
+
+There came a cry of alarm from Stubbs, in the center of the little troop.
+
+"Hey! Let's get away from here."
+
+He dug his heels into his horse's ribs and dashed through the others.
+
+"Spread out!" ordered Hal. "We make too good a mark this way."
+
+The others obeyed this order, Ivan still keeping close behind Nicolas,
+and then Hal commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+They went forward at a rapid gallop. The pursuers gave chase with wild
+yells, firing wildly as they did so.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A SAD LOSS.
+
+
+The leader of the flight was Anthony Stubbs. He had covered considerable
+distance when the others started and was now well in advance. The little
+man's heels continued to dig at the ribs of the horse he bestrode, and
+the animal, snorting and with ears laid back, covered the ground in
+great bounds.
+
+Hal and Chester, riding close to each other, kept an eye on the others;
+and after they had ridden perhaps half a mile, they perceived that
+Nicolas and Ivan were lagging behind.
+
+"Nicolas is holding back!" shouted Chester.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"His weight is too great for the horse," Hal shouted back. "Same
+with Ivan."
+
+This was plainly true and the lads saw that the pursuers were
+gaining on them.
+
+Hal headed his horse diagonally across the road and slowed down a bit.
+Chester followed suit. Perceiving this movement, the others also checked
+the speed of their horses, all save Stubbs, who was now far ahead.
+
+As Nicolas came abreast of Hal he suddenly leaned over his horse, and
+before the lad could realize what was up, he seized Hal's revolver, which
+was in a holster at his side. Hal grabbed for it too late.
+
+With an evil light in his eye, the Montenegrin leveled the revolver
+directly at Hal and his finger tightened on the trigger. But another
+brain had acted more quickly than Nicolas'.
+
+Two sharp reports came almost together. Hal felt a bullet brush past his
+ear. Nicolas dropped suddenly from his horse. Turning, Hal gazed into the
+calm face of Nikol and in the dwarf's hand was a smoking revolver. He had
+whipped out his revolver and fired in the nick of time.
+
+Hal realized that he owed his life to the dwarf and he smiled at
+him slightly.
+
+A quick look at the prostrate form of Nicolas showed that he was beyond
+human aid, and Hal also realized the need of haste, as the pursuers were
+even now within range and bullets whined about the fugitives.
+
+"Forward!" he cried.
+
+Again they set off at a gallop.
+
+Ten minutes later Hal again noticed that Ivan was lagging behind. He drew
+his horse down until Ivan came up with him. A moment later Colonel
+Edwards also dropped back on even terms with them.
+
+"Go ahead. Don't wait for me," shouted Ivan.
+
+Hal shook his head slightly, as did Colonel Edwards.
+
+"I tell you, it's no use," said Ivan. "This horse can't carry me much
+farther. Ride on!"
+
+The others paid no heed.
+
+Suddenly Ivan drew rein, pulling his horse back on his haunches, and
+leaped lightly to the ground. Then, before the others realized his
+intention, he drew his revolvers and faced the pursuers.
+
+Quickly Hal and Colonel Edwards checked their horses, wheeled about and
+hurried back to him.
+
+"You are fools!" said Ivan hoarsely. "There is no need for all of us to
+die. I could have held them off until the rest of you were safe. It is
+not too late yet. Ride on!"
+
+For answer Hal leaped lightly to the ground and Colonel Edwards followed
+suit. The latter produced two revolvers and Hal one, for his other still
+lay beside the body of Nicolas.
+
+"Into the woods here, quick!" Hal commanded.
+
+The others obeyed him; and they moved from their perilous positions not a
+moment too soon, for the pursuers had found the range and revolver
+bullets whistled about them as they darted for shelter.
+
+Ahead, Chester now discovered that the others had stopped. He checked his
+own horse, and calling to Colonel Anderson and Nikol, wheeled about and
+dashed down the road, the others following.
+
+Chester allowed the reins to fall loose on his horse's neck and in each
+hand glistened a revolver. Colonel Anderson and Nikol were also prepared.
+
+Some distance beyond where Hal, Colonel Edwards and Ivan had dismounted,
+the pursuers had drawn rein; and now Chester, Colonel Anderson and Nikol
+charged right at them.
+
+In spite of their numbers, the pursuers, after one hasty volley,
+turned and fled as the three charged down upon them. The three fired
+once each at the foe and one man dropped. Then they checked their
+horses, dismounted and made their way into the woods, where they
+joined the others.
+
+"Well," said Chester. "Here we are. Now what?"
+
+"I don't know," said Hal. "We might push on through the woods, leaving
+the horses here, or we might wait until dark and make another break. We
+can probably lose our pursuers some way."
+
+"I should say the latter is the better plan," said Colonel Edwards. "If
+Ivan will start first, we can come on an hour later. We can protect his
+flight. Because of his great weight his horse cannot keep up with the
+rest of us."
+
+Ivan protested. He didn't want to go and leave the others behind. But at
+last he agreed.
+
+"Then I can see no reason for waiting until dark," said Chester. "Let
+Ivan mount now and make a break for it. We can cover him. They won't get
+by us. An hour later we can start."
+
+After some further discussion, this plan was adopted; and grumbling
+somewhat, Ivan mounted in the shelter of the trees. When the Cossack was
+ready, Hal peered out. A short distance back he could see the pursuers
+and his appearance drew a shot. But the men were too far away to aim with
+any degree of accuracy and the shot went wild.
+
+"All right, Ivan," the lad said. "Go!"
+
+The big Cossack dug his heels into his horse's ribs and with a shout
+dashed out into the road.
+
+There was an answering shout from behind and the thundering of horses'
+hoofs told those among the trees that the enemy was on the advance.
+
+"We'll have to stop 'em!" cried Hal. "Aim carefully now."
+
+They waited until the riders were close and then stepped into the open.
+
+"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
+
+The revolvers of the six friends spoke as one. Two of the approaching
+horsemen reeled in their saddles, then toppled to the ground. Two more
+dropped their weapons and uttered loud cries. The pursuers beat a
+hasty retreat.
+
+"Guess that will give Ivan a chance to get away," said Hal briefly. "Now,
+all we have to do is to wait until he has a good start."
+
+But the mountaineers had no mind to remain idle and let the fugitives
+make all the plans. Even now they were in deep consultation. There were
+many gestures and noddings of heads. And at last the mountaineers seemed
+to have hit upon a plan of action.
+
+The men split up into small groups, and leaving their horses, picketed
+by the side of the road, plunged in among the trees. Hal, glancing from
+his place of concealment at that moment, took account of the activities
+of the foe.
+
+"Something up," he whispered to the others. "They probably will attempt
+to surprise us. We'll have to look sharp now."
+
+"My advice," said Colonel Edwards, "is that we split up a bit, to return
+here at a given signal. If we all remain here, it will be simple for them
+to surround us. Scattered, we may catch them at a disadvantage."
+
+"A good plan," Hal agreed. "We'll scatter a hundred yards in each
+direction. And the signal to return?"
+
+"I'll whistle," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"Good! Let's move."
+
+Five minutes later, in the spot where the five had been, there remained
+only the five horses.
+
+With revolvers in hands, the five friends were scattered near by, eyes
+wide open for the first enemy to show himself.
+
+And the first chanced to be a scant twenty yards from Chester. He came
+crawling along the ground, glancing furtively about. He spied Chester at
+the same moment the lad saw him. The two revolvers spoke almost as one.
+
+Chester felt a slight pain in his left arm. His opponent gave a loud cry
+and toppled over.
+
+"Guess he won't bother us any more," muttered the lad grimly.
+
+He kept his eyes peeled for sign of another of the foes. And in other
+parts of the woods the others did likewise.
+
+Hal saw no sign of an enemy and after the one whom he had accounted
+for, neither did Chester. They kept careful watch, the while awaiting
+the signal that was to call them back to their horses in a final dash
+for safety.
+
+From their places of concealment the lads heard a shot. There was not a
+second. Each was greatly worried, for neither knew who had fired it or
+whether friend or foe had been hit. All they could do was wait.
+
+At last the whistle came, the signal agreed upon. It came so faintly as
+to be scarcely audible to those who had been awaiting it. Hal and Chester
+moved toward the spot where stood the horses. There they saw Colonel
+Edwards holding the bridle of his own animal. A moment later Colonel
+Anderson and Nikol appeared.
+
+"All right. No use waiting longer," said Colonel Edwards. "Mount and
+we'll run for it!"
+
+All suited the action to the word.
+
+"Go!" commanded Colonel Edwards.
+
+There was a strange catch in the colonel's voice and Hal glanced at him
+sharply before touching his horse. He saw Colonel Edwards reel suddenly
+in his saddle, then fall heavily to the ground.
+
+With a cry to the others, Hal leaped quickly to the ground, ran to the
+fallen figure of the colonel and bent over him anxiously.
+
+The others, at Hal's cry, also dismounted and returned to the fallen man.
+
+"Stand guard there till I see what's wrong!" Hal commanded.
+
+Colonel Anderson, Chester and Nikol stood with drawn revolvers.
+
+Gently Hal lifted Colonel Edwards' head to his knee. The eyes were
+closed. The lad put a hand over the officer's heart. There was a
+faint beating.
+
+A moment later Colonel Edwards opened his eyes. He smiled feebly.
+
+"Guess I'm done for," he said quietly.
+
+Hal did not reply, for the little wound just above the heart showed where
+the bullet had gone home.
+
+Now Colonel Anderson knelt down beside his old friend.
+
+"What's the matter, old man?" he said. "Did they get you?"
+
+"They got me," replied Colonel Edwards. "You fellows go on. You can do
+nothing for me. It's too late."
+
+A sudden shudder shook him and he burst into a fit of coughing. His eyes
+closed, but he reached forth a hand and his fingers clasped Colonel
+Anderson's hand.
+
+"Tell the folks at home--" he said feebly, then became still.
+
+Quickly Colonel Anderson placed a hand over the other's heart. Then he
+looked at Hal.
+
+"Dead!" he said simply.
+
+For long minutes all stood there silently, their hats off. How long they
+would have remained, it is hard to tell, but the sound of a shot close at
+hand awakened them to their own danger.
+
+"We can do no good here," said Colonel Anderson quietly. "We may
+as well go."
+
+"First," said Hal, "we shall move his body to a little hole in the ground
+I saw back here. We'll cover him up and then we'll go."
+
+Under the very revolvers of the enemy this was done; and the four
+returned to their horses.
+
+"Mount!" ordered Colonel Anderson.
+
+The order was obeyed. Colonel Anderson gazed lingeringly toward the spot
+where lay the body of Colonel Edwards, and there were tears in his eyes
+as he did so. He drew a hand sharply across his eyes, shook himself a bit
+and commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SAFE.
+
+
+Away they went at a gallop, only four of them now. The horses, once upon
+the road again, let themselves out nobly and sped on like the wind.
+There was a single volley from the foe as the four came into the open,
+but all the bullets went wild, and before a second could be fired they
+were out of range.
+
+Then the pursuers hurried for their own horses, mounted and again
+gave chase.
+
+But if the ranks of the pursued had been thinned, so had those of the
+pursuers. Back in the woods lay four bodies cold in death. Of the
+survivors who still pursued there were seven.
+
+The horses ridden by the four friends had benefited by the brief rest and
+were in condition for a long run; and all might have gone well had it not
+been for an unlooked-for occurrence.
+
+As they were dashing swiftly along, Chester's horse stumbled and emitted
+a groan. Instantly the lad checked the animal, jumped to the ground and
+ran to its head. There was a look of pain in the horse's eyes and he held
+up one foot. Chester glanced down.
+
+"He can't go on," the lad said; "the leg is broken."
+
+He drew his revolver.
+
+"Here! What are you going to do?" demanded Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Shoot him," replied Chester quietly. "Put him out of his misery."
+
+"Wait a moment," said the colonel, dismounting. "I know something about
+horses. Maybe it's not as bad as all that."
+
+He examined the leg carefully. When he straightened up he looked at
+Chester and nodded.
+
+"It's the best way," he said quietly. "There is nothing that can be
+done for him."
+
+Chester stroked the horse's head gently and the animal whinnied in pain.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry, old fellow," said the lad, "but it will be
+best for you."
+
+The horse seemed to understand. Chester took aim and fired quickly.
+
+"And now what are we going to do?" he asked.
+
+"Climb up behind me," said Hal. "We've got a pretty fair start. May be
+they will not overtake us."
+
+Chester did as Hal suggested, and the party moved on again, but more
+slowly now.
+
+It was perhaps half an hour later, when hoofbeats were heard behind.
+
+"Here they come!" cried Hal, and dug his heels into his horse's side.
+
+The animal responded nobly, but five minutes later it became apparent
+that they would be unable to distance their pursuers at this speed. The
+hoofbeats became plainer.
+
+Hal drew rein.
+
+"Dismount!" he cried.
+
+His command was obeyed instantly.
+
+Taking his horse by the head, Hal led him in among the trees. The others
+followed his lead.
+
+"When they get by, we'll go forward again," said Hal.
+
+They waited silently.
+
+A few moments later the pursuers flashed by, going at a rapid gallop.
+When they were out of sight, Hal led his horse to the road, as did the
+others, and all mounted.
+
+"We'll follow them," said the lad. "We'll have to keep our ears open,
+though, for they are likely to turn almost any time."
+
+An hour later, rounding a turn in the road, Colonel Anderson, who was in
+advance, checked his horse suddenly. The others also drew up sharply.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Hal.
+
+For answer Colonel Anderson pointed down the road.
+
+There, probably half a mile away, were their pursuers, stationary.
+
+"What do you suppose they are waiting for?" demanded Chester.
+
+The answer came from an unexpected source.
+
+From beyond the pursuers arose a puff of smoke, followed by a faint
+report. It was the sound of a revolver.
+
+"They've bumped into another enemy of some kind," said Chester. "Wonder
+how strong this new force is?"
+
+"Can't be very strong or those fellows would be heading this way,"
+declared Hal. "Maybe they think it's us."
+
+"That's about the size of it," declared Colonel Anderson.
+
+There was another puff of smoke at this moment, and one of the
+enemy fell.
+
+"Bully for you, whoever you are," shouted Chester. "Say!" he added,
+"what's the matter with taking them in the rear? They haven't
+spotted us yet."
+
+"I was thinking of that," said Colonel Anderson. "Guess it can be done
+all right. Will your horse carry double that far, Hal?"
+
+"He'll have to," replied the lad grimly.
+
+"Good. Are you ready?"
+
+"When you give the word."
+
+"Then charge!"
+
+Down the road at a rapid gallop went the three horses, carrying the
+four friends.
+
+Hal, Colonel Anderson and Nikol each guided their mounts with their left
+hands, flourishing their revolvers in the right. Chester held fast to Hal
+with his left and also flourished a revolver with his free hand.
+
+Nearer and nearer they came upon their unsuspecting enemies, who still
+stood where they had been when first discovered. Occasionally one fired
+his revolver at the spot from which shots came at frequent intervals now.
+
+"Wonder why those fellows beyond don't charge, now that they must see us
+coming," muttered Hal to himself.
+
+He watched the puffs of smoke as they came at intervals, and he was
+suddenly struck by an idea.
+
+"By Jove!" he shouted, to make himself heard, "I'll bet there is only one
+man there. That's why the shots are so far apart."
+
+"Well, we're pretty evenly matched," said Chester. "There are only six of
+them in condition to fight."
+
+"Five," said Hal suddenly, as another of the enemy pitched suddenly to
+the ground, a shot from beyond having struck him.
+
+"See! they are going to charge him!" cried Chester, peering over his
+friend's shoulder.
+
+It was true. The enemy had spread out as much as the road would permit
+and the man who appeared to be the leader raised his hand.
+
+"We'll have to stop that," muttered Hal.
+
+He raised his voice in a shout, which carried plainly to the foe.
+
+The five men wheeled about suddenly and for the first time saw they were
+beset in the rear as well as in front. For a moment they hesitated, then
+turned and charged the new arrivals.
+
+"Keep going!" shouted Hal. "And don't miss!"
+
+The enemy fired first, but all the shots went wild. Suddenly Nikol
+checked his horse, took deliberate aim and fired. A rider fell to the
+ground. The range was still great, but Nikol's aim was true. A second man
+dropped at his second bullet.
+
+Now Colonel Anderson and Hal fired simultaneously. Another man
+dropped--it was impossible to tell whether Hal or Colonel Anderson had
+scored a hit.
+
+The two remaining riders drew their horses upon their haunches, and
+headed them for the friendly protection of the trees. Hal and Colonel
+Anderson fired a parting shot, but they were unable to tell whether the
+bullets had gone home.
+
+Chester, behind Hal, had been unable to get into the battle, Hal's figure
+interfering with his aim.
+
+"Well, I don't think the two of them will bother us," said Hal.
+
+"No," Chester agreed. "And there are two loose horses. I'm going to get
+one of them."
+
+"Better make it two," said Colonel Anderson. "Our ally beyond, whoever he
+may be, may need one."
+
+Chester nodded.
+
+"He deserves one," he said. "He knocked off three of these fellows."
+
+He secured the two horses without much trouble, mounted one and led
+the other.
+
+"Now we'll have an interview with our friend," he said.
+
+They rode forward slowly.
+
+"Funny he doesn't come out and show himself," said Hal.
+
+"Guess he thinks we are enemies, too," suggested Colonel Anderson.
+"Well--whoa, there."
+
+He broke off suddenly and ducked his head, for a bullet had whistled just
+above him. He raised his voice in a shout:
+
+"Hey!" he cried in English, forgetting just where he was, "what do you
+mean shooting at us? Quit it. We're friends."
+
+"That you, Hal?" came a familiar voice.
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson gazed into each other's eyes almost
+dumbfounded.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+There came a pleased chuckle from one member of the party, who rushed
+forward happily.
+
+It was Nikol.
+
+"Now where is he going?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+"Going to greet his friend Stubbs," returned Hal. "To Nikol, Stubbs is a
+brave man and a grand fighter; and what has happened just now will only
+increase his admiration. Come on, let's go and have a look for
+ourselves."
+
+"Is that you, Hal, Chester?" came Stubbs' voice again.
+
+"Yes," Hal shouted back.
+
+They rode forward.
+
+Anthony Stubbs, now that he had found his friends again, came forward as
+fast as his queer stature would permit. He was puffing and blowing so
+hard by the time he reached them that he could hardly talk. Of Nikol, who
+stuck close to his side, eyeing him admiringly, he took no notice.
+
+"By George! It's good to see you fellows again," declared Stubbs. "I
+thought my days were numbered when that gang of ruffians set upon me.
+I didn't want to fight, but I had to. It seems to me I got seven or
+eight of them."
+
+"Well, how do you happen to be here, anyhow?" demanded Chester.
+
+"My horse threw me and went away by himself," said Stubbs
+mournfully. "If I ever see him again I'll tell him about it. He
+might have got me killed."
+
+Nikol now forced himself in front of Stubbs and extended a hand.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," he said quietly, "you are a brave and gallant man."
+
+Stubbs was pleased. He made as though to take the hand; then thought
+better of it. He remembered the grip of those powerful fingers.
+
+He shuddered.
+
+"I know it, Nikol," he said gravely.
+
+He put out his hand and patted the dwarf on the head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MR. STUBBS EASES HIS MIND.
+
+
+The remainder of the journey to Cettinje was without incident. After the
+defeat of the mountaineers the lads felt safe, for they were once more
+within the borders of Montenegro and were unlikely, they knew, to
+encounter other enemies.
+
+Stubbs, when informed of the death of Colonel Edwards, was greatly
+grieved.
+
+"Poor fellow," he said, and added after a pause: "There is no use
+talking, Hal, this is no life for any one. He's likely to be snuffed out
+at a moment's notice. I'm going to be careful where I go in the future."
+
+Besides the three bags of gold he had carried when he left the Albanian
+mountains, Hal now had the two he had taken from the body of Colonel
+Edwards. The two Nicolas had carried had been left with him, for there
+had been no time to get them. Stubbs had held on to the two entrusted to
+him, and Ivan, wherever he was, had two more.
+
+It was while speaking of the gold that Hal's thoughts turned to Ivan.
+
+"I wonder what can have happened to him?" he said.
+
+Chester shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"No telling," he replied. "However, I guess he'll turn up sooner
+or later."
+
+And the lad was right.
+
+It was dark when the little party came again within the first line of
+Montenegrin troops. Colonel Anderson announced that he would seek an
+audience of King Nicholas immediately. He made his wants known to the
+officer of the guard, and after he had explained the situation, the
+officer departed to learn whether the king would see the returned
+travelers. He returned fifteen minutes later with the announcement that
+the king would receive them in his field quarters immediately.
+
+As they started for the monarch's quarters, Stubbs and Nikol both
+hung back.
+
+"Come on now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "The king will be as glad to see
+you as any of the rest of us."
+
+"I'm not much used to kings," Stubbs protested. "Besides, this is none of
+my expedition. You're the fellows he wants to see."
+
+"Nonsense," said Hal, and struck with a sudden thought, he added:
+"Perhaps the king will give you an interview. It would be a good thing
+for the _New York Gazette_."
+
+"By Jove! you're right there," Stubbs agreed. "I must be a great
+newspaper man to have overlooked a thing like that. If my boss knew it
+I'd get fired. I'll go along."
+
+Still Nikol hung back, and it took considerable coaxing before he
+consented to go; and then it took Stubbs to clinch matters.
+
+"Look here, now," he said, eyeing Nikol sternly, "I took you for a brave
+man. You're not afraid of a king, are you?"
+
+Nikol shook his head negatively.
+
+"Well, if you don't come along I'll think you are," declared Stubbs.
+"Look at me now. I don't care particularly about going, but I want to
+show King Nicholas I'm not afraid of him. Come on."
+
+He took the dwarf by the arm and the latter moved along grumbling
+to himself.
+
+The king received the party in his private quarters--a large field tent.
+When the party was ushered into his presence, he was attended by a single
+orderly. He arose at their entrance. His eyes surveyed the group quickly,
+and he demanded:
+
+"Where is my friend, Colonel Edwards?"
+
+Colonel Anderson, delegated spokesman for the party by reason of his
+superior rank, stepped forward and replied quietly:
+
+"He is dead, sire."
+
+The king took a step backward and passed a trembling hand across his
+brow. He was silent for some moments before replying.
+
+"Dead! One more victim of the Kaiser's militarism. Tell me, how
+did he die?"
+
+Colonel Anderson explained quietly and briefly. Then, at the king's
+request, he went into the details of the journey; and when he had
+concluded, King Nicholas expressed his deep thanks for the service each
+member of the party had rendered him.
+
+"And you say Nicolas, the traitor, is dead?" he questioned.
+
+"Yes, your majesty. Nikol here," and Colonel Anderson indicated the
+dwarf, "saw to that."
+
+The king turned to Nikol. Then he commanded:
+
+"Come here!"
+
+Trembling, in spite of his denial that he was afraid of a king, Nikol
+approached. The king extended a hand, and Nikol bent one knee and put his
+lips to the hand.
+
+"I thank you," said King Nicholas.
+
+Nikol, with flushed face, muttered something unintelligible and backed
+slowly away.
+
+Then the king thanked each member of the party separately. Even Stubbs
+seemed somewhat abashed by the king's manner.
+
+Later Colonel Anderson mentioned the gold they had brought and it was all
+deposited--fifteen bags of the precious metal--before the king.
+
+"Again I thank you," said the monarch. "You may make sure that this gold
+will be used where it will do the most good."
+
+A few moments later the king signified that the audience was at an end.
+As they passed out he spoke a final word:
+
+"If, at any time, there is anything I am able to do for any of you, you
+have but to command me."
+
+All bowed low.
+
+"One moment," said the king as they were about to withdraw, "have you
+quarters?"
+
+"No, sire," returned Colonel Anderson.
+
+The king spoke to the officer who attended him.
+
+"You will see that these gentlemen are provided with suitable quarters at
+once," he commanded. "They are my guests."
+
+The officer saluted and motioned the others to follow him. Outside they
+were turned over to a second officer, who escorted them to a tent
+somewhat larger than the rest.
+
+"You will make this your quarters," said the officer. "I shall send you
+an orderly, and if at any time there is anything you require, you have
+but to mention it to him."
+
+He saluted and departed.
+
+Left to themselves at last, Hal, Chester and the others looked about.
+The tent was fitted up comfortably, almost luxuriously. There were seven
+or eight cots within and the tent had the appearance of having sheltered
+men of note.
+
+"Style to this place, if you ask me," said Stubbs, "Makes a fellow want
+to turn in and sleep a bit."
+
+"And that is just what we'll do," said Chester. "I'm tired out myself."
+
+"Same here," agreed Hal.
+
+Colonel Anderson and Nikol also announced that they were ready to seek
+repose at any time, and after some further talk, all lay down and soon
+were fast asleep.
+
+The sun was high in the heavens when Chester opened his eyes. He was up
+and dressed quickly. Glancing around, he saw that the others, with the
+exception of Stubbs, who had one eye open, were still fast asleep.
+
+"Guess I'll take a little trip by myself," the lad muttered.
+
+He moved toward the exit.
+
+"Wait a minute, there," Stubbs called, hopping out of his cot. "I'll go
+with you."
+
+"How's that, Mr. Stubbs?" said Chester, pausing. "Why do you arise so
+early? Thought you always stayed until last."
+
+"Don't you believe it," said the little man. "I like to sleep the same as
+the next fellow, but when I have business on hand I attend to it first."
+
+"Business?" repeated Chester. "And what business have you on hand
+this morning?"
+
+"Got to get busy and get some news," was the reply. "I'm going to have a
+look about this camp, ask some questions, then do a little writing; after
+which I'll hunt up the official censor and the rest of the gang and see
+what arrangements I can make toward getting my stuff sent through."
+
+"Then I'll go with you on your hunt," Chester decided. "Maybe I can get
+a few pointers. I might want to get into the newspaper business myself
+some day."
+
+"Don't," said Stubbs. "Take my advice and do anything else. Look at me
+now, I'm a fair example. Here I've been in this business for fifteen
+years, and what has it got me, eh? I'll tell you. It's got me a chance to
+get out and get shot so that people over in the good old U.S.A. can read,
+with their morning cup of coffee, what is going on in this benighted
+land. And what do I get for it? Nothing."
+
+"And still, the excitement," said Chester.
+
+"Excitement?" echoed Stubbs. "Now I ask you, what do I want with
+excitement? I can get all the excitement I want right back in New York.
+This is a long way to come looking for excitement."
+
+"Well, perhaps so," Chester admitted, "but when you get back home you
+will be able to tell people who want to know, more about this war than
+they could read in the _Gazette_."
+
+"So I can," Stubbs agreed, "but I wouldn't if these two by four censors
+didn't stick to their jobs so closely."
+
+The little man slapped on his hat and stalked from the tent, calling over
+his shoulder:
+
+"Come on."
+
+Chester followed him.
+
+Outside, Stubbs made a straight line for the first line troops.
+
+"If you want to find out anything, you have got to get right where it
+is," he declared. "I could stay back here and ask questions, but I want
+to see things for myself."
+
+Chester offered no objections.
+
+Suddenly the camp seemed to spring to life. Bugles blew shrilly, men came
+pouring out of the tents to form into ranks. Officers darted hither and
+thither, shouting hoarse commands. For a moment all seemed to be
+confusion, but a moment later, in response to sharp commands, all became
+quiet and orderly.
+
+"Something up," said Chester.
+
+Stubbs nodded.
+
+"An advance, I imagine," he said. "We'll see."
+
+He approached a gruff-looking officer of forbidding aspect and addressed
+him in French.
+
+"Where to?" he asked.
+
+"To the attack," was the reply.
+
+At the same moment a bugle rang out. Others took it up. It was the
+command to advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+AN ENGAGEMENT.
+
+
+Right, left, front and rear of where Stubbs and Chester stood the troops
+began to move. In front they could make out the heavy guns being dragged
+forward, officers dashing about and gesticulating excitedly, but order
+reigning in the midst of apparent confusion.
+
+From the rear now dashed a squadron of cavalry, a handsome appearing body
+of men. A second squadron came into sight and disappeared ahead, to be
+followed a moment later by a third. Other squadrons passed in rapid
+succession.
+
+Chester and Stubbs kept their positions.
+
+Half an hour passed and still the mounted horsemen swept by. Then came
+the infantry. Column upon column came swinging along at a dog trot, their
+officers urging them on. They moved silently and swiftly, apparently all
+ready for the terrible business in hand.
+
+"A handsome body of men," said Stubbs. "I have never seen better."
+
+"And the size of them," exclaimed Chester. "Must all be over six feet."
+
+It did seem so. Great, big, husky-looking fellows they were, strong as
+gorillas--heavily bearded, most of them, and warmly and snugly dressed.
+
+"They'll make these Austrians move around some, with an even break,"
+declared Chester.
+
+And still the troops passed, seemingly without end.
+
+"Must be an attack in some force," said Chester.
+
+"Or reinforcements to check an enemy's advance," declared Stubbs.
+
+"Well," said Chester, "if there is going to be a battle, we ought to try
+and see something of it."
+
+"They'll arrest us if we go fooling around here," declared Stubbs.
+
+Chester thought quickly.
+
+"I'll tell you," he said at length, "you saw the orderly stationed
+outside our tent?"
+
+Stubbs nodded.
+
+"We'll go back and get him. Also we'll take Hal and Colonel Anderson.
+They wouldn't want to miss this."
+
+"Don't forget my old friend Nikol," said Stubbs. "Remember he is
+something of a fighter, too. He'll want to have a look."
+
+They made their way back to the tent quickly and aroused the others. The
+orderly placed at their disposal, once their wants were made known,
+volunteered to conduct them to the front.
+
+"I'll get an automobile," he said, and departed.
+
+Five minutes later he was back with a big car and all climbed aboard. A
+moment later they were being driven rapidly toward the extreme front.
+There, just behind the first line troops, Hal and Chester made out that
+the movement was in reality a defensive one. Apparently the men rushed
+forward so early in the morning were reinforcements.
+
+The troops had entrenched themselves hurriedly and were preparing to
+resist an attack, which, the orderly informed his charges, was expected
+momentarily. It appeared that the Austrians had made some slight gains
+the day before and the Montenegrin general staff had reason to believe
+the offensive would be continued to-day. Accordingly, steps had been
+taken to resist the invader.
+
+As the orderly explained the situation, the battle would probably be
+fought along a twenty-five-mile front; and he announced that at this
+particular moment the party was somewhere between the center and the left
+wing of the Montenegrin army.
+
+"Well, we can't see much from here," said Chester.
+
+He gazed across the hills. Then he pointed to his right, toward a not far
+distant elevation, somewhat higher than the others nearby, and also
+somewhat closer to the Montenegrin center.
+
+"Now, if we were up there," he said, "we might be able to see something."
+
+The orderly seemed nonplussed.
+
+"It is from that eminence that the king and the general staff will
+witness the struggle," he said, "I do not know--"
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," said Stubbs. "The king is a good friend of
+ours. Why, only last night he said that if we desired anything all we had
+to do was to call on him. Now, taking the king at his word, what we would
+desire most is to be allowed to witness the battle from that eminence."
+
+The Montenegrin officer hesitated; but only for a moment. Then he said:
+
+"If those were the king's words, he no doubt will forgive me for leading
+you thither."
+
+"Most certainly he will," declared Stubbs; "in fact, he will thank you
+for bringing us to him."
+
+The officer, without further words, proceeded as desired, and ten minutes
+later, having left the big army automobile, they climbed the eminence and
+took their positions not far from where the king and the general staff
+stood viewing the Austrian lines through their glasses.
+
+Even as they settled themselves as comfortably as possible, the first big
+gun of the enemy boomed. Other big guns from the Montenegrin lines took
+up the action and soon the artillery engagement became general. The air
+was filled with terrible din and it was next to impossible to make
+oneself heard above the roar of battle.
+
+Hidden batteries in the Montenegrin lines were making their fire felt.
+Shielded from the enemy in front, they were also, in most cases, made
+invisible to the Austrian air craft that continually hovered overhead,
+sheltered as they were in dense clumps of trees and bushes.
+
+From the Montenegrin lines now went a small fleet of aeroplanes, seeking
+out the hiding places of the enemy artillery and signaling back the range
+to the Montenegrin gunners.
+
+For an hour the duel of big guns continued without other action of any
+kind. Now and then the spectators were able to make out the effect of an
+enemy shell as it struck within the Montenegrin line, but they were
+unable to determine the result of the Montenegrin fire.
+
+Came the sound of a bugle from the rear.
+
+"Something up!" shouted Chester at the top of his voice.
+
+Hal nodded but said nothing. He did not feel equal to making himself
+heard above the terrible roar of battle.
+
+From the Austrian line suddenly issued a squadron of cavalry, closely
+followed by many other squadrons. It became apparent to the spectators
+that the enemy had determined to silence the Montenegrin guns, or a
+portion of them, at any rate, by a charge.
+
+On they came in the very face of a hail of lead that cut great gaps in
+their ranks, mowing men and riders down like chaff before a storm. But as
+fast as the ranks were thinned, they filled up again as the Austrians
+continued their charge, while from their rear the great Austrian guns
+continued to hurl their messengers of death over their heads into the
+ranks of the Montenegrins beyond.
+
+Straight for a little woods in the center of the long battle line the
+Austrian cavalry dashed, their intention apparently being to seek
+temporary shelter there before charging some other part of the
+Montenegrin line.
+
+Now they were almost to the trees and it seemed that they must find
+shelter there. This would mean that it would be a hard task for the
+Montenegrins to dislodge them. They were less than a hundred yards away
+when there came a fresh, terrible rumble and roar.
+
+A Montenegrin masked battery had opened with its rapid-firers. Men
+dropped in great heaps, but the others came on.
+
+The Austrian officer in command, realizing that he was in a trap, took
+the one chance left him. With what men he had, cut off from his infantry
+support as he was, he must either capture that masked battery, die or
+surrender. The only support he had now was from his own artillery, and a
+moment later that, too, became silent, for the masked Montenegrin battery
+could not be shelled without imminent risk of shooting down Austrian as
+well as Montenegrin.
+
+On came the Austrians in a desperate and spectacular charge. Of the
+number that had sallied forth from the Austrian trench, less than half
+remained when they came to the edge of the little woods. These few hurled
+themselves forward with the utmost bravery and abandon, and for a moment
+it seemed that they might reach the guns, which Hal and Chester, from the
+eminence, could see.
+
+But at that moment four squadrons of Montenegrin cavalry, fresh and eager
+for the fray, were hurled forward. They dashed out with a yell, and the
+two forces met just beyond the fringe of trees.
+
+There was a terrific shock as they came together and in a moment all
+was confusion. Men cursed, slashed, stabbed and discharged revolvers at
+each other, while the horses of the opposing forces fought as well as
+their riders.
+
+The Montenegrin battery had now become silent, for to have fired would
+have been to endanger the life of friend as well as foe. The horsemen
+struggled desperately, hand-to-hand.
+
+But the force of the Austrian charge had been spent. The few who remained
+fought bravely, but they were no match for the fresher and more powerful
+Montenegrin horsemen, among the best fighters in the whole world.
+
+Slowly the Austrians were forced back. Then they gave ground faster and
+faster, until finally those who were left turned their horses and fled
+back toward their own lines. For perhaps a hundred yards the Montenegrins
+pursued, then, at the call of a bugle, they halted and turned back.
+
+A moment later the rapid-firers broke loose again, cutting great holes in
+the ranks of the fleeing Austrians. The latter retreated even faster than
+they had charged, but by the time they reached the shelter of their own
+lines their number had been thinned by fully three-fourths.
+
+All the way across the field dead and wounded strewed the ground. The
+successful Montenegrins paused for a moment and cheered wildly; then they
+took stock of their own dead and wounded, for they had not escaped
+scot-free. The hand-to-hand struggle, though brief, had been severe while
+it lasted, and the Austrians fought hard and well. The Montenegrin
+losses, though comparatively light, had been severe.
+
+While the cavalry action was being fought, the artillery fire had
+slackened perceptibly; but now the cavalry of each side--what was left of
+it--had returned to its own lines.
+
+The big guns took up the duel anew with even greater vigor than before.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE BATTLE CONTINUES.
+
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson had watched the battle with the eyes of
+veterans; Stubbs had taken in the scene with the eye of a newspaper man
+in the search of news. Nikol, the dwarf, had gazed at the struggling knot
+of horsemen in undisguised amazement.
+
+As the Austrians, defeated, had withdrawn, each had drawn a deep breath.
+
+"A terrible spectacle, when you stop to think of it," said Hal slowly.
+
+"Terrible, indeed," agreed Colonel Anderson quietly; "and yet it must
+go on and on until the power of the Teuton allies has been crushed
+out forever."
+
+"Which it will be," said Chester quietly.
+
+All turned their eyes to the battlefield once more.
+
+Even from where they stood they could discern a sudden activity in the
+Austrian lines. The action of the big field pieces became more vigorous
+than before. Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson guessed the answer
+immediately, as, probably, did the officers of King Nicholas' forces.
+
+The next Austrian move was to be a grand assault under cover of artillery
+fire. The problem to be solved was where it would be delivered--in the
+center, on the right, or on the left flank.
+
+For a brief instant Hal turned his eyes from the battlefield to the place
+where King Nicholas and his staff stood. Officers were arriving and
+departing in haste, carrying orders to the various commanders.
+
+The fire of the Montenegrin guns also became more violent; but it was
+evident that the Montenegrin staff had decided to take no action until
+they were confident of just where the Austrians would strike.
+
+The noise of the cannonading was tremendous. It was like the continual
+roar of the loudest peal of thunder. The very ground trembled from the
+vibrations of the big guns.
+
+From the Austrian trenches now poured thousands of men at the
+double--poured in dense masses toward the Montenegrin center, the while
+the Austrian artillery shelled the Montenegrin center with greater energy
+than at any time since the battle began.
+
+Apparently the enemy had determined upon the Montenegrin center as the
+objective of its grand assault.
+
+In the open field, a small plateau, the Austrians reformed coolly, in
+spite of the death-dealing fire from the Montenegrin lines. The field was
+packed closely with the enemy, now less than half a mile away.
+
+At this distance the fire of the Montenegrin artillery was terribly
+effective, but the Austrian line did not waver.
+
+Steadily forward it came; and now the Montenegrins moved to meet the
+attack. Apparently satisfied that there was no question that the center
+was to be the main objective of the enemy, the Montenegrin staff ordered
+the bulk of the Balkan army massed there to beat back the foe.
+
+Regiments and brigades were hurriedly drawn from the two flanks to
+reinforce the center. The left wing was weakened badly.
+
+A quarter of a mile from the first Montenegrin trench the Austrians
+charged fiercely. All eyes were turned to that section of the field. The
+shock was but a few moments away.
+
+At that moment--almost the moment of impact--a second line of men issued
+from the Austrian, trenches, this time on the Montenegrin left wing.
+These, too, supported by artillery and strong bodies of cavalry, came
+forward in a charge.
+
+It seemed the Austrian commander had outgeneraled the Montenegrins, for
+it did not seem possible that the Montenegrin left flank could be
+reinforced in time to successfully withstand the shock of the Austrian
+attack, and there could be no doubt now that the left flank was where the
+main attack would be delivered.
+
+The assault upon the center had been a feint--nothing more. The main
+bodies of Austrians were to be hurled against the Montenegrin left, in an
+effort to turn it before reinforcements could be hurried from the right
+flank to support the threatened center and left.
+
+But King Nicholas, taking matters in his own hands, acted quickly. In
+spite of the protests of his officers, he ordered the reinforcements so
+recently massed in his center back to strengthen his left; then ordered
+that the center hold firm at all hazards and against all numbers.
+
+He hurried reinforcements from his right to support his center, and
+having taken these precautions, he was ready to give battle.
+
+The Austrian attacking force and the Montenegrin center had come in
+contact long before the king had made his other moves, but there was no
+doubt in Nicholas' mind that his sturdy mountaineers could hold their
+trenches against larger numbers of the enemy.
+
+One, two, three times the Austrians charged the trenches in the
+Montenegrin center. Three times they were driven back with terrible
+losses. The Montenegrins, in the shelter of their trenches, fought
+stubbornly and tenaciously. Once the first line of Austrians
+succeeded in obtaining a foothold in the first trench and
+hand-to-hand fighting ensued.
+
+At this style of fighting the Austrians were no match for the sturdy
+Balkan warriors, and they were soon forced out again.
+
+Meanwhile the Austrian main attack had come in contact with the
+Montenegrin left wing. Outnumbered two to one, sometimes more, the
+defenders fought gallantly. But the Austrians, by the very weight of
+numbers, swooped down upon the defenders of the first line trenches in
+spite of the heavy Montenegrin artillery fire.
+
+The Montenegrins were forced to fall back to their second line; but they
+contested every inch of ground and by the time they had been forced out,
+reinforcements began to arrive. The second line of trenches held in spite
+of all attempts of the enemy to force them.
+
+Reinforcements continued to arrive.
+
+The Austrian artillery had now slackened its fire perceptibly, for there
+was danger of mowing down its own men.
+
+King Nicholas decided upon a bold stroke. Secure in the fact that the
+Austrian guns could not be used at the moment, and having every
+confidence in his stalwart troops, in spite of the fact that they were
+heavily outnumbered, King Nicholas ordered a charge.
+
+A cheer went up along the Montenegrin line.
+
+With bayonets fixed and every nerve tense, the Montenegrins poured
+suddenly from their trenches. They charged like wild men.
+
+The advantage of the surprise was theirs--the advantage of their
+impetuous devotion to the cause they served; and the force of their
+charge was irresistible. It carried all before it.
+
+In vain the Austrian officers tried to rally their men. The sight of
+these determined, grim-faced men pouring from their trenches bewildered
+the Austrian troops. They gave ground, slowly at first, then more
+swiftly; and five minutes later they were in full retreat, with the
+Montenegrins in close pursuit.
+
+Once the Austrian commander succeeded in reforming his men for a stand;
+but the Montenegrins rushed on as though they could have carried the Rock
+of Gibraltar itself, and again the Austrians broke and fled.
+
+The Montenegrins pursued them for probably a quarter of a mile, cutting
+them down and bayoneting them as they ran. Then the bugle sounded a
+recall and the Montenegrins drew off.
+
+It was then, too, that the great Austrian guns opened on them again,
+doing fearful havoc. The Montenegrins suffered greater losses on their
+return to their trenches than they had during the entire engagement up to
+that time.
+
+In the center, the battle was still raging; but now that he had been
+victorious on his left, King Nicholas immediately hurled his weary men
+to the support of his center. Also he drew upon his already weakened
+right wing; for the advantage was his and he was determined to make the
+most of it.
+
+The Austrians fell back in the center.
+
+Now the Montenegrins opened with their heavy artillery, which was rushed
+forward to shell the retreating foe. Again King Nicholas ordered a charge
+along his entire front.
+
+With the present morale among the enemy, King Nicholas decided it was
+time to push his advantage further. He had determined to drive the foe
+from its own trenches.
+
+The Montenegrins advanced confidently all along the line, pursuing the
+Austrians closely in the center. Cavalry and infantry, under the
+protection of the giant batteries, were hurled forward and dashed upon
+the Austrians with ferocity.
+
+Rapidly they covered the open distance to the first Austrian trenches and
+leaped into them without thought of death. The Austrians, brought to bay
+at last, fought desperately, but the Montenegrins, once having gained the
+whip hand, were not to be denied.
+
+The fighting in the Austrian trenches continued for what seemed an
+eternity; but finally the Austrians broke and fled.
+
+The Montenegrins, flushed with victory, advanced again, and under cover
+of their artillery, stormed the enemy's second line trenches. These, too,
+were won after a desperate struggle and heavy losses on both sides, and
+with these the Montenegrins, worn and spent, rested content.
+
+The troops were for pushing on after the Austrians, but King Nicholas
+called a halt.
+
+"My brave men!" he exclaimed, with tears in his eyes. "They have done a
+day's work to-day that will live in memory for generations to come. It is
+a brilliant victory."
+
+The duel of heavy guns continued, but the infantry fighting was over for
+the day. The Montenegrins, in their newly won trenches, fell to preparing
+them to resist the attack that they knew would come sooner or later,
+while the Austrians were taking account of their losses and making ready
+for a new assault.
+
+Stubbs laid a hand on Chester's arm.
+
+"Didn't I tell you they looked like real fighters?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Certainly, I have never seen better," returned the lad.
+
+Stubbs turned to Nikol.
+
+"Well, Nikol," said he, "what do you think of these fellows as fighters?"
+
+Nikol eyed him in silence for several moments. But at last he spoke.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," he said quietly, "they are better fighters than you or I."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+IVAN AGAIN.
+
+
+"Come," said Colonel Anderson, "the battle is over. There will be no more
+fighting to-day. Let us move."
+
+Slowly all made their way back toward their quarters, talking over the
+battle as they went.
+
+It was late in the afternoon. The battle had raged all day, and now for
+the first time the friends felt the need of food. Instead of taking camp
+fare, to which they were invited by the Montenegrin officer who
+accompanied them, they decided to go to a little village not far from the
+camp, where the officer informed them they could get a substantial meal
+at a certain, little restaurant.
+
+Thither they made their way and to their satisfaction found the
+information correct. Then, their appetites satisfied, they left the
+restaurant and started back to the camp.
+
+It was now after dark and as they walked slowly, discussing events of the
+day, they came upon a knot of men engaged in some sort of an argument.
+
+"My curiosity always gets the better of me," said Chester. "Let's have a
+look," and he led the way toward the gesticulating group.
+
+It was plain, as they drew nearer, that the argument was heated. Loud
+voices broke the stillness of the night, and one of them, a deep bass,
+had a familiar ring. One look at the faces in the crowd and they
+recognized its owner.
+
+It was none other than Ivan, whom they had last seen when he made his
+dash for liberty in the mountains.
+
+Ivan was in the very center of the crowd, and as Hal, Chester and the
+others came close, in the glare of a dim light he could be seen
+gesticulating violently.
+
+"I tell you," he shouted, "I have no money."
+
+"But you showed two bags of gold in the restaurant," said one of the men
+pressing in on him.
+
+"Well, what if I did?" demanded Ivan. "That gold is not mine. It belongs
+to your king and I am taking it to him."
+
+"A likely story," said one man in the crowd with a sneer. "You stole it
+some place. We want a share."
+
+"Oh, you do?" said Ivan, and he broke into a loud laugh. "Well, you won't
+get it. First, however, I want to tell you again, that I did not steal
+the money and that it is not mine."
+
+"Then why," said another of the crowd, "why did you dip into one of the
+bags to pay for a drink at the restaurant?"
+
+"Why?" echoed Ivan in a loud voice. "I'll tell you. Because I was dry."
+
+"But if the gold is not yours?"
+
+For a moment Ivan appeared somewhat flustered. But he made answer
+after a moment.
+
+"I am entitled to the price of a glass of wine for carrying this gold for
+the king. That's why."
+
+"It's my belief you filled up on wine before you got the gold," said
+another voice in the crowd.
+
+"You may have any belief you choose," shouted Ivan angrily. "But now
+stand aside. I am going on my way."
+
+"Not until you give us a share of your spoils," said a voice close to
+him.
+
+"Ho!" said Ivan. "You think so. Ho! Ho!"
+
+He took a step forward and his merriment subsided.
+
+"Stand aside there!" he commanded sternly.
+
+For a moment it appeared that the crowd would give before him, but a man
+in the back of the crowd cried:
+
+"What! will you run from one man, a drunken man at that?"
+
+Another, closer to the giant, reached out a hand and sought to clutch the
+bag of gold Ivan held in his left hand.
+
+With a sudden movement and a loud cry, Ivan stretched forth a hand
+and seized the man by the throat. Then he lifted him high in the air
+and hurled him through space. The man struck the ground with a loud
+cry of pain.
+
+At the same instant a second man struck at Ivan with a club.
+
+With a cry of anger, Ivan reached forth and seized the club; then,
+whirling it about his head, brought it down on the man's skull. The man
+toppled over like a log.
+
+Now Ivan began to laugh in glee.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he cried. "Come on and take the gold," and he brandished it
+aloft in his left hand. "What! Are you afraid of one man? Ho! Ho!"
+
+The crowd gave back as Ivan moved forward.
+
+A man from behind sprang forward and stabbed the giant between the
+shoulders with a thin knife.
+
+Ivan whirled about with a terrible cry. Then, raising his recently
+acquired club, he dashed in among the crowd and laid about him right
+and left. Men went down on all sides and in a moment the others
+turned and fled.
+
+One, from a distance, drew a revolver and fired. Whether the bullet came
+close to the giant, Hal could not tell, but he drew his own revolver, and
+springing forward, cried:
+
+"That's enough of this! The next man to make a move I'll put a
+bullet through."
+
+Chester, Nikol and Colonel Anderson ranged themselves by Hal's side and
+also produced their automatics. Seeing nothing else to do, Stubbs also
+joined them and flourished a revolver.
+
+The crowd gave back.
+
+Ivan turned upon the newcomers in surprise. Then he cried in a
+great voice:
+
+"Well! Well! and where did you come from? I had made sure you had
+deserted me."
+
+"No, we haven't deserted you," said Hal. "We simply missed you,
+that's all."
+
+"Well, it's all right, anyhow," said Ivan. "Now come to the restaurant
+with me and I shall buy wine for all of us."
+
+"Thanks, Ivan, but we don't drink wine," said Hal quietly. "If you will
+come with us to our quarters we will talk matters over."
+
+"Not I, not until I have had wine," declared Ivan.
+
+"But you have had enough wine," declared Chester.
+
+"And how do you know I have had enough wine?" demanded Ivan, turning
+upon the lad.
+
+"The way you talk makes it plain enough," replied Chester quietly. "Come,
+Ivan, let's get away from here."
+
+"Well," said Ivan hesitatingly, "maybe you are right." Turning he caught
+sight of Nikol.
+
+"Why, there is my old friend Nikol," he shouted. "Nikol, you will join me
+in a bottle of wine?"
+
+"I shall be pleased," said Nikol, with a smile.
+
+"Good. Come with me." He turned and made as though to move away, when
+suddenly his eyes lighted upon Stubbs.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he laughed. "And my friend Stubbs here shall accompany us."
+
+"Thanks; some other time," said Stubbs nervously.
+
+For answer Ivan leaned down, picked the little man up in his arms and
+walked away with him in spite of Stubbs' cries and struggles.
+
+Nikol went along and for once he did not offer to take Stubbs' part.
+
+"Great Scott! Hal, we can't stand for this," said Chester. "What
+shall we do?"
+
+"Go along, I should say," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"But we don't drink wine," protested Hal.
+
+"There is no reason you should. If you can get Ivan seated and talk to
+him he will be all right in a few minutes. Besides, he is likely to get
+into more trouble this way."
+
+"I guess you're right," said Hal. "Come on, Chester."
+
+The three followed Nikol, Ivan and the latter's struggling burden in the
+person of Stubbs.
+
+They entered the restaurant right behind the others and took seats at the
+same table. Ivan greeted them with a smile.
+
+"Glad to see you came along," he said. He turned to Stubbs. "What will
+you have?"
+
+"Thanks, I don't drink," said Stubbs fearfully.
+
+"Now, Mr. Stubbs!" said Ivan with a comical grin.
+
+Hal now decided the affair had gone far enough.
+
+"Listen to me, Ivan," he said quietly. "Stubbs doesn't want any wine and
+neither do the rest of us. You have had enough."
+
+"And what have you to do with it?" demanded Ivan loudly.
+
+"Just this," said Hal, and produced a revolver. "Before I'll stand for
+any more of this nonsense, I'll put a hole through you. Understand?"
+
+Ivan looked at the lad, apparently bewildered, for some moments. Then he
+said with a laugh:
+
+"Don't you ever shoot at me with that gun. Not ever!"
+
+He rose to his feet and faced Hal threateningly. The lad was nonplussed.
+He had no idea that his bluff wouldn't work. He knew of course that he
+could never shoot the Cossack.
+
+It was Chester who saved the day.
+
+"Ivan," he said quietly. "That's not your money."
+
+"What--what's that?" said Ivan, turning to him suddenly.
+
+"I said that's not your money. Surely you are not a thief?"
+
+"A thief?" cried Ivan. "Who says I am a thief?"
+
+"I do, if you touch the money in the bag you hold there," said
+Chester quietly.
+
+For a moment it seemed that the big Cossack would spring upon Chester;
+but the lad stood his ground, and suddenly Ivan sank down in a chair.
+
+"No, I'm not a thief," he mumbled. "I'm not going to be a thief."
+
+He threw the bag of gold down heavily on the table and looked
+thoughtfully into space.
+
+Chester approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
+
+"There," he said calmly, "I knew you wouldn't. This, you know, is the
+king's money. You wouldn't touch that?"
+
+"No," said Ivan, then added hastily: "but I have touched it. I bought
+wine with it; and it wasn't my money."
+
+His remorse was so apparent that Chester was forced to smile.
+
+"Why, that's all right," he said. "You are going to pay him back. Now
+come with us."
+
+Again Ivan was silent for several moments.
+
+"That's right," he said at last. "I'm going to pay him back." He rose
+to his feet. "Come, I shall go with you," and they all passed out into
+the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+INTO SERBIA.
+
+
+Two days later and we find our friends once more in the air and sailing
+swiftly toward the rising sun.
+
+"Seems to me we should be along about there some place," declared Hal,
+taking his eyes from the distance ahead for a brief moment.
+
+"Unless you have not gauged your course accurately," replied Chester.
+
+"I'm sure I have made no mistake," said Hal.
+
+"Then we should be about there."
+
+"About where, that's what I want to know," put in Anthony Stubbs, from
+his place in the rear of the large army plane, the same in which the four
+friends had made their escape from the Austrians not so many days before.
+"Where are we headed for, anyway?"
+
+"That will be a little surprise for you, Mr. Stubbs," Chester returned.
+
+"I'm getting too old to care much about surprises," declared Stubbs.
+"In the first place, I have no business in this machine, anyhow. I
+never was much good when my feet were not on the ground, and I feel
+pretty sick up here."
+
+"Oh, you'll get used to that, Stubbs," spoke up Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Don't you believe it. I've tried it before and I haven't become used
+to it yet. No, sir. In the first place, a man has got no business up
+here. If he were meant to fly, he'd have wings, like a bird. I claim
+it's tempting Providence to go floating about through space in one of
+these things."
+
+"Well, you didn't seem to hesitate much when we asked you to come,"
+commented Chester.
+
+"Of course not. Think I want to be left alone in this benighted land,
+with a couple of million Austrians likely to swoop down on it at any
+minute? I guess not. The air may not be safe, but it can't be any worse
+than I would have been if I were left behind to await the arrival of the
+invader. But where are we going?"
+
+"Belgrade," said Chester briefly.
+
+Anthony Stubbs half started to his feet.
+
+"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, and sank back again. "Out of the frying
+pan into the fire. Say!" and his voice rose a trifle, "What do we want
+to go to Belgrade for? What's the use of sticking our heads into a
+hornet's nest?"
+
+"Look here, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, again turning in his seat. "Don't you
+want to go to Belgrade with us? If you don't, I'll go down and let you
+off here."
+
+He reduced the speed of the craft a trifle.
+
+"No, no. Never mind," said Stubbs hurriedly. "I was just joking. Of
+course I want to go to Belgrade. They tell me that the Germans are just
+about to come in. But that won't make any difference, will it? No,
+indeed. Not to us. I suppose we are going to be there to welcome them.
+I'll bet they'll be glad to see us."
+
+The others smiled, but they made no reply to this outburst. They had
+known Stubbs long enough now not to pay much attention to him at times.
+And this was one of those times.
+
+Stubbs now turned a bit in his seat and spoke to another figure who was
+close to him.
+
+"How do you like this kind of travel, Ivan?" he asked.
+
+"I belong on the ground," was the brief response.
+
+Ivan's face was a chalky white, but he was sitting tight and saying
+nothing except when it was absolutely necessary. Just behind him sat
+Nikol, and the latter seemed to be in a condition similar to Ivan. Nor
+did he make a sound.
+
+Suddenly, as the aeroplane moved swiftly along, there came a loud
+explosion. The machine rocked crazily and Hal's prompt action at the
+wheel was all that saved the occupants from being pitched head-first into
+space. He righted the craft with an effort.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester in no little alarm.
+
+"It's all over now," mumbled Stubbs with a groan. "Pray, Ivan."
+
+The big Cossack seemed to have no doubt that it was all over and while he
+clung to the side of the machine with both hands, he mumbled strange
+words in his native tongue. Apparently he was following Stubbs'
+injunction.
+
+"I don't know," replied Hal, answering Chester's question. "Something
+seems to have gone wrong with the engine. Guess we had better go down."
+
+He tilted the elevating levers and the plane descended gradually
+and swiftly.
+
+Under Hal's firm hand it settled gently upon the ground and all
+immediately climbed out. Stubbs drew a great breath of relief.
+
+"I never expected to reach here alive," he declared.
+
+Ivan and Nikol also were plainly relieved. They said nothing, but the
+expression upon both their faces spoke plainer than words.
+
+Hal bent over the engine. As he straightened up, Chester asked:
+
+"Anything serious?"
+
+"Believe I can fix it within an hour," replied Hal. "I'll have a try at
+it, anyhow."
+
+"Need any assistance?" asked Colonel Anderson.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"Nothing you can do, I guess," he replied.
+
+"Then I am going to take a little prowl into these woods here," said the
+colonel, indicating a small clump of trees that stood perhaps a quarter
+of a mile to the east.
+
+"I'll go along," said Chester. "I feel like stretching my legs a bit."
+
+The two walked away together. Ivan and Nikol remained behind and watched
+Hal tinker with the engine.
+
+Chester and the colonel prowled about among the trees for the better part
+of half an hour and then turned to make their way back to the machine. As
+they walked along, Chester suddenly caught Colonel Anderson by the arm,
+stopping him in his stride.
+
+"Sh-h-h," muttered the lad and listened intently.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Colonel Anderson, in a low voice.
+
+"Thought I heard voices," replied Chester. "Listen."
+
+Both became silent; and directly they caught the sound of a low voice off
+to the right. Then there came a second and a third voice.
+
+"Don't see what they can be doing here, whoever they are," declared
+Chester in a whisper. "We'll see if we can get a look at them."
+
+He led the way softly in the direction from which the voices had come.
+The voices became louder; and directly, parting two large bushes, Chester
+made out the forms of three figures not ten yards away.
+
+He turned quickly to Colonel Anderson and laid a finger to his lips. The
+colonel approached cautiously.
+
+From the spot where the two stood it was possible to see the three men in
+front of them without danger of being seen themselves, for they were
+screened from sight by the large bushes. One of the men was attired in
+what Chester took to be a Serbian uniform, but the others were in
+civilian attire.
+
+"We'll do a little eavesdropping," whispered Chester.
+
+Colonel Anderson nodded and they became silent.
+
+"So you say that everything is ready for Bulgaria's entrance into the
+war?" spoke the man with the uniform.
+
+"Yes," replied one of the others, a man of perhaps forty years of age,
+with a long flowing beard.
+
+"And she will strike when?"
+
+"The moment Belgrade has fallen before the Germans," replied the third
+man, who, the watchers saw now, was little more than a boy, smooth of
+face and bright of eye.
+
+"And they will strike where?"
+
+"At the Anglo-French force being rushed from Saloniki to the aid of the
+Serbians."
+
+"Why wasn't I kept posted on all this? How was I expected to do my part
+here, being left in ignorance of diplomatic affairs?"
+
+"I don't know anything about that. All I know is that we were
+ordered here to learn what success you have had in undermining the
+Serbian officials. Also to get your views upon which way the
+Serbians will retreat."
+
+"Well, I can tell you that in a few words. I have had very little success
+with the Serbians. They are loyal to their cause and seem determined to
+fight to the last ditch. But I did get close enough to one man--a member
+of the general staff--to learn that in the event of reverses to Serbian
+arms, the Serbian army will retreat into Greece."
+
+"So? I had deemed it most likely they would fall back and join the
+Montenegrins."
+
+"Such is not the plan of the general staff. Their reasons I cannot tell
+you; but at a guess I should say it is because they hope that, by a
+juncture with the Anglo-French forces, they may hope to show an effective
+front until Italy can throw an army to their support, or possibly until
+the long expected Russian offensive materializes."
+
+"Then we shall have to bring some pressure to bear upon Greece," said the
+younger man. "We cannot permit that. Bulgaria must get in the game sooner
+and thus foil such a plan."
+
+"Well, you probably know best," said the officer, "but remember one
+thing. To all intents and purposes, Bulgaria is still neutral.
+Announcement that she has decided to cast her lot with the Central
+Powers, if premature, undoubtedly would spoil many plans. Particularly,
+if it came to the ears of the Anglo-French commander at Saloniki."
+
+"Exactly," replied the young man. "Our plans now are to permit the Allies
+to advance a considerable distance toward Belgrade, and then to have
+Bulgaria declare war at the psychological moment."
+
+"A good plan, that," returned the officer. "But I must get back now. My
+absence will be noticed and I do not care to arouse suspicion."
+
+The men moved off.
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson gazed at each other.
+
+"Rather neat little play," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Rather," repeated Chester dryly.
+
+"And to think," continued Colonel Anderson, "how leniently Bulgaria has
+been treated by the Allies. Well, her day of reckoning will come."
+
+"We'll have to get word of this to the Serbian commander in Belgrade,"
+said Chester.
+
+"So we will," said the colonel. "And also to the commander of the
+Anglo-French forces in Saloniki."
+
+"Let's get back then and see if Hal has the machine fixed so she'll fly."
+
+They retraced their footsteps; and even as they arrived, Hal arose from
+his position above the aeroplane.
+
+"She'll go now all right," he said. "All aboard!"
+
+Stubbs, Nikol and Ivan hesitated and Stubbs protested. Chester drew Hal
+aside for a moment and told him what he and the colonel had learned. Hal
+wasted no further time.
+
+"In here with all of you," he commanded gruffly. "We're going right now."
+
+The others hesitated no longer, and a few moments later the big machine
+was flying swiftly toward the Serbian capital.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE END OF A TRAITOR.
+
+
+It was two years after the outbreak of the great war that the
+Austro-German armies were hurled forward in a great and final effort to
+crush Serbia. Since the early days of the struggle, heavy battles had
+been fought upon the Austro-Serbian frontier, with success first to one
+side and then to the other.
+
+Belgrade, the Serbian capital, had been bombarded time after time by the
+great Austrian guns and once the city had been occupied by the foe.
+Later, however, the Serbians had driven out the invader and reoccupied
+the capital. And now, the Austrian army, reinforced by a hundred thousand
+Germans, bringing the total number of troops to half a million, was again
+knocking at the gates of Belgrade; and the Serbians, realizing the utter
+hopelessness of their cause unless aid arrived from the Anglo-French
+troops at Saloniki, were preparing to flee.
+
+This was the situation when the aeroplane bearing Hal, Chester and their
+friends descended just outside the city.
+
+Hardly had they alighted when they were taken in charge by a squad of
+Serbian troops. Colonel Anderson, acting as spokesman for the party,
+explained their presence in a few well-chosen words and asked to be taken
+to the commanding officer. There was considerable red tape to go through
+before the friends finally were ushered into the presence of the Serbian
+commander, and that worthy immediately informed them he had but a few
+moments to give them.
+
+Colonel Anderson, therefore, came to the point at once. He told him of
+the conversation he and Chester had overheard a short time before.
+
+"And you say one of the men wore a Serbian uniform?" asked the general.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You don't know who he is--you didn't hear his name mentioned?"
+
+"No, sir; but I would know him again if I saw him."
+
+"Good. You shall have the chance. Now, how far from the city do you say
+this conversation took place?"
+
+"Must have been all of ten miles, sir."
+
+"Then the men have hardly returned to the city yet. And you say you did
+not hear the name of the member of the general staff, the first traitor,
+or spy mentioned as having divulged information?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Very well. Now I will leave all of you here for an hour or so. I have
+some matters to attend to. When I come back we'll see if you can identify
+the man you speak of."
+
+The general bowed to them and took his departure, leaving them alone in
+his quarters.
+
+From without a heavy cannonading could be heard.
+
+"I guess the last advance has begun," said Chester slowly.
+
+"You probably are right," agreed Hal. "And I feel sorry for these
+Serbians. If the British and French could only get here in time."
+
+"Well, I don't see why they don't," declared Chester. "England has
+promised more than once since the war began that she would not permit
+Serbia to be crushed. Seems to me she should have taken some decisive
+action before now."
+
+"You forget," said Colonel Anderson, "that England has her hands full in
+other parts of the great war theater--France, Belgium, the Dardanelles,
+Egypt, India and Africa."
+
+"That's the trouble," said Hal. "England has too many irons in the fire.
+That's where the Germans and Austrians have the edge, as we say in the
+United States. Their armies are not scattered all over the world."
+
+"That's true enough," replied Colonel Anderson, "and it is, without
+doubt, the reason the Central Powers have not been crushed long ago."
+
+Ivan now took a hand in the conversation.
+
+"These wonderful tales you told me of my brother Alexis," he began.
+
+"Well, what of them?" asked Hal.
+
+"Why," said Ivan. "When I came with you I thought I should see some
+fighting. All I have done is fly through the air, like a bird, and hear a
+thousand miles of talk. I want to see some fighting, like Alexis saw."
+
+"You probably will see it soon enough," returned Chester quietly. "Even
+now you can hear the booming of the great guns without. The
+Austro-Germans are moving on Belgrade and it will only be hours before
+the Serbian retreat begins."
+
+The conversation continued along various lines until the return of the
+Serbian commander, General Save.
+
+"If you will come with me," he said to Colonel Anderson, "I will see if
+you can identify the traitor. Which of your friends here was with you?"
+
+Colonel Anderson nodded toward Chester.
+
+"Then he shall come, too. The others may remain here until we return."
+
+Hal, Ivan and Nikol were undeniably disappointed at this turn of affairs.
+Not so Stubbs.
+
+"This comes nearer being what I call comfort than anything I have enjoyed
+since coming across to Europe," he said, settling himself in the
+commander's easy chair and drawing exhilarating puffs from his pipe. "I
+don't care how long we stay here."
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "I am afraid you are lazy."
+
+"Mr. Paine," said Stubbs, "I know I'm lazy."
+
+Leaving the general's quarters, Colonel Anderson and Chester accompanied
+the Serbian commander toward the front.
+
+"The enemy has begun his advance," General Save explained, as they walked
+along. "He is attacking in force all along the line. We are resisting as
+well as we may. That is why every available man has been sent forward. We
+will find the traitor there some place."
+
+"And do you have any hope of holding back the enemy, sir?" Chester asked.
+
+"None," returned the general quietly. "We will resist to the last, but
+even now preparations are being made for evacuating the capital. With
+the coming of darkness, the retreat will begin. We shall fall back to
+Nish, which, I trust, we shall be able to hold until Anglo-French
+assistance arrives."
+
+"I hope so, sir," declared Chester.
+
+"And as soon as you have picked out this traitor for me," said General
+Save, "I will ask you to undertake a mission for me."
+
+"We shall be glad to be of service, sir," replied Colonel Anderson. "And
+the nature of the mission?"
+
+"Why," said the commander. "I have information to the effect that the
+Anglo-French troops are already on the way from Saloniki. They may not
+know of the real seriousness of our position. Communication has been
+hampered for the last few days. I will send word to them by you."
+
+"Very well, sir," said Colonel Anderson. "We shall be glad to go."
+
+"Now keep your eyes open," said General Save, as they came for the first
+time among the Serbian troops, the men farthest from the front, men being
+held in reserve.
+
+Among the regiments the three passed slowly, scanning the face of every
+officer; and they came upon their man sooner than they could reasonably
+have hoped.
+
+Chester suddenly touched General Save on the arm.
+
+"Look! There he is!" the lad said in a low voice.
+
+The general glanced in the direction indicated. Perhaps twenty yards to
+the left, engaged in conversation with an officer who wore colonel's
+stripes, and a man whom General Save immediately recognized as one of the
+general staff, stood the person the lads had seen in the woods a few
+hours earlier. "Are you sure that is he?" demanded the Serbian commander.
+
+Chester nodded his head vigorously.
+
+"Certain, sir," Colonel Anderson agreed.
+
+"Very good. Then come with me."
+
+The general approached the group of officers, who stood respectfully at
+attention when they perceived his approach.
+
+"Captain Dellse!" said the General.
+
+"Sir," replied the officer, stepping toward the Serbian commander.
+
+The older officer looked squarely into the man's eyes for several
+moments without saying a word. The traitor tried his best to return the
+general's steady gaze and for a moment he succeeded. Then his eyes
+wavered slightly.
+
+General Save extended his right hand.
+
+"Your sword, sir!" he commanded.
+
+The other staggered back and his face turned a ghastly white.
+
+"Wha--what, sir?" he stammered.
+
+"Your sword," repeated the general calmly, his hand still extended.
+
+With a visible effort the other pulled himself together.
+
+"I do not understand you, sir," he said, with a subdued air of insolence,
+glancing quickly about at the others who now surrounded him.
+
+General Save lost all patience now. He took a step forward.
+
+"Give me your sword, you traitor!" he commanded angrily. "You are under
+arrest. You shall be shot in ten minutes."
+
+The face of the accused officer turned livid. There was no pretending to
+misunderstand now.
+
+Quickly he glanced about him. Chester and Colonel Anderson, in their
+civilian clothes, stood each with a hand in his right coat pocket, and in
+the hand of each rested a little automatic.
+
+An ever increasing group of Serbian officers also surrounded him. The man
+with whom the traitor had been engaged in conversation moved gradually
+toward the rear of the circle. General Save caught sight of him out of
+the corner of his eye.
+
+"Colonel Breyold!" he commanded.
+
+The other halted.
+
+"Come here, sir," commanded the general.
+
+Glancing furtively about him, the other obeyed. The Serbian commander
+turned to another of his officers.
+
+"Relieve Colonel Breyold of his sword," he commanded.
+
+Without waiting to see that his command was carried out, he stepped close
+to Dellse. The other gave way before him and with a sudden movement
+produced a revolver.
+
+Before those nearby could interfere, he had raised the weapon and pulled
+the trigger. There was a sharp report, a flash of fire, and when the
+smoke had cleared away, Dellse and General Save were locked in each
+other's embrace, struggling furiously.
+
+With loud cries other Serbian officers jumped forward and separated the
+combatants. Dellse's weapon was wrested from his grasp and in a moment he
+was powerless.
+
+"Are you hurt, sir?" asked one of the officers anxiously of the general.
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+With a gesture of his arm, he indicated the two traitors. "Take them out
+and shoot them immediately!" he ordered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+ACROSS MACEDONIA.
+
+
+"No," said Hal, "I am afraid to take a chance with our old airplane. It
+hasn't been gone over thoroughly yet. If General Save is anxious for us
+to go at once, Chester, you and Colonel Anderson go on ahead. I'll look
+our machine over and follow you."
+
+"Well, whatever you say," said Chester. "The general is anxious
+that we start at once and perhaps the way you suggest will do as
+well as another."
+
+"I'm going with the first party," declared Ivan at this juncture. "I'm
+tired of sitting about doing nothing. I want to be on the move. If
+something doesn't happen pretty soon, I'm going back to the Albanian
+Mountains."
+
+"I'll be glad to have you go with me," said Chester. "Hal, you can bring
+Stubbs and Nikol with you."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"All right. Then you had better see the general about a craft of
+some kind."
+
+Chester hastened away, but was back a few moments later with the
+announcement that General Save would have a plane ready for them
+within the hour.
+
+Hal and Chester then examined a map of the country carefully and laid out
+a course. It was agreed that Hal should follow the same course, for, as
+Chester said, there was little likelihood of anything going wrong, but
+coming along the same route the second craft would always have a chance
+of rendering aid should it be needed. The lads agreed to meet at Saloniki
+the following day.
+
+It was nearly dark when the machine carrying Chester, Colonel Anderson
+and Ivan soared in the air and headed south over Macedonia--once the
+kingdom of Philip and Alexander the Great. Stubbs, Nikol and Hal watched
+their friends disappear in the distance with some misgiving, which was
+given expression by Stubbs.
+
+"I hope they get there safely," he muttered, "but I have my doubts."
+
+"See here, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "You've gone through a lot, but you are
+still here, aren't you?"
+
+"I am," said Stubbs calmly, "but I wish I were some place else."
+
+"Well, give me an hour or two to look over our machine and you will soon
+be some place else," said Hal.
+
+"And the chances are I'd rather be some place than where I am likely to
+be if I keep monkeying around in the air," replied the little man.
+
+Hal raised both hands in a gesture of hopelessness.
+
+"There's no use talking to you," he said. "I'll leave you both here while
+I overhaul the plane."
+
+He took himself off.
+
+Chester, Colonel Anderson and Ivan sailed swiftly through the air.
+Darkness fell, but it was a bright night and Chester, at the wheel,
+could see without difficulty. The passengers were quite comfortable in
+spite of the cold.
+
+"Aren't you getting a bit too low?" asked Colonel Anderson after a couple
+of hours flying in the darkness.
+
+"Thousand feet," said Chester after a glance at the indicator.
+
+"Doesn't seem like it to me," said the colonel. "Think I can see the
+ground below."
+
+"You shouldn't at this altitude," said Chester.
+
+"I know it. Guess I was mistaken."
+
+Half an hour later the colonel spoke again. "Have you come down
+any, Chester?"
+
+"No; why?"
+
+"I'm sure I can see the ground below," returned the colonel.
+
+Chester glanced over the side of the plane.
+
+"By Jove! So can I," he exclaimed. He glanced at the indicator again. It
+still read a trifle over a thousand feet. "Something wrong some place,"
+he said to himself.
+
+He tilted the elevating lever, but the plane did not answer by a sudden
+rush upward. Chester gave a long whistle.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Colonel Anderson.
+
+"I don't know," returned Chester. "We're going down gradually, I know
+that, but the indicator still reads a thousand feet and I can't move the
+plane any higher."
+
+"And you don't know what is wrong?"
+
+"Haven't the slightest idea. I'm no airship expert."
+
+"Then you shouldn't try to run one," declared Ivan.
+
+"Now don't get worried, Ivan," said Chester with a laugh. "We'll get down
+again all right."
+
+"We'll probably get down," said Ivan, "but the thing that worries me is
+whether it will be all right or not. I want to die with my feet on the
+ground and not be dashed against the earth head first."
+
+"I'm sure there is no danger," said Chester. "We're just sinking gently."
+
+He cut off the engine and allowed the craft to volplane to earth more
+abruptly. It came to rest on the ground as lightly as a bird.
+
+"Well, what will we do now?" demanded Ivan.
+
+"You have as much idea as I have," returned Chester. "I can't fix this
+thing here in the darkness; in fact, I don't know whether I can fix it at
+all. We'll either have to walk or stay here until I can have a look at
+this craft in daylight--and maybe that won't do any good."
+
+"I vote we walk," said Colonel Anderson. "There must be houses along here
+some place. Maybe we can commandeer three horses, or an automobile or
+something."
+
+"Most likely what we'll commandeer will be trouble," grumbled Ivan.
+
+"Now what are you kicking about?" demanded Chester. "You have been
+hunting trouble ever since I have known you. Maybe you'll be satisfied
+this time."
+
+"Do you think so?" demanded Ivan eagerly.
+
+"No, I don't," returned Chester. "If I did I'd sit right here. I don't
+want to run into any trouble now if I can help it. We've got business on
+hand, remember that. And we've got to hurry. Colonel Anderson, I guess
+your suggestion is a good one. We'll walk on a ways."
+
+They set out without a word. Striking across what appeared in the
+darkness a large field, they eventually came to a road. They walked south
+along this.
+
+Half an hour later, in the darkness, there loomed up a house ahead of
+them. A faint light glowed in the window.
+
+"Told you there must be a house along here some place," said
+Colonel Anderson.
+
+Chester produced his watch and succeeded in reading the face after
+some trouble.
+
+"Lacks five minutes to midnight," he said. "Rather a late hour to be
+making a call."
+
+"Necessity knows no law," responded Colonel Anderson. "We won't bother
+them much, if they can furnish us with some means of transportation."
+
+"Hope they will be friendly," said Chester.
+
+"No reason why they shouldn't be. I suppose we are still in Serbia."
+
+"Well, I don't know whether we are or not. That's what worries me,"
+said Chester.
+
+"Why, where do you think we are?"
+
+"I don't know. Might be Serbia, might be Greece, might be Bulgaria, or
+Turkey or any old place. If the elevating apparatus on our plane was out
+of whack, the steering apparatus may have been, too. Also I have mislaid
+my compass. I won't know north from south until morning."
+
+"Hm-m-m," muttered the colonel. "Well, shall we try this house?"
+
+"May as well, I guess," said Chester.
+
+He led the way to the front door and rapped sharply with his knuckles.
+
+There was a sound of some one stirring within, but no face appeared at
+the door in response to the lad's knock. He rapped sharply again. This
+time there was not a sound from within.
+
+Chester walked a little ways from the house and glanced at the window
+through which a light had been visible a few moments before. It was
+perfectly dark now. Apparently the light had been extinguished the moment
+he had rapped on the door. All was dark within.
+
+Chester moved toward the house again, thinking to rap on the door once
+more. As he did so, there came the sound of a shot and Chester felt
+something whistle by his ear.
+
+"Wow!" he cried, and dashed toward the door where Colonel Anderson and
+Ivan stood.
+
+"Hit?" cried Colonel Anderson, as the lad dashed up.
+
+"No," replied Chester. "But that bullet didn't miss me much. What'll
+we do now?"
+
+"I don't really know. We don't know where we are. Why not spend the
+night here?"
+
+"For one reason," said Chester grimly, "because they won't let us in."
+
+"Oh, we can fix that. Break in the door."
+
+"And get shot for our pains."
+
+"No, I don't think so. My impression is that there is no more than a
+single occupant of the house. That's the reason he was frightened when
+we knocked. We'll just go in where it's warm and pay no further
+attention to him."
+
+"Well, whatever you say," said Chester. "Stand back there, till I blow
+the lock off that door." He drew his revolver.
+
+"Hold on," said Ivan. "I'll open it"
+
+He stepped back a pace, then rushed forward. His huge shoulder came into
+contact with the hard wood and there was a crash as the door gave way
+beneath his weight.
+
+Ivan went in unhesitatingly and the others followed him.
+
+Inside Chester struck a match.
+
+"Look out!" cried Colonel Anderson. "Want to get us all shot?"
+
+"We've got to see where we are going," said Chester.
+
+The glare of a match showed them a room to the right of the hall. Chester
+led the way in, still holding the match above his head. On the stand in
+the center of the room was a big lamp. Chester lighted it.
+
+"Evidently," he said, "this is the same light we saw when we came up."
+
+The three now pulled themselves close to a fire that glowed softly in an
+open fireplace and made themselves comfortable.
+
+"We might as well get a little sleep," said Chester. "Anderson, you take
+first watch. Call me in two hours. I'm going to sleep here."
+
+He closed his eyes, then opened them suddenly again. He had heard a
+slight noise.
+
+Stepping quickly across to a table at the far end of the room, he stooped
+down and, thrusting his revolver under the table, called:
+
+"Come out!"
+
+There was a faint rustling and a sound as of some one crying. Then a
+figure, rumpled and fearful, came from beneath the table; and
+Chester cried:
+
+"A girl!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+ATTACKED.
+
+
+Chester's exclamation was wrung from him in English. At the sound of his
+words the girl looked at him quickly and clasping her hands imploringly,
+cried out:
+
+"Don't kill me!"
+
+Her words were also in English and she spoke without the slightest
+accent. Chester and Colonel Anderson looked at her dumfounded.
+
+"Are you English?" demanded Chester, taking a step toward her.
+
+The girl staggered back.
+
+"Keep away, please," she said.
+
+"Are you English?" repeated Chester.
+
+The girl recovered herself with an effort and forced herself to answer
+the lad's question calmly.
+
+"No," she said, "I am an American."
+
+"An American!" exclaimed Chester. "You are an American?"
+
+"Yes," cried the girl, "and you will harm me at your peril. The
+United States--"
+
+"Uncle Sam is a long ways off," said Chester quietly. "But I guess he can
+take care of you. I, too am an American."
+
+"You!" exclaimed the girl eagerly, taking a step forward. Then, after a
+quick glance at his clothes, she shrank back.
+
+Chester smiled.
+
+"Don't judge me by these garments," he said. "I assure you I am an
+American, and my friend here," he indicated Colonel Anderson, "is a
+British officer. My other friend," pointing to Ivan, "is a Russian. So
+you see, you are among friends."
+
+"Are you telling me the truth?" asked the girl fearfully, eying Chester
+searchingly.
+
+"It is a habit I have," replied Chester quietly. "Yes, I am an American
+and if you have a mind to question me about anything American you will
+find that I am telling you the truth."
+
+"What is your name?" asked the girl.
+
+"Chester Crawford."
+
+"Chester Crawford!"
+
+Again the girl looked at him searchingly.
+
+At last she asked: "And do you know another young American named
+Hal Paine?"
+
+"Hal!" exclaimed Chester, startled at hearing his friend's name from this
+girl whom he had, to his knowledge, never seen before. "Of course. He is
+my chum. But he has never told me he knew a girl answering your
+description."
+
+"Oh, I don't know him," replied the girl. "But I have heard of you both
+from a friend--a girl friend; and if you can tell me her name, I will be
+sure that you are Chester Crawford."
+
+"How can I tell you?" asked Chester. "I know several girls. Was it
+Mary--"
+
+"This girl," was the reply, "you met in Belgium. If you are truly Chester
+Crawford you will know who I mean."
+
+"Do you mean Miss Johnson--Edna Johnson?" inquired Chester.
+
+A happy smile lighted up the girl's face.
+
+"I do! I do!" she exclaimed. "It was Edna Johnson. She wrote me a letter,
+telling me how she met two young American boys in Belgium and giving me
+their names. I have heard from her often and each time she has mentioned
+your names. She wonders what has become of you."
+
+"Well," said Chester with a smile. "I'm here and Hal is some place
+between here and Belgrade, I expect. Now will you tell me who you are?"
+
+"I am Helen Ellison of St. Louis," replied the girl, extending her hand.
+
+Chester took the hand and turned to the others.
+
+"Allow me to present my friends to you," he said quietly. "Colonel
+Anderson, of His British Majesty's service."
+
+Colonel Anderson bowed.
+
+"And Ivan Vergoff,"--this in French. "Ivan, Mademoiselle Ellison."
+
+The big Cossack also bowed and acknowledged the introduction.
+
+The girl smiled at both of them, and Chester was glad to learn that she
+understood French.
+
+"And now," he said, "if you will tell me exactly where we are, I shall be
+greatly obliged."
+
+The girl looked at him in surprise.
+
+"You don't know where you are?" she asked.
+
+Chester shook his head.
+
+"You are now," said Helen, "just across the Serbian border from Bulgaria.
+This house is the home of a friend of mine, Miss Thatcher, a Red Cross
+nurse. I met her in Belgrade where she was wounded. When it became
+evident that the Austrians were about to occupy the city, we came to the
+home of her friend here, a Serbian woman. That was before there was any
+talk of Bulgaria joining Germany. But now that war has been declared--"
+
+"War declared!" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Why, I think so. Maybe there has been no declaration of war, but anyhow
+the Serbians and Bulgarians have been fighting across the frontier.
+That's why I was so afraid when you knocked at the door to-night."
+
+"And it was you who shot at me?" asked Chester.
+
+"Yes," replied the girl. "And, oh, I am so sorry. If--"
+
+"Never mind," said Chester soothingly. "You didn't hit me."
+
+"I know I didn't, but I--"
+
+"There, there, now," said Chester. "And where is your friend now?"
+
+"She went away this morning and she hasn't come back yet."
+
+"Do you know where she went?"
+
+"Yes; to the home of a peasant about six miles from here. His wife is
+sick and Miss Thatcher has been attending them since she has been well
+enough to do so."
+
+"And you were left here all along?" said Chester.
+
+"Yes, but I wasn't afraid until this afternoon, when half a dozen
+Bulgarians crossed the frontier and tried to get in the house."
+
+"The did?" exclaimed Chester angrily. "I wish we had been here."
+
+"So do I," said Helen. "They knocked on the door, but I wouldn't let them
+in. Then they threatened to break the door down, but an officer came up
+at that moment and ordered them away. They went sulkily and one of them
+called back that they would return. That's why I was afraid when you
+knocked a little while ago."
+
+"And no wonder," replied Chester. "It must have been a terrible
+day for you."
+
+"It has indeed," said the girl weakly.
+
+Chester sprang toward her quickly and took her gently by the arms, just
+as it seemed she would fall over in a faint. He seated her in a chair,
+and poured her a glass of water from a pitcher on a nearby table.
+
+After drinking the water the girl appeared refreshed.
+
+"So foolish of me to get weak like that," she said, smiling.
+
+"It's no wonder," returned Chester. "It's just the reaction. You'll be
+all right in a minute or two."
+
+The lad was a good prophet; and five minutes later Helen was talking and
+laughing vivaciously. All four were having a good time, when Chester's
+ears caught a faint sound from without.
+
+The lad paused as he was about to say something in reply to one of
+Helen's questions and listened intently.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen.
+
+"Oh, nothing," said Chester, and continued his remarks.
+
+A few moments later, however, he arose, and asking to be excused for a
+moment, stepped toward the door which Ivan had broken to permit their
+entrance; just beyond he caught sight of a dark shadow.
+
+"As I thought," he muttered. "They have come back."
+
+He returned to the door of the parlor and summoned the big Cossack.
+
+"Oh, Ivan," he called. "Come out here a minute."
+
+The Cossack came up to him and Chester led him toward the door.
+
+"What can you see out there?" he asked.
+
+Ivan poked his head out and looked around.
+
+"Ho!" he exclaimed suddenly and leaped out.
+
+A moment later Chester heard the sound of a brief struggle and then Ivan
+reappeared dragging a man after him.
+
+"I've got him," said the giant, laughing loudly.
+
+The laughter attracted the attention of Helen and Colonel Anderson, who
+came from the parlor to learn the cause of it.
+
+Helen gave a cry of fear as her eyes fell upon Ivan's prisoner.
+
+"Who is he?" she exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, just some fellow who was spooking around outside," replied Chester.
+
+But Helen was not to be fooled thus easily.
+
+"It is one of the Bulgarians who were here this afternoon," she cried,
+and addressed the man in his own tongue. Then she turned to the others.
+"He says the others are coming," she cried. "He came on ahead of them."
+
+"Oh, is that so?" said Chester quietly. "Well, they'll have a different
+reception this time."
+
+He told the others what the girl had learned.
+
+Colonel Anderson received the news quietly.
+
+"We'll be ready for them," he said.
+
+But Ivan was not so calm when he heard what Helen had told Chester.
+
+"So there is going to be a fight at last, eh?" he cried in a loud voice.
+"What are a dozen or so of these Bulgarians? I know them of old. Cowards
+and traitors all. I have had an experience with more than one of them. We
+are good for a dozen or two of them, if we can keep them in front of us.
+Oh, yes, the Bulgarians are great fighters--from behind."
+
+"Is there any way we can fix up that door?" asked Chester.
+
+Colonel Anderson shook his head.
+
+"I am afraid not. Ivan has shattered it beyond repair."
+
+"Then it shall be my post to guard," cried Ivan. "No Bulgarian shall come
+through there."
+
+"There are not many other places they can come through," said Helen.
+"Only two windows and a second door, in the rear of the house. I shall
+guard one of the windows myself."
+
+"You are not afraid?" asked Chester.
+
+"Not now, that I have friends with me."
+
+"All right. Colonel Anderson, I'll take this other window here, near Miss
+Ellison. You shall guard the back door."
+
+"The first thing to do is tie this fellow up," said Anderson, indicating
+the Bulgarian.
+
+Ivan stepped forward, and taking a piece of rope that Helen gave him,
+tied the man up tightly.
+
+"Now," said Chester, "to your posts. We don't want to be caught
+unguarded."
+
+All took the places assigned them and examined their weapons. An hour
+passed. Then Chester, peering through the window, exclaimed:
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE.
+
+
+"I'm ready for them!" shouted Ivan, from his position behind the
+broken door.
+
+He stood well back in the darkness, out of sight from beyond the house.
+
+All was quiet and dark within, for with the appearance of the first of
+the enemy Chester had extinguished the light. The figures of the
+approaching Bulgarians were plainly visible to Chester and Helen through
+the windows. Ivan and Colonel Anderson, of course, could not see them,
+although they would have been visible to the former had he a mind to take
+a chance and expose himself to their view.
+
+As the men approached, Chester counted them. Then he announced:
+
+"Thirteen, I make them."
+
+"My count, too," agreed Helen from her window.
+
+There was not a tremor in her voice now and she seemed totally unlike
+the frightened girl Chester had first seen. She held her revolver
+steadily in her right hand, a pile of ammunition heaped up in the window
+sill before her.
+
+The men came on briskly, absolutely unaware of the rude welcome that
+awaited them.
+
+"Let them get close enough so we can't miss, then I'll hold a parley with
+them," said Chester.
+
+When the men were less than fifty yards from the house, Chester raised
+his voice and called out sternly in Russian:
+
+"Halt there!"
+
+The Bulgarians halted in their tracks and gazed about in surprise. To the
+best of their knowledge there could be no one in the house but the girl,
+and this sudden hail in a male voice made them pause.
+
+"What do you want here?" demanded Chester from his shelter.
+
+There was a hurried consultation among the enemy; then one man called:
+
+"We want to get in."
+
+"You can't get in," returned Chester calmly.
+
+There was a roar of laughter from without.
+
+"Did you hear that?" said one. "He says we can't get in." The man called
+to Chester: "And who is going to stop us?"
+
+"You'll find there are enough of us here for that purpose," replied the
+lad evenly. "I warn you we'll shoot the next step forward you take."
+
+Again those without held a consultation and Chester could barely make out
+the trend of the conversation.
+
+"Perhaps they are too many for us," said one.
+
+"Nonsense," was the reply of another. "He's simply trying to frighten us
+away. We'll rush the two windows and the doors at the same time. Some of
+us will get in."
+
+"All right. Whatever you say--"
+
+"Come on then."
+
+The men split up suddenly into four separate bodies and rushed forward.
+
+"Let 'em have it," said Chester quietly.
+
+His revolver spoke at the same moment as did that of Helen and two men
+stumbled as they ran. One recovered himself instantly and came on, but
+the other pitched forward to the ground.
+
+Colonel Anderson, at the rear door, remained at his post. There was
+nothing he could do until the enemy attempted to force the door.
+
+Ivan, however, stepped quickly from his place of concealment and standing
+erect in the doorway fired point blank at the four men who came dashing
+toward him. One threw up his hands with a cry and a second muttered a
+fierce imprecation. Ivan emptied his revolver and then dashed back to
+safety even as a fusillade was fired at him. The Cossack was untouched.
+He smiled grimly to himself.
+
+"Not so bad," he muttered.
+
+He reloaded in haste and again stepped into the open. The men before his
+post, the three who remained upon their feet, were directly in front of
+the door and all fired simultaneously as Ivan showed himself. The big
+Cossack felt a stinging sensation in his left arm, but he did not pause
+to investigate the wound.
+
+Again he raised his weapon quickly and fired its contents toward his
+foes. But Ivan's aim was poor--or he had fired without aiming--for not a
+bullet went home. Again Ivan dodged back just in time.
+
+The men who had advanced toward the two windows had been driven off by
+Helen and Chester. Two of their number lay on the ground and two of the
+others were nursing wounded arms. Out of revolver-shot they stopped and
+discussed the situation.
+
+In the rear, the men who had attacked there were even now knocking at the
+door with their revolver butts. Chester heard Colonel Anderson's voice:
+
+"Get away from there, or I shall fire through the door."
+
+There came a loud report and Chester believed for a moment the colonel
+had been as good as his word. But he was soon undeceived.
+
+"They've blown the lock off the door," cried the colonel. "Guess they'll
+try to rush me now."
+
+"You guard both these windows for a moment," said Chester. "I'll lend
+Anderson a hand."
+
+He hurried back and arrived just in time to see the door swing inward.
+Colonel Anderson, across the room from the door, stood in the shadow,
+waiting for the first of the enemy to show himself.
+
+The door swung back violently and the men appeared in the opening in a
+body. Chester and Colonel Anderson fired almost together. Came hoarse
+cries from the attackers and a moment later the doorway was cleared.
+Immediately Chester and the colonel hurled their weight against it,
+closing it again.
+
+"Safe for a minute," said Chester.
+
+He hastened back to where he had left Helen and arrived just in time to
+see the girl fire her revolver at a figure that dashed toward the house.
+The man did not falter. Apparently the girl's aim had been bad. The man
+dashed to the very side of the house and took his stand directly under
+the window.
+
+Chester poked his head out to see if he could pick the man off and as he
+did so his cap leaped from his head. The lad heard something whiz by. He
+withdrew his head quickly.
+
+"Just missed me," he said quietly.
+
+Now three forms came dashing toward the house, running in a
+zig-zag course.
+
+"See if you can get one of them," cried Chester to the girl.
+
+He took deliberate aim himself and fired. One man dropped.
+
+Helen also fired--twice, but the other two men came on and joined the
+first arrival under the edge of the window.
+
+"Great Scott! This won't do," said Chester. "We can't have those fellows
+under there. We'll have to get them out some way."
+
+At that moment Colonel Anderson's voice rang out:
+
+"Here they come again."
+
+Chester dashed back. Again the door swung inward and two faces appeared,
+revolvers leveled before them. They fired even as they came in sight and
+Colonel Anderson tumbled over with a sharp cry.
+
+"They got me," he said in a faint voice.
+
+"And I got one of them!" shouted Chester as one of the Bulgarians hit the
+floor with a thud.
+
+The other withdrew his head before Chester could fire again.
+
+Chester raised his voice and called to Helen:
+
+"How are you making it?"
+
+"All right," the girl called back. "Haven't seen any one since you left."
+
+"Can you hold both windows?" demanded Chester.
+
+"I think so. Why?"
+
+"Anderson has been hit. I'll have to stand guard here. Pass the word to
+Ivan, will you? Tell him of the men under the window. He may be able to
+help you out."
+
+The girl did as Chester ordered.
+
+Helen, standing close to the window, allowed her revolver to rest on
+the sill. In the darkness, a hand appeared from below and grasped the
+weapon by the barrel and wrenched it from her grasp before she could
+pull the trigger.
+
+Helen screamed.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Chester anxiously.
+
+"I've lost my gun," said the girl. "And here they come in the window!"
+
+"I'm coming!" cried Chester, and started forward.
+
+But another figure beat him. It was the giant form of Ivan.
+
+"You stand here," he said sternly. "Guard both doors and the windows as
+you value your lives. I'll attend to the others."
+
+He moved toward the shattered door without another word.
+
+"Where are you going?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+Ivan disappeared without making reply.
+
+At that moment one of the men who had succeeded in forcing the rear door
+came dashing through the house. He held his revolver ready, but he didn't
+see Chester quickly enough. Chester raised his own weapon and took a
+snapshot. The man threw up both arms and staggered back. Immediately
+Chester leaped forward and possessed himself of the other's revolver,
+which he passed to Helen.
+
+A second form appeared in the doorway and fired at Chester. But the lad
+had perceived his opponent just in time to leap back and the bullet went
+wild. Bringing his own revolver forward in deliberate aim, Chester
+dropped the other with a single shot.
+
+"Look!" cried Helen from the window at this moment.
+
+Chester did so and saw the remainder of the Bulgarians coming toward the
+house at a dead run. He put his revolver out the window and fired twice.
+Helen did the same.
+
+But both had fired too quickly and all the bullets went wide. The men
+pulled up under the window, out of the range of fire from within, safely
+enough, and Chester and Helen could hear them talking.
+
+"We'll wait here," said one. "Somebody'll show his head pretty quick and
+when he does, we'll get him."
+
+Chester motioned to Helen to move back from the window.
+
+"What are you going to do?" she asked in some anxiety.
+
+"Have you any hot water?" asked Chester suddenly.
+
+"Why, yes," cried the girl and clapped her hands, "There is a kettle on
+the stove."
+
+"You remain here while I get it," said Chester briefly.
+
+He dashed into the kitchen and was back in a moment with the large kettle
+of hot water in both hands. He motioned the girl away from the window.
+
+The lad lifted the kettle to the sill with an effort, and then gauging
+the position of the enemy by the sound of the voices without, he
+tilted it over.
+
+Came furious cries of pain from without as the boiling water found
+its mark. Then there came a different sort of cry. Chester looked
+out quickly.
+
+From the front door dashed Ivan and bore down upon the foe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+IVAN SHOWS HIS METAL.
+
+
+Chester had poured the boiling water upon the foe at the psychological
+moment indeed--for Ivan had been ready to dash forward at that exact
+minute and Chester had diverted the attention of the Bulgarians long
+enough for Ivan to reach them without being discovered.
+
+Had the men not been otherwise engaged when he dashed from his place of
+concealment, they would doubtless have shot him down before he reached
+them. But the kettle of hot water had prevented them from bringing their
+revolvers to bear until too late.
+
+Ivan descended upon them with a wild cry, and at sight of him the
+Bulgarians gave back. Eight of them there were, but they recoiled as a
+single man from the great Cossack.
+
+A single shot Ivan fired from his two revolvers and then they were empty.
+Quickly he reversed both weapons, and holding both by the barrels, he was
+among the enemy, striking right and left as fast as the eye could see.
+
+Down went a man on the left with a cracked skull. A man on the right
+caught a glancing blow on the shoulder and also toppled over. Now the
+remaining six scattered and sought to get a position where they could
+shoot Ivan down without fear of injuring one of their own number. But
+Ivan prevented this by keeping close.
+
+He at length seized one man by the neck--dropping the revolver he held in
+his left hand to do so--and held him before him as a shield.
+
+Then he charged the others.
+
+Ivan's eyes shone with a terrible fire as he darted forward. His hat was
+off and his long hair streamed in the wind. Holding his human shield as
+he did with his strong left hand, he raised his revolver aloft in his
+right, gripping it tightly by the barrel.
+
+The nearest man of the enemy failed to skip aside quickly enough and the
+revolver crashed down on his head with a thud. That was the last of him.
+A second, thinking to take advantage of this action, slipped upon the
+giant from behind and leveled his revolver at Ivan's head. But once more
+Ivan was too quick for him, and, whirling suddenly, hurled his revolver
+at the man.
+
+The Cossack's aim was true, and struck squarely in the face with the
+sharp revolver, the man dropped to the ground. Now, besides the man he
+still held aloft, there were but three of the enemy left. With a loud
+cry, they turned and ran.
+
+But Ivan had no mind to be balked of his prey. He still held a weapon,
+and he made good use of it. The weapon was the man he had been using for
+a shield. Raising him high above his head with his right arm, he hurled
+him forward, as a man putting the shot.
+
+The human catapult sailed through the air and struck two of the enemy as
+it fell, carrying them to the ground, knocking the breath from the bodies
+of all three.
+
+Ivan leaped forward quickly. Stooping, he picked up two men, one in each
+hand, and brought their heads together with an audible crash. Then he
+hurled one down upon the third man with great force, and stooping, picked
+up a revolver.
+
+Quickly he dropped to one knee, and leveling the revolver, took
+careful aim at the remaining man, who was now some distance away and
+running swiftly.
+
+"Crack!"
+
+A report, a flash of flame in the darkness.
+
+An imprecation from Ivan, a second report and flash of flame, and the man
+fell sprawling.
+
+Ivan rose calmly. He surveyed the field of action with a critical eye.
+Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and stalked back to the
+house. As he came to where Chester and Helen stood, he said quietly:
+
+"Any more of them in here?"
+
+"None," returned Chester. "You finished the lot."
+
+"Good," said the Cossack. "I thought they had me once."
+
+He uttered no further word, but made his way to the parlor, where he sat
+down as calmly as though nothing had happened.
+
+"You go in there, too," said Chester to Helen. "I'll have a look at
+Anderson."
+
+But the girl refused to obey this command and accompanied the lad to
+where the gallant Colonel lay, moaning feebly.
+
+Chester dropped down and raised Colonel Anderson's head to his knee.
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" he asked.
+
+"Rather weak and dizzy," was the Colonel's mumbled response.
+
+"Where did the bullet hit you?"
+
+"Top of the head some place," and Colonel Anderson raised a feeble hand
+and passed it over his head.
+
+"Quiet now," said Chester. "I'll have you in the other room in a jiffy
+and we'll have a look at the wound. Will you make a light in the parlor,
+Miss Ellison?"
+
+The girl hastened away to do as Chester requested and the lad assisted
+Colonel Anderson to his feet.
+
+"Put your arm around my neck," the lad commanded. "Lean all your
+weight on me and I'll drag you into the other room. You're too big for
+me to carry."
+
+Colonel Anderson followed instructions and Chester dragged him to the
+parlor, where he laid him on a couch. Then he bent over and examined
+the wound.
+
+"Doesn't amount to much," he said finally, rising. "Will you get me some
+water and a cloth. Miss Ellison? Also, if by any chance you can find it,
+a piece of adhesive plaster."
+
+"I can get them all," said the girl. "Miss Thatcher's kit is still here."
+
+She hurried away and was back in a few minutes with the necessary things.
+She lent Chester a hand and bathed the wound on the Colonel's head, while
+Chester unrolled the adhesive plaster. Then they bound up the wound.
+
+Colonel Anderson then insisted on sitting up. He passed a hand ruefully
+across his bandaged head and smiled faintly.
+
+"Hurts a little, but not much," he said in answer to Chester's question.
+"But now, if you'll tell me--"
+
+He paused suddenly and raised a warning hand.
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+"Thought I heard voices without."
+
+With a bound Ivan left his chair and darted toward the door. He
+disappeared in the darkness.
+
+"Ivan's fighting blood is up," said Chester. "I guess I'd better go after
+him. You guard the wounded man here, Miss Ellison."
+
+He hurried after Ivan.
+
+Outside the door he came upon a strange sight--a sight that caused him to
+cry out in merriment and thankfulness.
+
+In his first gaze he saw four figures and the first he recognized as that
+of Hal, the next that of Nikol. These two stood quietly gazing at two
+other figures who were struggling nearby. Chester glanced at the other
+figures. They were Ivan and Anthony Stubbs and they appeared to be locked
+in a death grapple.
+
+"Help! Help!" came Stubbs' voice.
+
+Chester moved forward to interfere, for he reasoned that perhaps Ivan,
+in his lust for battle, had been unable to distinguish between friend
+and foe. But Hal stayed him with uplifted hand and Chester saw that his
+chum was laughing quietly. He realized then that Ivan had recognized
+his opponent.
+
+He lined up with Hal and Nikol and watched the struggle.
+
+Ivan had one huge arm around the little man and seemed to be making
+strenuous efforts to throw him. Stubbs struggled valiantly, the while
+sending out wails for help. Chester saw that Ivan was simply playing.
+
+"Stick to him, Mr. Stubbs," cried Chester. "You'll have him down in
+a minute."
+
+Stubbs twisted and squirmed like an eel. Once he slipped free of Ivan's
+clutch and started to run. Ivan reached out quickly and grasped him by
+the left shoulder and drew him back.
+
+Stubbs let out a yell of fear, and as he turned face to face with the
+Cossack, he struck out and upward with his clenched fist. The blow landed
+squarely on Ivan's nose and brought a stream of blood.
+
+Ivan let out a roar of rage. Apparently he had not bargained for this.
+Then he lifted Stubbs high, in the air and tossed him away in the
+darkness. The little man's yells were loud and long as he flew through
+the air. He struck the hard earth with a grunt perhaps twenty feet away.
+
+Slowly he got to his feet and came toward the others, who were now
+talking to Ivan. In front of them, he stopped.
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed. "What are you fellows trying to do, anyhow? Get me
+killed off so you won't have to bother with me? Didn't you see that big
+heathen tossing me around? What?"
+
+Hal turned and eyed the little man suddenly.
+
+"Why, there he is now," he said in a voice of surprise. "We were just
+talking about you, Mr. Stubbs. Chester was asking about you. I told him
+you were here a moment ago. Where did you go so suddenly?"
+
+Stubbs glared at them.
+
+"You mean to tell me you didn't see some big giant grab me a minute ago?"
+he demanded. "You didn't see me fighting for my life?"
+
+"Fighting?" exclaimed Hal. "You fighting, Mr. Stubbs. I didn't think you
+would attack a man."
+
+"I didn't attack a man," shouted the thoroughly aroused Stubbs. "I
+didn't attack a man. A man attacked me. No, it wasn't a man, either. It
+was a giant."
+
+"Is that so, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester in well-feigned surprise. "And
+where were the rest of us all that time?"
+
+"Where--where were you?" echoed Stubbs. "You were right here, that's
+where you were. You mean to tell me you didn't hear me call for help?"
+
+"You don't say," said Hal. "Why didn't you call aloud, Mr. Stubbs?"
+
+Stubbs sputtered angrily.
+
+"By George! I did call out loud," he cried.
+
+"And what has happened to the man who attacked you, Mr. Stubbs--the giant
+you speak of?" inquired Hal civilly.
+
+"Well, he, I--I don't know. He looked suspiciously like Ivan there to me,
+though why he should jump me, I don't know. Yes, sir, I could have sworn
+it was Ivan, but I must have been mistaken."
+
+Stubbs glanced around on all sides.
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed at last. "I know I had a fight, but I can't
+seem to make any one believe it."
+
+"Still sleepy, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal.
+
+"Sleepy?" repeated the little man. "Sleepy? What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, that fighting dream just now," said Hal. For a moment Stubbs stared
+at the lad angrily; then turned on his heel and stalked into the house.
+
+"Come," said Chester, with a laugh, "I'll take you into the house, Hal,
+and introduce you to a real nice little girl. She's heard of you. She
+told me so. Come on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+BETWEEN TWO FIRES.
+
+
+At the door to the parlor, Chester stopped stock still. The others halted
+behind him.
+
+"Now what do you think of that?" he demanded.
+
+Inside, Stubbs was standing before Helen Ellison.
+
+"Yes," he was saying, "I am Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the _New
+York Gazette_. I am here on important business. But I have other worries
+besides my work. I am burdened with the care of two young American boys.
+I have to look after them and keep them out of trouble. Hal Paine and
+Chester Crawford. Perhaps you know them?"
+
+The little man paused expectantly.
+
+"I have met Chester Crawford," was the reply. "He was here only a moment
+ago. I do not know Hal Paine."
+
+"Well, if you know one of them you are just one better off than I am,"
+was Stubbs' rejoinder. "I know them both, too well. Were it not that I am
+continually giving up my time to getting them out of scrapes, I would be
+able to give more attention to my own work. You should be glad that you
+know but one of them."
+
+"But I thought--" began the girl.
+
+Stubbs interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
+
+"Oh, I know what you thought," he said. "I thought so myself once. So
+have lots of others. But if you knew them as well as I do you'd change
+your mind."
+
+"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Chester of Hal, in a whisper.
+
+"I think it's about time we went in," returned Hal.
+
+Chester advanced into the room and the others followed. Stubbs
+turned guiltily.
+
+"Oh, there you are," he said. "I was just telling this young lady here
+what great friends we all are. Yes, sir. I just remarked that if she were
+in any kind of danger, to mention it to you and you boys would see that
+no harm came to her."
+
+"Are you sure that's what you were talking about, Mr. Stubbs?"
+asked Chester.
+
+"Why, of course. What did you think?"
+
+"Well, I thought perhaps you might have told Miss Ellison of all the
+trouble we have caused you."
+
+Stubbs started.
+
+"I--I--" he stammered.
+
+"Oh, we heard you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs with ruffled dignity. "Eavesdroppers never hear any
+good of themselves." But the little man soon recovered his poise. "I was
+just joking," he said. "I knew you boys were listening. Ha! Ha!" He eyed
+Chester. "The young lady here says she has met you," he said. "You young
+rascal, so this is why you wanted to come on ahead, is it?"
+
+Chester blushed.
+
+"See here, Mr. Stubbs," he began, "I--"
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Stubbs. He approached Chester and gave him a dig in the
+ribs with his thumb. "So," he exclaimed, and added, "well, I was young
+myself once."
+
+He had successfully turned the tables on Chester and he was now very much
+pleased with himself.
+
+Chester decided that the best policy was to ignore the little man's
+remarks, so he turned the conversation by introducing Hal and Nikol to
+Helen. Then, when all were on speaking terms, he turned to Hal.
+
+"Tell me how you happened to find us?" he asked.
+
+"It's simple enough," was the reply. "As we were sailing along, I heard
+shots below. I came down to investigate. The first thing I knew, after
+coming in sight of this house, I saw a great hulk of a man come rushing
+out. I drew my revolver and was about to fire when I recognized Ivan. At
+first I wasn't sure whether Ivan knew us, but when he grabbed Stubbs
+there and began to play with him, I knew he did. So Nikol and I stood
+back and watched. Then you came out. That's all I have to tell."
+
+"And so you admit it wasn't a dream," exclaimed Stubbs angrily. "A fine
+lot of friends you are. How do you know what that untamed heathen might
+have done to me?"
+
+"Heathen, am I?" exclaimed Ivan, getting to his feet.
+
+"No, no! I didn't mean that," said Stubbs, backing away. "I apologize."
+
+Ivan resumed his seat and Stubbs continued:
+
+"I just want to tell you I don't think much of such treatment. As I have
+told you before, you rush to each other's aid fast enough, but when I get
+in a tight place I am left to fight it out by myself."
+
+"And you always come out on top, Mr. Stubbs," declared Chester. "We would
+deprive you of none of the glory."
+
+"Yes, but some of these times I won't come out on top and then what good
+will glory do me, huh?"
+
+"Think how proud Mrs. Stubbs--"
+
+"I can tell you right now that Mrs. Stubbs is not looking for glory,"
+shouted Stubbs. "What Mrs. Stubbs wants is me and if I fool around with
+you much longer I'm mighty likely to disappoint her."
+
+Stubbs stalked across the room and sat down in a corner.
+
+"Tell me," said Hal to Chester, "what was all the shooting about?"
+
+"Oh, it didn't amount to much," returned Chester. "Thirteen
+Bulgarians attacked us. That's all. Anderson, Miss Ellison and I
+disposed of a couple and Ivan here attended to the rest. They are all
+dead now, I guess."
+
+"And where is Anderson?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Over there on the sofa," said Chester, pointing. "He's sleeping and I
+didn't like to disturb him. He's got a hole in his head."
+
+"Bad?" asked Hal anxiously.
+
+"No; mere flesh wound. He'll be all right directly."
+
+"And do you mean to tell me," demanded Hal, "that Ivan here did all
+this work?"
+
+"Well, he did the greater part of it. It reminded me of the old days,
+when we watched Alexis in action. Any one who had ever seen them both
+fight would know they were brothers. Ivan is a powerful man and a
+great fighter."
+
+Ivan had hung his head modestly as Chester talked. Now he looked
+up and said:
+
+"It was nothing."
+
+"And yet how unlike Alexis," muttered Hal. "Can you imagine what Alexis
+would have said after a fight like that?"
+
+"Rather," said Chester dryly. "He'd have sworn he had defeated a
+regiment."
+
+"Well," said Hal. "It seems to me we have delayed here long enough. You
+will remember your orders to hurry. My plane will carry us all, if Miss
+Ellison cares to go."
+
+"Certainly she cares to go," returned Chester. "We can't leave her here
+alone. I'll wake Anderson now."
+
+He did so. The Colonel announced that he was feeling perfectly fit and
+ready to go at any time.
+
+"Well, you people get ready and I'll go and have a look at the
+plane," said Hal.
+
+He left the house.
+
+It had grown light by this time. Dawn had broken half an hour before and
+there was every indication that the day would be bright and cheerful.
+
+Helen was upstairs getting her things together, while the others sat
+about in the parlor. Suddenly Hal dashed into the house. There was an
+expression of alarm on his face. The others jumped to their feet
+excitedly.
+
+"Now what's the matter?" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Oh, nothing much," said Hal, "only that about fifty thousand Bulgarians
+have nabbed my aeroplane."
+
+"What?" exclaimed the others.
+
+"Exactly," said Hal, "and that's not the worst of it."
+
+"My goodness!" exclaimed Stubbs. "What can be worse than that?"
+
+"Well," replied Hal, sinking into a chair. "On the other side of us I
+made out about a million Serbians advancing."
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "You mean we are in between them?"
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"Oh, my," groaned Stubbs. "This will be the last of us for sure."
+
+"Quiet, Stubbs," said Hal sharply.
+
+Now Ivan had a remark to make.
+
+"There don't happen to be a million Serbians," he said calmly.
+
+"Well, I wasn't talking literally," said Hal. "I don't know how many
+there are, but they look like a million."
+
+"And what are we going to do?" moaned Stubbs.
+
+"It looks to me as though we should have to stop right here," said
+Hal quietly.
+
+"And be shot to pieces?" This from Stubbs.
+
+"You might go outside and try running a bit," returned Chester. "I have
+no doubt you would be killed a bit quicker."
+
+"I'll stay here," said Stubbs.
+
+At this moment Helen came into the room. She was heavily attired and
+carried a small satchel.
+
+"Well, I'm ready," she said, smiling. "Did you think it would take me all
+day to dress?"
+
+"You might just as well go back and get unready," said Stubbs in a
+faint voice.
+
+Helen gazed at the serious faces about her queerly.
+
+"Why, what on earth is the matter?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Matter?" echoed Stubbs. "Everything is the matter. The Serbians and
+Bulgarians are coming to shoot us full of holes."
+
+Helen turned to Hal for an explanation.
+
+"It's true, Miss Ellison, though not as Mr. Stubbs expresses it," said
+Hal quietly. "We are between two fires. The Bulgarians are less than half
+a mile from us and they have seized my airplane. The Serbians are
+advancing. There will undoubtedly be a battle and we will be somewhere
+about the middle of it."
+
+"But can't we leave now and hurry toward the Serbians?" asked Helen.
+
+"I had thought of that," said Hal; "but the Bulgarians are too close. If
+they saw us fleeing, they would probably shoot us down."
+
+"Then cannot we seek the protection of the Bulgarians?"
+
+This brought a growl from Ivan.
+
+"Better keep as far from the Bulgarians as possible," he said in a harsh
+voice. "I know something of the Bulgarians."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"Besides, we have other business," he added. "We do not want to fall into
+the hands of the Bulgarians if we can possibly help it. We have a mission
+to perform if it is humanly possible."
+
+"Boom!" it was the sound of a big gun.
+
+"The battle is on," said Hal. "Will any of you come to the roof with me?
+We should be able to get a good view."
+
+"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
+
+The battle was on in full blast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+IN GRAVE PERIL.
+
+
+Helen led the way to the roof, the others following closely. As Hal had
+predicted, it was possible from this height to obtain a fair view of the
+opposing armies.
+
+To the north, as far as the eye could see, the army of King Ferdinand of
+Bulgaria spread out, a mass of moving energy. Faint puffs of smoke dotted
+the Bulgar line as far as the eye could see.
+
+"Cannon!" said Hal briefly.
+
+To the south, the Serbian line moved forward. It, too, spread out on
+either side as far as the eye could reach and puffs of smoke rose
+steadily, shutting out the view of the moving men.
+
+"More cannon," said Chester.
+
+"We seem to be safe enough for the moment," said Hal. "The shells are
+passing over us. But if one side or the other should advance as far as
+this house, we would be in imminent danger of being struck by shells from
+the other side."
+
+"Well, one side is bound to advance sooner or later," declared Chester;
+"but I guess there is nothing for us to do but wait and watch the
+progress of the battle."
+
+"You fellows can watch all you want to," said Stubbs. "I'm going down
+stairs where I won't be able to see a shell coming."
+
+"It won't make much difference whether you are up here or down there if a
+shell hits this house, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.
+
+"Maybe not; but I won't see it and that will help some."
+
+Stubbs betook himself below.
+
+"Don't know what is coming over Stubbs," said Chester. "He didn't use to
+be as bad as that."
+
+"He was when we first met him," Hal replied. "But he seemed to be getting
+over it. He's worse than ever now."
+
+From their position, those upon the roof of the house could witness
+the effect of some of the great shells that were hurled into the
+opposing lines. One, from the Serbians, struck squarely upon the
+Bulgarian first line troops, doing terrible execution. Men were mowed
+down in great numbers.
+
+A few moments later the Bulgarians also found the range and the havoc was
+frightful on each side.
+
+"They can't stand that very long," said Hal. "One side or the other will
+have to make a move."
+
+The lad was right; and as it transpired the first move was to be made by
+the Serbians.
+
+So suddenly that it appeared the work of magic, a great body of horsemen,
+stretching out for perhaps half a mile, issued from the Serbian line in a
+charge. On they came, their sabers flashing in the early morning sun,
+straight for the distant Bulgarian line.
+
+Chester gave an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"They'll pass within a short distance of us," he ejaculated. "Then the
+Bulgarians will turn their big guns on us." He turned to Helen. "You
+would better go downstairs, Miss Ellison," he said quietly.
+
+"But I want to see the battle," the girl protested.
+
+"Chester is right," Hal agreed. "This is no place for you. Bullets are
+likely to be flying about here before long now."
+
+"But the rest of you are not coming down?"
+
+"That's different," said Chester.
+
+"I don't see how. A bullet is no more liable to hit me than it is
+to hit you."
+
+"Well, of course if you insist, I won't push you down," said Hal,
+somewhat nettled.
+
+Helen Ellison tossed her head.
+
+"Of course if you are going to be mean about it, I'll go down and sit
+with Mr. Stubbs," she said.
+
+Without another word she disappeared below.
+
+Hal looked at Chester and smiled.
+
+"Women and girls," he said, "are very peculiar. As soon as you agree with
+them they change their minds."
+
+"Well, she's down, anyhow," said Chester. "That's some relief."
+
+"And here come the Serbians," said Hal.
+
+A handsome body of men, these Serbian cavalrymen, as they charged
+straight across the open field into the very jaws of death. Men fell on
+all sides, but those who were left did not pause. The command had gone
+forth that the Bulgarian guns must be silenced and the Serbians went
+about the work as coolly as though they had been on dress parade.
+
+But it appeared a few moments later that the battle was not to be between
+horsemen and artillery, but rather between cavalry and cavalry.
+
+From the Bulgarian lines now issued a large body of horsemen; and they
+came toward the Serbians at a swift gallop, their officers riding in
+front with swords flashing and urging their men on with words of
+encouragement.
+
+The Serbian cavalry, at a command, halted and braced to receive
+the shock.
+
+"Great Scott! What did they stop for!" exclaimed Hal. "They are giving
+the other fellows, all the advantage when they come together."
+
+"Looks like bad generalship to me," Chester agreed.
+
+Now, at a command from their officer, the Serbians resumed their charge;
+but the damage had been done and when the long lines of opposing horsemen
+came together the very impetus of the Bulgarian charge carried them
+through. The Serbians reeled, staggered and their line broke.
+
+The Bulgarian horse plowed in among them, cutting, slashing and stabbing.
+Individually, the Serbians fought as bravely as their foe, but in spite
+of the desperate work the Bulgarian cavalry retained its cohesion and
+pushed steadily on.
+
+The fighting was terrible to behold. Revolvers were brought into play and
+their sharp crack, crack could be heard above the sound of the trampling
+horses and yelling men. It became apparent to the onlookers that the
+Serbians were getting the worst of the encounter.
+
+Casting his eye toward the main Serbian line, Hal gave a short cheer. A
+long, dense line of infantry was moving out to the support of the
+cavalry. Slowly they came at first, then faster and still faster as the
+men broke into a run. An imposing sight, indeed, and one to stir the
+blood. The Serbian cavalry, at a command, fell back upon the infantry,
+which separated into two sections to permit of the cavalry passing
+through the center. Then the infantry closed in again.
+
+But the Bulgarian cavalry, with victory apparently within its grasp, had
+no intention of giving up now. With utter recklessness they charged the
+Serbian infantry, dying bravely before the rifles and upon the bayonets
+of their enemy when they chanced to escape the rifle fire.
+
+The Serbian line held like a stone wall.
+
+Then the Bulgarian cavalry drew off. A cheer, which arose from the
+Serbian line, was quickly checked as the giant batteries of the
+Bulgarians opened upon the unprotected Serbian line. The Serbians
+wavered, broke and fled.
+
+Then once more the Bulgarian cavalry wheeled and charged. Right into the
+dense masses of Serbians rode the troopers, cutting and slashing to
+right and left. The execution among the panic-stricken Serbians was
+terrible to behold.
+
+"They can't stand it long," Hal shouted, barely making himself heard
+above the roar of battle.
+
+"The day is lost already," Chester shouted back.
+
+There seemed no doubt of that now.
+
+What was left of the Serbian infantry staggered back to the main army
+shattered and beaten. The big guns took up the battle again, but not with
+the same vigor and confidence as before. The Serbian fire seemed even to
+tell the spectators on the housetop that the Serbians had lost hope.
+
+Half an hour later a general retreat began.
+
+"Bad generalship, that's all," declared Hal.
+
+"Without doubt," agreed Colonel Anderson. "A charge is a charge and
+once begun must be finished. That was where the Bulgarians gained the
+whip hand."
+
+"The next step, I suppose, is an advance by the Bulgarians," said
+Chester.
+
+"Very likely," Hal agreed, "and that means that we shall be caught in the
+Bulgarian lines."
+
+"It means worse than that," said Colonel Anderson. "We are all in
+civilian attire and if our identities are discovered, it means that we'll
+be stood up and shot."
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I hadn't thought of that."
+
+"Oh, we've been in predicaments just as serious," said Chester, "and we
+have always come through somehow. I guess we shall do so again."
+
+"We'll get into one just once too often, I'm afraid," said Hal, "and this
+is likely to be it."
+
+"You're getting as bad as Stubbs, Hal," said Chester. "Just keep a stiff
+upper lip and we'll come through this thing some way."
+
+"I'm no quitter," said Hal. "But the best we can do now is let events
+shape themselves."
+
+And now the Bulgarian advance began.
+
+Apparently the Bulgarian commander had no thought of attempting to
+overtake the Serbians and annihilate them. Apparently he figured that
+ground gained was ground gained whether with or without a fight. The army
+moved forward slowly.
+
+A party of officers, following in the wake of the vanguard, rode suddenly
+toward the house in which the friends had taken refuge.
+
+"And here comes the trouble, as Stubbs would say," declared Hal. "Let's
+go below and get ready to receive them."
+
+He suited the action to the word and the others followed him silently.
+Below, Hal acquainted Helen with what had transpired and announced that
+the Bulgarians were approaching.
+
+"And what of the bodies without?" asked the girl quietly.
+
+"Whew!" Hal gave a long and expressive whistle. "I hadn't thought of
+that. Wait a moment, though. We'll have to say they were here when the
+Serbians advanced and were killed."
+
+"But the Serbians were not so close to the house."
+
+"I know that, but I cannot think of any better excuse."
+
+"Besides," said Stubbs, "if the Bulgarians were killed here by the
+Serbians, the chances are the Bulgarian commander will want to know how
+it happens we weren't killed also."
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal, "I told you you were always a kill-joy. You can pick
+more flaws in things than any one I can think of. We'll tell the
+Bulgarians that story and take a chance on its passing muster."
+
+"Then we may as well say our prayers now," said Stubbs mournfully.
+
+"But what will we tell them we are?" asked Chester.
+
+"Americans," replied Hal. "Caught here by the retreat. We were just
+making our way out of the country. I'll do the talking."
+
+"All right," said Chester, and added: "Sh-h-h, here they come now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+PRISONERS.
+
+
+Came a knock at the door.
+
+"You answer it, Miss Ellison, please," said Hal, adding: "If you are
+questioned, tell the same story you told Chester."
+
+The girl nodded and moved to the door without a sign of nervousness.
+Directly she could be heard in conversation with one of the officers.
+Then followed heavy footsteps approaching.
+
+"You say they are in here? I'll have a look at them myself," said a
+voice.
+
+A moment later the scowling face of a Bulgarian colonel appeared in the
+doorway. Helen stood just behind him and behind her were several other
+Bulgarian officers.
+
+Hal rose, as did the others, as the Bulgarian swept into the room.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the officer in a harsh voice.
+
+"Hal Paine, an American," replied the lad, and indicated the others after
+this fashion: "Chester Crawford, also an American; Harry Anderson, an
+American; Nikol, an Albanian, the servant there of Anthony Stubbs,
+American war correspondent; Ivan Vergoff, also an Albanian."
+
+"Hm-m-m," muttered the Bulgarian. "You have quite a fluent tongue, young
+man. And what are you doing here?"
+
+"Three of us," said Hal, indicating Chester, Colonel Anderson and
+himself, "were looking about Montenegro when the war broke out. We have
+been there since, lending what aid we could to the wounded. There we
+encountered Ivan Vergoff, who, for some reason, became attached to us.
+There also we encountered Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, and his
+man, Nikol."
+
+"Very plausible, very plausible," said the Bulgarian. "But how do I know
+you speak the truth?"
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"We can't very well offer proof of our identities," he said. "But were
+the American consul here, I could very soon convince him."
+
+The officer frowned at this remark. The mention of an American consul or
+minister or ambassador always brought frowns to the faces of military
+officers in the war zone. It boded trouble if American subjects were not
+well treated.
+
+"And how do you happen to be here?" demanded the Bulgarian.
+
+"Montenegro was becoming too warm," said Hal. "We thought we would get
+into Bulgaria or Greece, neutral countries. We did not know Bulgaria had
+declared war."
+
+The Bulgarian's face seemed to relax a trifle. Apparently Hal had made a
+favorable impression.
+
+"Well," he said, "the best I can do is turn you over to my superior.
+Still, if things are as you say, I have no doubt that you will be allowed
+to proceed into Greece."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," said Hal.
+
+The officer glanced around the room; and suddenly his eyes fell upon a
+man lying in the corner of the room. It was the Bulgarian whom Ivan had
+tied up the night before.
+
+"What's that?" demanded the officer.
+
+He commanded another of his officers to investigate. Hal's heart fell.
+
+The other officer stepped quickly across the room and jerked the man to
+his feet. Then he untied him and drew him before the Colonel. The latter,
+after one glance at the Bulgarian uniform, ordered his other men to guard
+all exits, and he addressed the man.
+
+"What are you doing here, sir?" he asked sharply.
+
+"I came here with some of my comrades last night," said the man. "I, a
+little in advance of the others, was overpowered and tied up. All I know
+of the others is that they arrived later and there was a fight. I have
+heard these people say my comrades were killed."
+
+"Search the house and make a careful examination without!" ordered the
+Bulgarian officer.
+
+Half a dozen of his men leaped to obey. The officer said nothing until
+his men reported fifteen minutes later.
+
+"The man speaks the truth," said one of the officers, indicating the
+Bulgarian.
+
+The colonel whirled upon Hal.
+
+"So," he exclaimed, "you have been lying to me. Perhaps you are not
+Americans, eh? Perhaps you are attached to the Anglo-French expedition at
+Saloniki?"
+
+"I--" began Hal, but the officer silenced him with a gesture.
+
+Then he turned to one of his officers.
+
+"Take a squad of ten men and escort these prisoners to General Blozle!"
+he commanded shortly. "Search them for weapons first."
+
+Hal and Chester realized the futility of resistance. They held their arms
+high, as did the others, and were relieved of their weapons without a
+word. Then, surrounded by a guard, they were marched away.
+
+An hour later they stood before the Bulgarian commander, where the
+officer who had captured them related his story. General Blozle eyed
+them keenly.
+
+"Have you anything to say?" he asked when the colonel had presented the
+case against them.
+
+Chester stepped forward.
+
+"Just this, general," he said quietly. "Miss Ellison here is in no way
+concerned in anything we may have done. We had never seen her until last
+night, as she told the colonel. Also, I would like to speak a word for
+Mr. Stubbs here. He is, as my friend has said, an American war
+correspondent. That's all, sir."
+
+The lad resumed his place.
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "You as much as admit you are a spy. If you
+are a spy, so are the others. You are a lot of spies. You English hounds!
+If it were not for the English, Bulgaria would now have what was
+rightfully hers. You shall all be shot at sunrise! Take them away!"
+
+The prisoners were marched out with scant ceremony. They were taken to a
+large tent, with ample room for all of them. There they were securely
+bound and a guard stationed without.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs quietly, with nothing of the fear of other days in
+his manner, "I guess we have come to the finish line at last."
+
+"It looks that way, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester sadly. "I am sorry that we
+have implicated you in this."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," replied the little man. "I'm not blaming you. But
+I would have liked to go back to New York once more."
+
+Chester turned to Helen.
+
+"And you, Miss Ellison," he said. "I hardly know what to say. If it had
+not been for me, you would not have been in this serious predicament."
+
+Helen smiled at him.
+
+"Say no more about it," she said quietly. "You saved me once. I am not
+the girl to whine now."
+
+"Now that you people have all decided you are going to die, I would like
+to say a few words."
+
+It was the voice of Nikol.
+
+The others looked at him in surprise.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" demanded Stubbs. "Want to berate us, I
+suppose, for getting you into this fix."
+
+Nikol eyed Stubbs somewhat scornfully.
+
+"I," said Nikol, "wish to say that while there is life there is hope."
+
+"Good for you, old man," cried Hal. "You have expressed my thoughts
+exactly."
+
+"Suppose you tell us how, securely tied as we are, we are going to get
+out of here?" Stubbs addressed Nikol.
+
+"Very simple," said Nikol. "First I want to say this. I am no strategist.
+I can unloosen us all, if some one else will show us the way out."
+
+"You do your part, Nikol, and I'll try and do mine," said Hal quietly.
+
+The dwarf eyed him approvingly.
+
+"You are the one person in the crowd who seems to have sense," he said.
+"As I say, I can break our bonds at any time. I can break the ropes that
+bind me and I have no doubt that Ivan there can do the same."
+
+Ivan nodded his head energetically.
+
+"I had thought of it," he smiled. "Yes; I can do it."
+
+"Then why haven't you done it a long while ago?" demanded Stubbs.
+"Anything is better than remaining here like this."
+
+"I haven't done it before for fear of discovery," said Nikol.
+
+"My idea exactly," agreed Ivan.
+
+"It would be better," Nikol continued, "to wait until we are sure we
+shall not be disturbed again during the night. Then Ivan and I shall free
+ourselves and release the others. I believe it would be unwise now."
+
+"Good reasoning, Nikol," said Hal. "We shall wait, as you suggest."
+
+Nikol became silent again. Ivan said nothing either.
+
+"But it's awfully tiresome being trussed up like this," Stubbs protested.
+
+"Better a little tiresomeness now than a bullet in the morning, Mr.
+Stubbs," returned Chester.
+
+"Right you are, Chester, I'll kick no more," said Stubbs.
+
+He, too, became silent.
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson talked in low whispers.
+
+"After we are freed of our bonds, then what?" questioned the Colonel.
+
+Chester shrugged his shoulders as much as his bonds would permit.
+
+"Ask Hal," he replied. "I don't seem to be able to think of anything."
+
+"Well," said Hal, "our guards, knowing that we are apparently securely
+bound, won't keep as strict guard as they should, I hope. Once freed,
+perhaps we can tap one of them over the head and appropriate his uniform.
+After that another uniform and so on until there are garments for all.
+We'll climb into them. Then we'll crawl under the tent, and once outside,
+we'll strike out boldly."
+
+"And after that?" questioned Chester.
+
+This time it was Hal who shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Who knows?" he said quietly. "We'll have to leave something to chance."
+
+"And Miss Ellison?"
+
+"A uniform for her also," said Hal decisively. "It's the only way."
+
+"But--"
+
+"Oh, I know it is a desperate chance," exclaimed Hal. "But certainly
+it is better than sitting down and awaiting the arrival of the
+firing squad."
+
+"You're right, Hal," said Chester. "But it's a ticklish business and one
+that will require nerve."
+
+"It's not a question of nerve, when you know what's in store in the
+morning," said Hal. "But as this is my plan, I'll do the work, or what
+part of it I may."
+
+"You're the doctor," Chester agreed.
+
+"Now," said Hal, "we'll try and get a little sleep. We can do nothing
+until after dark, and the better our physical conditions, the better our
+chances for escape."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Hal, Chester, Colonel Anderson, Nikol and Ivan slept. The first three,
+veterans of many campaigns and hardships, had schooled themselves to
+sleep under almost any conditions. The same might be said of Nikol and
+Ivan because of days spent in the mountain fastness, where danger lurked
+at all times.
+
+Stubbs, however, although he bore up bravely under the death sentence,
+was unable to sleep, try as he would. Nor could Helen gain a much needed
+rest, though she was not conscious that she was at all afraid. So these
+two talked during the long hours of the day as the others slept
+peacefully and deeply.
+
+With the coming of darkness a man entered bearing a tray with bread and
+water. The others awakened now and all did full justice to the frugal
+meal. Their hands were untied while they ate, but the meal over, they
+were bound again.
+
+Then all waited for what seemed hours, though in reality it could not
+have been more than three. Then Hal addressed Nikol.
+
+"Still think you can break your bonds?"
+
+"I can," replied Nikol quietly.
+
+"And you, Ivan?"
+
+"Yes, although it won't make much difference. Nikol could release the
+rest of us."
+
+"I thought the second tying-up might have made it impossible," said Hal.
+
+"I'm ready any time you give the word," said Nikol.
+
+"Then do it now," said Hal.
+
+The others gazed curiously as Nikol made his little form still smaller.
+He drew in his chest as much as possible and then expanded suddenly, at
+the same time thrusting out with his strong arms. There was a report as
+of a revolver being discharged, though much fainter, and Nikol was free.
+
+"Ha!" said Ivan. "He did it. Now watch me."
+
+The mighty muscles of the giant strained once and the strong rope
+snapped. Ivan did not seem to have exerted himself.
+
+"Now for the rest of us," said Hal.
+
+Quickly Ivan and Nikol released the others.
+
+"Now what?" asked Ivan.
+
+"Now comes my work," said Hal quietly.
+
+He moved silently to the edge of the tent and lay down flat, feeling the
+edges with his fingers.
+
+"This will come up all right," he muttered to himself. "I can get
+out here."
+
+He went back to the center of the tent again and enjoined the others
+to silence.
+
+"Don't make a sound on your lives," he commanded sternly. "Chester, you
+remain right where I leave the tent and if I bring a man back with me you
+drag him under and see that he doesn't make a sound."
+
+Chester nodded his agreement and took his place at Hal's side.
+
+Now the lad lifted the bottom of the canvas slightly and peered out. He
+smiled a trifle to himself. It was as he hoped. The guard or guards, as
+the case might be, was not as vigilant as the security of the prisoners
+should have required. Hal wriggled into the open.
+
+The huge camp slept. Here and there a sentinel stalked and it was upon
+these guardians of the night that Hal must prey.
+
+He moved toward the front of the prison tent, seeking the guard there.
+And directly he came upon him, stretched at full length upon the ground,
+his heavy military coat pulled closely about him, smoking a cigarette.
+Hal moved toward him cautiously.
+
+"I hate to do this," he muttered, "but--"
+
+With a light leap he was upon the man and his right fist shot out hard
+and true. It caught the Bulgarian just above the left ear and the man
+never made a sound.
+
+Quickly Hal dragged the body to where he knew Chester would be waiting.
+Chester dragged it under the tent and Hal went under after it.
+
+"This uniform is for me. I'll go after some more," he said.
+
+Quickly he climbed into the Bulgarian uniform and disappeared again. But
+this time, garbed in a Bulgarian uniform, he went more confidently. His
+hand rested upon his revolver.
+
+A short distance away he came upon an unsuspecting sentinel. A sharp
+blow with his revolver butt placed the other _hors de combat_.
+Supporting the unconscious figure with his arm, Hal moved back to the
+prison tent. This figure also was pushed beneath the canvas and the
+uniform donned by Chester.
+
+"Now we can make a little better time," said Hal, "there are two of us."
+
+Uniforms were still needed for Colonel Anderson, Ivan, Nikol, Stubbs and
+Helen. Hal and Chester disappeared into the night.
+
+Five minutes later Hal returned, this time with a uniform and no man. He
+had found him in a deserted spot, and after knocking him down and tying
+him up, had stripped him.
+
+"Put this on, Anderson, and get out after one," he ordered.
+
+He was gone again a moment later. Soon also Chester returned successful
+and he and Anderson departed almost together. There were now needed
+uniforms for Nikol, Stubbs and Helen, for Chester had brought one for
+Ivan. And these uniforms must necessarily be small uniforms, for they
+were for small figures. Therefore, the hunt was longer and it was more
+than an hour later until all three had returned to the tent.
+
+"Well, here we are, all of us first class Bulgarians, now," said Hal.
+"Now, we'll leave the tent one at a time, except that I shall take Miss
+Ellison with me first. Now do exactly what I tell you, all of you.
+Leaving the tent, walk two hundred paces to the left, then turn to the
+right and walk a hundred and fifty more. Next fifty paces to the left
+again. We shall wait for you there. I have covered the distance and it's
+the best place to join forces I can imagine. It is in the shelter of a
+great rock that overhangs a large tent--probably the quarters of the
+commanding officer. Do you all understand?"
+
+He had each repeat the directions several times, and then, taking Helen
+by the arm, he helped her under the tent.
+
+Outside, with caps drawn down, for the weather was cold, they hurried on.
+And at the appointed place Hal stopped. There was nothing to do now but
+wait for the others.
+
+Stubbs was the next to arrive and he came shaking a trifle. The little
+man was trying to bear up, but he was having a hard time. The next
+arrival was Nikol and then came Ivan. Chester was next to arrive,
+following Colonel Anderson by a few seconds.
+
+"Now we're all here," said Hal. "We may as well move. I have no idea just
+where we are, so we'll have to select a direction and stick to it."
+
+"Wait a moment, please," said Helen. "Isn't that the house in which we
+were captured?"
+
+She pointed in the darkness. The others peered intently in the direction
+indicated. A dark shadow loomed up some distance ahead.
+
+"I believe it is," said Hal. "Why?"
+
+"Then, if you want to get into Greece, the quickest way is to go
+due south."
+
+"But the question is, which is south?" said Hal.
+
+"Oh, I can tell you that. You just follow the road that leads by
+the house."
+
+"So be it," said Hal. "March."
+
+With Chester and Helen he led the way.
+
+They were forced to go very slowly for they were still in the Bulgarian
+lines, and all knew they would be for a considerable distance. How far
+the Bulgarians had extended their lines following the retreat of the
+Serbians they had of course no means of knowing, but Hal felt sure it
+would be a good ways.
+
+Tents dotted their line of march for an hour as they walked along keeping
+parallel with the road, but some distance from the highway.
+
+"This road will eventually lead across the Greek border," the girl
+whispered as they walked along.
+
+"Here's hoping we get across the border before the Bulgarians get after
+us," said Chester.
+
+"Second that motion," declared Hal.
+
+They walked on in silence.
+
+It had been more than an hour now since they had left their late prison
+and Hal was beginning to hope their absence would not be noticed before
+morning. He had just said as much to Chester.
+
+"I am afraid that is too much to hope for," was the latter's reply.
+
+And, as it turned out, it was.
+
+The party had walked possibly five miles, when, from behind, they heard
+the sudden booming of a great gun.
+
+"Faster," said Hal, and broke into a trot. The others followed suit.
+
+"Suppose they have discovered our flight, or the gun was some other
+signal?" said Chester.
+
+"I don't know," said Hal. "It's as likely to be one as the other. The
+farther away we get the better."
+
+More guns now shattered the stillness of the night, growing closer
+and closer.
+
+"They are after us, all right," declared Hal.
+
+Without pausing, he glanced quickly around. Then suddenly he swerved
+sharply to the left.
+
+"Why this change in course?" panted Chester.
+
+"See that woods?" demanded Hal, pointing.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, we may find safety there. It's a long chance."
+
+They dashed into the shelter of the little woods a moment later.
+
+Hal stopped and turned to Helen.
+
+"Climb?" he asked.
+
+"Why, yes, I guess so."
+
+"Up in this tree with you then."
+
+He lent her a hand as she grasped the lowest branch and soon clambered
+higher up toward the top.
+
+"You too, Stubbs," he commanded.
+
+The little man did not hesitate, but also was soon among the branches.
+
+"Colonel Anderson, you and Nikol get up there also. I want some
+protection for Miss Ellison in case of trouble."
+
+The others obeyed orders without question.
+
+"All right," from each, and they moved toward him.
+
+"Ivan, you come with me. You too, Chester."
+
+Hal turned for a moment, to deliver a parting injunction to those in
+the trees:
+
+"Don't any of you so much as move until I tell you to."
+
+"And where are we bound?" asked Chester, as the three moved off.
+
+"Apparently," said Hal, "we are Bulgarian officers. The bluff may work. I
+want to tell all inquiring parties that we have just explored these
+woods. Catch the idea?"
+
+Chester and Ivan nodded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+MR. STUBBS PROVES HIMSELF.
+
+
+"We'll stay in among the trees and won't show ourselves unless we have
+to," Hal explained.
+
+From the direction in which the fugitives had so recently come, there now
+came the noise of a rapidly approaching body of horsemen. They halted a
+short distance from where Hal, Chester and Ivan stood and dismounted.
+
+"They may be hiding in here," said a voice. "We'll have a look."
+
+The men, a dozen of them, came forward.
+
+Making a slight detour, the three friends managed to get behind them.
+Then, instead of continuing straight ahead, Hal turned sharply in his
+tracks and followed in the wake of the Bulgarian searching party.
+
+The Bulgarians proceeded slowly, exploring every nook and corner of the
+woods, and firing their rifles into the densest of the trees. Hal,
+Chester and Ivan came up with them at length and mingled among them
+without being discovered.
+
+"Off to the left farther," instructed the officer in command.
+
+"No use," said Hal, in a gruff voice. "I've just come from there. There
+is no one there. The fugitives must have gone farther."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked the officer, looking at the lad searchingly.
+
+"Positive. I fired my revolver into every tree in which I thought there
+was a possible chance for them to hide."
+
+"There is no use wasting more time, then," said the officer. "This
+way, men."
+
+He led the way back toward the road. Hal, Chester and Ivan, still among
+the Bulgarian troopers, were forced to go along with them or run the risk
+of being detected. They all walked slowly and gradually were left behind.
+
+The Bulgarians mounted and rode off down the road.
+
+"Well, we are safe for a few minutes," said Chester, drawing a breath of
+relief. "What now, Hal?"
+
+"Well," was the reply. "We can't fool about in these woods long. We are
+bound to be found sooner or later if we do. Also, there is little chance
+that we could walk to the Greek frontier without being discovered. In
+some way we must find a conveyance."
+
+"Yes, but how?" questioned Chester.
+
+"That's the question. But certainly some of these Bulgarian officers must
+have motor cars. Surely they have some means of transportation besides
+horses. I have an idea that if we will follow them, in their search, we
+may come across an automobile."
+
+"That's not a half bad idea," declared Chester. "We'll do it. Shall we
+start now?"
+
+"Hold on," said Hal. "Either you or I must remain here. We can't both go.
+One of us has to direct the actions of the others."
+
+"True," said Chester. "Will you go or stay?"
+
+"Whatever you say," said Hal.
+
+"Then," said Chester, "we shall match to see who goes."
+
+He produced a coin and Hal did likewise.
+
+"If I match you, I go," said Hal. "If not, you go."
+
+"Agreed!"
+
+The two coins went spinning in the air and each lad caught his own as it
+descended and covered it with his hand.
+
+"Tails," said Chester.
+
+"Tails," said Hal. "I go."
+
+"All right," said Chester. "Then I'll be moving back toward the others.
+Good luck, old man, and hurry back."
+
+The two lads clasped hands and Chester turned on his heel and
+strode away.
+
+"You shall go with me, Ivan," said Hal.
+
+The big Cossack showed his pleasure.
+
+"I was afraid I was going to be left behind," he said. "I thought you
+might need me."
+
+"I hope I won't," said Hal, "but you never can tell, you know. Let's
+be moving."
+
+Again he led the way to the road and the two set out briskly.
+
+After half an hour's walk they came upon a party of searchers. An officer
+hailed them as they approached.
+
+"Seen anything of the fugitives?" he demanded.
+
+Hal shook his head negatively.
+
+"Did you?" he asked.
+
+"Not a sign. It's a mystery what can have happened to them. Colonel Roth
+is a short distance ahead. I heard him say he believed they were still in
+the main camp."
+
+"That so?" replied Hal. "How is the colonel traveling? Automobile?"
+
+"Of course. He's too dainty for any other kind of travel, you know."
+
+"Well, we'll move on ahead a bit," said Hal.
+
+They continued their journey.
+
+Fifteen minutes later they came upon a large touring car in the road.
+
+"Here is the thing we want," said Hal quietly. "Now if it were just
+turned around, I would take a chance and grab it. But by the time I
+turned in this narrow road, I'd have the whole Bulgarian army on me.
+We'll have to do a little figuring."
+
+They continued on their way until they came up with Colonel Roth's
+searching party. As they approached, an idea suddenly came to Hal. He
+sought out the man he knew must be Colonel Roth by his haughty air and
+his stripes.
+
+"Colonel," he said, saluting. "I know it would be a feather in your cap
+if you could land these fugitives, and I have come to show you where
+they are."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed the dapper little man.
+
+"I said I've come to show you where they are," said Hal quietly. "All I
+ask for turning them over to you is a thousand German marks."
+
+"H-m-m-m," muttered the colonel, eyeing the lad keenly. "Even if you can
+do what you say, the price is rather high. I'll give you five hundred."
+
+Hal seemed to consider.
+
+"All right," he said at length. "It's a bargain. Turn your car about and
+I'll take you to their hiding place at once."
+
+"Very well."
+
+The colonel stepped into his automobile, and, after a series of attempts,
+finally succeeded in turning it. Then to the others:
+
+"Climb in," he said briefly.
+
+Ivan climbed into the rear seat, while Hal took his place beside the
+Bulgarian.
+
+"Straight ahead until I tell you to stop," the lad instructed.
+
+The Bulgarian officer asked no questions.
+
+A few minutes later the machine drew up in response to Hal's command. All
+dismounted.
+
+"They are all back here a little ways," said Hal.
+
+The Bulgarian officer followed Hal toward where the lad knew the others
+were in hiding. Under the tree where he had left Helen, Hal paused. Then
+he raised his voice a trifle and called aloud, at the same time drawing
+his revolver and presenting it squarely at the Bulgarian's head:
+
+"Chester! Oh, Chester! You can all come down now."
+
+In response to this hail, Chester, Helen, Mr. Stubbs and Nikol soon stood
+before them.
+
+When Hal drew his revolver, the Bulgarian officer staggered back.
+
+"A traitor, eh?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Why, no," said Hal, and he removed his heavy cap.
+
+The Bulgarian gave a long whistle and ejaculated: "One of the
+fugitives himself."
+
+"So you know me?" said Hal. "Well, then you should know me well enough to
+do as I say."
+
+"What is it you want?" demanded the Bulgarian.
+
+"Nothing very difficult," declared Hal. "First we want to borrow your
+automobile for a few hours."
+
+"So?" exclaimed the Bulgarian. "Well, you can't have it."
+
+"We'll see," said Hal quietly. "Here, Ivan! You guard this fellow, while
+I have a look at the car."
+
+He examined the machine carefully.
+
+"All right for a quick dash, I guess," he said finally, rising from his
+inspection. "All aboard!"
+
+Every one obeyed, and soon all were seated in the car save Hal and
+Chester, who were to occupy the front seat. Hal also motioned the
+Bulgarian into the front seat.
+
+"He may come in handy after awhile," he declared.
+
+Everything in readiness at last, Hal and Chester climbed in and Hal took
+his place at the wheel.
+
+"I'll do the chauffeuring," he said, with a smile. "I may have to do some
+talking later and I want to be running this animal, so I can know what to
+do without having to talk. Keep your eye on our friend, there, Chester."
+
+"I'll hang on to him, all right," replied Chester grimly. "He'll not get
+away from me. Have no fear of that."
+
+"All right," called Hal. "Everybody ready?"
+
+He glanced around quickly.
+
+"All ready," came in Colonel Anderson's voice.
+
+The others nodded their assent and an instant later the machine darted
+southward at a rapid gait.
+
+Two miles down the road, Hal was forced to stop by the presence in
+the road of a single man armed with a rifle, which he aimed straight
+at the car.
+
+"What do you want?" demanded Hal, anxiously.
+
+"You'll have to get out," was the man's reply. "I have orders to let no
+one pass."
+
+Helen looked at Hal hopelessly and the lad was moved to action.
+
+Gently he stirred the Colonel with his toe as he commanded under
+his breath:
+
+"Speak for us or I'll put a bullet through you."
+
+The officer did as commanded.
+
+"Why are you barring our way?" he demanded in a harsh voice.
+
+"Orders, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Do you know who I am?"
+
+"No, sir, and it will make no difference."
+
+This conversation was put to an end in a sudden and unexpected manner.
+
+Anthony Stubbs rose in his place.
+
+"Will you permit us to proceed?" he demanded.
+
+The man in the road shook his head.
+
+"All right," said Stubbs.
+
+He climbed to the front seat, and before any one could realize what he
+was up to, sprang head-first at the Bulgarian.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN."
+
+
+Stubbs' action was so entirely unexpected that for a moment the other
+occupants of the automobile were stunned. Then Hal and Chester leaped to
+their feet, as did Nikol, Ivan and Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Little man's gone off his head," muttered Ivan, as he leaped from the
+car to go to Stubbs' assistance.
+
+Stubbs, in his headlong leap, struck exactly where he had intended--right
+upon the Bulgarian's shoulders, and the force of the impact bore the man
+to the ground. Again, the action was so unexpected that the man did not
+have time to discharge his rifle.
+
+As the soldier went to the ground beneath his weight, Stubbs' hands
+gripped him by the throat and he squeezed as hard as his weak muscles
+would permit.
+
+But the Bulgarian had recovered himself now and hurled Stubbs to one
+side. He pulled himself to his feet, and with an angry growl, half raised
+his rifle.
+
+It was at that moment that Ivan, quicker than the others, seized the
+rifle in his two hands. He gave a quick twist and jerked the weapon from
+the hands of his opponent. The latter staggered back and his hand dropped
+to his belt. But before he could draw a revolver, Ivan had raised his
+newly won rifle and brought it down on the Bulgarian's head. The man
+dropped inert without a sound.
+
+Then Ivan picked Stubbs up bodily, deposited him in the tonneau of the
+car and climbed in himself.
+
+"We'd better get away from here," he said.
+
+Quickly Hal resumed his seat and threw off the clutch. The automobile
+dashed forward again.
+
+Ivan turned to Stubbs.
+
+"Why all this bloodthirstiness, Mr. Stubbs?" he demanded in surprise.
+
+"I'm getting tired of all this nonsense," replied Stubbs. "I want to get
+out of this country. I want to get back home where there is no
+war--where men are not killing each other off by the thousands. I'm a
+peaceable man and I'm going back to a peaceable country if I have to
+fight to get there."
+
+Nikol the dwarf now extended a hand to Stubbs.
+
+"You are a brave man, sir," he exclaimed. "Not many are there who would
+have attacked a man who held a rifle pointed at his breast. You are a
+brave man, sir."
+
+Unthinkingly, Stubbs clasped the hand and a moment later gave a
+howl of pain.
+
+"Hey! Leggo my hand!" he cried. "Ouch!"
+
+Nikol released Stubbs' hand with a murmured apology, while Stubbs felt
+the injured right member tenderly with his left and turned an aggrieved
+eye on Nikol, but he said nothing.
+
+Suddenly the car slowed down. Those in the rear seat glanced ahead and
+the reason for the abrupt slackening of speed became apparent.
+
+Coming toward them at a rapid trot was a squadron of Bulgarian cavalry,
+blocking the road.
+
+Hal turned to the Bulgarian officer between him and Chester and
+said quietly:
+
+"Now it's up to you. Remember, I've got my gun ready and at the first
+false move I'll put a bullet through you."
+
+The captain in command of the cavalry squadron gave a sharp command and
+his men drew rein while the officer came forward. He glanced at the
+colonel in the automobile and saluted.
+
+"Oh, it's you, sir," he said. "Have you seen anything of the fugitives?"
+
+The Bulgarian felt the pressure of Hal's revolver in his back.
+
+"No," he said.
+
+The captain saluted and would have passed on, but Hal instructed his
+prisoner to ask:
+
+"How far are we from the Greek frontier?"
+
+"Less than a mile," was the answer. "There is but one more body of our
+troops between here and a strong force of Greeks, which is patrolling
+the border."
+
+The two Bulgarians saluted each other and the troop separated to make a
+path for the automobile.
+
+"Another close shave for all of us," said Chester, when they had passed
+by. "You, too," he said to the Bulgarian. "You'd have been a goner if you
+had sought to give the alarm."
+
+A few minutes later Hal made out another body of troops blocking the
+road. He reduced the speed of the car and spoke to the others.
+
+"The last barrier to freedom," he said. "Be ready to duck down in the
+car. I am going to take no more chances with our prisoner here. He is
+likely to take this last chance to betray us. The troops are drawn up on
+both sides of the road. I am going to make a dash for it."
+
+There was no reply, but Hal had expected none.
+
+The car approached the troops slowly and seemed about to stop.
+
+The Bulgarians moved to one side, thinking to surround the machine when
+it had come to a halt.
+
+Less than fifty feet from the nearest soldiers, and a scant two hundred
+yards from where Hal could make out a large body of Greek troops, the car
+suddenly leaped ahead and Hal threw the gear into high.
+
+All save Hal ducked instinctively.
+
+The Bulgarians, taken completely by surprise, stood stock still for a
+moment and then the cry of in officer rang out:
+
+"Fire!"
+
+Instantly fifty rifles were leveled at the automobile, now fast eating up
+the short distance to the Greek frontier, and a score of bullets struck
+the car in the rear.
+
+Bullets flew all about Hal's head and he felt a stinging sensation in his
+left shoulder. There came a second volley and then the car flashed among
+the body of Greek troops.
+
+Quickly Hal brought the car to a stop. Heads bobbed up from the back of
+the car and it was Anthony Stubbs who breathed the relief that all felt.
+
+"Safe at last!" he cried.
+
+Now all alighted from the car, the Bulgarian officer, Hal's prisoner,
+with them.
+
+Greek troops approached.
+
+Hal spoke hurriedly to the Bulgarian.
+
+"Quick now!" he cried. "If you make a dash you can get back over the
+border before these fellows can stop you."
+
+The Bulgarian wasted no time in talk. He took to his heels and made
+record time for his own country, which he reached in safety, in spite of
+a volley fired by the Greek troops.
+
+A Greek officer now came hurriedly up to Hal.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded harshly. "Do you not know that
+this is a neutral country?"
+
+"And we thank Heaven for that," said Stubbs fervently. "We have had a
+hard enough time getting here."
+
+"I shall have to turn you over to my superior," said the officer. "He
+will dispose of your cases. In the meantime, you may consider yourselves
+under arrest."
+
+Neither Hal nor Chester paid much attention to what the Greek officer was
+saying. They were too busily engaged watching the antics of their
+erstwhile prisoner, who, now safe on his own side of the line, was
+shaking his fist in their direction and making other fierce gestures.
+
+Now Hal turned to the Greek officer.
+
+"Will you accompany us back close to the line," he said, "that we may
+hear what yonder little fellow is talking about? He seems to be greatly
+put out about something."
+
+"First tell me what you are doing here?" was the command.
+
+Hal explained as rapidly as possible and then repeated his request that
+they be allowed to go back toward the border a few moments.
+
+At last the officer gave his permission.
+
+Chester, Hal, Colonel Anderson, Ivan and Nikol, each grinning, moved back
+toward the border. Stubbs hung back, and seeing this, Hal called:
+
+"Come along, Mr. Stubbs. Here is one time you may look at an enemy with
+impunity."
+
+Stubbs followed.
+
+The Bulgarian officer was still angrily waving hit arms about when they
+neared him.
+
+"Look at him rave, will you?" said Hal, with a laugh.
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Ivan.
+
+"He should think himself lucky that we allowed him to go back,"
+declared Chester.
+
+The friends were less than fifty feet from the Bulgarian now, but they
+ventured no closer for fear they might inadvertently cross the line.
+They stood in this order: Hal, Chester, Nikol, Stubbs, Ivan and
+Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Poor little fellow," said Stubbs at this juncture. "Poor little fellow.
+He looks so awfully mad!"
+
+The Bulgarian officer, who had been growing angrier with each taunt from
+across the Greek line, now became suddenly infuriated. Forgetting all
+prudence, forgetting all laws of neutrality, forgetting everything except
+the smiling face of Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, he
+suddenly drew his revolver and fired pointblank at the little man.
+
+Stubbs' face blanched at the movement and the others were too surprised
+to move--all except one; and this one, quick as a flash, leaped forward
+with the agility of a cat and thrust his body protectingly before
+Anthony Stubbs.
+
+When the smoke of the revolver had cleared away Stubbs stood erect,
+unharmed--but at his feet lay the twitching body of Nikol, the dwarf.
+
+There was a sudden hush, prolonged for several minutes; then Stubbs
+dropped to his knee with an inarticulate cry and threw his arms around
+the neck of Nikol.
+
+Quickly the others gathered about and Hal shouted:
+
+"A surgeon, quick!"
+
+But Nikol, raising his head to Stubbs' knee, stopped him with a gesture.
+
+"It's no use," he said quietly. "It got me here," and he raised a hand
+slowly and touched a spot just above the heart. "A surgeon can do no
+good. Besides, I would not have a stranger near me when I die. To me you
+are all strangers and yet for days I have not looked upon you as such. I
+am glad to have known you all and I know the day will come when I shall
+see you all again. Now, if I could see the young lady for just a moment
+before--before--"
+
+Hal hastened back to the automobile where Helen Ellison still sat,
+wondering at the cause of the trouble, and repeated the dwarf's request.
+
+"Of course I'll go," said the girl, and there was a catch in her voice,
+for this was the first time death had come so close to her.
+
+She ran forward and knelt over the little dwarf and took his hand. He
+smiled at her.
+
+"I just wanted to tell you good-bye," he said. "I have never seen a young
+lady like you before."
+
+For a space of several seconds he looked at her. Then he dropped her
+hand and said:
+
+"Now if the rest of you will just shake hands with me once--"
+
+Silently the others grasped Nikol's hand, one after another, and at the
+last came Stubbs.
+
+To the latter's hand the dwarf clung tenaciously.
+
+"You, sir, are a brave man," said Nikol. "I am glad I was able to save
+you. You may be of some use in the world."
+
+The pressure upon Stubbs' hand tightened and tightened until the little
+man winced with the pain of it; but he made no outcry--only smiled as he
+exclaimed in a broken voice:
+
+"Nonsense! Nonsense!"
+
+"Well, good-bye, all," said Nikol faintly, after a moment's pause.
+"Good--"
+
+The pressure on Stubbs' hand relaxed and the little dwarf of the Albanian
+hills fell back, dead.
+
+Stubbs rose and brushed the tears from his eyes. Then, after one look at
+the still form on the ground, he turned and walked away. The others said
+nothing, for they knew his grief was great.
+
+And now, while the others--all good friends and true--are gathered about
+the body of little Nikol, the dwarf, we shall leave them once more,
+knowing that, after days and weeks of strenuous adventures and grave
+perils, they are, for the moment at least, in a land of peace.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign
+by Clair W. Hayes
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BALKAN CAMPAIGN ***
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+Project Gutenberg's The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign, by Clair W. Hayes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign
+       The Struggle to Save a Nation
+
+Author: Clair W. Hayes
+
+Release Date: July 2, 2004 [EBook #12805]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BALKAN CAMPAIGN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Suzanne Shell, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                 THE BOY ALLIES IN THE BALKAN CAMPAIGN
+
+                                   OR
+
+                      The Struggle to Save a Nation
+
+                           By CLAIR W. HAYES
+
+AUTHOR OF "The Boy Allies in Great Peril," "The Boy Allies at Liege,"
+"The Boy Allies on the Firing Line," "The Boy Allies with the Cossacks,"
+"The Boy Allies in the Trenches."
+
+                                  1916
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+IN THE AIR.
+
+
+"And how do you feel now, Mr. Stubbs?"
+
+Hal Paine took his eyes from the distance ahead long enough to gaze
+toward that part of the military aeroplane in which three other figures
+were seated. It might rather be said, however, that two of the others
+were seated, for the third figure was huddled up in a little ball, now
+and then emitting feeble sounds.
+
+In response to Hal's question, this huddled figure straightened itself up
+long enough to make reply.
+
+"I feel sick," came the answer in a low voice. "How long before we can
+get back to earth, so that I may die peacefully?"
+
+"Oh, I guess you won't die, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, chuckling a bit
+to himself.
+
+He turned his eyes ahead again and gave his entire attention to guiding
+the swiftly flying craft.
+
+The first streak of dawn had appeared in the east but a few moments
+before and gradually now it was growing light. High in the air, it was
+very chilly and those in the aeroplane had drawn their coats closely
+about them.
+
+"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?"
+
+This speaker was another of the passengers in the car, Chester Crawford,
+chum and bosom companion of Hal.
+
+"Somewhere over Central Austria," replied Hal, not taking his eyes
+from ahead.
+
+"I would rather that it were over Serbia, Montenegro or Greece," said the
+fourth occupant of the airship, Colonel Harry Anderson of His British
+Majesty's service. "I'm beginning to get a little cramped up here. I'd
+like to stretch my legs a bit."
+
+"You won't ever stretch them again, you may be sure of that," said a
+hollow voice, none other than that of Anthony Stubbs, American war
+correspondent, who now aroused himself enough to predict dire results.
+
+"What?" said Colonel Anderson. "And why won't I ever stretch my
+legs again?"
+
+"The undertaker'll do it for you," groaned Stubbs. "This contraption is
+bound to come down pretty quick and when it does it'll be all off."
+
+"Can't see why that should worry you any," remarked the colonel
+cheerfully. "It won't be your funeral."
+
+"No, but I'll have one at about the same time," Stubbs moaned. "I go down
+when you do."
+
+He raised his voice a trifle. "Let's go down, Hal," he continued. "I'm
+awfully sick."
+
+"Go down nothing," ejaculated Chester. "Think we want to give the
+Austrians another chance at us, huh?"
+
+"Better be shot by an Austrian than to die in this infernal machine,"
+declared Stubbs in a feeble voice.
+
+"This," said Chester calmly, "is an airship and not an infernal machine."
+
+"Well, it's my idea of an infernal machine, all the same," Stubbs
+groaned. "We'll all come down in pieces, as sure as you're a foot high."
+
+"Oh, I guess not," said Chester. "We--whoa, there."
+
+He broke off suddenly and seized the side of the machine, as did Colonel
+Anderson, just as the craft tilted dangerously to one side.
+
+"Help!" came a cry from Stubbs, as he went rolling toward the side of
+the craft.
+
+There appeared to be no danger that the little man would be thrown out,
+for the sides of the basket-like craft protected him, but he was plainly
+frightened and Chester gave him a hand, now that the machine had righted
+itself again.
+
+"It's all right, Stubbs," the lad said; "no danger at all. Sit up, now."
+
+The little man shook off the hand.
+
+"I don't want to sit up," he whimpered. "I want to jump overboard and end
+all this suspense. I might as well die now as ten minutes from now. Oh
+my, I wish--"
+
+"Well, Mr. Stubbs," came Hal's voice, "unless I miss my guess, you are
+likely to get your wish. Here comes one of the enemy to watch you die."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Chester and Colonel Anderson in a single voice.
+
+"Off to the right," replied Hal, quietly.
+
+Glancing in that direction, Chester and Colonel Anderson saw a large air
+craft headed in their direction.
+
+"After us, do you think?" asked Chester.
+
+"Can't tell," replied Hal, briefly.
+
+"Hardly probable," said Colonel Anderson. "Chances are the fellow
+believes we are one of his own kind and wants a word with us."
+
+"Maybe you're right," said Hal. "I'll hold to my present course anyhow
+and take a chance."
+
+The aeroplane continued on as before.
+
+Now Stubbs came to life once more.
+
+"Well, why don't you get a little speed out of this thing?" he demanded.
+"What are you going to do? Stand right here and let that fellow get us?
+What's the matter with you, anyhow? Trying to get me killed?"
+
+"Why, Mr. Stubbs," exclaimed Chester, in mock seriousness, "I thought
+that you were simply dying to be killed. Here's an Austrian coming in
+direct answer to your prayers. What's the difference whether he gets you
+now or ten minutes from now? It'll be all the same in a hundred years."
+
+"Think you're smart, don't you," snapped Stubbs. "Why should I want to be
+killed? I ask you now, why should I want to be killed?"
+
+"Well, really, I don't know," replied Chester, "unless it is because you
+are so awfully sick."
+
+"Sick!" shouted Stubbs. "Sick! Who said anything about being sick?"
+
+"Why, I understood you to say--"
+
+"Well, you understood wrong. Sick? No, I'm not sick, but we'll all be
+worse than sick if Hal can't coax a little speed out of this machine.
+Say!" this to Hal, "what are you waiting for, anyhow?"
+
+"Now you just hold your horses, Stubbs," replied Hal. "I'm running this
+party at this moment and I'm going to run it my own way. Colonel
+Anderson, if you hear any more out of our war-corresponding friend,
+kindly sit on him, will you?"
+
+"With pleasure," replied the colonel briefly.
+
+"Oh, you will, will you?" cried Stubbs. "Well, you won't. I--I'll--"
+
+He subsided after muttering to himself for some moments.
+
+The others now gave their undivided attention to the other craft, which
+by this time had drawn close to them.
+
+"Man wig-wagging forward, Hal," said Chester.
+
+"I see him," replied Hal, "but I can't make out his signals. Can you,
+Anderson?"
+
+"No, I can't. He evidently has something to say, though."
+
+"Well," said Hal, "we'll have to hold a sudden council of war. What are
+we going to do about it? Shall we stop and talk, trying to fool him, or
+shall we run for it?"
+
+"Well, if we were going to run, it would have been better before he got
+so close," said Chester. "Guess we may as well see what he has to say.
+These Austrian uniforms won't come in bad. You do the talking, Hal."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"All right," he said.
+
+He reduced the speed of the machine and the Austrian came closer.
+
+"Ahoy, there!" he said in German. "Who are you?"
+
+"Lieutenant Drizladaz, attached to the Austrian army at Trieste," Hal
+shouted back.
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+"Mission," Hal yelled.
+
+"Where to?"
+
+Hal thought quickly.
+
+"Greece," he said finally.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"That," said Hal, "is none of your business. I have my orders and I
+haven't time to fool around here with you. I'm due back to-morrow night."
+
+There was a moment's silence from the other machine and then a
+voice called:
+
+"Has your mission anything to do with Greece's intervention in the war?"
+
+"Well, I can't say anything about that," replied the lad, thinking to
+give the other the impression that it was.
+
+"I see," was the answer shouted back. "Well, I wish you luck. Sorry you
+can't tell me all about it."
+
+"You probably will know soon enough," replied Hal.
+
+"Good. Don't want any company, do you?"
+
+"No, I guess not."
+
+"You want to be careful crossing the Balkans. I understand there are some
+British and French aircraft with the Serbians and Montenegrins. Look out
+for them."
+
+"I'll be on guard," replied Hal. "Thanks for the information."
+
+"Tell you what," said the Austrian, "I've been doing some scout duty
+there myself. I'll just trail along. May be able to help you out a bit"
+
+Hal didn't think much of this plan.
+
+"I can make it all right myself," he declared.
+
+"Suppose you can," was the reply, "but it is just as well to be on the
+safe side."
+
+"Well, suit yourself," said Hal, "but don't expect me to wait for you."
+
+"If you can distance me you will have to travel," returned the Austrian.
+"I've the fastest craft in the service."
+
+"I'm glad to hear that," replied Hal, and added to himself: "I
+don't think."
+
+"Set your pace," continued the Austrian. "I'll trail along behind."
+
+"No use talking any more, I guess," Hal muttered to his friends. "May as
+well go along."
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson nodded their assent and the machine moved
+forward again.
+
+Things might have gone well had it not been for Stubbs. Suddenly the
+little man uttered a yell and sat up straight in his seat.
+
+"Ouch!" he shouted. "I've got an awful pain!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+MONTENEGRIN MOUNTAINEERS.
+
+
+Hal drew a sharp breath and tightened his hold upon the steering wheel.
+
+There was no question that Stubbs' voice had carried to the occupants of
+the second craft, and as Stubbs had exclaimed aloud in English there was
+little doubt in the minds of our three friends that the Austrians would
+seek an explanation. Nor were they wrong.
+
+Came a hail from the Austrian:
+
+"Who've you got aboard, there?"
+
+"Prisoner," replied Hal, thinking quickly.
+
+"What are you doing with him?"
+
+"We--" Hal began, but the Austrian interrupted.
+
+"Spies, that's what you are! Down to the ground now, or I'll put a hole
+through you."
+
+"Guess it's no use fooling any longer," muttered Hal.
+
+He threw over the elevating lever and the large craft soared rapidly. At
+the same moment a shot rang out from aboard the Austrian, followed by a
+cry of surprise, and then the Austrian gave chase.
+
+"Get your guns and see if you can pick 'em off," Hal instructed Chester
+and Colonel Anderson. "I'll run this thing, but you fellows will have to
+do the fighting."
+
+"Suits me," responded Chester, examining his revolver carefully.
+
+Colonel Anderson also nodded his agreement to this plan.
+
+Hal now changed his course and the airship headed toward the south,
+bearing off a trifle to the east, in a direction that he believed,
+eventually, would land them in Serbia.
+
+It became apparent now that the Austrian had not boasted of the speed of
+his craft without reason, for he gained perceptibly.
+
+"We can't out-run him, Hal," shouted Chester.
+
+"Then we shall have to try something else," was the reply.
+
+Abruptly he reduced the speed of the craft and the Austrians dashed in
+range of the revolvers of the fugitives almost before they could have
+realized it.
+
+"Crack! Crack!"
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson had fired. There came a scream of pain from
+behind and the Austrian craft wobbled crazily. A moment later a man
+sprang to his feet, sought to retain his footing, threw up his arms and
+went hurtling into space.
+
+"Got one, Hal!" said Chester, quietly.
+
+"Good!"
+
+Came a volley of small arm fire from behind and bullets whined about the
+four friends. Again Chester and Colonel Anderson fired almost
+simultaneously and again their efforts were rewarded. A second man was
+put out of the fight, as they could see.
+
+At this moment Stubbs came into action.
+
+He arose from his seat and, grasping the side of the speeding craft with
+his left hand for support, stood to his full height. His right arm drew
+back, then flashed sharply forward again and a small object went spinning
+through the air toward the Austrian airship.
+
+It struck home and there was a terrible explosion, followed by several
+sharp cries of pain, as the Austrian airship seemed to split into a
+thousand pieces. A moment later these pieces disappeared.
+
+The three friends turned upon Stubbs.
+
+"What is this, magic?" asked Chester in surprise.
+
+"No," replied Stubbs, quietly. "Melenite. I just happened to see a stick
+of it here, so I threw it."
+
+"Well, you did a pretty good job, Stubbs," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"I didn't pitch for my college team two years for nothing," returned
+Stubbs modestly. "But now let's go down. I want to get my feet on the
+ground again."
+
+"It won't be much longer, Stubbs," said Hal. "Another two hours at this
+speed should put us across the Serbian frontier. Just be patient."
+
+"I'll wait," replied Stubbs, "but I won't promise to be patient."
+
+He sank back to his place and refused to talk further.
+
+While the big army craft is speeding across Austria it will be a
+good time to explain the presence of the four friends in their
+present predicament and introduce them briefly to those who have not
+met them before.
+
+Hal Paine and Chester Crawford were both American lads. With the former's
+mother, they had been in Berlin at the outbreak of the great war, and,
+after a series of interesting and exciting adventures, they made their
+way to Liege just in time to take part in the defense of that stronghold
+with the Belgian army.
+
+There they won distinction and lieutenancies in the Belgian service, the
+latter bestowed upon them by King Albert himself. They had been in France
+with the British troops that had stopped the German drive on Paris and
+had gone with the Allied army on its advance. They had seen service on
+all fronts and now considered themselves veteran campaigners.
+
+Colonel Anderson they had met in Berlin just after the Kaiser had
+declared war upon France. The colonel, lieutenant then, and Major
+Derevaux, a Frenchman, had taken the boys with them on their flight and
+the four had later encountered each other in many strange and
+unexpected places.
+
+Stubbs they also had met while on one of their many missions and had
+earned the little man's undying gratitude; but he had repaid whatever
+they had done for him, with interest, more than once.
+
+The boys, in their latest exploit, had been with the Italian army in
+the Alps. Two of the four friends having fallen into the hands of the
+enemy, the others had entered the enemy's lines in an effort to effect
+their escape.
+
+It was a daring adventure, but after a fight and chase, the four had
+managed to seize the airship in which we now find them and had at last
+fought their way clear. They had then held a council of war and decided
+that it was best to head for the Balkans, rather than to run the gauntlet
+of the Austrian flying craft which kept constant vigil in the direction
+of the Italian lines.
+
+Hal and Chester, typical American lads, were large and strong for their
+ages, which were within a year of each other, seventeen and eighteen now.
+In the rough lumber camps of the north, the two had had considerable
+experience in the use of firearms and the art of self-defense--fists.
+Also, during the school term each had practiced the use of the sword
+until, though by no means experts, they could give a fair account of
+themselves with this weapon--as each had done more than once.
+
+Fortunately, both lads had made a study of languages and spoke French and
+German fluently. They never had trouble on that score.
+
+The great war up to this point had not gone as successfully as the
+Entente Allies had hoped in the early days. The German lines on all
+fronts were seemingly stronger than ever before. Even the entrance of
+Italy into the war on the side of the Allies had failed to turn the
+balance, as it had been confidently expected it would. East and west, the
+German lines held, while in the Balkans the enemy was even now advancing
+against the heroic little Serbian army, which, before many days, was to
+be forced to relinquish its country to the iron heel of the invader.
+Montenegro, the smallest factor in the war, still was fighting hard--the
+rugged and gigantic mountaineers giving a good account of themselves upon
+all sides.
+
+This was the situation, then, as the airship containing Colonel Anderson,
+British officer, Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, and Hal
+Paine and Chester Crawford sped southward over Austria.
+
+Several hours after the sinking of the Austrian aeroplane Chester spoke.
+
+"Where do you suppose we are now, Hal?" he asked.
+
+"I believe we must have crossed the frontier," replied Hal. "However,
+we'll wait another half hour before descending to have a look."
+
+The half hour up, Hal sent the airship lower and lower. Soon, a faint
+gray speck below became visible, assuming larger and larger proportions,
+until all aboard made out the ground beneath.
+
+And then, half a mile ahead, a body of troops were seen. Hal checked the
+speed of the craft immediately.
+
+"Don't know who they are," he explained. "We'll be careful. They may be
+all right and then again they may not be."
+
+He sent the machine higher again and a few minutes later the craft hung
+directly above the troops below.
+
+"I can't make out those uniforms," declared Chester.
+
+"Nor I," said Hal. "However, they are not Austrian, I can see that. We'll
+take a chance and go down."
+
+Again the machine moved closer toward the earth, and a few minutes later
+came to rest upon the ground a short distance from the main body of
+troops. A squad of men, let by an officer, came hurriedly forward,
+covering the four friends with their rifles.
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "You must have miscalculated a
+bit, Hal. I recognize them now."
+
+"Well, who are they?" demanded the lad.
+
+"Montenegrins."
+
+"Good," cried Chester. "Then we are among friends."
+
+The four friends raised their hands in token of surrender as the officer
+and his men came toward them. A few paces away, the officer halted and
+addressed them.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"Can't understand that lingo," he exclaimed.
+
+He addressed the officer in English and the officer also indicated that
+he could not understand.
+
+"Don't want to tackle him in German if I can help it," said Hal. "It
+might not suit him."
+
+"Well, what's the matter with French?" Chester wanted to know.
+
+"Nothing, I guess," returned Hal. "I'll try him. We are British
+officers," he said, addressing the Montenegrin officer, "and we have just
+escaped from the Austrians."
+
+The Montenegrin understood and replied in broken French:
+
+"How am I to know you are not of the enemy?"
+
+"Well, I don't know, to tell the truth," Hal replied with a pleasant
+smile. "I am afraid it does look a little bad for us, as we have nothing
+to prove our identities. But if you have a British or French officer
+about here, perhaps we can convince him."
+
+The Montenegrin nodded.
+
+"Fortunately, we have," he said. He ordered one of his men to summon
+Colonel Edwards.
+
+"By Jove!" said Anderson. "I know an Edwards. I wonder can it be
+the same?"
+
+"No such luck, I am afraid," said Chester.
+
+But it was; and a few moments later Colonel Edwards and Colonel Anderson
+were shaking hands affectionately.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE KING OF THE MONTENEGRINS.
+
+
+With his hand upon Edwards' arm, Colonel Anderson approached Hal
+and Chester.
+
+"I want you to meet my two young friends," he said.
+
+Colonel Edwards shook hands with each lad in turn and then turned to
+Stubbs, who, during all this time, had been standing quietly, while he
+cast a critical eye upon the Montenegrin troopers who stood near.
+
+"A likely looking bunch of men," he muttered to himself. "I'll bet they
+could give a good account of themselves in a--"
+
+He faced about just in time to acknowledge Colonel Anderson's
+introduction to Colonel Edwards; then turned again to survey the
+mountaineers.
+
+"Good fighters, these," he said to himself, "or I miss my guess."
+
+"Now," said Hal to Colonel Edwards, "there is really no use of our
+standing here. I'd like to look up a place where I can turn in for a few
+winks. I'm dead tired and I imagine the rest of you are, too."
+
+Chester seconded Hal's motion and Colonel Anderson admitted his own
+fatigue. Stubbs settled the matter.
+
+"Where there are men there are beds," he said; "or at least cots, or
+pallets, or something. I'm going to find one."
+
+He moved toward a row of tents in the distance.
+
+"Hold on there," said Chester. "We're all going, Stubbs."
+
+In the meantime Colonel Edwards had been holding a consultation with the
+Montenegrin officer who had first accosted the friends.
+
+"I am sure that if you vouch for them they are all right," said the
+Montenegrin.
+
+"Thanks," said Edwards. "Then, with your permission, I shall conduct them
+to my own quarters."
+
+"And you may also make free with mine," said the other.
+
+Again Colonel Edwards expressed his thanks, in which the others joined,
+and then he led the way toward the distant tents.
+
+Fifteen minutes later the four friends were sleeping soundly, with never
+a care in the world, for it had been long since they had closed their
+eyes and they were completely worn out.
+
+Darkness shrouded the small tent when Hal opened his eyes. It was several
+moments before the lad could gain his bearings, but when at last he
+realized just where he was he bethought himself of the others.
+
+"Still sleeping, I guess," he said.
+
+He arose, moved to the door of the tent and passed out. A steady rumbling
+sound fell upon his ears and Hal, momentarily, was unable to account for
+it. But the solution soon came to him.
+
+"Troops moving," he told himself.
+
+He was right. Walking some distance from the tent, he made out, probably
+half a mile away, the dark forms of many men as they marched swiftly on
+in the darkness, their figures lighted up ever and anon by the gleam of a
+flashlight. But the camp in which the lad stood was perfectly quiet.
+
+"Now I wonder--" he muttered--gazed silently ahead a moment and then
+turned back toward the tent, saying to himself: "Guess I'll wake the
+others up."
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson were aroused without much trouble. Not
+so Stubbs.
+
+"What's the matter?" came the little man's query, when Hal prodded him
+gently in the ribs with his foot.
+
+"Time to get up," said Hal, briefly.
+
+For a moment Stubbs opened his eyes and peered into the darkness--for Hal
+had made no light.
+
+"Get up?" he exclaimed. "What! Anthony Stubbs get up in the middle of the
+night? Not much!"
+
+"But we are going, Stubbs," said Hal. "We don't want to leave you here by
+yourself."
+
+"Kind of you," said Stubbs sarcastically. "I can remember when you were
+not so solicitious of my welfare. Don't worry about me. I'll just sleep
+right along."
+
+He turned over and a loud snore a few moments later told that he was
+again in the land of dreams.
+
+Again Hal prodded him with his foot.
+
+"Stubbs! I say, Stubbs!" he called.
+
+Directly Stubbs opened his eyes.
+
+"And what's the matter this time?" he demanded aggrievedly.
+
+"Hurry!" Hal exclaimed, thinking to get the little man up by a ruse. "The
+Austrians are coming."
+
+"Run, then!" replied Stubbs. "I'll hide here. They won't bother me."
+
+"Now listen here, Stubs," said Chester, "just when do you want to get
+up?"
+
+Again Stubbs allowed his eyes to open and he peered into the
+darkness sleepily.
+
+"What day is this?" he inquired mildly.
+
+"Tuesday," replied Chester; "but what--"
+
+"Then call me Saturday," said the little man gently, and closed his eyes
+in sleep once more.
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Colonel Anderson. "He had you there, Chester."
+
+Chester appeared somewhat flustered.
+
+"Well, he'll have to get up out of there," he said wrathfully.
+
+"Oh, come on and let him be, Chester," said Hal. "I guess nothing will
+hurt him. We'll be back by daylight and I'll venture to say we will find
+him here, still snoring."
+
+"Well, all right," Chester agreed at length; "but to tell you the truth,
+I don't just like that answer he gave me."
+
+The three left the tent and Hal led the way toward where he had so
+recently perceived the passing troops.
+
+Infantry, cavalry and artillery were still passing in dense masses,
+moving westward.
+
+"I wonder where they are going?" said Chester.
+
+"To the front, I suppose," replied Hal.
+
+"Now do you really suppose they are?" asked Chester sarcastically. "I
+thought perhaps they were on dress parade. Say, just where are we anyhow?
+Do either of you know?"
+
+"By Jove!" exclaimed Colonel Anderson. "I meant to ask Edwards, but I
+forgot all about it. He told us, you remember, he would be in the tent
+on our left. We'll go back and have him out. Perhaps we can learn a
+few things."
+
+"Suits me," Hal agreed. "We can't see anything here but troops, and we
+have seen too many of them to be much interested. Come on."
+
+Fifteen minutes later found them seated in the tent Colonel Edwards had
+commandeered for his temporary headquarters and the colonel himself doing
+the talking.
+
+"You are perhaps fifteen miles northwest of Cettinje, the capital of
+Montenegro," he explained.
+
+"And where are these troops going?" asked Hal.
+
+"Reinforcements to the Austrian front," said Colonel Edwards. "Also some
+of them, can they be spared, will be rushed to the aid of the Serbians,
+who, from all accounts, are being sorely pressed by the new German
+offensive."
+
+"New German offensive?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"Why, yes. Haven't you heard of it?"
+
+"No. Will you explain?"
+
+"I'll try," said Colonel Edwards. "I'll revert back to the start. On
+Friday, August 13, news reached London, where I was then stationed, that
+an Austro-German army of more than 300,000 men was massing at a point on
+the Serbian frontier and it was asserted that the Kaiser was about to
+strike a blow at Serbia in order to improve Teuton prospects in the
+Balkans, where Roumania and Greece had been reported as waiting a
+favorable opportunity to join the Allies.
+
+"The great German victories in Russia, following the fall of Warsaw, had,
+however, caused the Balkan kingdoms to waver, and Bulgaria was said to
+have strong pro-German leanings. On August 16 the Austro-German army
+crossed the frontier and began a bombardment of Belgrade, the capital.
+This led to a crisis in the Greek parliament, where the Venizelos party
+caused the downfall of the cabinet, which supported the king's attitude
+of strict neutrality--a neutrality he had promised his consort, who is
+the sister of the Kaiser, as you know.
+
+"On August 21 Serbia made it known that in accordance with the advice of
+the Allies, she was willing to grant the demands of Bulgaria for the
+return of territory taken in the last Balkan war, and for a time it
+seemed that Bulgaria would enter the war on the side of the Allies.
+However, on September 19 it was said that Bulgaria would join the Central
+Powers, thus permitting Germany to establish an unbroken line of allies
+from the Baltic to the Bosporus.
+
+"On October 5, the Allies, upon invitation of the Greek premier, began
+the disembarkation of troops at Saloniki to go to the assistance of the
+Serbians; and, so far as I know, they are still landing."
+
+The three friends had listened attentively to this account of the Balkan
+situation. They had heard some inkling of the seriousness of the Serbian
+plight, but had not realized until now that Germany had at last set out
+to crush the little Balkan kingdom as she had crushed Belgium in the
+early days of the great war.
+
+"And what is the latest on the Bulgarian attitude?" asked Colonel
+Anderson.
+
+"Well, I haven't heard anything later than I have told you, but my
+personal opinion is that Bulgaria, sooner or later, will join the
+Germans."
+
+"Fools," said Colonel Anderson, briefly.
+
+"And Greece?" inquired Chester.
+
+"I don't know, but I believe Greece will keep out of the war just as long
+as she possibly can. Certainly, the Greek people will never consent to
+aiding the Germans."
+
+"You never can tell," said Colonel Anderson sententiously.
+
+Outside the tent it was now growing light, for time had passed swiftly.
+Hal noticed the light filtering in.
+
+"Great Scott! I had no idea it was morning," he said. "It must have been
+after midnight when we awoke. Let's get outside."
+
+They left the tent and Hal went into their own quarters a moment, where
+he found Stubbs up and about to emerge. Together the five walked toward
+the eastern extremity of the camp.
+
+Came a sudden blaring of trumpets and a body of horse swept toward them.
+The riders drew rein almost before the friends, dismounted and stood at
+attention, while a figure who had been in the center also jumped to the
+ground. This figure of huge stature, a man of advanced age, who
+dismounted nimbly in spite of his years, walked toward the spot where
+stood the five friends. Edwards came to attention, as did the others.
+
+"The king!" said Colonel Edwards in a low voice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
+
+
+Nicholas, king of the Montenegrins, came forward slowly, his head bowed
+as though in grief, and it seemed for a moment as though he would pass
+Hal, Chester and the others without seeing them. But even as he drew
+abreast of the five, he looked up suddenly. His gaze rested upon Colonel
+Edwards and the Englishman bowed low. Colonel Anderson did likewise. Hal,
+Chester and Stubbs remained erect.
+
+The king smiled slightly at Colonel Edwards, whom he plainly knew, and
+glanced inquiringly at the others.
+
+Colonel Edwards approached him.
+
+"Your majesty," he said, "I would crave your permission to present
+another of my countrymen and three Americans, who have seen service with
+your allies in the western theater of war."
+
+The king nodded his head affirmatively and Colonel Edwards motioned the
+others to approach. The king extended a hand to each and spoke a few
+pleasant words.
+
+"I hope," he said, "that you will make yourselves perfectly at home in my
+camp. I am sorry I have no better to offer you." He turned to Edwards. "I
+have faith in you English," he said, "and for that reason I was about to
+summon you this morning. I have a mission of importance, and some danger,
+I would have you undertake."
+
+"I shall be pleased, sire" replied Colonel Edwards with a bow.
+
+The king smiled.
+
+"I knew you would be," he said. "Now this mission will necessitate
+probably more than a single man. You shall pick the others. It seems
+simple, but I can assure you it is not. Among the Albanian tribesmen, I
+am told, there is a disposition to doubt the justice of our cause and the
+cause of our allies. A spirit of unrest is rife there. I would have it
+looked into. I have faith in the majority of the Albanians, but a few
+agitators could do much harm right now. The reason I say one man could
+hardly undertake the task is that he would hardly have time to cover the
+necessary ground. Two might do; even more would be better."
+
+At this point Colonel Anderson stepped forward.
+
+"If you please, your majesty," he said, and hesitated.
+
+"Speak, sir," said the king.
+
+"If you please, your majesty," Colonel Anderson repeated, "it would give
+me, and my friends here, the utmost pleasure to be of some slight
+service to you. With your permission, we shall offer our services to
+Colonel Edwards."
+
+A smile stole over the king's rugged face.
+
+"I have always said," he declared, "that the British and the Americans
+come nearer to being like my own people than any others. You have my
+permission, sir, for yourself and your friends, and I have no doubt of
+the success of the mission." He turned again to Colonel Edwards. "You
+will make all possible haste?"
+
+"What we may, with caution," was the reply.
+
+"Good. Then I shall expect you back within the week."
+
+Again all bowed before the king and after a few words of farewell the
+Montenegrin monarch resumed his walk.
+
+"Well, I feel better now," declared Hal. "We've got something to do, so
+we won't feel as though we had no business here."
+
+"My sentiments, exactly," agreed Chester.
+
+"Well, they are not mine," declared Stubbs. "Say! what's the matter with
+you fellows, anyhow? Look at all the trouble we had finding a safe place
+to come down, and now you are running around looking for more trouble.
+You are not going to get Anthony Stubbs into any Albanian mountains, I
+can tell you that."
+
+"You don't have to go if you don't want to, I'm sure," said Colonel
+Anderson stiffly. "I had no idea you were afraid."
+
+"Afraid!" echoed Stubbs. "And why shouldn't I be afraid, I ask you? Why
+shouldn't I be afraid, eh? I don't know anything about mountains. I don't
+know anything about mountaineers. I don't want to know anything about any
+of them. All I want to do is--"
+
+"Get a little news for the _New York Gazette_," Chester interrupted.
+
+"Eh?" exclaimed Stubbs. "What's that? News? Sure, I've got to get some
+news. By George! Might be a good feature story up in those mountains."
+He turned to Colonel Edwards. "Count me in on this little trip, will
+you?" he said.
+
+Colonel Edwards hesitated. He didn't know Stubbs as well as the others.
+
+"Well--" he began.
+
+"Oh, he's all right, Colonel," said Hal. "It's just his way. He's no
+coward. He is no more afraid than you are."
+
+"Don't you believe it, Colonel," said Stubbs. "I assure you I am scared
+to death. But I am more afraid of losing my job with the _New York
+Gazette_ than I am of these Albanian mountaineers, so if I go I am just
+choosing the lesser of two evils. I want to go with you fellows. But
+please remember one thing: I'm no fighter. If it comes to a fight, you
+can count me out; but if it's a question of run--well, you'll find me
+with you, or far ahead."
+
+"Then if the others have no objections, I am sure that I shall be pleased
+to have you accompany us," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"And when shall we start?" asked Hal.
+
+"Just as soon as we can."
+
+"Walk, ride, or what?"
+
+"Horses, until we reach the top of the mountains. Then we'll walk. Also,
+we will discard our uniforms--anyhow, I don't imagine you like the cut of
+those Austrian garments."
+
+"I don't, and that's the truth," Hal agreed.
+
+"Good. We'll change immediately. You go to my quarters and wait. I'll
+rustle up some civilian clothes and have them sent you. Also I'll arrange
+for our mounts and other details. I'll meet you here two hours from now."
+
+With this Colonel Edwards betook himself away and the others returned to
+his quarters.
+
+Half an hour later the clothes arrived and the four friends hastened to
+climb into them, Stubbs the while muttering to himself.
+
+"Great Scott, Stubbs!" said Hal at last. "Quit your grumbling. Any one
+would think you were going to a funeral."
+
+"And so I am--maybe," returned the little man. "And what worries me is
+that it is likely to be my own."
+
+"You are a cheerful sort of a companion, I must say," declared Chester.
+"What's the use of yelling before you are hurt?"
+
+"Because I probably won't be able to afterwards," was the reply.
+
+Colonel Edwards was waiting when the four made their way to the appointed
+spot. The horses were picketed nearby.
+
+"All ready?" asked the colonel. "Guns? Ammunition?"
+
+All nodded.
+
+"Then there is no use waiting longer. We may as well be moving."
+
+He led the way to the horses and leaped lightly to the saddle. The others
+followed suit. Edwards waited until all were mounted and then headed his
+horse toward the north.
+
+"Let us ride," he said.
+
+All through the morning hours and well into the afternoon they rode
+along without adventure. They were challenged several times by
+Montenegrin outposts, but were allowed to proceed after an explanation
+by Colonel Edwards.
+
+It was four o'clock by Hal's watch when Colonel Edwards at last drew rein
+in the far outskirts of a tiny mountain village.
+
+"We'll leave our horses here," said the colonel, dismounting.
+
+He led the way to a small barn near a smaller hut. Approaching the hut
+he gave a loud whistle. A man emerged and Colonel Edwards engaged him
+in conversation. At length the man nodded. Colonel Edwards turned to
+the others.
+
+"We'll turn our horses over to him," he said. "I told him we would be
+back within seven days and wanted him to keep the animals here for us. He
+has agreed."
+
+"But will he?" asked Hal.
+
+Colonel Edwards shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"You know as much about it as I do," he replied. "However, we have
+no choice."
+
+"Well, they might come in handy if we get back," declared Stubbs. "When
+we return this far we are liable to be in considerable of a hurry, and if
+the horses were not here it would be a terrible disappointment for us, at
+least. If we come back, we'll probably come on the run."
+
+"And why will we come on the run?" Chester wanted to know.
+
+"Bayonets behind," returned Stubbs briefly. "Rifles, revolvers and
+whatnots. Oh, yes, we'll--"
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal severely, "you would be a kill-joy at any feast. When
+it comes to plain, downright pessimism, you take the cake. Your equal
+does not exist."
+
+"I'm glad to hear you say I'm good for something," muttered Stubbs.
+
+"Well, if a pessimist is good for anything, you come first always,"
+said Chester.
+
+By this time the mountaineer had stabled their horses. Colonel Edwards
+gave him a piece of money, and mumbling his thanks, the man moved away.
+
+"Which way?" asked Colonel Anderson.
+
+Colonel Edwards drew a small map from his pocket, which he consulted for
+some moments.
+
+"About five miles straight along this mountain road," he said at last.
+"There we cross the Albanian frontier, and there, also, we part company,
+or some of us do. Some of us will strike off to the right and the others
+to the left. You know what his majesty said. We would not learn much if
+we all went together."
+
+"True," returned Hal. "Well, let's be moving."
+
+They trudged along the rough, hilly road at a fair gait; but the walking
+was difficult and it was almost two hours later that Colonel Edwards
+again called a halt at what appeared to be a fork in the mountain pass.
+
+"We'll split up here," he said briefly.
+
+"And how?" asked Chester.
+
+"That's up to you fellows. Of course, I'll take charge of one party, and
+I suppose Colonel Anderson should be entrusted with the other."
+
+"Of course," said Chester. "I'll go with Colonel Anderson. Hal and Stubbs
+can go with you."
+
+"One way as well as another," was the reply.
+
+And so it was decided. There was a last handshake all around and the two
+parties went their separate ways--Colonel Anderson and Chester taking the
+more level trail to the right, and Colonel Edwards, Hal and Stubbs moving
+off along the rough pass to the left, leading more abruptly upward.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A SHOT FROM AMBUSH.
+
+
+Up, up and still up the road that Colonel Edwards, Hal and Stubbs had
+selected continued, winding first to the right and then to the left
+until all three had practically lost all sense of direction. Hal
+mentioned this.
+
+"Don't know just where we are," he said.
+
+"No," agreed Colonel Edwards. "However, it doesn't make much difference.
+We'll be around here for several days. Chances are the sun will come out
+before we get ready to leave and then we can get our bearings."
+
+"Maybe there won't be any sun," said Stubbs.
+
+"There you go again," said Hal. "Of course there'll be a sun. What's the
+use of hunting trouble?"
+
+"I'm not hunting trouble," Stubbs disclaimed. "I just said maybe there
+won't be any sun."
+
+Hal threw up both hands in a gesture of dismay.
+
+"You're beyond hope," he declared.
+
+After what seemed like hours of climbing, though in reality it was not
+more than two at the most, the three reached what apparently was the top
+of the mountain, and the road stretched out level ahead of them, heavily
+shaded on both sides with trees.
+
+"Nice place for a fellow to hide and shoot a man," said Stubbs almost
+cheerfully.
+
+Hal just looked at the little man but said nothing. Edwards grinned.
+
+"Real cheerful little fellow, aren't you?" he said dryly.
+
+Stubbs grinned back at him.
+
+"I just said--" he began.
+
+"We heard you," interrupted Hal.
+
+The three trudged along silently for a few moments. Then, coming to a
+place where the trees crowded the road even closer and the branches hung
+low across their path, Stubbs again broke the silence.
+
+"An assassin--" he began.
+
+The interruption this time came from another source.
+
+The little man's hat suddenly leaped from his head. There was the low
+whine of a bullet and a rifle cracked from the woods on the left.
+
+Stubbs threw himself to the ground almost before his hat settled near him
+and he gave a loud cry.
+
+"Help!"
+
+Startled though they were by the unexpectedness of the attack, Colonel
+Edwards and Hal acted promptly. A revolver flashed in the hand of each
+and both fired into the woods toward the point from which the shot had
+come. Then they leaped for shelter among the trees that lined the road on
+the right. Stubbs, for the moment forgotten, still lay in the road and
+seemed to be attempting to bury his head in the dirt.
+
+Hal, now sheltered by trees, perceived the little man's plight.
+
+"Can't leave him there," he called to Edwards. "Cover me if you can."
+
+Edwards nodded and held his revolver ready.
+
+Hal dashed quickly from his shelter, grasped Stubbs by the right arm,
+jerked him violently to his feet and turned his face toward the woods on
+the right.
+
+Stubbs seemed too frightened to realize in what direction lay safety, and
+breaking from Hal's hold, whirled about and dashed across the road,
+almost directly toward the spot from whence had come the shot a few
+moments before.
+
+Hal gave a cry of dismay and dashed after him. But even as he would
+have given chase, there came a second rifle shot from the trees and
+Hal felt the breeze as a bullet sped by his ear. At the same moment
+Edwards yelled:
+
+"Come back!"
+
+Hal wasted no time in thought. He obeyed Edwards' command and dashed back
+to shelter with all speed.
+
+"Whew!" he muttered. "That was pretty close."
+
+"Rather," agreed Edwards dryly. "Where did the little man get to?"
+
+"Oh, he's over there with our unseen enemy some place. He got away from
+me."
+
+"I saw him," said Edwards grimly. "He's likely to have a warm time on the
+other side of the road."
+
+Hal grinned in spite of himself, as he replied:
+
+"He is that. I suppose we should do something to help him, but I am frank
+to say I don't know just what."
+
+"We'll have to figure some way to get rid of that fellow," said Edwards.
+"He's dangerous. Apparently there is only one."
+
+"Tell you what," said Hal, "you stick here. I'll sneak through the trees
+here for a quarter of a mile, cross the road and double back. If I can go
+quietly enough perhaps I can catch him off his guard."
+
+Edwards considered this plan.
+
+"Might be done," he said finally. "I don't think of anything else. Off
+with you then."
+
+Hal walked still deeper into the woods and then turned to his left.
+Keeping himself well screened from the road he made his way carefully and
+silently along. At last, when he felt sure that he could no longer be
+seen by their unexpected foe, he approached the road again.
+
+The lad poked his head out cautiously and, after a quick glance back to
+make sure there was no one in sight, crossed the road at a bound, almost
+expecting as he did so to hear a bullet whiz near.
+
+No bullet came.
+
+Once safe on the other side, the lad turned again to his left and doubled
+back. He went more cautiously now, making sure of each footstep that he
+might not warn the unseen foe of his approach.
+
+In the woods there was the silence of death.
+
+Hal, moving slowly forward, now felt that he must have reached the point
+from which the two shots had been fired and stopped and listened
+intently. Once he thought he heard the sound of a snapping twig and
+became perfectly quiet, waiting for the sound to be repeated; but it did
+not come again.
+
+"Guess I must have been mistaken," the lad told himself, as he moved
+forward again.
+
+Five minutes later Hal stopped suddenly in his tracks. He had heard a
+sound close at hand and knew he was not mistaken this time. A twig had
+snapped perhaps twenty yards to his right and as far ahead.
+
+Hal grasped his automatic more firmly.
+
+"Hope I get the first shot," he muttered.
+
+Suddenly he caught sight of a form as it flitted from one tree to
+another. Quickly the lad raised his revolver and fired.
+
+There was no outcry, and looking again, the lad saw no one.
+
+"Missed him," he muttered. "Well, I've betrayed myself! Now I'll have to
+be more careful."
+
+He lay down upon the ground behind the tree where he had taken shelter
+and waited patiently. Ten minutes later he thought he saw an object move
+behind a tree a scant fifteen yards away.
+
+Again the lad fired.
+
+This shot was followed by a startled cry as a figure leaped to its feet
+and started off through the woods at full speed.
+
+Hal sprang to his feet.
+
+"Halt!" he cried.
+
+The figure seemed to run faster than before.
+
+Hal paused and leveled his revolver in deliberate aim. His finger
+tightened on the trigger--then, suddenly he let his arm fall.
+
+"Stubbs!" he cried in amazement.
+
+The running figure was indeed the little war correspondent.
+
+"By Jove!" muttered Hal. "Another moment and I would have shot him." He
+raised his voice in a shout: "Hey, Stubbs!"
+
+But the little man ran on, unheeding.
+
+"He'll run right smack into that other fellow if he doesn't watch out,"
+Hal told himself. "Well, I suppose I'll have to stop him."
+
+Still holding his revolver in his right hand, he also broke into a run
+and made after the fleeing Stubbs.
+
+Several times he called, but Stubbs paid no heed. Then Hal grew angry.
+
+"I'll get you if I have to chase you right back to the door of the _New
+York Gazette_" he muttered to himself.
+
+He gained at every stride and was rapidly overtaking the war
+correspondent, although Stubbs, with head lowered, looking neither to the
+right nor to the left, his arms working like pistons, ran blindly on.
+
+Suddenly Hal stopped almost in his tracks and his heart leaped into
+his throat.
+
+From behind a tree directly in Stubbs' path, stepped a short squat
+figure, with great long arms dangling at its side. A revolver was
+clasped in the right hand and the weapon was slowly raised until it
+covered Stubbs.
+
+Hal gave a loud cry of warning, raised his own revolver and fired. But
+even as his finger tightened on the trigger he knew he had missed. Stubbs
+was so close to the other figure that the lad had been afraid of hitting
+him. Consequently the bullet went wild.
+
+But though it missed its mark, Hal's bullet undoubtedly saved Stubbs'
+life, for it attracted the attention of the enemy for a brief moment; and
+in that moment, Anthony Stubbs, still unaware of the danger that
+confronted him, dashed head first into his would-be slayer.
+
+So great was the force of the impact that both were hurled to the ground.
+With rare presence of mind, Stubbs, recovering his breath before his
+unexpected opponent realized what had happened, reached out and procured
+the other's revolver and hurled it aside.
+
+Then he attempted to get to his feet, but at this point the other came
+back to life and seized him by the legs.
+
+"Hey! Leggo my legs!" shouted Stubbs.
+
+The other held him tightly.
+
+"Let me up!" cried Stubbs again.
+
+Still the other clung fast, while Stubbs raised a cry for help.
+
+At this juncture Hal reached the combatants. He was about to lend a hand,
+when he saw that Stubbs' opponent was unarmed, and drew back.
+
+Stubbs did not see him, and apparently believing that he was to get no
+help, he turned to give battle. He kicked out with his left foot and the
+foot came free. He followed suit with the right foot and felt it strike
+something soft. At the same moment there came a cry of pain from Stubbs'
+opponent and the grasp upon his other leg relaxed.
+
+Quickly the little man leaped to his feet and darted toward the spot
+where he had thrown the revolver. He snatched it up and leveled it at his
+adversary.
+
+"Hands up there!" he called.
+
+There came a choking cry from the queer figure and the long arms were
+raised high in the air.
+
+"Good for you, Stubbs!" cried Hal at this juncture.
+
+Stubbs gazed about sharply.
+
+"About time you were getting here," he said. "I had a terrible fight with
+this fellow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+A STRANGE ENCOUNTER.
+
+
+Hal laughed aloud.
+
+"Terrible fight, eh?" he exclaimed. "Of course you did. What else could
+you do? You had to fight. Pretty lucky, Stubbs."
+
+"Lucky!" echoed Stubbs. "What do you mean, lucky? If you had been here
+in time to see me tackle this fellow you would have known what a hard
+time I had."
+
+"I saw you," replied Hal. "You can put down your gun, now. I'll take care
+of this fellow."
+
+He leveled his own revolver at the queer-looking creature before him and
+Stubbs placed his newly-acquired revolver in his coat pocket.
+
+Hal motioned to his prisoner to approach. The latter did so with an ugly
+scowl on his face. He seemed not to have the slightest fear and came up
+to the lad unflinchingly.
+
+"Speak English?" asked Hal.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+"French?"
+
+The man nodded.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Nikol."
+
+"Nikol what?"
+
+The man did not reply, and Hal surveyed him critically. He was at least
+thirty-five years of age, could not have been an inch more than four feet
+in height, and his long, knotted arms, apparently as strong as a
+gorilla's, reached almost to the ground, where his huge hand clasped and
+unclasped nervously. Involuntarily Hal shuddered.
+
+"Must be as strong as an ox," the lad muttered. "Lucky for Stubbs he
+kicked at the right time and happened to land."
+
+"What's your last name?" the lad demanded again.
+
+"Haven't any," was the reply.
+
+"What are you, an Albanian?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"What are you doing here?"
+
+The man did not reply.
+
+Stubbs had been an interesting listener to the conversation and became
+decidedly impatient when the dwarf refused to answer Hal's questions.
+
+"Why don't you speak?" he demanded aggressively, taking a step forward.
+He felt perfectly safe now that Hal had the man covered.
+
+Instantly there was an unexpected change in the dwarf's manner. He
+stepped back a pace and bowed his head before the angry Stubbs.
+
+"I did not know that you wished me to answer," he replied civilly. "I
+will talk to you, for you are the first man who has ever conquered me;
+and you are a small man, too--a dwarf."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed Stubbs still more angrily, for "the dwarf" had
+touched upon a tender spot. "Dwarf, am I? What do you mean by talking to
+me like that?"
+
+Again he took a step forward and the Albanian drew back.
+
+"You will please excuse me," he said humbly. "I did not mean to offend.
+For myself I am proud that I am a dwarf and I was glad that it was one of
+my own kind who conquered me."
+
+Stubbs, greatly flattered, threw out his chest and turned to Hal.
+
+"You see," he exclaimed, "if you have any doubts as to how I overcame
+this man, he will tell you himself. Won't you, Nik--Nikol?"
+
+Nikol bowed.
+
+"I will, sir," he replied.
+
+"Well, you seem to have done a good job," Hal replied. "I don't believe I
+could have overcome him. In fact, I am sure of it. Now if you will kindly
+order your newly made slave to answer my questions, perhaps we may learn
+something."
+
+Stubbs gave the order in the tone of a man born to command and the dwarf
+nodded his understanding.
+
+"If my boss knew I could give orders like that, I'd have a better job,"
+was Stubbs' comment as Hal turned to Nikol.
+
+"What are your sympathies in this war?" asked the lad quietly.
+
+"My sympathies," was the reply, "I have kept locked up here," and Nikol
+tapped his breast with one of his huge fingers. "But, now that my
+conqueror requests me to talk, I will tell you. My sympathies are with
+Montenegro; always have been and always will be."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Hal. "Then perhaps you can tell me something of the
+Austrian sentiment in these mountains."
+
+"The Austrian sympathy is very strong," was the reply. "Not so much here
+as further north. Thousands of tribesmen there are only awaiting the
+arrival of the Austrians to join their ranks. Some have joined already."
+
+"And is there not danger for a man of your sympathies in these parts?"
+
+The Albanian shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I have said," he replied, "that I keep my sympathies locked up here,"
+and again he tapped his breast.
+
+Hal was silent for a few moments, considering a plan that had come to
+him. At length he turned to Stubbs.
+
+"Will you ask your newly made friend," he said, "if he will join us? He
+will be invaluable. He can lead us where we would go without question."
+
+Stubbs grasped the situation instantly.
+
+He put the question to the Albanian. For long minutes the man hesitated,
+and then he, in turn, asked a question.
+
+"You say that you are working in the interests of Montenegro?" he asked.
+
+"I can give you my word," replied Stubbs soberly.
+
+The dwarf extended a hand to Stubbs and looked him in the eye.
+
+"Such men as you, such fighters as you, do not lie," he said gravely.
+
+Stubbs blushed like a schoolboy as he extended a hand, which was
+seized in a grip that brought tears to the little man's eyes. But he
+bore the pain bravely, for he did not wish to lose caste in the eyes
+of his new admirer.
+
+"Come then," said Hal. "We'll pick up Colonel Edwards again and be
+moving."
+
+He led the way back to where the first shot had been fired and raised his
+voice in a shout:
+
+"All right, Edwards?"
+
+"All right," was the reply.
+
+"I've caught the enemy," explained Hal. "You can come from under cover."
+
+He led the way to the road and a moment later Colonel Edwards
+joined them.
+
+"What have we here?" he exclaimed, after a glance at the dwarf.
+
+"A guide," replied Hal; "the same being the man who fired at us, and also
+Stubbs' own prisoner."
+
+"Stubbs' prisoner?"
+
+"Exactly. He captured him single-handed."
+
+Colonel Edwards eyed Stubbs in the greatest surprise, until Hal explained
+in a low voice, so that neither Stubbs nor the dwarf might hear.
+
+"Well, we may as well be moving then," said Colonel Edwards. "Have your
+guide take the lead, Stubbs."
+
+Stubbs, undeniably proud at the honor now being bestowed upon him, did as
+requested, and the dwarf led the way down the road at a rapid gait.
+
+Hour after hour they walked along encountering no one, until shortly
+before nightfall when they drew up near a small hut. Here Nikol went
+forward and secured food, which he brought back in his hands. This they
+devoured hungrily, drank from a little brook, and moved forward again.
+
+Now Nikol deserted the beaten path and struck off through the mountains
+proper, climbing steep hills, leaping ruts and gullies, rocks and brooks,
+but making such good progress that the others were hard pressed to keep
+up with him.
+
+Darkness fell suddenly and Stubbs shuddered.
+
+"Nice place for an assassin here, too," he muttered gloomily.
+
+"Back at it, are you?" said Hal. "What will your friend Nikol say?"
+
+Stubbs did not reply.
+
+Suddenly the dwarf halted and motioned the others to silence. All
+listened intently and directly made out what the sharp ears of Nikol had
+caught first--the sound of approaching footsteps.
+
+Nikol motioned the others back into the shadow of a great rock and
+stepped boldly forward. Then he hesitated a moment, came back and spoke
+to Stubbs in a low voice, yet loud enough for the others to hear.
+
+"If I should chance to be outmatched," he said, "you will come to my
+assistance? The others," he snapped his fingers, "are no good. You
+will come?"
+
+Taken wholly off his guard, Stubbs stuttered and stammered.
+
+"You will come?" Nikol repeated again.
+
+"Ye-e-s, I'll come," Stubbs articulated at last.
+
+Nikol wasted no further time in words, but moved forward perhaps a
+hundred yards. Then he halted and stood still, waiting.
+
+The sound of footsteps drew nearer and still nearer, and then suddenly
+Nikol sprang forward, silently and swiftly.
+
+There came a sudden startled cry from ahead and then a great,
+boisterous laugh.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" exclaimed a voice in French. "Look what has attacked
+Ivan Vergoff."
+
+For some reason that he could not explain, Hal left his place of
+concealment and moved toward the combatants. The others followed him.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" came the great voice again. "Ivan Vergoff, the greatest of the
+Cossacks, attacked by this puny pygmy."
+
+Hal had now approached close enough to see the gigantic figure of Nikol's
+antagonist and to witness the struggle.
+
+The giant had stooped over and seized Nikol by one arm. He pulled, but
+the dwarf, his feet firmly planted on the ground, did not budge. It was a
+great exhibition of strength, for Hal knew that the stranger must be a
+powerful man.
+
+This time the giant did not laugh.
+
+"A strong man," he muttered aloud. "A strong man, though he be a pygmy."
+
+He now extended another arm, seized the dwarf around the middle and
+lifted him high above his head. With his right arm the dwarf struck the
+face that gazed up at him as he was suspended high in the air.
+
+The big man gave a roar like that of an angry bull, hurled the dwarf from
+him and then jumped after the flying figure with remarkable agility for a
+man of his huge size.
+
+But even as he would have seized Nikol again, Hal stepped forward.
+
+"Wait!" cried the lad, who had been doing some quick thinking. "Your name
+is Ivan Vergoff and you are a Cossack?"
+
+The big man paused suddenly and glanced about him.
+
+"Yes!" he shouted. "What of it?"
+
+"Only," replied Hal quietly, "that I bring you word of your
+brother, Alexis!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+NEW FRIENDS.
+
+
+The big man paused and turned an enquiring eye upon Hal, whom he could
+dimly perceive in the darkness.
+
+"Alexis!" he echoed. "What of him? How do you know I have a
+brother Alexis?"
+
+Hal replied rapidly in the Russian dialect which he had picked up during
+his service with the Cossacks, as told in the story of "The Boy Allies
+With the Cossacks," while the man listened intently. Then the giant set
+the dwarf upon his feet remarking:
+
+"Now, you just stay there a little while. I may have more to say to you
+later, but right now I would know something of my brother Alexis, whom I
+have not seen in years. And my brother Stephan, also, what do you know of
+him?" he demanded of Hal.
+
+The lad shook his head.
+
+"Not much," he said. "But come, we'll find some spot where we can make a
+fire and I'll tell you what I know of Alexis."
+
+"Good," boomed the big man. "Follow me."
+
+Without another word he turned on his heel and strode away whence he
+had come. The other four followed him, Nikol the while muttering
+angrily to himself.
+
+Stubbs turned upon him suddenly.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" he demanded. "Don't you know it's cold
+here? I want to sit by the fire awhile. Keep still."
+
+The dwarf made no reply, but became silent. It was plain enough that he
+stood very much in awe of Stubbs.
+
+After a five-minute walk through the dark woods, the big Cossack wheeled
+sharply to the left, and walking swiftly for perhaps fifty yards drew up
+before what appeared to be a solid rock.
+
+Looking closer in the darkness, however, Hal saw a slight opening at the
+bottom, the space between the rock and the ground being perhaps three
+feet. The rock, apparently, rested upon more solid ground farther back.
+
+"Follow me," said the big man again.
+
+He dropped on his hands and knees and wriggled through the opening.
+
+At this point Stubbs manifested a desire to leave the others in
+the lurch.
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed. "You're not going to get me under there. How do you
+know what he may have in mind to do to us?"
+
+"Come, Stubbs," said Hal. "Don't be a quitter all the time. Nothing is
+going to hurt--"
+
+Before he could finish his sentence he felt himself seized in a powerful
+grip from behind. He twisted about with an effort and looked down upon
+the scowling face of Nikol.
+
+"Here! What's the matter?" he cried.
+
+The dwarf grinned at him evilly, and still retaining his hold, gazed
+at Stubbs.
+
+"He insulted you," he said. "What shall I do with him?"
+
+"Great Scott! Let him down!" exclaimed the little man, anxiously. "He
+didn't do anything to me."
+
+"But he insulted you," protested Nikol. "I heard him say--"
+
+"Oh, that was just in fun," cried Stubbs. "Let him go."
+
+The dwarf's hold relaxed and Hal jumped away.
+
+"Don't try any of that on me again," he said, facing Nikol angrily. He
+turned to Stubbs. "You just instruct this fellow to keep his hands off
+me, or I shall have to take my gun to him."
+
+"Oh, he didn't mean any harm," Stubbs protested.
+
+"Maybe he didn't and maybe he did," replied Hal. "At any rate, I don't
+like that kind of treatment. You tell him what I said."
+
+"He was just sticking up for me," said Stubbs, aggrievedly. "But I'll
+tell him."
+
+He did so, but the dwarf said nothing.
+
+At this juncture the big Cossack poked his head from beneath the rock.
+
+"Are you coming in here or not?" he demanded in a gruff voice.
+
+"Coming," said Hal, dropping to his knees.
+
+"Look here, Hal," said Stubbs, "I don't like the looks of this place.
+Maybe we had better stay outside."
+
+"Nonsense," Edwards spoke up at this point. "The man means us no harm."
+
+Hal had disappeared beneath the rock and Edwards dropped to his knees and
+crawled after him.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs to himself, "I don't like this, but I guess I might
+as well go along."
+
+Motioning Nikol to follow him, he, too, dropped to all fours and crawled
+slowly beneath the big rock.
+
+Beyond the rock, a brisk fire made dimly visible what appeared to be a
+large cavern. The fire seemed to be in the exact center of a large
+underground room and beyond it Hal thought he could make out the mouths
+of dark passageways that led off in several directions.
+
+"Come up to the fire and get warm," the big Cossack invited.
+
+The others accepted the invitation, first discarding their heavy outer
+garments. When all appeared comfortable, the big Cossack spoke.
+
+"Now," he said, addressing Hal, "tell me of Alexis. He is--"
+
+"Dead," Hal interrupted quietly.
+
+Ivan sprang to his feet.
+
+"Dead!" he shouted. "And you dare to tell it to me? You, no doubt, had a
+hand in his death!"
+
+"On the contrary," returned the lad quietly, "I tried to save him, as
+did my chum; but it was too late. But he died like a brave man and a
+true Cossack."
+
+Ivan was silent for several moments, and then said sneeringly:
+
+"And what do you know of the Cossacks?"
+
+"Well, very little, to be sure," Hal confessed, "though, for a short
+time, I had the honor of serving in a Cossack regiment."
+
+"What, you?" exclaimed Ivan incredulously. "Impossible."
+
+"No; what I say is true," said Hal. "And it was there that I met your
+brother Alexis, than whom I have never seen a braver man."
+
+"'Tis true," muttered Ivan. "Alexis was ever a brave man, though much
+given to boasting. Also, barring perhaps myself, he was the most powerful
+man I have ever seen."
+
+"He was indeed," replied Hal, "and it will give me pleasure at some time
+to relate to you some of the remarkable feats I have seen him
+accomplish."
+
+"Alexis has related enough," returned Ivan dryly. "But come, now, tell me
+what you know of him."
+
+"Well," Hal began, "I met Alexis first--"
+
+He stopped suddenly and listened attentively.
+
+"What was that?" he demanded.
+
+"What?" asked Edwards.
+
+"I thought I heard a voice calling. Sounded like a cry for help."
+
+Ivan broke into a loud laugh.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he cried. "Guess you heard my prisoners."
+
+"Prisoners?" Hal repeated inquiringly.
+
+"Yes. I came across them this afternoon. They sought to ply me with
+questions. I treated them respectfully enough, but when they continued to
+plague me, I just picked them up and brought them here. I have a
+suspicion they may be Austrian spies and if there is one race of men for
+whom I have no use, it is the Austrians. But they do not annoy you, do
+they? If so, I shall go back and have a word with them. After that I
+assure you they will annoy you no more."
+
+"Oh, no," Hal hastened to say. "They do not annoy me in the slightest.
+But what do you intend to do with them?"
+
+"Well, I don't know exactly," returned Ivan. "You know I have read
+somewhat, and I remember the things I have read. For instance now, I
+would like to be like one of the old kings, or say even a present-day
+American, of whom I have heard much. They have slaves and things. Why not
+make my prisoners my slaves?"
+
+"I assure you you are wrong about the Americans," said Hal. "I chance to
+be one myself, so I know. Of kings, I cannot say."
+
+"Never mind," said Ivan. "We'll attend to them later on. Right now I have
+a desire to hear your story. Proceed."
+
+Hal did so. He related his and Chester's first meeting with Alexis, the
+big brave-hearted man who had once played an important part in their
+lives, as related in "The Boy Allies With the Cossacks." He told of the
+many exciting adventures the three had gone through together.
+
+And as the lad progressed with his narrative, Ivan became more interested
+with each word; and by the time Hal had come to an account of his
+brother's last great fight, Ivan was on his feet, his face glowing.
+
+"By St. George!" he cried. "I knew he could do it. Boaster or not, he was
+a brave man. But go on. And after he had killed the three Germans there
+on the sand, then what?"
+
+"Why, then," said Hal, "a German bullet struck him in the right
+shoulder; a moment later another lodged in his right side. But Alexis
+did not pause. He rushed right into the thick of them, using his now
+empty pistols and at last striking out with his bare fists. Men tumbled
+on all sides.
+
+"From behind and from both sides, the Germans darted at him, firing their
+revolvers and stabbing him with the swords. By this time, we had finished
+repairing our machine and we rushed to his aid, and for a moment the
+Germans gave back. Then they closed in and we were all hard pressed.
+Alexis was bleeding in a dozen places but he fought on. And then aid came
+from an unexpected source."
+
+"Where?" demanded Ivan excitedly.
+
+"Troops," replied Hal. "Troops sent to protect the neutrality of the
+country; and with their approach the Germans who were still upon their
+feet fled. Chester and I dragged Alexis to our own craft and we also
+ascended. There we did what we could for him, but he realized that he was
+past aid, and he died as a brave man should. We buried him in England
+with honor, and with him the Cross of St. George, personally bestowed
+upon him by the Czar."
+
+For a long time after the lad had finished, Ivan was silent. Then he
+said, his fists clenching:
+
+"I would I had been there! There would have been a different story to
+tell!"
+
+Hal was about to reply, but a voice sounded suddenly. Hal pricked up his
+ears. Surely he recognized that voice. The cry came again.
+
+"Chester!" shouted Hal, and sprang to his feet.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+A DESPERATE VENTURE.
+
+
+Before Ivan could raise a hand to stay him, had such been his intention,
+Hal had darted across the cavern in the direction from which had come the
+sound he had recognized as Chester's voice. It was very dark there and
+the lad could not make out his surroundings, but he seemed to have
+brought up against a solid wall. He explored the smooth surface with his
+hands, but could find no opening in that particular spot. Then he came
+upon one of the narrow passageways and entered it without hesitation, for
+he believed it was in that direction he would find Chester.
+
+Now heavy footsteps sounded behind him and Ivan's voice roared:
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"It is Chester--my friend who was with me when Alexis died," returned
+Hal. "I heard his voice. He must be near some place and in trouble."
+
+"Ho!" said Ivan. "He will be one of my prisoners, I expect. I remember
+that one was rather young."
+
+"Well, let him out, will you?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+"Certainly," returned Ivan.
+
+He passed Hal and led the way down the dark passage. Presently Hal heard
+a huge rock move and then footsteps came toward him.
+
+"Who is it?" he asked.
+
+There came a cry of surprise.
+
+"That you, Hal?" came in Chester's voice. "How on earth did you
+get here?"
+
+"That's rather a long story," replied Hal, "but it seems that it's a good
+thing I did get here. I thought a heard a sound awhile back. It must have
+been you."
+
+"Anderson and I have been yelling for the last week, it seems," said
+Chester ruefully. "We didn't hope to be fortunate enough to raise you,
+but we thought some one might hear us."
+
+"Well, come on out here to the fire--and you, too, Colonel," his last to
+Colonel Anderson, who now came forward, closely followed by Ivan.
+
+They needed no urging, for they had been shut up in the cold so long
+that they were almost frozen. Introductions now followed all around and
+Ivan seemed genuinely pleased to meet Chester. He was profuse in his
+apologies for his rough treatment, while Chester was dumbfounded to
+learn that his captor was the brother of his old friend Alexis. They
+shook hands heartily.
+
+"If you had not pestered me with so many questions, I would not have
+bothered you," Ivan explained. "To tell the truth, I took you for a
+couple of Austrian spies."
+
+"Tell us, Chester," said Hal, "what have you learned?"
+
+"Learned?" echoed Chester. "We haven't learned anything, except that it
+is awfully cold in these mountains. I'm going to tell you right now, it's
+no fun being locked up in an icebox."
+
+"It is not," Colonel Anderson agreed dryly, stretching his feet out
+to the fire.
+
+"I'll tell you how it came about," said Chester, smiling at Ivan.
+"Colonel Anderson and I had just completed a most terrible climb. Coming
+once again to a level spot we sat down to rest. We saw a man coming
+along--a big man, none other than Ivan here. I suggested that we ask him
+a few questions."
+
+"You asked them, all right," said Ivan.
+
+"Well," Chester continued, "he didn't tell us much. In fact, he was as
+mum as an oyster. Colonel Anderson took a hand with no better luck. It
+seems that between us we talked too much. Ivan here didn't like it. He
+said he guessed he'd have to take us along with him. We said we were
+satisfied to stay where we were. This didn't suit Ivan. He reached for
+me and I dodged; but with his other hand he grabbed Anderson and held
+him helpless.
+
+"I drew my gun but I was afraid to fire for fear of hitting the Colonel.
+I thought I would rap the big man over the head with the butt of the
+weapon. I ventured a trifle too close and he nailed me, too. He shook me
+so hard that I dropped my gun. Anderson hadn't been able to get at his.
+Then Ivan relieved him of it, and still holding us each by an arm, he
+brought us here.
+
+"When he shoved us under the rock ahead of him, we decided to jump him if
+he came in. We jumped him. It didn't do much good, did it, Colonel?"
+
+Chester turned to Colonel Anderson with a smile.
+
+"Not much," was the Colonel's dry response.
+
+Ivan grinned sheepishly.
+
+"I didn't mean to hurt you too much," he said. "You see, sometimes I
+don't realize my own strength. I guess maybe I squeezed your arms
+too hard."
+
+"Well, now tell us about yourself, Hal," said Chester, "and who is this
+little fellow who hangs so close to Stubbs?"
+
+"This little fellow," returned Hal, "has appointed himself Stubbs' best
+friend. Stubbs overcame him in fair fight this afternoon and he thinks
+Stubbs is a great man."
+
+"Well, what's the matter?" Stubbs broke in. "Don't you?"
+
+"Of course," Hal hastened to assure him.
+
+Stubbs subsided grumbling.
+
+"The question now is," Colonel Edwards declared, "what are we going to
+do? There is no use staying here longer than we can possibly help. We had
+better be moving."
+
+"Hold on," shouted Ivan, jumping suddenly to his feet. "Tell me what it
+is you are going to do? Perhaps I may lend a hand. I know something of
+these mountains."
+
+Colonel Edwards glanced at Hal. The boy nodded.
+
+"Might be a good idea," he said.
+
+Then Colonel Edwards explained. Ivan heard him patiently.
+
+"Well," he said at length, "nothing would please me more than to join
+this expedition." He spoke to Hal. "You have told me of the service
+rendered the Czar by my brother Alexis. I am ashamed that I have been
+idling here in these mountains while my country needs me. I shall try
+and make up for it in the future. Now, I believe I can tell you what you
+want to know."
+
+"Then," asked Colonel Edwards, "is there a strong Austrian sentiment
+among the Albanians?"
+
+"Until a month ago there was little Austrian sentiment," returned Ivan,
+"But recently there has been a change, and the change I lay at the door
+of a single man."
+
+"An Albanian?"
+
+"It is even worse than that. The man is a Montenegrin. And still worse.
+He bears the same name as the king of Montenegro, Nicolas. He has, most
+likely, another name, but I do not know it."
+
+"But why should a Montenegrin seek to raise the enmity of the Albanians
+against his own people?" Chester demanded.
+
+"There is but one reason--gold," said Ivan simply.
+
+"And his methods?" inquired Colonel Anderson.
+
+"More gold," was the reply.
+
+"I see," said Colonel Anderson. "Furnished by the Austrians, eh?"
+
+"How else? I have had several interviews with this Nicolas. He seems to
+think I could be of use to him. In fact, he has made me offers. But while
+I have taken no part in active fighting, although I admit I have
+neglected my own country, I have not fallen low enough for that sort of
+work. However, I did not tell Nicolas that. I temporized with him and I
+suppose he believes he can win me over if he cares to make his offer
+tempting enough."
+
+"All this," said Hal slowly, "suggests a plan."
+
+"Well?" said Chester, expectantly.
+
+"And by this plan of mine," Hal continued, "we may accomplish even more
+than we set out to do."
+
+"Explain, Hal," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"It's very simple. We'll have Ivan take us to Nicolas. He can tell him we
+are Germans, or what you please. Being, apparently, friends of Ivan's, we
+shall be received. Then Ivan can appear to fall in with his plans. At the
+first opportune moment, we shall take charge of Mr. Nicolas and escape."
+
+"H-m-m-m," mused Colonel Edwards. "You say all that easily enough, but
+you can take my word for it, it will be no small job."
+
+"Of course not," Chester agreed, "but still we should be able to do it.
+And if we do, we shall have removed the cause of the Albanian enmity
+toward Montenegro. There will be no such strong Austrian sentiment once
+the supply of gold is cut off."
+
+Ivan jumped to his feet and clapped the lad on the back.
+
+"Good!" he exclaimed eagerly. "I'm with you; and if it comes to a fight,
+you will find that you can use me to advantage."
+
+"I am sure of it," smiled Hal.
+
+Ivan, in turning, cast his eye upon the little dwarfed figure of Nikol.
+He walked quickly toward him and extended a hand.
+
+"We didn't finish our little argument awhile ago," he said simply. "I see
+no reason why we should finish it. Why should we fight each other when
+there are others to fight?" He turned to Hal. "I'll guarantee this man
+will give a good account of himself," he said. "I doubt if there is
+another man in the mountains, besides myself, who has his strength. He
+will prove his worth."
+
+He turned to Nikol again and the dwarf grinned at him, showing strong
+white teeth.
+
+"You are right," he said and gripped Ivan's hand hard.
+
+"Well then," said Colonel Edwards, "the sooner we get started the sooner
+we may get back again. When shall we start, Ivan?"
+
+"Immediately," was the reply, and the giant moved toward the mouth of
+the cavern.
+
+"Now, look-a-here, you fellows," said the voice of Anthony Stubbs. "I've
+been a whole lot of places with you and I hope to go with you a whole lot
+more, but I claim it is downright foolishness to stick our heads into a
+brigand's lair. What's the use? The best we can get is the worst of it."
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal quietly, "you don't have to go along if you don't want
+to. You can stay right here."
+
+"What?" exclaimed the little man. "Stay here by myself? I should say not.
+I don't want to stay here alone and I don't want to go hunting brigands.
+What I want to do is get some place where it's safe. I don't like this
+country, if you want to know it."
+
+"It's a good country," said Nikol abruptly.
+
+Stubbs looked at the dwarf in surprise. It was the first time the
+Albanian had talked back to him.
+
+"What do you know about it?" demanded Stubbs. "You never saw a
+regular country."
+
+The dwarf bowed his head in some confusion. Apparently Stubbs' spell
+still held good over him.
+
+"Come, Stubbs, don't be stubborn," said Chester.
+
+"Well, all right," said the little man, shaking his head sadly. "I'll go
+if the rest of you do, but I want to tell you right now, I protest!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE TRAITOR.
+
+
+"If I am not mistaken," said Ivan, "here comes Nicolas now."
+
+He pointed to a large, bearded individual, who, surrounded by probably a
+dozen other figures, was advancing toward them. The man swung along with
+the free and easy stride of the mountaineer, looking neither to the right
+nor to the left, his head erect and of haughty mien.
+
+"Pompous sort of a looking customer," said Colonel Anderson to Hal.
+
+"Rather," said the lad dryly. He glanced at the others, Colonel Edwards,
+Stubbs, Nikol, Ivan and Chester, and muttered hurriedly: "After this we
+must do all our talking in German."
+
+The others nodded their understanding and all fell silent as the
+Montenegrin traitor and his henchmen approached.
+
+It was the morning following the night upon which they had left Ivan's
+retreat. The journey had consumed the whole night, but in spite of
+their fatigue, each member of the party of seven was on his mettle.
+Now, as Nicolas drew closer, Ivan took a step in advance of the others
+to greet him.
+
+The traitor's face lighted with pleasure as he recognized the big
+Cossack.
+
+"Ah, Ivan," he said, "I am glad to see you."
+
+He noticed the others, and a slight frown flitted across his face. He
+swept his arm toward them in a comprehensive gesture. "Who are these?"
+
+"One of them you probably know," said Ivan and he indicated Nikol.
+
+Nikol nodded affirmatively.
+
+"The others," Ivan continued, "I came across in the mountains last night.
+They are Germans and were seeking you."
+
+"Seeking me?" exclaimed Nicolas in astonishment. "And why should they be
+seeking me?"
+
+"You will probably know," returned Ivan, "when I tell you they come
+from Germany."
+
+"Ah," said Nicolas. "Of course I know, Ivan. Will you have them
+come forward?"
+
+"One moment, Nicolas," said Ivan. "First I would have a word with
+you myself."
+
+"Proceed," said the Montenegrin.
+
+"Well, then," Ivan went on, "you may remember a certain proposal you have
+made me upon several occasions?"
+
+"I do," exclaimed Nicolas, with unfeigned eagerness. "Can it be that at
+last you have decided to--"
+
+"Accept?" interrupted Ivan. "Yes; I have decided to accept; and these
+Germans here have had something to do with my decision. They have told me
+how Germany and Austria combined will eventually win the great war and of
+the good things that will be in store for all of us when that day comes.
+You are right, Nicolas, it is well to be on the winning side."
+
+"And I am glad you see it that way," declared Nicolas, extending a hand,
+which Ivan grasped, much to his distaste. "I have long wanted a trusted
+lieutenant, and you shall be he."
+
+"Thanks, Nicolas," returned Ivan. "I had not expected that. Had you told
+me before it might have influenced me sooner. But now I shall have the
+others approach. By the way, you speak German?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good; then there is no need of an interpreter."
+
+He raised his hand and at the signal the others came forward. Ivan
+presented each in turn, applying to each a German name that had been
+agreed upon during the night's travel. Nicolas expressed his pleasure at
+seeing them and after a few words of pleasantry, said:
+
+"Now, gentlemen, if you will accompany me to my quarters, I shall try and
+make you feel at home."
+
+As they walked along Hal and Chester took stock of the Montenegrin. Big
+he was, fully as tall and as broad as Ivan himself, and his great arms
+hung below his knees. He was the personification of rugged strength and
+brutality. From Nicolas the lads turned their eyes to Ivan. There was
+scarcely a noticeable difference in the stature of the two men and from
+casual observation it would have been hard to choose between them in the
+matter of strength. But the one noticeable difference was in the eyes.
+
+Ivan's eyes looked one straight in the face, while Nicolas' shifted
+uneasily when he was observed closely. It was the difference in the eyes
+that told the difference between the two men better than anything else.
+
+Presently Nicolas stopped before an extremely large hut, built up close
+beside a giant rock. He stood aside and motioned the others to enter.
+They did so and Nicolas, after a word to his men, came in after them and
+closed the door. Then he motioned them all to seats and sat down himself.
+He eyed his guests in silence for a few moments, and finally remarked:
+
+"Well?"
+
+Hal took it upon himself to do the talking.
+
+"First," he said, "we would like to know how you are progressing?"
+
+"Beautifully," was Nicolas' reply. "I have distributed the gold given me
+for that purpose, first, of course, taking out my own share. The
+Albanians, knowing the poverty of the Montenegrins, have been convinced
+by the gold that final success in this war must crown the Austrian arms.
+Austrian sentiment is becoming greater each day. But I need more money."
+
+"That is what we have come to see you about," said Hal. "You see,
+that while you are well informed as to just what is going on here, we
+have only your word for it. You may be telling the truth--and you may
+be lying."
+
+Nicolas jumped to his feet, his fingers twitching.
+
+"You dare--" he began.
+
+"Nonsense," said Hal, remaining perfectly quiet. "This is no time for
+heroics. I have come here to find out something and I am going to find it
+out. Now how much of this gold have you given out as ordered, and how
+much have you kept for yourself?"
+
+"I--I--well, I have--" Nicholas began.
+
+"As I thought," said Hal. "You have been holding out. We can't have
+anything like that, you know. Where is the gold?"
+
+Nicolas, for a moment, seemed about to make a denial, but Hal eyed him
+steadily, and he said at last:
+
+"It is under this floor here," and he tapped the floor with his foot.
+
+"All right," said Hal. "In shape to be carried?"
+
+"Why yes, I guess half a dozen men could carry it well enough."
+
+"I am glad to hear that," said Hal, "because I want you to dig it out
+right now."
+
+Again Nicolas started to protest, but apparently thinking better of it,
+changed his mind and said:
+
+"It shall be as you say. But you will not hold this against me, my having
+held some of the gold for my own?"
+
+"Not if you do as I say."
+
+"And I shall have more gold?"
+
+"We shall see; perhaps."
+
+"Then I shall uncover the other," said Nicolas.
+
+He stooped to his knees and lifted a loose board in the floor.
+
+"One moment," said Hal. "Your men outside. We can take no chances with
+them. If they knew you had all this gold stored here there would be a
+fight. Step outside and tell them to go away."
+
+This time Nicolas obeyed without even hesitating.
+
+While he was outside, Hal whispered quickly to the others:
+
+"There is no use delaying. We'll give his men time to get out of hearing
+and then we'll grab him."
+
+"But the gold, what are you going to do with that?" Ivan wanted to know.
+
+Hal smiled a bit.
+
+"I don't know how I happened to think of that," he said, "but now that we
+practically have it in our hands, I vote that we turn it over to the
+impoverished little kingdom of Montenegro."
+
+"By Jove! Good!" exclaimed Colonel Edwards. "My boy, you have a wonderful
+head on your shoulders. I am proud to know you."
+
+"Thanks," said Hal. "Now, as long as I have been doing the talking, I may
+as well continue. We'll keep quiet until we are sure this traitor's men
+are out of earshot and then we'll take possession of Mr. Nicolas and his
+unearned gold."
+
+A few moments later Nicolas re-entered the hut.
+
+"Get rid of them?" asked Hal, briefly.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Good. Then get busy and bring your gold out."
+
+"Look here," said Nicolas, eyeing Hal somewhat angrily. "I don't like
+your tone exactly."
+
+"I don't exactly care whether you do or not," returned Hal quietly. "You
+are pretty small fry in this game, Nicolas, and I'm not afraid of you.
+Remember, if anything should happen to me, you'll have the German
+government on your trail, and then what would you do for gold?"
+
+Nicolas opened his mouth to reply; then thought better of it and closed
+his lips without uttering a sound.
+
+"All right, now that we understand each other," said Hal. "Get to work
+and produce the gold."
+
+Nicolas waited no further, but did as commanded.
+
+"One," counted Hal, as the man drew from beneath the board a little
+sack of gold.
+
+One after another Hal counted them as they were laid on the floor at his
+feet, until in all there were seventeen little sacks, just small enough
+to permit of being stowed away in outside coat pockets.
+
+"Two for each of us to carry," said Hal, looking around, "and one over.
+I'll carry the extra one in my hand."
+
+"And don't I get any of this?" demanded Nicolas, looking at the bags of
+gold longingly.
+
+"You do not," replied Hal, quietly. "This money is to be given where
+it will do the most good. You have had your chance with it. Now it
+is my turn."
+
+"Very well," said Nicolas, with a shrug of his shoulders. "But I have
+made my agreement with the Austrian government; and when the war has been
+won, I shall get my pay."
+
+"Perhaps," said Hal, with a double meaning, that was, of course, lost
+upon Nicolas, "you shall receive your just pay before the war ends."
+
+"Do you really think so?" asked Nicolas eagerly. "I hope so."
+
+"But now," said Hal, "it is time to be moving. Pick up the gold, men, and
+let's get away from here."
+
+The others obeyed. Each stowed two sacks in his pocket and Hal carried
+the seventeenth package in his hand. Then Hal motioned them out the door.
+He emerged after them and his hand was on his automatic as he did so.
+
+"Which way?" asked Chester.
+
+"Straight ahead," said Nicolas.
+
+"No," said Hal quietly. "About face. We are going the other way."
+
+"Where to?" demanded Nicolas surlily.
+
+"Right back to Cettinje," replied Hal, "where you shall be turned over to
+the Montenegrin authorities to meet the fate you deserve!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+FLIGHT.
+
+
+Nicolas stopped short in his tracks. His face went red, then white, then
+flushed a dull red again. For a moment there was a deathly silence and
+then the Montenegrin sprang toward Hal with a cry of fury. The boy stood
+his ground.
+
+"I wouldn't if I were you," he said very quietly.
+
+His automatic glistened in his hand at his hip. Nicolas gazed down
+and then pulled himself up short as his eyes rested on the weapon. He
+said nothing.
+
+"I'm glad to see you're sensible," Hal continued. "Now you will take the
+lead, and for your own sake, I advise you to take the shortest cut in the
+general direction of Cettinje. Ivan, and you, Nikol, will see that he
+goes in the proper direction."
+
+The dwarf's face was covered by a comical grin and his long arms waved
+about eagerly as he gave his assent. He turned to Stubbs.
+
+"You will walk with me?" he asked.
+
+For a moment Stubbs hesitated. He gazed first at the little man and
+then at the great bulk of Nicolas. Then his eyes roved to the huge
+form of Ivan.
+
+"By Jove! I'd rather be alongside Ivan there," he muttered to himself,
+"but it wouldn't do to let this little fellow think I'm afraid. You're
+taking a long chance, Anthony, but I guess you had better do it. All
+right," he said to Nikol, and ranged himself at the dwarf's side.
+
+"I wouldn't try any tricks if I were you, Nicolas," said Ivan, as he
+swung into step behind the traitor, Nickol and Stubbs, the prisoner in
+the center.
+
+Colonel Edwards and Colonel Anderson came next in line and Hal and
+Chester brought up the rear.
+
+"It's a good two days' journey back," said Hal to Chester, "and, the
+chances are, we will encounter many of Nicolas' friends en route. We'll
+have to be careful."
+
+"We shall indeed," returned his chum. "One little slip and there is no
+telling what may happen."
+
+Night brought them to Ivan's cavern again and there they decided to spend
+the night. It had now been more than twenty-four hours since they had
+closed their eyes and all were tired out.
+
+They experienced no difficulty getting Nicolas under the rock into the
+cavern, nor did the Montenegrin seek to attack them as they crawled after
+him, as Hal had half feared he would. He seemed completely dejected and
+downcast. He had not spoken a word during the day's march.
+
+"I'll put him in your erstwhile prison," Ivan said to Chester with a
+grin. "I guess he'll be safe enough there for the night."
+
+He did so.
+
+"Well, I'm going to turn in," said Stubbs. "I'm dead for sleep. I tell
+you, it's no fun hoofing it over these mountains, particularly when you
+are guarding a prisoner like I have been all day, never knowing what
+minute he may make a break for liberty. No, sir, it's no fun."
+
+"Did you watch him pretty closely, Stubbs?" asked Chester.
+
+"I did," replied Stubbs, briefly.
+
+"Why?" continued Chester. "Afraid he might jump you? Hope you didn't
+think he could catch you if you had a two-foot start."
+
+Stubbs drew himself up majestically.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" he demanded in a ruffled tone.
+
+"Oh, nothing," said Chester, smiling.
+
+"If you mean to insinuate that I was afraid--" began Stubbs in an
+injured tone.
+
+"What!" interrupted Chester. "You afraid, Mr. Stubbs? You do me an
+injustice, I assure you. Why, I have seen you fight, Mr. Stubbs. Now, do
+you, by any chance, remember your battle with three wildcats?"
+
+"I do," said Stubbs, considerably pleased. He turned to Nikol. "Did I
+ever tell you about that fight?" he asked.
+
+Nikol shook his head and eyed the little war correspondent with interest.
+
+"Well, I did," continued Stubbs. "It was in Belgium. Three of the beasts
+attacked me in the dark and gave me a terrific struggle. But I killed
+them all, as these two boys can tell you."
+
+Nikol was all smiles. He was glad that the man who had conquered him was
+such a royal gladiator.
+
+"And you were not hurt?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, nothing to speak of," said Stubbs, modestly. "A few scratches.
+Nothing serious."
+
+"They are bad beasts to fool with," said Nikol. "My brother had both
+eyes scratched out in an encounter with a single wildcat. And you
+killed three."
+
+"There wasn't much chance of your eyes being scratched out, was there,
+Mr. Stubbs?" said Chester.
+
+"And why not?" demanded the little man,
+
+"Come now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "you don't mean to tell me you have
+forgotten you were lying flat on your face dodging bullets when the cats
+jumped you."
+
+"No, I hadn't forgotten," said Stubbs in an injured tone. "But was it my
+fault that I had stumbled over a stone in the darkness a moment before?"
+
+"Well, no, possibly not," Chester admitted. "But it's funny you didn't
+think to mention that stone at the time."
+
+"If you are determined to laugh at me," said Stubbs with an air of
+ruffled dignity, "I have nothing more to say. Any man is likely to fall."
+
+"So he is, Mr. Stubbs," agreed Chester, "and I don't know but I'd fall
+myself if I saw three wildcats coming for me. Yes, I would, and I'd try
+to get my head just as deep in the ground as possible, like an ostrich,
+and then maybe they couldn't see me."
+
+For a moment Mr. Stubbs glared at the lad angrily and seemed about to
+speak; then turned on his heel angrily and strode to the far side of the
+cavern, where was the pallet which had been assigned to him.
+
+Chester broke into a little laugh, which died suddenly as he stared down
+into the angry face of Nikol, which glared up at him.
+
+There was a deep frown on the dwarf's face and he tapped himself upon the
+breast with one finger as he said:
+
+"Any man who insults my friend, insults me. You have cast reflections
+upon my friend's courage. He, being your friend, overlooks it; but I, the
+man whom he worsted in fair fight, cannot. You must apologize."
+
+Here Hal interfered. He had had such an encounter with the dwarf himself
+and he understood the situation.
+
+"Hey, Stubbs!" he called. "Come back here, quick!"
+
+Stubbs, just about to lie down upon his pallet, hurried back. He took in
+the situation at a glance and turned upon Nikol angrily.
+
+"Here," he cried. "You keep out of my quarrels. I was big enough to
+attend to you, I can do the same with the rest of them."
+
+"But he said--" protested the dwarf, pointing a finger at Chester.
+
+"I don't care what he said," Stubbs said. "I can fight my own battles."
+
+Nikol, deeply offended, drew back, and without another word, walked to
+the pallet that had been assigned to him. Stubbs, feeling somewhat better
+now that he had been able to berate some one and thus soothe his injured
+feelings, also stalked away without another word and lay down on his
+pallet. A moment later he was fast asleep.
+
+"Do you suppose there is need for one of us to stand watch, Ivan?"
+asked Hal.
+
+"I do not believe so," was the reply. "No one knows where my cavern is
+and we are not likely to be disturbed."
+
+"I vote we turn in immediately then," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"Second the motion," said Colonel Anderson. "We've got to be on the move
+early and we've got to have some sleep first."
+
+"Here goes, then," said Chester, and moved to his own place.
+
+The others also sought their pallets and soon there was silence in the
+cavern. Completely worn out, the travelers slept like logs.
+
+Several hours later, had they not been so completely exhausted, the
+sleepers undoubtedly would have heard strange noises from that part of
+the cavern in which Nicolas had been confined.
+
+Came a faint grinding sound, which gradually became louder and louder,
+but which, after a time, ceased altogether. Then came a softer sound,
+that of footsteps coming slowly from the dark passageway; and a moment
+later Nicolas himself stepped into the glare of the fire.
+
+His clothing was torn about the shoulders and his open hands dripped
+little drops of blood. He rubbed them together tenderly.
+
+"Had I been a weaker man it would have been impossible," he muttered.
+
+For he had pushed aside the heavy rock that guarded his prison--a rock
+that Ivan had believed not another man save himself could move.
+Apparently Nicolas had been underestimated.
+
+Now the Montenegrin moved softly toward the entrance to the cave, fearful
+at every step that he would awaken the sleepers. It was dark within and
+this fact probably is all that prevented his escape.
+
+In moving toward the entrance he passed close to the pallet upon which
+Stubbs slept. One of the little man's hands was stretched out across the
+floor and Nicolas' heavy boot came down squarely upon it.
+
+A sudden loud cry shattered the deathly stillness of the night, followed
+by a more piercing cry.
+
+Instantly every one was awake, though only half so, for the awakening had
+come so suddenly.
+
+At Stubbs' first outcry, Nicolas, with a muttered imprecation, had dashed
+for the exit. He fell upon his knees and was about to crawl outside when
+Nikol, more wide awake than the others, flung himself forward and clasped
+his long arms about the Montenegrin's neck.
+
+Nicolas drew back in the cave and pulled himself to his feet in spite of
+the dwarf's frantic efforts to hold him down. Then, seeing the size of
+his opponent, Nicolas laughed aloud and sought to fling the little man
+from him. But Nikol held him firmly.
+
+But in spite of the dwarf's great strength, Nicolas was too big and
+powerful for him. The powerfulness the dwarf might have overcome, but the
+size was too much.
+
+Plucking away the arms that were tightened about his neck, Nicolas held
+the dwarf away from him with his left hand, then struck him heavily in
+the face with his right. Taking a step more toward the center of the
+cavern, he hurled his opponent across the room.
+
+Nikol struck the floor with a thud and lay still.
+
+Now, realizing the need of haste, Nicolas turned quickly and made as
+though to move toward the exit. But he had delayed too long. The dwarf's
+efforts to hold him, though futile, had been enough to prevent the
+Montenegrin's escape.
+
+A second huge form--the form of Ivan--barred the exit.
+
+"Come on, have a try," said Ivan, with a grin.
+
+Nicolas gave a loud cry--the cry of a cornered beast. Then he sprang.
+
+"I'll kill you!" he yelled in a voice of thunder.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+A FIGHT.
+
+
+All the others in the cavern were on their feet now, all save Nikol, who
+still lay unconscious where Nicolas had hurled him. Stubbs shrank back in
+the dark, but Hal, Chester and the two British officers quickly produced
+revolvers with which they covered Nicolas.
+
+Ivan, out of the tail of his eye, caught sight of these movements. He let
+out a roar even as Nicolas sprang upon him.
+
+"Put up those guns!" he shouted. "I'll attend to this fellow with my bare
+hands. Stand back!"
+
+There was something in the voice of the big Cossack that impelled the
+others to obey; and they drew back, circling about to watch the struggle.
+Even Stubbs picked up courage enough to come forward; and hardly had the
+fight begun when Nikol, too, pulled himself up and cast his eyes upon the
+combatants.
+
+Nicolas sprang upon Ivan with outstretched arms, his fingers spread wide.
+His object was to clasp one of his strong hands about Ivan's throat, thus
+obtaining an advantage at the outset. But Ivan had divined his intention
+at the moment he sprang, and ducking with remarkable agility for a man of
+his size, he came up inside the other's arms and grasped his opponent
+around the middle with both arms.
+
+Then he squeezed; and the spectators drew their breaths audibly, for it
+seemed that no man could stand such a strain. But Nicolas bore up under
+it, and when Ivan, out of wind, was forced to relinquish his hold,
+Nicolas whirled upon him quickly and the fingers of his left hand sank
+into the Cossack's throat. Chester uttered a faint cry of alarm, for a
+hold such as this, obtained by such a powerful man as Nicolas, was indeed
+a thing to be feared. Ivan leaped quickly backward, carrying Nicolas with
+him, but the latter retained his hold; and then he brought his right fist
+up under Ivan's chin. It was a hard blow and Ivan staggered.
+
+With his left hand, Nicolas jerked the big Cossack forward again, and
+shot his right fist into Ivan's face as he did so. Then, apparently
+thinking his opponent done for, he released his grip on Ivan's throat and
+stepped back.
+
+But he had counted without the endurance and courage of the giant
+Cossack. The fingers about his throat gone, Ivan, his head reeling
+dizzily from the effects of the hold and the two hard blows, staggered
+back several paces; then, with a loud cry, sprang forward again.
+
+Nicolas also cried aloud as he stepped forward to meet the antagonist he
+considered all but beaten. Ivan came forward with arms outstretched, and
+unheeding the two hard blows that Nicolas struck him, he again grasped
+the Montenegrin in a tight embrace. Nicolas wrapped his arms about Ivan;
+and there they stood for the space of several seconds, each vainly trying
+to move the other.
+
+Suddenly Ivan gave back a step and as Nicolas came forward with him, the
+Cossack thrust a leg behind his opponent and pushed with all his might.
+Nicolas was caught off his balance and before he could recover himself
+Ivan twisted sharply with his leg. Nicolas went over backwards, with Ivan
+on top of him.
+
+The two men struck the floor with a terrible crash; a cry was wrung from
+the spectators, for it seemed that a fall with such force could mean
+nothing less than broken bones for one of the fighters. But apparently it
+did not; for, still locked in each other's embrace, the men were
+struggling furiously for advantage upon the floor.
+
+Ivan was still on top, but the Montenegrin, with both arms around the
+Cossack's neck, was making desperate efforts to roll his opponent over.
+
+Nicolas lay squarely upon his back and Ivan's arms, wrapped around him at
+the moment of encounter, were pinioned beneath the other. The big Cossack
+was making strenuous attempts to free his right hand and still hold his
+opponent down with his great bulk. And at last he succeeded.
+
+At the same moment Nicolas also released his hold and flopped over on his
+face. Apparently he had given up all hope of overcoming Ivan and was now
+acting purely upon the defensive. Ivan acted too late to prevent his
+opponent from turning over, but now he seized him by both shoulders, and
+planting his feet firmly upon the ground, by a mighty effort, jerked
+Nicolas to his feet.
+
+It was a marvelous exhibition of strength and brought a cry from Stubbs,
+than whom there was no more interested spectator of the struggle. Nicolas
+now whirled suddenly and his right fist caught Ivan a terrible and
+unexpected jolt on the point of the chin. Ivan reeled back several paces
+and Nicolas followed him closely, shouting:
+
+"I've got you!"
+
+The words seemed to have a strange effect upon Ivan. He seemed to recover
+himself with an effort and his right and left fists shot almost
+simultaneously in mighty blows. The first went wild, but the second
+caught Nicolas squarely upon the side of the neck and checked his rush.
+Before he could give ground, Ivan brought his huge right fist forward
+again to the point of Nicolas' chin. The Montenegrin reeled.
+
+But Ivan, having the advantage for really the first time, gave his
+man no time to recover. He leaped forward and for a third time seized
+his opponent in a close embrace. This time Nicolas had been unable to
+draw a deep breath before the great arms closed about him and he
+weakened suddenly.
+
+In fact, he weakened so suddenly, that Ivan, believing victory his,
+released his hold; and this overconfidence almost proved the Cossack's
+undoing. Nicolas, realizing that he could not again free himself from
+Ivan's embrace, had decided upon a bold stroke, and by apparently giving
+up the struggle had placed himself in Ivan's power absolutely.
+
+Then, when Ivan released his hold, Nicolas dropped suddenly to his knees
+and seized Ivan by the legs and pulled sharply. Caught completely off his
+guard, Ivan toppled over backwards. Nicolas jumped upon the prostrate
+form and again his fingers sought Ivan's throat.
+
+But Ivan was too quick for him and the fingers failed to find their mark.
+Ivan doubled up his knees suddenly and thus prevented Nicolas from
+obtaining his hold; then, straightening out his legs, he hurled Nicolas
+from him. Instantly the Cossack was on his feet and after his opponent.
+
+Nicolas also sprang to his feet and as the two men came together again
+they threw wrestling tactics to the winds and brought their fists into
+play. It was plainly apparent that neither had ever been schooled in
+the art of self-defense and there was nothing skillful about the fight
+that followed.
+
+The attempts of each to ward off the blows of the other were ludicrous
+and of little avail. Almost every blow started went home and it became
+apparent to the spectators that in this kind of fighting the man who
+could withstand the most punishment and land the hardest blows must be
+the victor.
+
+Several hard jolts had found their way to Ivan's face, but he did not
+show any symptoms of being unable to continue the battle. His face was a
+sight, but so was the face of Nicolas, for the matter of that. Both men
+swung hard and often, and nine out of every ten times each landed.
+
+Also both were panting heavily now and it was perfectly plain that the
+fight must come to an end soon. And it did, but more suddenly than could
+have been expected.
+
+Nicolas, swinging wildly for Ivan's chin, had left an opening as large as
+a house. The merest novice must have taken advantage of it. To Hal and
+Chester, both skillful boxers, it was the best opening that had been
+presented during the entire fight, and Hal cried out:
+
+"Quick, Ivan!"
+
+But his words were not needed. Ivan had seen the opening and had
+acted promptly.
+
+"Smack!" his right fist landed heavily between Nicolas' eyes.
+
+"Smack!" it was his left landing on the point of Nicolas' jaw.
+
+"Crash!" It sounded like the breaking of bones. There was a brief
+silence, followed by another crash. The first was Ivan's right over
+Nicolas' mouth and the second was the sound caused as Nicolas tumbled to
+the ground, unconscious.
+
+There was a twinkle in Ivan's eye as he surveyed his fallen foe.
+
+"Some fighter, that fellow," he said. "I didn't believe he had it in him.
+But I would have had him sooner if he hadn't fooled me."
+
+"You certainly would," said Hal. "You see, Ivan, that's your trouble. You
+know nothing of boxing. Had you been, a boxer you could have polished him
+off easily."
+
+"There is no science to using your fists," said Ivan decidedly. "The only
+thing is to hit your opponent before he hits you."
+
+"True enough," said Chester, "and that's where skill plays a part. For
+instance now, I suppose I could keep you from ever touching me, big as
+you are, and I venture to say I could land upon you almost at will,
+though possibly not hard enough to put you out. You're too big for that."
+
+"Ho! Ho!" laughed Ivan gleefully. "Hear the little fellow talk. Why, you
+couldn't even lay a finger on me. I would just hold out one of my long
+arms and you couldn't get near me."
+
+Chester smiled.
+
+"It sounds easy enough," he said. "But take my word for it, I know what I
+am talking about."
+
+"Well, show me," said Ivan.
+
+"I will some time," was the reply. "Right now we'll have to tie Nicolas
+up and finish our sleep."
+
+But when Nicolas had been safely secured, Ivan declared that he would not
+go to sleep until he had proven to Chester just how easy it would be to
+handle him.
+
+"Well, all right, then," said Chester, "I'll show you. But remember,
+don't you crack me too hard if you do happen to land."
+
+Chester placed himself quickly in an attitude of defense, left arm
+extended slightly, right arm well back. Crouching slightly and treading
+on his toes, he stepped lightly around Ivan, who, with arms wide, waited
+for him to come in.
+
+Chester feinted quickly with his left and brought his right forward as he
+stepped in close. The right fist bumped the giant's chin gently, for
+Chester had not struck hard. A moment later his left landed almost in the
+same spot, a trifle harder, and he escaped Ivan's rush and wild swing by
+side-stepping nimbly.
+
+There was a puzzled expression on Ivan's face as he followed the lad
+about the cavern, Chester dancing nimbly first to this side and then
+that. Once the lad let the giant come close, and when he swung, Chester
+jerked his head aside sharply and the blow passed over his shoulder.
+
+Quickly then Chester stepped forward and with his open left palm smacked
+Ivan smartly across the left cheek. He performed a similar operation with
+his right; then stepped back and dropped his hands.
+
+"Well?" he said, eying Ivan inquiringly.
+
+"Well, you did it," said Ivan, greatly crestfallen. "How, I don't know.
+Will you teach me?"
+
+"Some time," said Chester. "Now, let's finish that sleep."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+A CHASE.
+
+
+"We ought to be pretty close to the place we left our horses,"
+said Chester.
+
+"I was just thinking that, myself," agreed Colonel Anderson. "Must be
+around here some place."
+
+"We shall be there within the hour," said Nikol, to whom the situation
+had been explained. He had declared he could lead them straight to the
+place they had left the animals.
+
+"So you see, Mr. Stubbs, we are not coming back in such a hurry after
+all," said Hal.
+
+"We're not there yet," mumbled Stubbs. "An hour is an hour. We've been
+altogether too lucky, if you ask me. It's about time something happened."
+
+"Croaking again, eh?" said Chester. "I never saw a fellow like you
+before. You see trouble in everything."
+
+"So I do--when I'm with you," declared Stubbs. "It's been my experience
+that wherever you and Hal happen to be, there also is trouble. I'm a
+peaceable man, I am. I believe in taking all precautions. But here we go,
+walking along as though we were on your uncle's farm. No thought of
+danger among any of you. But I've got a hunch--"
+
+"You've always got a hunch," Hal interrupted.
+
+"Well, all right," said Stubbs. "Just remember I've warned you."
+
+They continued on their way in silence.
+
+"To tell the truth, we have been remarkably fortunate," declared Colonel
+Edwards. "I had expected to bump into some of Nicolas' friends before
+this. It's funny."
+
+"It's not too late yet," said Stubbs.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, with some exasperation, "if you--"
+
+"Hold on," said Stubbs. He pointed ahead and slightly to the left. "Here
+comes a gang after us now."
+
+The others glanced in the direction indicated. A body of men afoot,
+perhaps a dozen all told, were approaching.
+
+"Yes," said Chester, "here comes a gang, but that's no sign they
+are enemies."
+
+"Everybody is an enemy in these parts," said Stubbs sententiously.
+
+"By George, you are the limit, Stubbs!" declared Chester. "Now, I'll
+tell you what I'll do. I'll just bet you something pretty you're wrong
+in this case."
+
+"Well, I ain't wrong," returned Stubbs, forgetting his grammar. "I'll
+take that bet. But in the meantime you fellows have a look at your guns.
+I may need protection."
+
+This was good advice and the others realized it. They acted on it and the
+chamber of Colonel Anderson's revolver snapped with a click that
+emphasized his next remark:
+
+"Can't trust them," he said.
+
+The men were close now, and they appeared to be friendly enough. At sight
+of the prisoner in the center, one of them cried:
+
+"Ho, Nicolas! where are you going?"
+
+Quickly Hal stepped behind the prisoner and out of sight of the
+strangers, his revolver was pressed into Nicolas' back.
+
+"No foolishness," he said in a low voice.
+
+"Rather risky for you in these parts, isn't it, Nicolas?" said another of
+the strangers.
+
+Nicolas heeded Hal's advice.
+
+"I'm with friends," he returned. "There are enough of us here to look out
+for ourselves."
+
+"Where are you bound?"
+
+"Not far. I have a little business a couple of miles farther on."
+
+"Want any company?"
+
+Nicolas hesitated a moment and there came a queer gleam into his eye. And
+before Hal could say a word, he replied:
+
+"Well, you can come along if you want to."
+
+This reply staggered the others a bit, but it was too late now. Hal saw
+that he had not acted promptly enough, but to order Nicolas to change his
+decision would have aroused the suspicion of the others. There was
+nothing for it but to make the best of a bad situation.
+
+"All right, we'll come along then, Nicolas," said the man who
+appeared to be the leader of the newcomers. "Might be a little gold
+in it for us, eh?"
+
+"There might be," agreed Nicolas, with an evil smile.
+
+Hal held a whispered consultation with the others and it was agreed it
+would be foolish to bring matters to a climax now.
+
+"Wait until we get our horses," was Chester's advice.
+
+The augmented party now continued on its way.
+
+Half an hour later they came to the place where they had left their
+horses some days before. The man who had taken care of them advanced to
+meet the party.
+
+"Horses still here?" asked Colonel Edwards.
+
+The man nodded.
+
+"And can you spare us three extra ones?"
+
+The man considered.
+
+"Do you wish to buy?" he asked at last.
+
+Colonel Edwards indicated that he did.
+
+"Then I can accommodate you," was the reply. "I have a dozen of my own
+animals, but times are hard and I need the money."
+
+He named a sum and Colonel Edwards agreed to pay it.
+
+"Have them all brought out immediately," the Colonel instructed.
+
+The man bowed and departed after pocketing the money the Colonel gave
+him. Colonel Edwards returned to the others.
+
+"It's all right," he said in a low voice. "Our horses are still here and
+I have bought three more--one each for Nikol, Ivan and Nicolas."
+
+"Good," said Hal.
+
+He gathered his friends about him, Nicolas in the center, and in a few
+brief words explained a plan he had hit upon:
+
+"We'll walk slowly toward the barn," he said. "Nicolas will tell the
+others to remain where they are." He eyed the traitor coldly. "Then we'll
+dash into the barn and mount. When we are all ready, we'll make a dash
+for it, shooting as we do so."
+
+"As good a plan as any, I guess," said Colonel Edwards, after a moment's
+hesitation. "Let's get started."
+
+Slowly they moved toward the barn. Nicolas' friends, seeing him moving
+away, followed, but still kept at some distance.
+
+The friends entered the barn without being molested. The mountaineer had
+just finished with the last horse and Hal gave the word for all to mount.
+
+"Keep Nicolas in the center," he said, "and if he makes a false move,
+shoot him. He's too dangerous a man to be running around loose."
+
+While the others mounted, Hal moved to the door to watch the men without.
+He arrived there just in time to meet a man who would have entered. Hal
+produced his automatic.
+
+"Get back there!" he commanded.
+
+The man took one look at the revolver and leaped back in a hurry. A
+moment later a voice called:
+
+"What's the matter in there, Nicolas?"
+
+"Answer him," said Chester, prodding Nicolas with his revolver. "Tell him
+everything is all right."
+
+Nicolas did so.
+
+Came the voice from without again:
+
+"Trying to give us the slip, eh? Don't want to divide up the gold with
+us, I guess? Well, we're coming in after you."
+
+"All ready?" asked Hal at this juncture.
+
+Chester glanced around quickly.
+
+"Ready, as soon as you mount," he replied quietly. "Hurry!"
+
+Hal took one more look out the door and saw that the men were
+approaching, separated widely.
+
+"They're coming!" he cried, and leaped astride his horse. Then he called
+to the mountaineer,
+
+"Open the door wide!"
+
+For a moment the mountaineer hesitated. He saw that there was trouble
+coming and he knew that it was none of his business.
+
+Hal aimed his automatic at him.
+
+"Open it wide, quick!" he commanded.
+
+The man hesitated no longer. He threw wide the door.
+
+Again Hal glanced quickly about him; then gave the command in a
+sharp voice:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+Out the door they charged at a gallop--Hal and Chester in the lead, next
+Colonel Anderson and Nicole, then Nicolas and Stubbs, with Ivan and
+Colonel Edwards bringing up the rear.
+
+Outside the door the enemy had drawn somewhat closer together and they
+stood with drawn revolvers as the riders charged.
+
+There was no time for flight, and in spite of the fact that the charge
+was a distinct surprise, the foe opened with their revolvers.
+
+Without checking their wild speed, Hal and Chester fired point blank into
+the faces of the men who barred their way. Whether they hit or not it was
+impossible to tell, but two men who were unable to jump out of the way in
+time, were knocked down by the foremost horses and the rest of the little
+troop passed over their prostrate forms.
+
+But now beyond the enemy, Hal and Chester, leading, did not check the
+speed of their horses, for Colonel Edwards had mentioned the fact
+that there were more horses in the barn, and all knew that there
+would be pursuit.
+
+Behind, some of the men had fallen to their knees and taken
+deliberate aim at the flying riders, and the sharp crack, crack of
+the weapons continued for several seconds. Bullets flew near, but not
+one struck home.
+
+Out of revolver shot, Hal and Chester drew up their horses to take stock.
+
+"Any one hit?" demanded Hal.
+
+There was no reply.
+
+"All right," said Hal, "we'll move on again."
+
+Colonel Edwards, glancing to the rear at that moment, called:
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+The others looked back.
+
+It was true. With loud shouts and waving their revolvers aloft, almost a
+dozen men galloped forward.
+
+There came a cry of alarm from Stubbs, in the center of the little troop.
+
+"Hey! Let's get away from here."
+
+He dug his heels into his horse's ribs and dashed through the others.
+
+"Spread out!" ordered Hal. "We make too good a mark this way."
+
+The others obeyed this order, Ivan still keeping close behind Nicolas,
+and then Hal commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+They went forward at a rapid gallop. The pursuers gave chase with wild
+yells, firing wildly as they did so.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A SAD LOSS.
+
+
+The leader of the flight was Anthony Stubbs. He had covered considerable
+distance when the others started and was now well in advance. The little
+man's heels continued to dig at the ribs of the horse he bestrode, and
+the animal, snorting and with ears laid back, covered the ground in
+great bounds.
+
+Hal and Chester, riding close to each other, kept an eye on the others;
+and after they had ridden perhaps half a mile, they perceived that
+Nicolas and Ivan were lagging behind.
+
+"Nicolas is holding back!" shouted Chester.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"His weight is too great for the horse," Hal shouted back. "Same
+with Ivan."
+
+This was plainly true and the lads saw that the pursuers were
+gaining on them.
+
+Hal headed his horse diagonally across the road and slowed down a bit.
+Chester followed suit. Perceiving this movement, the others also checked
+the speed of their horses, all save Stubbs, who was now far ahead.
+
+As Nicolas came abreast of Hal he suddenly leaned over his horse, and
+before the lad could realize what was up, he seized Hal's revolver, which
+was in a holster at his side. Hal grabbed for it too late.
+
+With an evil light in his eye, the Montenegrin leveled the revolver
+directly at Hal and his finger tightened on the trigger. But another
+brain had acted more quickly than Nicolas'.
+
+Two sharp reports came almost together. Hal felt a bullet brush past his
+ear. Nicolas dropped suddenly from his horse. Turning, Hal gazed into the
+calm face of Nikol and in the dwarf's hand was a smoking revolver. He had
+whipped out his revolver and fired in the nick of time.
+
+Hal realized that he owed his life to the dwarf and he smiled at
+him slightly.
+
+A quick look at the prostrate form of Nicolas showed that he was beyond
+human aid, and Hal also realized the need of haste, as the pursuers were
+even now within range and bullets whined about the fugitives.
+
+"Forward!" he cried.
+
+Again they set off at a gallop.
+
+Ten minutes later Hal again noticed that Ivan was lagging behind. He drew
+his horse down until Ivan came up with him. A moment later Colonel
+Edwards also dropped back on even terms with them.
+
+"Go ahead. Don't wait for me," shouted Ivan.
+
+Hal shook his head slightly, as did Colonel Edwards.
+
+"I tell you, it's no use," said Ivan. "This horse can't carry me much
+farther. Ride on!"
+
+The others paid no heed.
+
+Suddenly Ivan drew rein, pulling his horse back on his haunches, and
+leaped lightly to the ground. Then, before the others realized his
+intention, he drew his revolvers and faced the pursuers.
+
+Quickly Hal and Colonel Edwards checked their horses, wheeled about and
+hurried back to him.
+
+"You are fools!" said Ivan hoarsely. "There is no need for all of us to
+die. I could have held them off until the rest of you were safe. It is
+not too late yet. Ride on!"
+
+For answer Hal leaped lightly to the ground and Colonel Edwards followed
+suit. The latter produced two revolvers and Hal one, for his other still
+lay beside the body of Nicolas.
+
+"Into the woods here, quick!" Hal commanded.
+
+The others obeyed him; and they moved from their perilous positions not a
+moment too soon, for the pursuers had found the range and revolver
+bullets whistled about them as they darted for shelter.
+
+Ahead, Chester now discovered that the others had stopped. He checked his
+own horse, and calling to Colonel Anderson and Nikol, wheeled about and
+dashed down the road, the others following.
+
+Chester allowed the reins to fall loose on his horse's neck and in each
+hand glistened a revolver. Colonel Anderson and Nikol were also prepared.
+
+Some distance beyond where Hal, Colonel Edwards and Ivan had dismounted,
+the pursuers had drawn rein; and now Chester, Colonel Anderson and Nikol
+charged right at them.
+
+In spite of their numbers, the pursuers, after one hasty volley,
+turned and fled as the three charged down upon them. The three fired
+once each at the foe and one man dropped. Then they checked their
+horses, dismounted and made their way into the woods, where they
+joined the others.
+
+"Well," said Chester. "Here we are. Now what?"
+
+"I don't know," said Hal. "We might push on through the woods, leaving
+the horses here, or we might wait until dark and make another break. We
+can probably lose our pursuers some way."
+
+"I should say the latter is the better plan," said Colonel Edwards. "If
+Ivan will start first, we can come on an hour later. We can protect his
+flight. Because of his great weight his horse cannot keep up with the
+rest of us."
+
+Ivan protested. He didn't want to go and leave the others behind. But at
+last he agreed.
+
+"Then I can see no reason for waiting until dark," said Chester. "Let
+Ivan mount now and make a break for it. We can cover him. They won't get
+by us. An hour later we can start."
+
+After some further discussion, this plan was adopted; and grumbling
+somewhat, Ivan mounted in the shelter of the trees. When the Cossack was
+ready, Hal peered out. A short distance back he could see the pursuers
+and his appearance drew a shot. But the men were too far away to aim with
+any degree of accuracy and the shot went wild.
+
+"All right, Ivan," the lad said. "Go!"
+
+The big Cossack dug his heels into his horse's ribs and with a shout
+dashed out into the road.
+
+There was an answering shout from behind and the thundering of horses'
+hoofs told those among the trees that the enemy was on the advance.
+
+"We'll have to stop 'em!" cried Hal. "Aim carefully now."
+
+They waited until the riders were close and then stepped into the open.
+
+"Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!"
+
+The revolvers of the six friends spoke as one. Two of the approaching
+horsemen reeled in their saddles, then toppled to the ground. Two more
+dropped their weapons and uttered loud cries. The pursuers beat a
+hasty retreat.
+
+"Guess that will give Ivan a chance to get away," said Hal briefly. "Now,
+all we have to do is to wait until he has a good start."
+
+But the mountaineers had no mind to remain idle and let the fugitives
+make all the plans. Even now they were in deep consultation. There were
+many gestures and noddings of heads. And at last the mountaineers seemed
+to have hit upon a plan of action.
+
+The men split up into small groups, and leaving their horses, picketed
+by the side of the road, plunged in among the trees. Hal, glancing from
+his place of concealment at that moment, took account of the activities
+of the foe.
+
+"Something up," he whispered to the others. "They probably will attempt
+to surprise us. We'll have to look sharp now."
+
+"My advice," said Colonel Edwards, "is that we split up a bit, to return
+here at a given signal. If we all remain here, it will be simple for them
+to surround us. Scattered, we may catch them at a disadvantage."
+
+"A good plan," Hal agreed. "We'll scatter a hundred yards in each
+direction. And the signal to return?"
+
+"I'll whistle," said Colonel Edwards.
+
+"Good! Let's move."
+
+Five minutes later, in the spot where the five had been, there remained
+only the five horses.
+
+With revolvers in hands, the five friends were scattered near by, eyes
+wide open for the first enemy to show himself.
+
+And the first chanced to be a scant twenty yards from Chester. He came
+crawling along the ground, glancing furtively about. He spied Chester at
+the same moment the lad saw him. The two revolvers spoke almost as one.
+
+Chester felt a slight pain in his left arm. His opponent gave a loud cry
+and toppled over.
+
+"Guess he won't bother us any more," muttered the lad grimly.
+
+He kept his eyes peeled for sign of another of the foes. And in other
+parts of the woods the others did likewise.
+
+Hal saw no sign of an enemy and after the one whom he had accounted
+for, neither did Chester. They kept careful watch, the while awaiting
+the signal that was to call them back to their horses in a final dash
+for safety.
+
+From their places of concealment the lads heard a shot. There was not a
+second. Each was greatly worried, for neither knew who had fired it or
+whether friend or foe had been hit. All they could do was wait.
+
+At last the whistle came, the signal agreed upon. It came so faintly as
+to be scarcely audible to those who had been awaiting it. Hal and Chester
+moved toward the spot where stood the horses. There they saw Colonel
+Edwards holding the bridle of his own animal. A moment later Colonel
+Anderson and Nikol appeared.
+
+"All right. No use waiting longer," said Colonel Edwards. "Mount and
+we'll run for it!"
+
+All suited the action to the word.
+
+"Go!" commanded Colonel Edwards.
+
+There was a strange catch in the colonel's voice and Hal glanced at him
+sharply before touching his horse. He saw Colonel Edwards reel suddenly
+in his saddle, then fall heavily to the ground.
+
+With a cry to the others, Hal leaped quickly to the ground, ran to the
+fallen figure of the colonel and bent over him anxiously.
+
+The others, at Hal's cry, also dismounted and returned to the fallen man.
+
+"Stand guard there till I see what's wrong!" Hal commanded.
+
+Colonel Anderson, Chester and Nikol stood with drawn revolvers.
+
+Gently Hal lifted Colonel Edwards' head to his knee. The eyes were
+closed. The lad put a hand over the officer's heart. There was a
+faint beating.
+
+A moment later Colonel Edwards opened his eyes. He smiled feebly.
+
+"Guess I'm done for," he said quietly.
+
+Hal did not reply, for the little wound just above the heart showed where
+the bullet had gone home.
+
+Now Colonel Anderson knelt down beside his old friend.
+
+"What's the matter, old man?" he said. "Did they get you?"
+
+"They got me," replied Colonel Edwards. "You fellows go on. You can do
+nothing for me. It's too late."
+
+A sudden shudder shook him and he burst into a fit of coughing. His eyes
+closed, but he reached forth a hand and his fingers clasped Colonel
+Anderson's hand.
+
+"Tell the folks at home--" he said feebly, then became still.
+
+Quickly Colonel Anderson placed a hand over the other's heart. Then he
+looked at Hal.
+
+"Dead!" he said simply.
+
+For long minutes all stood there silently, their hats off. How long they
+would have remained, it is hard to tell, but the sound of a shot close at
+hand awakened them to their own danger.
+
+"We can do no good here," said Colonel Anderson quietly. "We may
+as well go."
+
+"First," said Hal, "we shall move his body to a little hole in the ground
+I saw back here. We'll cover him up and then we'll go."
+
+Under the very revolvers of the enemy this was done; and the four
+returned to their horses.
+
+"Mount!" ordered Colonel Anderson.
+
+The order was obeyed. Colonel Anderson gazed lingeringly toward the spot
+where lay the body of Colonel Edwards, and there were tears in his eyes
+as he did so. He drew a hand sharply across his eyes, shook himself a bit
+and commanded:
+
+"Forward!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+SAFE.
+
+
+Away they went at a gallop, only four of them now. The horses, once upon
+the road again, let themselves out nobly and sped on like the wind.
+There was a single volley from the foe as the four came into the open,
+but all the bullets went wild, and before a second could be fired they
+were out of range.
+
+Then the pursuers hurried for their own horses, mounted and again
+gave chase.
+
+But if the ranks of the pursued had been thinned, so had those of the
+pursuers. Back in the woods lay four bodies cold in death. Of the
+survivors who still pursued there were seven.
+
+The horses ridden by the four friends had benefited by the brief rest and
+were in condition for a long run; and all might have gone well had it not
+been for an unlooked-for occurrence.
+
+As they were dashing swiftly along, Chester's horse stumbled and emitted
+a groan. Instantly the lad checked the animal, jumped to the ground and
+ran to its head. There was a look of pain in the horse's eyes and he held
+up one foot. Chester glanced down.
+
+"He can't go on," the lad said; "the leg is broken."
+
+He drew his revolver.
+
+"Here! What are you going to do?" demanded Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Shoot him," replied Chester quietly. "Put him out of his misery."
+
+"Wait a moment," said the colonel, dismounting. "I know something about
+horses. Maybe it's not as bad as all that."
+
+He examined the leg carefully. When he straightened up he looked at
+Chester and nodded.
+
+"It's the best way," he said quietly. "There is nothing that can be
+done for him."
+
+Chester stroked the horse's head gently and the animal whinnied in pain.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry, old fellow," said the lad, "but it will be
+best for you."
+
+The horse seemed to understand. Chester took aim and fired quickly.
+
+"And now what are we going to do?" he asked.
+
+"Climb up behind me," said Hal. "We've got a pretty fair start. May be
+they will not overtake us."
+
+Chester did as Hal suggested, and the party moved on again, but more
+slowly now.
+
+It was perhaps half an hour later, when hoofbeats were heard behind.
+
+"Here they come!" cried Hal, and dug his heels into his horse's side.
+
+The animal responded nobly, but five minutes later it became apparent
+that they would be unable to distance their pursuers at this speed. The
+hoofbeats became plainer.
+
+Hal drew rein.
+
+"Dismount!" he cried.
+
+His command was obeyed instantly.
+
+Taking his horse by the head, Hal led him in among the trees. The others
+followed his lead.
+
+"When they get by, we'll go forward again," said Hal.
+
+They waited silently.
+
+A few moments later the pursuers flashed by, going at a rapid gallop.
+When they were out of sight, Hal led his horse to the road, as did the
+others, and all mounted.
+
+"We'll follow them," said the lad. "We'll have to keep our ears open,
+though, for they are likely to turn almost any time."
+
+An hour later, rounding a turn in the road, Colonel Anderson, who was in
+advance, checked his horse suddenly. The others also drew up sharply.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Hal.
+
+For answer Colonel Anderson pointed down the road.
+
+There, probably half a mile away, were their pursuers, stationary.
+
+"What do you suppose they are waiting for?" demanded Chester.
+
+The answer came from an unexpected source.
+
+From beyond the pursuers arose a puff of smoke, followed by a faint
+report. It was the sound of a revolver.
+
+"They've bumped into another enemy of some kind," said Chester. "Wonder
+how strong this new force is?"
+
+"Can't be very strong or those fellows would be heading this way,"
+declared Hal. "Maybe they think it's us."
+
+"That's about the size of it," declared Colonel Anderson.
+
+There was another puff of smoke at this moment, and one of the
+enemy fell.
+
+"Bully for you, whoever you are," shouted Chester. "Say!" he added,
+"what's the matter with taking them in the rear? They haven't
+spotted us yet."
+
+"I was thinking of that," said Colonel Anderson. "Guess it can be done
+all right. Will your horse carry double that far, Hal?"
+
+"He'll have to," replied the lad grimly.
+
+"Good. Are you ready?"
+
+"When you give the word."
+
+"Then charge!"
+
+Down the road at a rapid gallop went the three horses, carrying the
+four friends.
+
+Hal, Colonel Anderson and Nikol each guided their mounts with their left
+hands, flourishing their revolvers in the right. Chester held fast to Hal
+with his left and also flourished a revolver with his free hand.
+
+Nearer and nearer they came upon their unsuspecting enemies, who still
+stood where they had been when first discovered. Occasionally one fired
+his revolver at the spot from which shots came at frequent intervals now.
+
+"Wonder why those fellows beyond don't charge, now that they must see us
+coming," muttered Hal to himself.
+
+He watched the puffs of smoke as they came at intervals, and he was
+suddenly struck by an idea.
+
+"By Jove!" he shouted, to make himself heard, "I'll bet there is only one
+man there. That's why the shots are so far apart."
+
+"Well, we're pretty evenly matched," said Chester. "There are only six of
+them in condition to fight."
+
+"Five," said Hal suddenly, as another of the enemy pitched suddenly to
+the ground, a shot from beyond having struck him.
+
+"See! they are going to charge him!" cried Chester, peering over his
+friend's shoulder.
+
+It was true. The enemy had spread out as much as the road would permit
+and the man who appeared to be the leader raised his hand.
+
+"We'll have to stop that," muttered Hal.
+
+He raised his voice in a shout, which carried plainly to the foe.
+
+The five men wheeled about suddenly and for the first time saw they were
+beset in the rear as well as in front. For a moment they hesitated, then
+turned and charged the new arrivals.
+
+"Keep going!" shouted Hal. "And don't miss!"
+
+The enemy fired first, but all the shots went wild. Suddenly Nikol
+checked his horse, took deliberate aim and fired. A rider fell to the
+ground. The range was still great, but Nikol's aim was true. A second man
+dropped at his second bullet.
+
+Now Colonel Anderson and Hal fired simultaneously. Another man
+dropped--it was impossible to tell whether Hal or Colonel Anderson had
+scored a hit.
+
+The two remaining riders drew their horses upon their haunches, and
+headed them for the friendly protection of the trees. Hal and Colonel
+Anderson fired a parting shot, but they were unable to tell whether the
+bullets had gone home.
+
+Chester, behind Hal, had been unable to get into the battle, Hal's figure
+interfering with his aim.
+
+"Well, I don't think the two of them will bother us," said Hal.
+
+"No," Chester agreed. "And there are two loose horses. I'm going to get
+one of them."
+
+"Better make it two," said Colonel Anderson. "Our ally beyond, whoever he
+may be, may need one."
+
+Chester nodded.
+
+"He deserves one," he said. "He knocked off three of these fellows."
+
+He secured the two horses without much trouble, mounted one and led
+the other.
+
+"Now we'll have an interview with our friend," he said.
+
+They rode forward slowly.
+
+"Funny he doesn't come out and show himself," said Hal.
+
+"Guess he thinks we are enemies, too," suggested Colonel Anderson.
+"Well--whoa, there."
+
+He broke off suddenly and ducked his head, for a bullet had whistled just
+above him. He raised his voice in a shout:
+
+"Hey!" he cried in English, forgetting just where he was, "what do you
+mean shooting at us? Quit it. We're friends."
+
+"That you, Hal?" came a familiar voice.
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson gazed into each other's eyes almost
+dumbfounded.
+
+"Well, what do you think of that?" exclaimed Hal.
+
+There came a pleased chuckle from one member of the party, who rushed
+forward happily.
+
+It was Nikol.
+
+"Now where is he going?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+"Going to greet his friend Stubbs," returned Hal. "To Nikol, Stubbs is a
+brave man and a grand fighter; and what has happened just now will only
+increase his admiration. Come on, let's go and have a look for
+ourselves."
+
+"Is that you, Hal, Chester?" came Stubbs' voice again.
+
+"Yes," Hal shouted back.
+
+They rode forward.
+
+Anthony Stubbs, now that he had found his friends again, came forward as
+fast as his queer stature would permit. He was puffing and blowing so
+hard by the time he reached them that he could hardly talk. Of Nikol, who
+stuck close to his side, eyeing him admiringly, he took no notice.
+
+"By George! It's good to see you fellows again," declared Stubbs. "I
+thought my days were numbered when that gang of ruffians set upon me.
+I didn't want to fight, but I had to. It seems to me I got seven or
+eight of them."
+
+"Well, how do you happen to be here, anyhow?" demanded Chester.
+
+"My horse threw me and went away by himself," said Stubbs
+mournfully. "If I ever see him again I'll tell him about it. He
+might have got me killed."
+
+Nikol now forced himself in front of Stubbs and extended a hand.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," he said quietly, "you are a brave and gallant man."
+
+Stubbs was pleased. He made as though to take the hand; then thought
+better of it. He remembered the grip of those powerful fingers.
+
+He shuddered.
+
+"I know it, Nikol," he said gravely.
+
+He put out his hand and patted the dwarf on the head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+MR. STUBBS EASES HIS MIND.
+
+
+The remainder of the journey to Cettinje was without incident. After the
+defeat of the mountaineers the lads felt safe, for they were once more
+within the borders of Montenegro and were unlikely, they knew, to
+encounter other enemies.
+
+Stubbs, when informed of the death of Colonel Edwards, was greatly
+grieved.
+
+"Poor fellow," he said, and added after a pause: "There is no use
+talking, Hal, this is no life for any one. He's likely to be snuffed out
+at a moment's notice. I'm going to be careful where I go in the future."
+
+Besides the three bags of gold he had carried when he left the Albanian
+mountains, Hal now had the two he had taken from the body of Colonel
+Edwards. The two Nicolas had carried had been left with him, for there
+had been no time to get them. Stubbs had held on to the two entrusted to
+him, and Ivan, wherever he was, had two more.
+
+It was while speaking of the gold that Hal's thoughts turned to Ivan.
+
+"I wonder what can have happened to him?" he said.
+
+Chester shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"No telling," he replied. "However, I guess he'll turn up sooner
+or later."
+
+And the lad was right.
+
+It was dark when the little party came again within the first line of
+Montenegrin troops. Colonel Anderson announced that he would seek an
+audience of King Nicholas immediately. He made his wants known to the
+officer of the guard, and after he had explained the situation, the
+officer departed to learn whether the king would see the returned
+travelers. He returned fifteen minutes later with the announcement that
+the king would receive them in his field quarters immediately.
+
+As they started for the monarch's quarters, Stubbs and Nikol both
+hung back.
+
+"Come on now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "The king will be as glad to see
+you as any of the rest of us."
+
+"I'm not much used to kings," Stubbs protested. "Besides, this is none of
+my expedition. You're the fellows he wants to see."
+
+"Nonsense," said Hal, and struck with a sudden thought, he added:
+"Perhaps the king will give you an interview. It would be a good thing
+for the _New York Gazette_."
+
+"By Jove! you're right there," Stubbs agreed. "I must be a great
+newspaper man to have overlooked a thing like that. If my boss knew it
+I'd get fired. I'll go along."
+
+Still Nikol hung back, and it took considerable coaxing before he
+consented to go; and then it took Stubbs to clinch matters.
+
+"Look here, now," he said, eyeing Nikol sternly, "I took you for a brave
+man. You're not afraid of a king, are you?"
+
+Nikol shook his head negatively.
+
+"Well, if you don't come along I'll think you are," declared Stubbs.
+"Look at me now. I don't care particularly about going, but I want to
+show King Nicholas I'm not afraid of him. Come on."
+
+He took the dwarf by the arm and the latter moved along grumbling
+to himself.
+
+The king received the party in his private quarters--a large field tent.
+When the party was ushered into his presence, he was attended by a single
+orderly. He arose at their entrance. His eyes surveyed the group quickly,
+and he demanded:
+
+"Where is my friend, Colonel Edwards?"
+
+Colonel Anderson, delegated spokesman for the party by reason of his
+superior rank, stepped forward and replied quietly:
+
+"He is dead, sire."
+
+The king took a step backward and passed a trembling hand across his
+brow. He was silent for some moments before replying.
+
+"Dead! One more victim of the Kaiser's militarism. Tell me, how
+did he die?"
+
+Colonel Anderson explained quietly and briefly. Then, at the king's
+request, he went into the details of the journey; and when he had
+concluded, King Nicholas expressed his deep thanks for the service each
+member of the party had rendered him.
+
+"And you say Nicolas, the traitor, is dead?" he questioned.
+
+"Yes, your majesty. Nikol here," and Colonel Anderson indicated the
+dwarf, "saw to that."
+
+The king turned to Nikol. Then he commanded:
+
+"Come here!"
+
+Trembling, in spite of his denial that he was afraid of a king, Nikol
+approached. The king extended a hand, and Nikol bent one knee and put his
+lips to the hand.
+
+"I thank you," said King Nicholas.
+
+Nikol, with flushed face, muttered something unintelligible and backed
+slowly away.
+
+Then the king thanked each member of the party separately. Even Stubbs
+seemed somewhat abashed by the king's manner.
+
+Later Colonel Anderson mentioned the gold they had brought and it was all
+deposited--fifteen bags of the precious metal--before the king.
+
+"Again I thank you," said the monarch. "You may make sure that this gold
+will be used where it will do the most good."
+
+A few moments later the king signified that the audience was at an end.
+As they passed out he spoke a final word:
+
+"If, at any time, there is anything I am able to do for any of you, you
+have but to command me."
+
+All bowed low.
+
+"One moment," said the king as they were about to withdraw, "have you
+quarters?"
+
+"No, sire," returned Colonel Anderson.
+
+The king spoke to the officer who attended him.
+
+"You will see that these gentlemen are provided with suitable quarters at
+once," he commanded. "They are my guests."
+
+The officer saluted and motioned the others to follow him. Outside they
+were turned over to a second officer, who escorted them to a tent
+somewhat larger than the rest.
+
+"You will make this your quarters," said the officer. "I shall send you
+an orderly, and if at any time there is anything you require, you have
+but to mention it to him."
+
+He saluted and departed.
+
+Left to themselves at last, Hal, Chester and the others looked about.
+The tent was fitted up comfortably, almost luxuriously. There were seven
+or eight cots within and the tent had the appearance of having sheltered
+men of note.
+
+"Style to this place, if you ask me," said Stubbs, "Makes a fellow want
+to turn in and sleep a bit."
+
+"And that is just what we'll do," said Chester. "I'm tired out myself."
+
+"Same here," agreed Hal.
+
+Colonel Anderson and Nikol also announced that they were ready to seek
+repose at any time, and after some further talk, all lay down and soon
+were fast asleep.
+
+The sun was high in the heavens when Chester opened his eyes. He was up
+and dressed quickly. Glancing around, he saw that the others, with the
+exception of Stubbs, who had one eye open, were still fast asleep.
+
+"Guess I'll take a little trip by myself," the lad muttered.
+
+He moved toward the exit.
+
+"Wait a minute, there," Stubbs called, hopping out of his cot. "I'll go
+with you."
+
+"How's that, Mr. Stubbs?" said Chester, pausing. "Why do you arise so
+early? Thought you always stayed until last."
+
+"Don't you believe it," said the little man. "I like to sleep the same as
+the next fellow, but when I have business on hand I attend to it first."
+
+"Business?" repeated Chester. "And what business have you on hand
+this morning?"
+
+"Got to get busy and get some news," was the reply. "I'm going to have a
+look about this camp, ask some questions, then do a little writing; after
+which I'll hunt up the official censor and the rest of the gang and see
+what arrangements I can make toward getting my stuff sent through."
+
+"Then I'll go with you on your hunt," Chester decided. "Maybe I can get
+a few pointers. I might want to get into the newspaper business myself
+some day."
+
+"Don't," said Stubbs. "Take my advice and do anything else. Look at me
+now, I'm a fair example. Here I've been in this business for fifteen
+years, and what has it got me, eh? I'll tell you. It's got me a chance to
+get out and get shot so that people over in the good old U.S.A. can read,
+with their morning cup of coffee, what is going on in this benighted
+land. And what do I get for it? Nothing."
+
+"And still, the excitement," said Chester.
+
+"Excitement?" echoed Stubbs. "Now I ask you, what do I want with
+excitement? I can get all the excitement I want right back in New York.
+This is a long way to come looking for excitement."
+
+"Well, perhaps so," Chester admitted, "but when you get back home you
+will be able to tell people who want to know, more about this war than
+they could read in the _Gazette_."
+
+"So I can," Stubbs agreed, "but I wouldn't if these two by four censors
+didn't stick to their jobs so closely."
+
+The little man slapped on his hat and stalked from the tent, calling over
+his shoulder:
+
+"Come on."
+
+Chester followed him.
+
+Outside, Stubbs made a straight line for the first line troops.
+
+"If you want to find out anything, you have got to get right where it
+is," he declared. "I could stay back here and ask questions, but I want
+to see things for myself."
+
+Chester offered no objections.
+
+Suddenly the camp seemed to spring to life. Bugles blew shrilly, men came
+pouring out of the tents to form into ranks. Officers darted hither and
+thither, shouting hoarse commands. For a moment all seemed to be
+confusion, but a moment later, in response to sharp commands, all became
+quiet and orderly.
+
+"Something up," said Chester.
+
+Stubbs nodded.
+
+"An advance, I imagine," he said. "We'll see."
+
+He approached a gruff-looking officer of forbidding aspect and addressed
+him in French.
+
+"Where to?" he asked.
+
+"To the attack," was the reply.
+
+At the same moment a bugle rang out. Others took it up. It was the
+command to advance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+AN ENGAGEMENT.
+
+
+Right, left, front and rear of where Stubbs and Chester stood the troops
+began to move. In front they could make out the heavy guns being dragged
+forward, officers dashing about and gesticulating excitedly, but order
+reigning in the midst of apparent confusion.
+
+From the rear now dashed a squadron of cavalry, a handsome appearing body
+of men. A second squadron came into sight and disappeared ahead, to be
+followed a moment later by a third. Other squadrons passed in rapid
+succession.
+
+Chester and Stubbs kept their positions.
+
+Half an hour passed and still the mounted horsemen swept by. Then came
+the infantry. Column upon column came swinging along at a dog trot, their
+officers urging them on. They moved silently and swiftly, apparently all
+ready for the terrible business in hand.
+
+"A handsome body of men," said Stubbs. "I have never seen better."
+
+"And the size of them," exclaimed Chester. "Must all be over six feet."
+
+It did seem so. Great, big, husky-looking fellows they were, strong as
+gorillas--heavily bearded, most of them, and warmly and snugly dressed.
+
+"They'll make these Austrians move around some, with an even break,"
+declared Chester.
+
+And still the troops passed, seemingly without end.
+
+"Must be an attack in some force," said Chester.
+
+"Or reinforcements to check an enemy's advance," declared Stubbs.
+
+"Well," said Chester, "if there is going to be a battle, we ought to try
+and see something of it."
+
+"They'll arrest us if we go fooling around here," declared Stubbs.
+
+Chester thought quickly.
+
+"I'll tell you," he said at length, "you saw the orderly stationed
+outside our tent?"
+
+Stubbs nodded.
+
+"We'll go back and get him. Also we'll take Hal and Colonel Anderson.
+They wouldn't want to miss this."
+
+"Don't forget my old friend Nikol," said Stubbs. "Remember he is
+something of a fighter, too. He'll want to have a look."
+
+They made their way back to the tent quickly and aroused the others. The
+orderly placed at their disposal, once their wants were made known,
+volunteered to conduct them to the front.
+
+"I'll get an automobile," he said, and departed.
+
+Five minutes later he was back with a big car and all climbed aboard. A
+moment later they were being driven rapidly toward the extreme front.
+There, just behind the first line troops, Hal and Chester made out that
+the movement was in reality a defensive one. Apparently the men rushed
+forward so early in the morning were reinforcements.
+
+The troops had entrenched themselves hurriedly and were preparing to
+resist an attack, which, the orderly informed his charges, was expected
+momentarily. It appeared that the Austrians had made some slight gains
+the day before and the Montenegrin general staff had reason to believe
+the offensive would be continued to-day. Accordingly, steps had been
+taken to resist the invader.
+
+As the orderly explained the situation, the battle would probably be
+fought along a twenty-five-mile front; and he announced that at this
+particular moment the party was somewhere between the center and the left
+wing of the Montenegrin army.
+
+"Well, we can't see much from here," said Chester.
+
+He gazed across the hills. Then he pointed to his right, toward a not far
+distant elevation, somewhat higher than the others nearby, and also
+somewhat closer to the Montenegrin center.
+
+"Now, if we were up there," he said, "we might be able to see something."
+
+The orderly seemed nonplussed.
+
+"It is from that eminence that the king and the general staff will
+witness the struggle," he said, "I do not know--"
+
+"Oh, that will be all right," said Stubbs. "The king is a good friend of
+ours. Why, only last night he said that if we desired anything all we had
+to do was to call on him. Now, taking the king at his word, what we would
+desire most is to be allowed to witness the battle from that eminence."
+
+The Montenegrin officer hesitated; but only for a moment. Then he said:
+
+"If those were the king's words, he no doubt will forgive me for leading
+you thither."
+
+"Most certainly he will," declared Stubbs; "in fact, he will thank you
+for bringing us to him."
+
+The officer, without further words, proceeded as desired, and ten minutes
+later, having left the big army automobile, they climbed the eminence and
+took their positions not far from where the king and the general staff
+stood viewing the Austrian lines through their glasses.
+
+Even as they settled themselves as comfortably as possible, the first big
+gun of the enemy boomed. Other big guns from the Montenegrin lines took
+up the action and soon the artillery engagement became general. The air
+was filled with terrible din and it was next to impossible to make
+oneself heard above the roar of battle.
+
+Hidden batteries in the Montenegrin lines were making their fire felt.
+Shielded from the enemy in front, they were also, in most cases, made
+invisible to the Austrian air craft that continually hovered overhead,
+sheltered as they were in dense clumps of trees and bushes.
+
+From the Montenegrin lines now went a small fleet of aeroplanes, seeking
+out the hiding places of the enemy artillery and signaling back the range
+to the Montenegrin gunners.
+
+For an hour the duel of big guns continued without other action of any
+kind. Now and then the spectators were able to make out the effect of an
+enemy shell as it struck within the Montenegrin line, but they were
+unable to determine the result of the Montenegrin fire.
+
+Came the sound of a bugle from the rear.
+
+"Something up!" shouted Chester at the top of his voice.
+
+Hal nodded but said nothing. He did not feel equal to making himself
+heard above the terrible roar of battle.
+
+From the Austrian line suddenly issued a squadron of cavalry, closely
+followed by many other squadrons. It became apparent to the spectators
+that the enemy had determined to silence the Montenegrin guns, or a
+portion of them, at any rate, by a charge.
+
+On they came in the very face of a hail of lead that cut great gaps in
+their ranks, mowing men and riders down like chaff before a storm. But as
+fast as the ranks were thinned, they filled up again as the Austrians
+continued their charge, while from their rear the great Austrian guns
+continued to hurl their messengers of death over their heads into the
+ranks of the Montenegrins beyond.
+
+Straight for a little woods in the center of the long battle line the
+Austrian cavalry dashed, their intention apparently being to seek
+temporary shelter there before charging some other part of the
+Montenegrin line.
+
+Now they were almost to the trees and it seemed that they must find
+shelter there. This would mean that it would be a hard task for the
+Montenegrins to dislodge them. They were less than a hundred yards away
+when there came a fresh, terrible rumble and roar.
+
+A Montenegrin masked battery had opened with its rapid-firers. Men
+dropped in great heaps, but the others came on.
+
+The Austrian officer in command, realizing that he was in a trap, took
+the one chance left him. With what men he had, cut off from his infantry
+support as he was, he must either capture that masked battery, die or
+surrender. The only support he had now was from his own artillery, and a
+moment later that, too, became silent, for the masked Montenegrin battery
+could not be shelled without imminent risk of shooting down Austrian as
+well as Montenegrin.
+
+On came the Austrians in a desperate and spectacular charge. Of the
+number that had sallied forth from the Austrian trench, less than half
+remained when they came to the edge of the little woods. These few hurled
+themselves forward with the utmost bravery and abandon, and for a moment
+it seemed that they might reach the guns, which Hal and Chester, from the
+eminence, could see.
+
+But at that moment four squadrons of Montenegrin cavalry, fresh and eager
+for the fray, were hurled forward. They dashed out with a yell, and the
+two forces met just beyond the fringe of trees.
+
+There was a terrific shock as they came together and in a moment all
+was confusion. Men cursed, slashed, stabbed and discharged revolvers at
+each other, while the horses of the opposing forces fought as well as
+their riders.
+
+The Montenegrin battery had now become silent, for to have fired would
+have been to endanger the life of friend as well as foe. The horsemen
+struggled desperately, hand-to-hand.
+
+But the force of the Austrian charge had been spent. The few who remained
+fought bravely, but they were no match for the fresher and more powerful
+Montenegrin horsemen, among the best fighters in the whole world.
+
+Slowly the Austrians were forced back. Then they gave ground faster and
+faster, until finally those who were left turned their horses and fled
+back toward their own lines. For perhaps a hundred yards the Montenegrins
+pursued, then, at the call of a bugle, they halted and turned back.
+
+A moment later the rapid-firers broke loose again, cutting great holes in
+the ranks of the fleeing Austrians. The latter retreated even faster than
+they had charged, but by the time they reached the shelter of their own
+lines their number had been thinned by fully three-fourths.
+
+All the way across the field dead and wounded strewed the ground. The
+successful Montenegrins paused for a moment and cheered wildly; then they
+took stock of their own dead and wounded, for they had not escaped
+scot-free. The hand-to-hand struggle, though brief, had been severe while
+it lasted, and the Austrians fought hard and well. The Montenegrin
+losses, though comparatively light, had been severe.
+
+While the cavalry action was being fought, the artillery fire had
+slackened perceptibly; but now the cavalry of each side--what was left of
+it--had returned to its own lines.
+
+The big guns took up the duel anew with even greater vigor than before.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE BATTLE CONTINUES.
+
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson had watched the battle with the eyes of
+veterans; Stubbs had taken in the scene with the eye of a newspaper man
+in the search of news. Nikol, the dwarf, had gazed at the struggling knot
+of horsemen in undisguised amazement.
+
+As the Austrians, defeated, had withdrawn, each had drawn a deep breath.
+
+"A terrible spectacle, when you stop to think of it," said Hal slowly.
+
+"Terrible, indeed," agreed Colonel Anderson quietly; "and yet it must
+go on and on until the power of the Teuton allies has been crushed
+out forever."
+
+"Which it will be," said Chester quietly.
+
+All turned their eyes to the battlefield once more.
+
+Even from where they stood they could discern a sudden activity in the
+Austrian lines. The action of the big field pieces became more vigorous
+than before. Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson guessed the answer
+immediately, as, probably, did the officers of King Nicholas' forces.
+
+The next Austrian move was to be a grand assault under cover of artillery
+fire. The problem to be solved was where it would be delivered--in the
+center, on the right, or on the left flank.
+
+For a brief instant Hal turned his eyes from the battlefield to the place
+where King Nicholas and his staff stood. Officers were arriving and
+departing in haste, carrying orders to the various commanders.
+
+The fire of the Montenegrin guns also became more violent; but it was
+evident that the Montenegrin staff had decided to take no action until
+they were confident of just where the Austrians would strike.
+
+The noise of the cannonading was tremendous. It was like the continual
+roar of the loudest peal of thunder. The very ground trembled from the
+vibrations of the big guns.
+
+From the Austrian trenches now poured thousands of men at the
+double--poured in dense masses toward the Montenegrin center, the while
+the Austrian artillery shelled the Montenegrin center with greater energy
+than at any time since the battle began.
+
+Apparently the enemy had determined upon the Montenegrin center as the
+objective of its grand assault.
+
+In the open field, a small plateau, the Austrians reformed coolly, in
+spite of the death-dealing fire from the Montenegrin lines. The field was
+packed closely with the enemy, now less than half a mile away.
+
+At this distance the fire of the Montenegrin artillery was terribly
+effective, but the Austrian line did not waver.
+
+Steadily forward it came; and now the Montenegrins moved to meet the
+attack. Apparently satisfied that there was no question that the center
+was to be the main objective of the enemy, the Montenegrin staff ordered
+the bulk of the Balkan army massed there to beat back the foe.
+
+Regiments and brigades were hurriedly drawn from the two flanks to
+reinforce the center. The left wing was weakened badly.
+
+A quarter of a mile from the first Montenegrin trench the Austrians
+charged fiercely. All eyes were turned to that section of the field. The
+shock was but a few moments away.
+
+At that moment--almost the moment of impact--a second line of men issued
+from the Austrian, trenches, this time on the Montenegrin left wing.
+These, too, supported by artillery and strong bodies of cavalry, came
+forward in a charge.
+
+It seemed the Austrian commander had outgeneraled the Montenegrins, for
+it did not seem possible that the Montenegrin left flank could be
+reinforced in time to successfully withstand the shock of the Austrian
+attack, and there could be no doubt now that the left flank was where the
+main attack would be delivered.
+
+The assault upon the center had been a feint--nothing more. The main
+bodies of Austrians were to be hurled against the Montenegrin left, in an
+effort to turn it before reinforcements could be hurried from the right
+flank to support the threatened center and left.
+
+But King Nicholas, taking matters in his own hands, acted quickly. In
+spite of the protests of his officers, he ordered the reinforcements so
+recently massed in his center back to strengthen his left; then ordered
+that the center hold firm at all hazards and against all numbers.
+
+He hurried reinforcements from his right to support his center, and
+having taken these precautions, he was ready to give battle.
+
+The Austrian attacking force and the Montenegrin center had come in
+contact long before the king had made his other moves, but there was no
+doubt in Nicholas' mind that his sturdy mountaineers could hold their
+trenches against larger numbers of the enemy.
+
+One, two, three times the Austrians charged the trenches in the
+Montenegrin center. Three times they were driven back with terrible
+losses. The Montenegrins, in the shelter of their trenches, fought
+stubbornly and tenaciously. Once the first line of Austrians
+succeeded in obtaining a foothold in the first trench and
+hand-to-hand fighting ensued.
+
+At this style of fighting the Austrians were no match for the sturdy
+Balkan warriors, and they were soon forced out again.
+
+Meanwhile the Austrian main attack had come in contact with the
+Montenegrin left wing. Outnumbered two to one, sometimes more, the
+defenders fought gallantly. But the Austrians, by the very weight of
+numbers, swooped down upon the defenders of the first line trenches in
+spite of the heavy Montenegrin artillery fire.
+
+The Montenegrins were forced to fall back to their second line; but they
+contested every inch of ground and by the time they had been forced out,
+reinforcements began to arrive. The second line of trenches held in spite
+of all attempts of the enemy to force them.
+
+Reinforcements continued to arrive.
+
+The Austrian artillery had now slackened its fire perceptibly, for there
+was danger of mowing down its own men.
+
+King Nicholas decided upon a bold stroke. Secure in the fact that the
+Austrian guns could not be used at the moment, and having every
+confidence in his stalwart troops, in spite of the fact that they were
+heavily outnumbered, King Nicholas ordered a charge.
+
+A cheer went up along the Montenegrin line.
+
+With bayonets fixed and every nerve tense, the Montenegrins poured
+suddenly from their trenches. They charged like wild men.
+
+The advantage of the surprise was theirs--the advantage of their
+impetuous devotion to the cause they served; and the force of their
+charge was irresistible. It carried all before it.
+
+In vain the Austrian officers tried to rally their men. The sight of
+these determined, grim-faced men pouring from their trenches bewildered
+the Austrian troops. They gave ground, slowly at first, then more
+swiftly; and five minutes later they were in full retreat, with the
+Montenegrins in close pursuit.
+
+Once the Austrian commander succeeded in reforming his men for a stand;
+but the Montenegrins rushed on as though they could have carried the Rock
+of Gibraltar itself, and again the Austrians broke and fled.
+
+The Montenegrins pursued them for probably a quarter of a mile, cutting
+them down and bayoneting them as they ran. Then the bugle sounded a
+recall and the Montenegrins drew off.
+
+It was then, too, that the great Austrian guns opened on them again,
+doing fearful havoc. The Montenegrins suffered greater losses on their
+return to their trenches than they had during the entire engagement up to
+that time.
+
+In the center, the battle was still raging; but now that he had been
+victorious on his left, King Nicholas immediately hurled his weary men
+to the support of his center. Also he drew upon his already weakened
+right wing; for the advantage was his and he was determined to make the
+most of it.
+
+The Austrians fell back in the center.
+
+Now the Montenegrins opened with their heavy artillery, which was rushed
+forward to shell the retreating foe. Again King Nicholas ordered a charge
+along his entire front.
+
+With the present morale among the enemy, King Nicholas decided it was
+time to push his advantage further. He had determined to drive the foe
+from its own trenches.
+
+The Montenegrins advanced confidently all along the line, pursuing the
+Austrians closely in the center. Cavalry and infantry, under the
+protection of the giant batteries, were hurled forward and dashed upon
+the Austrians with ferocity.
+
+Rapidly they covered the open distance to the first Austrian trenches and
+leaped into them without thought of death. The Austrians, brought to bay
+at last, fought desperately, but the Montenegrins, once having gained the
+whip hand, were not to be denied.
+
+The fighting in the Austrian trenches continued for what seemed an
+eternity; but finally the Austrians broke and fled.
+
+The Montenegrins, flushed with victory, advanced again, and under cover
+of their artillery, stormed the enemy's second line trenches. These, too,
+were won after a desperate struggle and heavy losses on both sides, and
+with these the Montenegrins, worn and spent, rested content.
+
+The troops were for pushing on after the Austrians, but King Nicholas
+called a halt.
+
+"My brave men!" he exclaimed, with tears in his eyes. "They have done a
+day's work to-day that will live in memory for generations to come. It is
+a brilliant victory."
+
+The duel of heavy guns continued, but the infantry fighting was over for
+the day. The Montenegrins, in their newly won trenches, fell to preparing
+them to resist the attack that they knew would come sooner or later,
+while the Austrians were taking account of their losses and making ready
+for a new assault.
+
+Stubbs laid a hand on Chester's arm.
+
+"Didn't I tell you they looked like real fighters?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Certainly, I have never seen better," returned the lad.
+
+Stubbs turned to Nikol.
+
+"Well, Nikol," said he, "what do you think of these fellows as fighters?"
+
+Nikol eyed him in silence for several moments. But at last he spoke.
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," he said quietly, "they are better fighters than you or I."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+IVAN AGAIN.
+
+
+"Come," said Colonel Anderson, "the battle is over. There will be no more
+fighting to-day. Let us move."
+
+Slowly all made their way back toward their quarters, talking over the
+battle as they went.
+
+It was late in the afternoon. The battle had raged all day, and now for
+the first time the friends felt the need of food. Instead of taking camp
+fare, to which they were invited by the Montenegrin officer who
+accompanied them, they decided to go to a little village not far from the
+camp, where the officer informed them they could get a substantial meal
+at a certain, little restaurant.
+
+Thither they made their way and to their satisfaction found the
+information correct. Then, their appetites satisfied, they left the
+restaurant and started back to the camp.
+
+It was now after dark and as they walked slowly, discussing events of the
+day, they came upon a knot of men engaged in some sort of an argument.
+
+"My curiosity always gets the better of me," said Chester. "Let's have a
+look," and he led the way toward the gesticulating group.
+
+It was plain, as they drew nearer, that the argument was heated. Loud
+voices broke the stillness of the night, and one of them, a deep bass,
+had a familiar ring. One look at the faces in the crowd and they
+recognized its owner.
+
+It was none other than Ivan, whom they had last seen when he made his
+dash for liberty in the mountains.
+
+Ivan was in the very center of the crowd, and as Hal, Chester and the
+others came close, in the glare of a dim light he could be seen
+gesticulating violently.
+
+"I tell you," he shouted, "I have no money."
+
+"But you showed two bags of gold in the restaurant," said one of the men
+pressing in on him.
+
+"Well, what if I did?" demanded Ivan. "That gold is not mine. It belongs
+to your king and I am taking it to him."
+
+"A likely story," said one man in the crowd with a sneer. "You stole it
+some place. We want a share."
+
+"Oh, you do?" said Ivan, and he broke into a loud laugh. "Well, you won't
+get it. First, however, I want to tell you again, that I did not steal
+the money and that it is not mine."
+
+"Then why," said another of the crowd, "why did you dip into one of the
+bags to pay for a drink at the restaurant?"
+
+"Why?" echoed Ivan in a loud voice. "I'll tell you. Because I was dry."
+
+"But if the gold is not yours?"
+
+For a moment Ivan appeared somewhat flustered. But he made answer
+after a moment.
+
+"I am entitled to the price of a glass of wine for carrying this gold for
+the king. That's why."
+
+"It's my belief you filled up on wine before you got the gold," said
+another voice in the crowd.
+
+"You may have any belief you choose," shouted Ivan angrily. "But now
+stand aside. I am going on my way."
+
+"Not until you give us a share of your spoils," said a voice close to
+him.
+
+"Ho!" said Ivan. "You think so. Ho! Ho!"
+
+He took a step forward and his merriment subsided.
+
+"Stand aside there!" he commanded sternly.
+
+For a moment it appeared that the crowd would give before him, but a man
+in the back of the crowd cried:
+
+"What! will you run from one man, a drunken man at that?"
+
+Another, closer to the giant, reached out a hand and sought to clutch the
+bag of gold Ivan held in his left hand.
+
+With a sudden movement and a loud cry, Ivan stretched forth a hand
+and seized the man by the throat. Then he lifted him high in the air
+and hurled him through space. The man struck the ground with a loud
+cry of pain.
+
+At the same instant a second man struck at Ivan with a club.
+
+With a cry of anger, Ivan reached forth and seized the club; then,
+whirling it about his head, brought it down on the man's skull. The man
+toppled over like a log.
+
+Now Ivan began to laugh in glee.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he cried. "Come on and take the gold," and he brandished it
+aloft in his left hand. "What! Are you afraid of one man? Ho! Ho!"
+
+The crowd gave back as Ivan moved forward.
+
+A man from behind sprang forward and stabbed the giant between the
+shoulders with a thin knife.
+
+Ivan whirled about with a terrible cry. Then, raising his recently
+acquired club, he dashed in among the crowd and laid about him right
+and left. Men went down on all sides and in a moment the others
+turned and fled.
+
+One, from a distance, drew a revolver and fired. Whether the bullet came
+close to the giant, Hal could not tell, but he drew his own revolver, and
+springing forward, cried:
+
+"That's enough of this! The next man to make a move I'll put a
+bullet through."
+
+Chester, Nikol and Colonel Anderson ranged themselves by Hal's side and
+also produced their automatics. Seeing nothing else to do, Stubbs also
+joined them and flourished a revolver.
+
+The crowd gave back.
+
+Ivan turned upon the newcomers in surprise. Then he cried in a
+great voice:
+
+"Well! Well! and where did you come from? I had made sure you had
+deserted me."
+
+"No, we haven't deserted you," said Hal. "We simply missed you,
+that's all."
+
+"Well, it's all right, anyhow," said Ivan. "Now come to the restaurant
+with me and I shall buy wine for all of us."
+
+"Thanks, Ivan, but we don't drink wine," said Hal quietly. "If you will
+come with us to our quarters we will talk matters over."
+
+"Not I, not until I have had wine," declared Ivan.
+
+"But you have had enough wine," declared Chester.
+
+"And how do you know I have had enough wine?" demanded Ivan, turning
+upon the lad.
+
+"The way you talk makes it plain enough," replied Chester quietly. "Come,
+Ivan, let's get away from here."
+
+"Well," said Ivan hesitatingly, "maybe you are right." Turning he caught
+sight of Nikol.
+
+"Why, there is my old friend Nikol," he shouted. "Nikol, you will join me
+in a bottle of wine?"
+
+"I shall be pleased," said Nikol, with a smile.
+
+"Good. Come with me." He turned and made as though to move away, when
+suddenly his eyes lighted upon Stubbs.
+
+"Ho! Ho!" he laughed. "And my friend Stubbs here shall accompany us."
+
+"Thanks; some other time," said Stubbs nervously.
+
+For answer Ivan leaned down, picked the little man up in his arms and
+walked away with him in spite of Stubbs' cries and struggles.
+
+Nikol went along and for once he did not offer to take Stubbs' part.
+
+"Great Scott! Hal, we can't stand for this," said Chester. "What
+shall we do?"
+
+"Go along, I should say," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"But we don't drink wine," protested Hal.
+
+"There is no reason you should. If you can get Ivan seated and talk to
+him he will be all right in a few minutes. Besides, he is likely to get
+into more trouble this way."
+
+"I guess you're right," said Hal. "Come on, Chester."
+
+The three followed Nikol, Ivan and the latter's struggling burden in the
+person of Stubbs.
+
+They entered the restaurant right behind the others and took seats at the
+same table. Ivan greeted them with a smile.
+
+"Glad to see you came along," he said. He turned to Stubbs. "What will
+you have?"
+
+"Thanks, I don't drink," said Stubbs fearfully.
+
+"Now, Mr. Stubbs!" said Ivan with a comical grin.
+
+Hal now decided the affair had gone far enough.
+
+"Listen to me, Ivan," he said quietly. "Stubbs doesn't want any wine and
+neither do the rest of us. You have had enough."
+
+"And what have you to do with it?" demanded Ivan loudly.
+
+"Just this," said Hal, and produced a revolver. "Before I'll stand for
+any more of this nonsense, I'll put a hole through you. Understand?"
+
+Ivan looked at the lad, apparently bewildered, for some moments. Then he
+said with a laugh:
+
+"Don't you ever shoot at me with that gun. Not ever!"
+
+He rose to his feet and faced Hal threateningly. The lad was nonplussed.
+He had no idea that his bluff wouldn't work. He knew of course that he
+could never shoot the Cossack.
+
+It was Chester who saved the day.
+
+"Ivan," he said quietly. "That's not your money."
+
+"What--what's that?" said Ivan, turning to him suddenly.
+
+"I said that's not your money. Surely you are not a thief?"
+
+"A thief?" cried Ivan. "Who says I am a thief?"
+
+"I do, if you touch the money in the bag you hold there," said
+Chester quietly.
+
+For a moment it seemed that the big Cossack would spring upon Chester;
+but the lad stood his ground, and suddenly Ivan sank down in a chair.
+
+"No, I'm not a thief," he mumbled. "I'm not going to be a thief."
+
+He threw the bag of gold down heavily on the table and looked
+thoughtfully into space.
+
+Chester approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
+
+"There," he said calmly, "I knew you wouldn't. This, you know, is the
+king's money. You wouldn't touch that?"
+
+"No," said Ivan, then added hastily: "but I have touched it. I bought
+wine with it; and it wasn't my money."
+
+His remorse was so apparent that Chester was forced to smile.
+
+"Why, that's all right," he said. "You are going to pay him back. Now
+come with us."
+
+Again Ivan was silent for several moments.
+
+"That's right," he said at last. "I'm going to pay him back." He rose
+to his feet. "Come, I shall go with you," and they all passed out into
+the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+INTO SERBIA.
+
+
+Two days later and we find our friends once more in the air and sailing
+swiftly toward the rising sun.
+
+"Seems to me we should be along about there some place," declared Hal,
+taking his eyes from the distance ahead for a brief moment.
+
+"Unless you have not gauged your course accurately," replied Chester.
+
+"I'm sure I have made no mistake," said Hal.
+
+"Then we should be about there."
+
+"About where, that's what I want to know," put in Anthony Stubbs, from
+his place in the rear of the large army plane, the same in which the four
+friends had made their escape from the Austrians not so many days before.
+"Where are we headed for, anyway?"
+
+"That will be a little surprise for you, Mr. Stubbs," Chester returned.
+
+"I'm getting too old to care much about surprises," declared Stubbs.
+"In the first place, I have no business in this machine, anyhow. I
+never was much good when my feet were not on the ground, and I feel
+pretty sick up here."
+
+"Oh, you'll get used to that, Stubbs," spoke up Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Don't you believe it. I've tried it before and I haven't become used
+to it yet. No, sir. In the first place, a man has got no business up
+here. If he were meant to fly, he'd have wings, like a bird. I claim
+it's tempting Providence to go floating about through space in one of
+these things."
+
+"Well, you didn't seem to hesitate much when we asked you to come,"
+commented Chester.
+
+"Of course not. Think I want to be left alone in this benighted land,
+with a couple of million Austrians likely to swoop down on it at any
+minute? I guess not. The air may not be safe, but it can't be any worse
+than I would have been if I were left behind to await the arrival of the
+invader. But where are we going?"
+
+"Belgrade," said Chester briefly.
+
+Anthony Stubbs half started to his feet.
+
+"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, and sank back again. "Out of the frying
+pan into the fire. Say!" and his voice rose a trifle, "What do we want
+to go to Belgrade for? What's the use of sticking our heads into a
+hornet's nest?"
+
+"Look here, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, again turning in his seat. "Don't you
+want to go to Belgrade with us? If you don't, I'll go down and let you
+off here."
+
+He reduced the speed of the craft a trifle.
+
+"No, no. Never mind," said Stubbs hurriedly. "I was just joking. Of
+course I want to go to Belgrade. They tell me that the Germans are just
+about to come in. But that won't make any difference, will it? No,
+indeed. Not to us. I suppose we are going to be there to welcome them.
+I'll bet they'll be glad to see us."
+
+The others smiled, but they made no reply to this outburst. They had
+known Stubbs long enough now not to pay much attention to him at times.
+And this was one of those times.
+
+Stubbs now turned a bit in his seat and spoke to another figure who was
+close to him.
+
+"How do you like this kind of travel, Ivan?" he asked.
+
+"I belong on the ground," was the brief response.
+
+Ivan's face was a chalky white, but he was sitting tight and saying
+nothing except when it was absolutely necessary. Just behind him sat
+Nikol, and the latter seemed to be in a condition similar to Ivan. Nor
+did he make a sound.
+
+Suddenly, as the aeroplane moved swiftly along, there came a loud
+explosion. The machine rocked crazily and Hal's prompt action at the
+wheel was all that saved the occupants from being pitched head-first into
+space. He righted the craft with an effort.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Chester in no little alarm.
+
+"It's all over now," mumbled Stubbs with a groan. "Pray, Ivan."
+
+The big Cossack seemed to have no doubt that it was all over and while he
+clung to the side of the machine with both hands, he mumbled strange
+words in his native tongue. Apparently he was following Stubbs'
+injunction.
+
+"I don't know," replied Hal, answering Chester's question. "Something
+seems to have gone wrong with the engine. Guess we had better go down."
+
+He tilted the elevating levers and the plane descended gradually
+and swiftly.
+
+Under Hal's firm hand it settled gently upon the ground and all
+immediately climbed out. Stubbs drew a great breath of relief.
+
+"I never expected to reach here alive," he declared.
+
+Ivan and Nikol also were plainly relieved. They said nothing, but the
+expression upon both their faces spoke plainer than words.
+
+Hal bent over the engine. As he straightened up, Chester asked:
+
+"Anything serious?"
+
+"Believe I can fix it within an hour," replied Hal. "I'll have a try at
+it, anyhow."
+
+"Need any assistance?" asked Colonel Anderson.
+
+Hal shook his head.
+
+"Nothing you can do, I guess," he replied.
+
+"Then I am going to take a little prowl into these woods here," said the
+colonel, indicating a small clump of trees that stood perhaps a quarter
+of a mile to the east.
+
+"I'll go along," said Chester. "I feel like stretching my legs a bit."
+
+The two walked away together. Ivan and Nikol remained behind and watched
+Hal tinker with the engine.
+
+Chester and the colonel prowled about among the trees for the better part
+of half an hour and then turned to make their way back to the machine. As
+they walked along, Chester suddenly caught Colonel Anderson by the arm,
+stopping him in his stride.
+
+"Sh-h-h," muttered the lad and listened intently.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Colonel Anderson, in a low voice.
+
+"Thought I heard voices," replied Chester. "Listen."
+
+Both became silent; and directly they caught the sound of a low voice off
+to the right. Then there came a second and a third voice.
+
+"Don't see what they can be doing here, whoever they are," declared
+Chester in a whisper. "We'll see if we can get a look at them."
+
+He led the way softly in the direction from which the voices had come.
+The voices became louder; and directly, parting two large bushes, Chester
+made out the forms of three figures not ten yards away.
+
+He turned quickly to Colonel Anderson and laid a finger to his lips. The
+colonel approached cautiously.
+
+From the spot where the two stood it was possible to see the three men in
+front of them without danger of being seen themselves, for they were
+screened from sight by the large bushes. One of the men was attired in
+what Chester took to be a Serbian uniform, but the others were in
+civilian attire.
+
+"We'll do a little eavesdropping," whispered Chester.
+
+Colonel Anderson nodded and they became silent.
+
+"So you say that everything is ready for Bulgaria's entrance into the
+war?" spoke the man with the uniform.
+
+"Yes," replied one of the others, a man of perhaps forty years of age,
+with a long flowing beard.
+
+"And she will strike when?"
+
+"The moment Belgrade has fallen before the Germans," replied the third
+man, who, the watchers saw now, was little more than a boy, smooth of
+face and bright of eye.
+
+"And they will strike where?"
+
+"At the Anglo-French force being rushed from Saloniki to the aid of the
+Serbians."
+
+"Why wasn't I kept posted on all this? How was I expected to do my part
+here, being left in ignorance of diplomatic affairs?"
+
+"I don't know anything about that. All I know is that we were
+ordered here to learn what success you have had in undermining the
+Serbian officials. Also to get your views upon which way the
+Serbians will retreat."
+
+"Well, I can tell you that in a few words. I have had very little success
+with the Serbians. They are loyal to their cause and seem determined to
+fight to the last ditch. But I did get close enough to one man--a member
+of the general staff--to learn that in the event of reverses to Serbian
+arms, the Serbian army will retreat into Greece."
+
+"So? I had deemed it most likely they would fall back and join the
+Montenegrins."
+
+"Such is not the plan of the general staff. Their reasons I cannot tell
+you; but at a guess I should say it is because they hope that, by a
+juncture with the Anglo-French forces, they may hope to show an effective
+front until Italy can throw an army to their support, or possibly until
+the long expected Russian offensive materializes."
+
+"Then we shall have to bring some pressure to bear upon Greece," said the
+younger man. "We cannot permit that. Bulgaria must get in the game sooner
+and thus foil such a plan."
+
+"Well, you probably know best," said the officer, "but remember one
+thing. To all intents and purposes, Bulgaria is still neutral.
+Announcement that she has decided to cast her lot with the Central
+Powers, if premature, undoubtedly would spoil many plans. Particularly,
+if it came to the ears of the Anglo-French commander at Saloniki."
+
+"Exactly," replied the young man. "Our plans now are to permit the Allies
+to advance a considerable distance toward Belgrade, and then to have
+Bulgaria declare war at the psychological moment."
+
+"A good plan, that," returned the officer. "But I must get back now. My
+absence will be noticed and I do not care to arouse suspicion."
+
+The men moved off.
+
+Chester and Colonel Anderson gazed at each other.
+
+"Rather neat little play," said Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Rather," repeated Chester dryly.
+
+"And to think," continued Colonel Anderson, "how leniently Bulgaria has
+been treated by the Allies. Well, her day of reckoning will come."
+
+"We'll have to get word of this to the Serbian commander in Belgrade,"
+said Chester.
+
+"So we will," said the colonel. "And also to the commander of the
+Anglo-French forces in Saloniki."
+
+"Let's get back then and see if Hal has the machine fixed so she'll fly."
+
+They retraced their footsteps; and even as they arrived, Hal arose from
+his position above the aeroplane.
+
+"She'll go now all right," he said. "All aboard!"
+
+Stubbs, Nikol and Ivan hesitated and Stubbs protested. Chester drew Hal
+aside for a moment and told him what he and the colonel had learned. Hal
+wasted no further time.
+
+"In here with all of you," he commanded gruffly. "We're going right now."
+
+The others hesitated no longer, and a few moments later the big machine
+was flying swiftly toward the Serbian capital.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE END OF A TRAITOR.
+
+
+It was two years after the outbreak of the great war that the
+Austro-German armies were hurled forward in a great and final effort to
+crush Serbia. Since the early days of the struggle, heavy battles had
+been fought upon the Austro-Serbian frontier, with success first to one
+side and then to the other.
+
+Belgrade, the Serbian capital, had been bombarded time after time by the
+great Austrian guns and once the city had been occupied by the foe.
+Later, however, the Serbians had driven out the invader and reoccupied
+the capital. And now, the Austrian army, reinforced by a hundred thousand
+Germans, bringing the total number of troops to half a million, was again
+knocking at the gates of Belgrade; and the Serbians, realizing the utter
+hopelessness of their cause unless aid arrived from the Anglo-French
+troops at Saloniki, were preparing to flee.
+
+This was the situation when the aeroplane bearing Hal, Chester and their
+friends descended just outside the city.
+
+Hardly had they alighted when they were taken in charge by a squad of
+Serbian troops. Colonel Anderson, acting as spokesman for the party,
+explained their presence in a few well-chosen words and asked to be taken
+to the commanding officer. There was considerable red tape to go through
+before the friends finally were ushered into the presence of the Serbian
+commander, and that worthy immediately informed them he had but a few
+moments to give them.
+
+Colonel Anderson, therefore, came to the point at once. He told him of
+the conversation he and Chester had overheard a short time before.
+
+"And you say one of the men wore a Serbian uniform?" asked the general.
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You don't know who he is--you didn't hear his name mentioned?"
+
+"No, sir; but I would know him again if I saw him."
+
+"Good. You shall have the chance. Now, how far from the city do you say
+this conversation took place?"
+
+"Must have been all of ten miles, sir."
+
+"Then the men have hardly returned to the city yet. And you say you did
+not hear the name of the member of the general staff, the first traitor,
+or spy mentioned as having divulged information?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"Very well. Now I will leave all of you here for an hour or so. I have
+some matters to attend to. When I come back we'll see if you can identify
+the man you speak of."
+
+The general bowed to them and took his departure, leaving them alone in
+his quarters.
+
+From without a heavy cannonading could be heard.
+
+"I guess the last advance has begun," said Chester slowly.
+
+"You probably are right," agreed Hal. "And I feel sorry for these
+Serbians. If the British and French could only get here in time."
+
+"Well, I don't see why they don't," declared Chester. "England has
+promised more than once since the war began that she would not permit
+Serbia to be crushed. Seems to me she should have taken some decisive
+action before now."
+
+"You forget," said Colonel Anderson, "that England has her hands full in
+other parts of the great war theater--France, Belgium, the Dardanelles,
+Egypt, India and Africa."
+
+"That's the trouble," said Hal. "England has too many irons in the fire.
+That's where the Germans and Austrians have the edge, as we say in the
+United States. Their armies are not scattered all over the world."
+
+"That's true enough," replied Colonel Anderson, "and it is, without
+doubt, the reason the Central Powers have not been crushed long ago."
+
+Ivan now took a hand in the conversation.
+
+"These wonderful tales you told me of my brother Alexis," he began.
+
+"Well, what of them?" asked Hal.
+
+"Why," said Ivan. "When I came with you I thought I should see some
+fighting. All I have done is fly through the air, like a bird, and hear a
+thousand miles of talk. I want to see some fighting, like Alexis saw."
+
+"You probably will see it soon enough," returned Chester quietly. "Even
+now you can hear the booming of the great guns without. The
+Austro-Germans are moving on Belgrade and it will only be hours before
+the Serbian retreat begins."
+
+The conversation continued along various lines until the return of the
+Serbian commander, General Save.
+
+"If you will come with me," he said to Colonel Anderson, "I will see if
+you can identify the traitor. Which of your friends here was with you?"
+
+Colonel Anderson nodded toward Chester.
+
+"Then he shall come, too. The others may remain here until we return."
+
+Hal, Ivan and Nikol were undeniably disappointed at this turn of affairs.
+Not so Stubbs.
+
+"This comes nearer being what I call comfort than anything I have enjoyed
+since coming across to Europe," he said, settling himself in the
+commander's easy chair and drawing exhilarating puffs from his pipe. "I
+don't care how long we stay here."
+
+"Mr. Stubbs," said Hal, "I am afraid you are lazy."
+
+"Mr. Paine," said Stubbs, "I know I'm lazy."
+
+Leaving the general's quarters, Colonel Anderson and Chester accompanied
+the Serbian commander toward the front.
+
+"The enemy has begun his advance," General Save explained, as they walked
+along. "He is attacking in force all along the line. We are resisting as
+well as we may. That is why every available man has been sent forward. We
+will find the traitor there some place."
+
+"And do you have any hope of holding back the enemy, sir?" Chester asked.
+
+"None," returned the general quietly. "We will resist to the last, but
+even now preparations are being made for evacuating the capital. With
+the coming of darkness, the retreat will begin. We shall fall back to
+Nish, which, I trust, we shall be able to hold until Anglo-French
+assistance arrives."
+
+"I hope so, sir," declared Chester.
+
+"And as soon as you have picked out this traitor for me," said General
+Save, "I will ask you to undertake a mission for me."
+
+"We shall be glad to be of service, sir," replied Colonel Anderson. "And
+the nature of the mission?"
+
+"Why," said the commander. "I have information to the effect that the
+Anglo-French troops are already on the way from Saloniki. They may not
+know of the real seriousness of our position. Communication has been
+hampered for the last few days. I will send word to them by you."
+
+"Very well, sir," said Colonel Anderson. "We shall be glad to go."
+
+"Now keep your eyes open," said General Save, as they came for the first
+time among the Serbian troops, the men farthest from the front, men being
+held in reserve.
+
+Among the regiments the three passed slowly, scanning the face of every
+officer; and they came upon their man sooner than they could reasonably
+have hoped.
+
+Chester suddenly touched General Save on the arm.
+
+"Look! There he is!" the lad said in a low voice.
+
+The general glanced in the direction indicated. Perhaps twenty yards to
+the left, engaged in conversation with an officer who wore colonel's
+stripes, and a man whom General Save immediately recognized as one of the
+general staff, stood the person the lads had seen in the woods a few
+hours earlier. "Are you sure that is he?" demanded the Serbian commander.
+
+Chester nodded his head vigorously.
+
+"Certain, sir," Colonel Anderson agreed.
+
+"Very good. Then come with me."
+
+The general approached the group of officers, who stood respectfully at
+attention when they perceived his approach.
+
+"Captain Dellse!" said the General.
+
+"Sir," replied the officer, stepping toward the Serbian commander.
+
+The older officer looked squarely into the man's eyes for several
+moments without saying a word. The traitor tried his best to return the
+general's steady gaze and for a moment he succeeded. Then his eyes
+wavered slightly.
+
+General Save extended his right hand.
+
+"Your sword, sir!" he commanded.
+
+The other staggered back and his face turned a ghastly white.
+
+"Wha--what, sir?" he stammered.
+
+"Your sword," repeated the general calmly, his hand still extended.
+
+With a visible effort the other pulled himself together.
+
+"I do not understand you, sir," he said, with a subdued air of insolence,
+glancing quickly about at the others who now surrounded him.
+
+General Save lost all patience now. He took a step forward.
+
+"Give me your sword, you traitor!" he commanded angrily. "You are under
+arrest. You shall be shot in ten minutes."
+
+The face of the accused officer turned livid. There was no pretending to
+misunderstand now.
+
+Quickly he glanced about him. Chester and Colonel Anderson, in their
+civilian clothes, stood each with a hand in his right coat pocket, and in
+the hand of each rested a little automatic.
+
+An ever increasing group of Serbian officers also surrounded him. The man
+with whom the traitor had been engaged in conversation moved gradually
+toward the rear of the circle. General Save caught sight of him out of
+the corner of his eye.
+
+"Colonel Breyold!" he commanded.
+
+The other halted.
+
+"Come here, sir," commanded the general.
+
+Glancing furtively about him, the other obeyed. The Serbian commander
+turned to another of his officers.
+
+"Relieve Colonel Breyold of his sword," he commanded.
+
+Without waiting to see that his command was carried out, he stepped close
+to Dellse. The other gave way before him and with a sudden movement
+produced a revolver.
+
+Before those nearby could interfere, he had raised the weapon and pulled
+the trigger. There was a sharp report, a flash of fire, and when the
+smoke had cleared away, Dellse and General Save were locked in each
+other's embrace, struggling furiously.
+
+With loud cries other Serbian officers jumped forward and separated the
+combatants. Dellse's weapon was wrested from his grasp and in a moment he
+was powerless.
+
+"Are you hurt, sir?" asked one of the officers anxiously of the general.
+
+"No," was the reply.
+
+With a gesture of his arm, he indicated the two traitors. "Take them out
+and shoot them immediately!" he ordered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+ACROSS MACEDONIA.
+
+
+"No," said Hal, "I am afraid to take a chance with our old airplane. It
+hasn't been gone over thoroughly yet. If General Save is anxious for us
+to go at once, Chester, you and Colonel Anderson go on ahead. I'll look
+our machine over and follow you."
+
+"Well, whatever you say," said Chester. "The general is anxious
+that we start at once and perhaps the way you suggest will do as
+well as another."
+
+"I'm going with the first party," declared Ivan at this juncture. "I'm
+tired of sitting about doing nothing. I want to be on the move. If
+something doesn't happen pretty soon, I'm going back to the Albanian
+Mountains."
+
+"I'll be glad to have you go with me," said Chester. "Hal, you can bring
+Stubbs and Nikol with you."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"All right. Then you had better see the general about a craft of
+some kind."
+
+Chester hastened away, but was back a few moments later with the
+announcement that General Save would have a plane ready for them
+within the hour.
+
+Hal and Chester then examined a map of the country carefully and laid out
+a course. It was agreed that Hal should follow the same course, for, as
+Chester said, there was little likelihood of anything going wrong, but
+coming along the same route the second craft would always have a chance
+of rendering aid should it be needed. The lads agreed to meet at Saloniki
+the following day.
+
+It was nearly dark when the machine carrying Chester, Colonel Anderson
+and Ivan soared in the air and headed south over Macedonia--once the
+kingdom of Philip and Alexander the Great. Stubbs, Nikol and Hal watched
+their friends disappear in the distance with some misgiving, which was
+given expression by Stubbs.
+
+"I hope they get there safely," he muttered, "but I have my doubts."
+
+"See here, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal. "You've gone through a lot, but you are
+still here, aren't you?"
+
+"I am," said Stubbs calmly, "but I wish I were some place else."
+
+"Well, give me an hour or two to look over our machine and you will soon
+be some place else," said Hal.
+
+"And the chances are I'd rather be some place than where I am likely to
+be if I keep monkeying around in the air," replied the little man.
+
+Hal raised both hands in a gesture of hopelessness.
+
+"There's no use talking to you," he said. "I'll leave you both here while
+I overhaul the plane."
+
+He took himself off.
+
+Chester, Colonel Anderson and Ivan sailed swiftly through the air.
+Darkness fell, but it was a bright night and Chester, at the wheel,
+could see without difficulty. The passengers were quite comfortable in
+spite of the cold.
+
+"Aren't you getting a bit too low?" asked Colonel Anderson after a couple
+of hours flying in the darkness.
+
+"Thousand feet," said Chester after a glance at the indicator.
+
+"Doesn't seem like it to me," said the colonel. "Think I can see the
+ground below."
+
+"You shouldn't at this altitude," said Chester.
+
+"I know it. Guess I was mistaken."
+
+Half an hour later the colonel spoke again. "Have you come down
+any, Chester?"
+
+"No; why?"
+
+"I'm sure I can see the ground below," returned the colonel.
+
+Chester glanced over the side of the plane.
+
+"By Jove! So can I," he exclaimed. He glanced at the indicator again. It
+still read a trifle over a thousand feet. "Something wrong some place,"
+he said to himself.
+
+He tilted the elevating lever, but the plane did not answer by a sudden
+rush upward. Chester gave a long whistle.
+
+"What's the matter?" demanded Colonel Anderson.
+
+"I don't know," returned Chester. "We're going down gradually, I know
+that, but the indicator still reads a thousand feet and I can't move the
+plane any higher."
+
+"And you don't know what is wrong?"
+
+"Haven't the slightest idea. I'm no airship expert."
+
+"Then you shouldn't try to run one," declared Ivan.
+
+"Now don't get worried, Ivan," said Chester with a laugh. "We'll get down
+again all right."
+
+"We'll probably get down," said Ivan, "but the thing that worries me is
+whether it will be all right or not. I want to die with my feet on the
+ground and not be dashed against the earth head first."
+
+"I'm sure there is no danger," said Chester. "We're just sinking gently."
+
+He cut off the engine and allowed the craft to volplane to earth more
+abruptly. It came to rest on the ground as lightly as a bird.
+
+"Well, what will we do now?" demanded Ivan.
+
+"You have as much idea as I have," returned Chester. "I can't fix this
+thing here in the darkness; in fact, I don't know whether I can fix it at
+all. We'll either have to walk or stay here until I can have a look at
+this craft in daylight--and maybe that won't do any good."
+
+"I vote we walk," said Colonel Anderson. "There must be houses along here
+some place. Maybe we can commandeer three horses, or an automobile or
+something."
+
+"Most likely what we'll commandeer will be trouble," grumbled Ivan.
+
+"Now what are you kicking about?" demanded Chester. "You have been
+hunting trouble ever since I have known you. Maybe you'll be satisfied
+this time."
+
+"Do you think so?" demanded Ivan eagerly.
+
+"No, I don't," returned Chester. "If I did I'd sit right here. I don't
+want to run into any trouble now if I can help it. We've got business on
+hand, remember that. And we've got to hurry. Colonel Anderson, I guess
+your suggestion is a good one. We'll walk on a ways."
+
+They set out without a word. Striking across what appeared in the
+darkness a large field, they eventually came to a road. They walked south
+along this.
+
+Half an hour later, in the darkness, there loomed up a house ahead of
+them. A faint light glowed in the window.
+
+"Told you there must be a house along here some place," said
+Colonel Anderson.
+
+Chester produced his watch and succeeded in reading the face after
+some trouble.
+
+"Lacks five minutes to midnight," he said. "Rather a late hour to be
+making a call."
+
+"Necessity knows no law," responded Colonel Anderson. "We won't bother
+them much, if they can furnish us with some means of transportation."
+
+"Hope they will be friendly," said Chester.
+
+"No reason why they shouldn't be. I suppose we are still in Serbia."
+
+"Well, I don't know whether we are or not. That's what worries me,"
+said Chester.
+
+"Why, where do you think we are?"
+
+"I don't know. Might be Serbia, might be Greece, might be Bulgaria, or
+Turkey or any old place. If the elevating apparatus on our plane was out
+of whack, the steering apparatus may have been, too. Also I have mislaid
+my compass. I won't know north from south until morning."
+
+"Hm-m-m," muttered the colonel. "Well, shall we try this house?"
+
+"May as well, I guess," said Chester.
+
+He led the way to the front door and rapped sharply with his knuckles.
+
+There was a sound of some one stirring within, but no face appeared at
+the door in response to the lad's knock. He rapped sharply again. This
+time there was not a sound from within.
+
+Chester walked a little ways from the house and glanced at the window
+through which a light had been visible a few moments before. It was
+perfectly dark now. Apparently the light had been extinguished the moment
+he had rapped on the door. All was dark within.
+
+Chester moved toward the house again, thinking to rap on the door once
+more. As he did so, there came the sound of a shot and Chester felt
+something whistle by his ear.
+
+"Wow!" he cried, and dashed toward the door where Colonel Anderson and
+Ivan stood.
+
+"Hit?" cried Colonel Anderson, as the lad dashed up.
+
+"No," replied Chester. "But that bullet didn't miss me much. What'll
+we do now?"
+
+"I don't really know. We don't know where we are. Why not spend the
+night here?"
+
+"For one reason," said Chester grimly, "because they won't let us in."
+
+"Oh, we can fix that. Break in the door."
+
+"And get shot for our pains."
+
+"No, I don't think so. My impression is that there is no more than a
+single occupant of the house. That's the reason he was frightened when
+we knocked. We'll just go in where it's warm and pay no further
+attention to him."
+
+"Well, whatever you say," said Chester. "Stand back there, till I blow
+the lock off that door." He drew his revolver.
+
+"Hold on," said Ivan. "I'll open it"
+
+He stepped back a pace, then rushed forward. His huge shoulder came into
+contact with the hard wood and there was a crash as the door gave way
+beneath his weight.
+
+Ivan went in unhesitatingly and the others followed him.
+
+Inside Chester struck a match.
+
+"Look out!" cried Colonel Anderson. "Want to get us all shot?"
+
+"We've got to see where we are going," said Chester.
+
+The glare of a match showed them a room to the right of the hall. Chester
+led the way in, still holding the match above his head. On the stand in
+the center of the room was a big lamp. Chester lighted it.
+
+"Evidently," he said, "this is the same light we saw when we came up."
+
+The three now pulled themselves close to a fire that glowed softly in an
+open fireplace and made themselves comfortable.
+
+"We might as well get a little sleep," said Chester. "Anderson, you take
+first watch. Call me in two hours. I'm going to sleep here."
+
+He closed his eyes, then opened them suddenly again. He had heard a
+slight noise.
+
+Stepping quickly across to a table at the far end of the room, he stooped
+down and, thrusting his revolver under the table, called:
+
+"Come out!"
+
+There was a faint rustling and a sound as of some one crying. Then a
+figure, rumpled and fearful, came from beneath the table; and
+Chester cried:
+
+"A girl!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+ATTACKED.
+
+
+Chester's exclamation was wrung from him in English. At the sound of his
+words the girl looked at him quickly and clasping her hands imploringly,
+cried out:
+
+"Don't kill me!"
+
+Her words were also in English and she spoke without the slightest
+accent. Chester and Colonel Anderson looked at her dumfounded.
+
+"Are you English?" demanded Chester, taking a step toward her.
+
+The girl staggered back.
+
+"Keep away, please," she said.
+
+"Are you English?" repeated Chester.
+
+The girl recovered herself with an effort and forced herself to answer
+the lad's question calmly.
+
+"No," she said, "I am an American."
+
+"An American!" exclaimed Chester. "You are an American?"
+
+"Yes," cried the girl, "and you will harm me at your peril. The
+United States--"
+
+"Uncle Sam is a long ways off," said Chester quietly. "But I guess he can
+take care of you. I, too am an American."
+
+"You!" exclaimed the girl eagerly, taking a step forward. Then, after a
+quick glance at his clothes, she shrank back.
+
+Chester smiled.
+
+"Don't judge me by these garments," he said. "I assure you I am an
+American, and my friend here," he indicated Colonel Anderson, "is a
+British officer. My other friend," pointing to Ivan, "is a Russian. So
+you see, you are among friends."
+
+"Are you telling me the truth?" asked the girl fearfully, eying Chester
+searchingly.
+
+"It is a habit I have," replied Chester quietly. "Yes, I am an American
+and if you have a mind to question me about anything American you will
+find that I am telling you the truth."
+
+"What is your name?" asked the girl.
+
+"Chester Crawford."
+
+"Chester Crawford!"
+
+Again the girl looked at him searchingly.
+
+At last she asked: "And do you know another young American named
+Hal Paine?"
+
+"Hal!" exclaimed Chester, startled at hearing his friend's name from this
+girl whom he had, to his knowledge, never seen before. "Of course. He is
+my chum. But he has never told me he knew a girl answering your
+description."
+
+"Oh, I don't know him," replied the girl. "But I have heard of you both
+from a friend--a girl friend; and if you can tell me her name, I will be
+sure that you are Chester Crawford."
+
+"How can I tell you?" asked Chester. "I know several girls. Was it
+Mary--"
+
+"This girl," was the reply, "you met in Belgium. If you are truly Chester
+Crawford you will know who I mean."
+
+"Do you mean Miss Johnson--Edna Johnson?" inquired Chester.
+
+A happy smile lighted up the girl's face.
+
+"I do! I do!" she exclaimed. "It was Edna Johnson. She wrote me a letter,
+telling me how she met two young American boys in Belgium and giving me
+their names. I have heard from her often and each time she has mentioned
+your names. She wonders what has become of you."
+
+"Well," said Chester with a smile. "I'm here and Hal is some place
+between here and Belgrade, I expect. Now will you tell me who you are?"
+
+"I am Helen Ellison of St. Louis," replied the girl, extending her hand.
+
+Chester took the hand and turned to the others.
+
+"Allow me to present my friends to you," he said quietly. "Colonel
+Anderson, of His British Majesty's service."
+
+Colonel Anderson bowed.
+
+"And Ivan Vergoff,"--this in French. "Ivan, Mademoiselle Ellison."
+
+The big Cossack also bowed and acknowledged the introduction.
+
+The girl smiled at both of them, and Chester was glad to learn that she
+understood French.
+
+"And now," he said, "if you will tell me exactly where we are, I shall be
+greatly obliged."
+
+The girl looked at him in surprise.
+
+"You don't know where you are?" she asked.
+
+Chester shook his head.
+
+"You are now," said Helen, "just across the Serbian border from Bulgaria.
+This house is the home of a friend of mine, Miss Thatcher, a Red Cross
+nurse. I met her in Belgrade where she was wounded. When it became
+evident that the Austrians were about to occupy the city, we came to the
+home of her friend here, a Serbian woman. That was before there was any
+talk of Bulgaria joining Germany. But now that war has been declared--"
+
+"War declared!" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Why, I think so. Maybe there has been no declaration of war, but anyhow
+the Serbians and Bulgarians have been fighting across the frontier.
+That's why I was so afraid when you knocked at the door to-night."
+
+"And it was you who shot at me?" asked Chester.
+
+"Yes," replied the girl. "And, oh, I am so sorry. If--"
+
+"Never mind," said Chester soothingly. "You didn't hit me."
+
+"I know I didn't, but I--"
+
+"There, there, now," said Chester. "And where is your friend now?"
+
+"She went away this morning and she hasn't come back yet."
+
+"Do you know where she went?"
+
+"Yes; to the home of a peasant about six miles from here. His wife is
+sick and Miss Thatcher has been attending them since she has been well
+enough to do so."
+
+"And you were left here all along?" said Chester.
+
+"Yes, but I wasn't afraid until this afternoon, when half a dozen
+Bulgarians crossed the frontier and tried to get in the house."
+
+"The did?" exclaimed Chester angrily. "I wish we had been here."
+
+"So do I," said Helen. "They knocked on the door, but I wouldn't let them
+in. Then they threatened to break the door down, but an officer came up
+at that moment and ordered them away. They went sulkily and one of them
+called back that they would return. That's why I was afraid when you
+knocked a little while ago."
+
+"And no wonder," replied Chester. "It must have been a terrible
+day for you."
+
+"It has indeed," said the girl weakly.
+
+Chester sprang toward her quickly and took her gently by the arms, just
+as it seemed she would fall over in a faint. He seated her in a chair,
+and poured her a glass of water from a pitcher on a nearby table.
+
+After drinking the water the girl appeared refreshed.
+
+"So foolish of me to get weak like that," she said, smiling.
+
+"It's no wonder," returned Chester. "It's just the reaction. You'll be
+all right in a minute or two."
+
+The lad was a good prophet; and five minutes later Helen was talking and
+laughing vivaciously. All four were having a good time, when Chester's
+ears caught a faint sound from without.
+
+The lad paused as he was about to say something in reply to one of
+Helen's questions and listened intently.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen.
+
+"Oh, nothing," said Chester, and continued his remarks.
+
+A few moments later, however, he arose, and asking to be excused for a
+moment, stepped toward the door which Ivan had broken to permit their
+entrance; just beyond he caught sight of a dark shadow.
+
+"As I thought," he muttered. "They have come back."
+
+He returned to the door of the parlor and summoned the big Cossack.
+
+"Oh, Ivan," he called. "Come out here a minute."
+
+The Cossack came up to him and Chester led him toward the door.
+
+"What can you see out there?" he asked.
+
+Ivan poked his head out and looked around.
+
+"Ho!" he exclaimed suddenly and leaped out.
+
+A moment later Chester heard the sound of a brief struggle and then Ivan
+reappeared dragging a man after him.
+
+"I've got him," said the giant, laughing loudly.
+
+The laughter attracted the attention of Helen and Colonel Anderson, who
+came from the parlor to learn the cause of it.
+
+Helen gave a cry of fear as her eyes fell upon Ivan's prisoner.
+
+"Who is he?" she exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, just some fellow who was spooking around outside," replied Chester.
+
+But Helen was not to be fooled thus easily.
+
+"It is one of the Bulgarians who were here this afternoon," she cried,
+and addressed the man in his own tongue. Then she turned to the others.
+"He says the others are coming," she cried. "He came on ahead of them."
+
+"Oh, is that so?" said Chester quietly. "Well, they'll have a different
+reception this time."
+
+He told the others what the girl had learned.
+
+Colonel Anderson received the news quietly.
+
+"We'll be ready for them," he said.
+
+But Ivan was not so calm when he heard what Helen had told Chester.
+
+"So there is going to be a fight at last, eh?" he cried in a loud voice.
+"What are a dozen or so of these Bulgarians? I know them of old. Cowards
+and traitors all. I have had an experience with more than one of them. We
+are good for a dozen or two of them, if we can keep them in front of us.
+Oh, yes, the Bulgarians are great fighters--from behind."
+
+"Is there any way we can fix up that door?" asked Chester.
+
+Colonel Anderson shook his head.
+
+"I am afraid not. Ivan has shattered it beyond repair."
+
+"Then it shall be my post to guard," cried Ivan. "No Bulgarian shall come
+through there."
+
+"There are not many other places they can come through," said Helen.
+"Only two windows and a second door, in the rear of the house. I shall
+guard one of the windows myself."
+
+"You are not afraid?" asked Chester.
+
+"Not now, that I have friends with me."
+
+"All right. Colonel Anderson, I'll take this other window here, near Miss
+Ellison. You shall guard the back door."
+
+"The first thing to do is tie this fellow up," said Anderson, indicating
+the Bulgarian.
+
+Ivan stepped forward, and taking a piece of rope that Helen gave him,
+tied the man up tightly.
+
+"Now," said Chester, "to your posts. We don't want to be caught
+unguarded."
+
+All took the places assigned them and examined their weapons. An hour
+passed. Then Chester, peering through the window, exclaimed:
+
+"Here they come!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE.
+
+
+"I'm ready for them!" shouted Ivan, from his position behind the
+broken door.
+
+He stood well back in the darkness, out of sight from beyond the house.
+
+All was quiet and dark within, for with the appearance of the first of
+the enemy Chester had extinguished the light. The figures of the
+approaching Bulgarians were plainly visible to Chester and Helen through
+the windows. Ivan and Colonel Anderson, of course, could not see them,
+although they would have been visible to the former had he a mind to take
+a chance and expose himself to their view.
+
+As the men approached, Chester counted them. Then he announced:
+
+"Thirteen, I make them."
+
+"My count, too," agreed Helen from her window.
+
+There was not a tremor in her voice now and she seemed totally unlike
+the frightened girl Chester had first seen. She held her revolver
+steadily in her right hand, a pile of ammunition heaped up in the window
+sill before her.
+
+The men came on briskly, absolutely unaware of the rude welcome that
+awaited them.
+
+"Let them get close enough so we can't miss, then I'll hold a parley with
+them," said Chester.
+
+When the men were less than fifty yards from the house, Chester raised
+his voice and called out sternly in Russian:
+
+"Halt there!"
+
+The Bulgarians halted in their tracks and gazed about in surprise. To the
+best of their knowledge there could be no one in the house but the girl,
+and this sudden hail in a male voice made them pause.
+
+"What do you want here?" demanded Chester from his shelter.
+
+There was a hurried consultation among the enemy; then one man called:
+
+"We want to get in."
+
+"You can't get in," returned Chester calmly.
+
+There was a roar of laughter from without.
+
+"Did you hear that?" said one. "He says we can't get in." The man called
+to Chester: "And who is going to stop us?"
+
+"You'll find there are enough of us here for that purpose," replied the
+lad evenly. "I warn you we'll shoot the next step forward you take."
+
+Again those without held a consultation and Chester could barely make out
+the trend of the conversation.
+
+"Perhaps they are too many for us," said one.
+
+"Nonsense," was the reply of another. "He's simply trying to frighten us
+away. We'll rush the two windows and the doors at the same time. Some of
+us will get in."
+
+"All right. Whatever you say--"
+
+"Come on then."
+
+The men split up suddenly into four separate bodies and rushed forward.
+
+"Let 'em have it," said Chester quietly.
+
+His revolver spoke at the same moment as did that of Helen and two men
+stumbled as they ran. One recovered himself instantly and came on, but
+the other pitched forward to the ground.
+
+Colonel Anderson, at the rear door, remained at his post. There was
+nothing he could do until the enemy attempted to force the door.
+
+Ivan, however, stepped quickly from his place of concealment and standing
+erect in the doorway fired point blank at the four men who came dashing
+toward him. One threw up his hands with a cry and a second muttered a
+fierce imprecation. Ivan emptied his revolver and then dashed back to
+safety even as a fusillade was fired at him. The Cossack was untouched.
+He smiled grimly to himself.
+
+"Not so bad," he muttered.
+
+He reloaded in haste and again stepped into the open. The men before his
+post, the three who remained upon their feet, were directly in front of
+the door and all fired simultaneously as Ivan showed himself. The big
+Cossack felt a stinging sensation in his left arm, but he did not pause
+to investigate the wound.
+
+Again he raised his weapon quickly and fired its contents toward his
+foes. But Ivan's aim was poor--or he had fired without aiming--for not a
+bullet went home. Again Ivan dodged back just in time.
+
+The men who had advanced toward the two windows had been driven off by
+Helen and Chester. Two of their number lay on the ground and two of the
+others were nursing wounded arms. Out of revolver-shot they stopped and
+discussed the situation.
+
+In the rear, the men who had attacked there were even now knocking at the
+door with their revolver butts. Chester heard Colonel Anderson's voice:
+
+"Get away from there, or I shall fire through the door."
+
+There came a loud report and Chester believed for a moment the colonel
+had been as good as his word. But he was soon undeceived.
+
+"They've blown the lock off the door," cried the colonel. "Guess they'll
+try to rush me now."
+
+"You guard both these windows for a moment," said Chester. "I'll lend
+Anderson a hand."
+
+He hurried back and arrived just in time to see the door swing inward.
+Colonel Anderson, across the room from the door, stood in the shadow,
+waiting for the first of the enemy to show himself.
+
+The door swung back violently and the men appeared in the opening in a
+body. Chester and Colonel Anderson fired almost together. Came hoarse
+cries from the attackers and a moment later the doorway was cleared.
+Immediately Chester and the colonel hurled their weight against it,
+closing it again.
+
+"Safe for a minute," said Chester.
+
+He hastened back to where he had left Helen and arrived just in time to
+see the girl fire her revolver at a figure that dashed toward the house.
+The man did not falter. Apparently the girl's aim had been bad. The man
+dashed to the very side of the house and took his stand directly under
+the window.
+
+Chester poked his head out to see if he could pick the man off and as he
+did so his cap leaped from his head. The lad heard something whiz by. He
+withdrew his head quickly.
+
+"Just missed me," he said quietly.
+
+Now three forms came dashing toward the house, running in a
+zig-zag course.
+
+"See if you can get one of them," cried Chester to the girl.
+
+He took deliberate aim himself and fired. One man dropped.
+
+Helen also fired--twice, but the other two men came on and joined the
+first arrival under the edge of the window.
+
+"Great Scott! This won't do," said Chester. "We can't have those fellows
+under there. We'll have to get them out some way."
+
+At that moment Colonel Anderson's voice rang out:
+
+"Here they come again."
+
+Chester dashed back. Again the door swung inward and two faces appeared,
+revolvers leveled before them. They fired even as they came in sight and
+Colonel Anderson tumbled over with a sharp cry.
+
+"They got me," he said in a faint voice.
+
+"And I got one of them!" shouted Chester as one of the Bulgarians hit the
+floor with a thud.
+
+The other withdrew his head before Chester could fire again.
+
+Chester raised his voice and called to Helen:
+
+"How are you making it?"
+
+"All right," the girl called back. "Haven't seen any one since you left."
+
+"Can you hold both windows?" demanded Chester.
+
+"I think so. Why?"
+
+"Anderson has been hit. I'll have to stand guard here. Pass the word to
+Ivan, will you? Tell him of the men under the window. He may be able to
+help you out."
+
+The girl did as Chester ordered.
+
+Helen, standing close to the window, allowed her revolver to rest on
+the sill. In the darkness, a hand appeared from below and grasped the
+weapon by the barrel and wrenched it from her grasp before she could
+pull the trigger.
+
+Helen screamed.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried Chester anxiously.
+
+"I've lost my gun," said the girl. "And here they come in the window!"
+
+"I'm coming!" cried Chester, and started forward.
+
+But another figure beat him. It was the giant form of Ivan.
+
+"You stand here," he said sternly. "Guard both doors and the windows as
+you value your lives. I'll attend to the others."
+
+He moved toward the shattered door without another word.
+
+"Where are you going?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+Ivan disappeared without making reply.
+
+At that moment one of the men who had succeeded in forcing the rear door
+came dashing through the house. He held his revolver ready, but he didn't
+see Chester quickly enough. Chester raised his own weapon and took a
+snapshot. The man threw up both arms and staggered back. Immediately
+Chester leaped forward and possessed himself of the other's revolver,
+which he passed to Helen.
+
+A second form appeared in the doorway and fired at Chester. But the lad
+had perceived his opponent just in time to leap back and the bullet went
+wild. Bringing his own revolver forward in deliberate aim, Chester
+dropped the other with a single shot.
+
+"Look!" cried Helen from the window at this moment.
+
+Chester did so and saw the remainder of the Bulgarians coming toward the
+house at a dead run. He put his revolver out the window and fired twice.
+Helen did the same.
+
+But both had fired too quickly and all the bullets went wide. The men
+pulled up under the window, out of the range of fire from within, safely
+enough, and Chester and Helen could hear them talking.
+
+"We'll wait here," said one. "Somebody'll show his head pretty quick and
+when he does, we'll get him."
+
+Chester motioned to Helen to move back from the window.
+
+"What are you going to do?" she asked in some anxiety.
+
+"Have you any hot water?" asked Chester suddenly.
+
+"Why, yes," cried the girl and clapped her hands, "There is a kettle on
+the stove."
+
+"You remain here while I get it," said Chester briefly.
+
+He dashed into the kitchen and was back in a moment with the large kettle
+of hot water in both hands. He motioned the girl away from the window.
+
+The lad lifted the kettle to the sill with an effort, and then gauging
+the position of the enemy by the sound of the voices without, he
+tilted it over.
+
+Came furious cries of pain from without as the boiling water found
+its mark. Then there came a different sort of cry. Chester looked
+out quickly.
+
+From the front door dashed Ivan and bore down upon the foe.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+IVAN SHOWS HIS METAL.
+
+
+Chester had poured the boiling water upon the foe at the psychological
+moment indeed--for Ivan had been ready to dash forward at that exact
+minute and Chester had diverted the attention of the Bulgarians long
+enough for Ivan to reach them without being discovered.
+
+Had the men not been otherwise engaged when he dashed from his place of
+concealment, they would doubtless have shot him down before he reached
+them. But the kettle of hot water had prevented them from bringing their
+revolvers to bear until too late.
+
+Ivan descended upon them with a wild cry, and at sight of him the
+Bulgarians gave back. Eight of them there were, but they recoiled as a
+single man from the great Cossack.
+
+A single shot Ivan fired from his two revolvers and then they were empty.
+Quickly he reversed both weapons, and holding both by the barrels, he was
+among the enemy, striking right and left as fast as the eye could see.
+
+Down went a man on the left with a cracked skull. A man on the right
+caught a glancing blow on the shoulder and also toppled over. Now the
+remaining six scattered and sought to get a position where they could
+shoot Ivan down without fear of injuring one of their own number. But
+Ivan prevented this by keeping close.
+
+He at length seized one man by the neck--dropping the revolver he held in
+his left hand to do so--and held him before him as a shield.
+
+Then he charged the others.
+
+Ivan's eyes shone with a terrible fire as he darted forward. His hat was
+off and his long hair streamed in the wind. Holding his human shield as
+he did with his strong left hand, he raised his revolver aloft in his
+right, gripping it tightly by the barrel.
+
+The nearest man of the enemy failed to skip aside quickly enough and the
+revolver crashed down on his head with a thud. That was the last of him.
+A second, thinking to take advantage of this action, slipped upon the
+giant from behind and leveled his revolver at Ivan's head. But once more
+Ivan was too quick for him, and, whirling suddenly, hurled his revolver
+at the man.
+
+The Cossack's aim was true, and struck squarely in the face with the
+sharp revolver, the man dropped to the ground. Now, besides the man he
+still held aloft, there were but three of the enemy left. With a loud
+cry, they turned and ran.
+
+But Ivan had no mind to be balked of his prey. He still held a weapon,
+and he made good use of it. The weapon was the man he had been using for
+a shield. Raising him high above his head with his right arm, he hurled
+him forward, as a man putting the shot.
+
+The human catapult sailed through the air and struck two of the enemy as
+it fell, carrying them to the ground, knocking the breath from the bodies
+of all three.
+
+Ivan leaped forward quickly. Stooping, he picked up two men, one in each
+hand, and brought their heads together with an audible crash. Then he
+hurled one down upon the third man with great force, and stooping, picked
+up a revolver.
+
+Quickly he dropped to one knee, and leveling the revolver, took
+careful aim at the remaining man, who was now some distance away and
+running swiftly.
+
+"Crack!"
+
+A report, a flash of flame in the darkness.
+
+An imprecation from Ivan, a second report and flash of flame, and the man
+fell sprawling.
+
+Ivan rose calmly. He surveyed the field of action with a critical eye.
+Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and stalked back to the
+house. As he came to where Chester and Helen stood, he said quietly:
+
+"Any more of them in here?"
+
+"None," returned Chester. "You finished the lot."
+
+"Good," said the Cossack. "I thought they had me once."
+
+He uttered no further word, but made his way to the parlor, where he sat
+down as calmly as though nothing had happened.
+
+"You go in there, too," said Chester to Helen. "I'll have a look at
+Anderson."
+
+But the girl refused to obey this command and accompanied the lad to
+where the gallant Colonel lay, moaning feebly.
+
+Chester dropped down and raised Colonel Anderson's head to his knee.
+
+"How do you feel, old man?" he asked.
+
+"Rather weak and dizzy," was the Colonel's mumbled response.
+
+"Where did the bullet hit you?"
+
+"Top of the head some place," and Colonel Anderson raised a feeble hand
+and passed it over his head.
+
+"Quiet now," said Chester. "I'll have you in the other room in a jiffy
+and we'll have a look at the wound. Will you make a light in the parlor,
+Miss Ellison?"
+
+The girl hastened away to do as Chester requested and the lad assisted
+Colonel Anderson to his feet.
+
+"Put your arm around my neck," the lad commanded. "Lean all your
+weight on me and I'll drag you into the other room. You're too big for
+me to carry."
+
+Colonel Anderson followed instructions and Chester dragged him to the
+parlor, where he laid him on a couch. Then he bent over and examined
+the wound.
+
+"Doesn't amount to much," he said finally, rising. "Will you get me some
+water and a cloth. Miss Ellison? Also, if by any chance you can find it,
+a piece of adhesive plaster."
+
+"I can get them all," said the girl. "Miss Thatcher's kit is still here."
+
+She hurried away and was back in a few minutes with the necessary things.
+She lent Chester a hand and bathed the wound on the Colonel's head, while
+Chester unrolled the adhesive plaster. Then they bound up the wound.
+
+Colonel Anderson then insisted on sitting up. He passed a hand ruefully
+across his bandaged head and smiled faintly.
+
+"Hurts a little, but not much," he said in answer to Chester's question.
+"But now, if you'll tell me--"
+
+He paused suddenly and raised a warning hand.
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Chester anxiously.
+
+"Thought I heard voices without."
+
+With a bound Ivan left his chair and darted toward the door. He
+disappeared in the darkness.
+
+"Ivan's fighting blood is up," said Chester. "I guess I'd better go after
+him. You guard the wounded man here, Miss Ellison."
+
+He hurried after Ivan.
+
+Outside the door he came upon a strange sight--a sight that caused him to
+cry out in merriment and thankfulness.
+
+In his first gaze he saw four figures and the first he recognized as that
+of Hal, the next that of Nikol. These two stood quietly gazing at two
+other figures who were struggling nearby. Chester glanced at the other
+figures. They were Ivan and Anthony Stubbs and they appeared to be locked
+in a death grapple.
+
+"Help! Help!" came Stubbs' voice.
+
+Chester moved forward to interfere, for he reasoned that perhaps Ivan,
+in his lust for battle, had been unable to distinguish between friend
+and foe. But Hal stayed him with uplifted hand and Chester saw that his
+chum was laughing quietly. He realized then that Ivan had recognized
+his opponent.
+
+He lined up with Hal and Nikol and watched the struggle.
+
+Ivan had one huge arm around the little man and seemed to be making
+strenuous efforts to throw him. Stubbs struggled valiantly, the while
+sending out wails for help. Chester saw that Ivan was simply playing.
+
+"Stick to him, Mr. Stubbs," cried Chester. "You'll have him down in
+a minute."
+
+Stubbs twisted and squirmed like an eel. Once he slipped free of Ivan's
+clutch and started to run. Ivan reached out quickly and grasped him by
+the left shoulder and drew him back.
+
+Stubbs let out a yell of fear, and as he turned face to face with the
+Cossack, he struck out and upward with his clenched fist. The blow landed
+squarely on Ivan's nose and brought a stream of blood.
+
+Ivan let out a roar of rage. Apparently he had not bargained for this.
+Then he lifted Stubbs high, in the air and tossed him away in the
+darkness. The little man's yells were loud and long as he flew through
+the air. He struck the hard earth with a grunt perhaps twenty feet away.
+
+Slowly he got to his feet and came toward the others, who were now
+talking to Ivan. In front of them, he stopped.
+
+"Say!" he exclaimed. "What are you fellows trying to do, anyhow? Get me
+killed off so you won't have to bother with me? Didn't you see that big
+heathen tossing me around? What?"
+
+Hal turned and eyed the little man suddenly.
+
+"Why, there he is now," he said in a voice of surprise. "We were just
+talking about you, Mr. Stubbs. Chester was asking about you. I told him
+you were here a moment ago. Where did you go so suddenly?"
+
+Stubbs glared at them.
+
+"You mean to tell me you didn't see some big giant grab me a minute ago?"
+he demanded. "You didn't see me fighting for my life?"
+
+"Fighting?" exclaimed Hal. "You fighting, Mr. Stubbs. I didn't think you
+would attack a man."
+
+"I didn't attack a man," shouted the thoroughly aroused Stubbs. "I
+didn't attack a man. A man attacked me. No, it wasn't a man, either. It
+was a giant."
+
+"Is that so, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester in well-feigned surprise. "And
+where were the rest of us all that time?"
+
+"Where--where were you?" echoed Stubbs. "You were right here, that's
+where you were. You mean to tell me you didn't hear me call for help?"
+
+"You don't say," said Hal. "Why didn't you call aloud, Mr. Stubbs?"
+
+Stubbs sputtered angrily.
+
+"By George! I did call out loud," he cried.
+
+"And what has happened to the man who attacked you, Mr. Stubbs--the giant
+you speak of?" inquired Hal civilly.
+
+"Well, he, I--I don't know. He looked suspiciously like Ivan there to me,
+though why he should jump me, I don't know. Yes, sir, I could have sworn
+it was Ivan, but I must have been mistaken."
+
+Stubbs glanced around on all sides.
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed at last. "I know I had a fight, but I can't
+seem to make any one believe it."
+
+"Still sleepy, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Hal.
+
+"Sleepy?" repeated the little man. "Sleepy? What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, that fighting dream just now," said Hal. For a moment Stubbs stared
+at the lad angrily; then turned on his heel and stalked into the house.
+
+"Come," said Chester, with a laugh, "I'll take you into the house, Hal,
+and introduce you to a real nice little girl. She's heard of you. She
+told me so. Come on."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+BETWEEN TWO FIRES.
+
+
+At the door to the parlor, Chester stopped stock still. The others halted
+behind him.
+
+"Now what do you think of that?" he demanded.
+
+Inside, Stubbs was standing before Helen Ellison.
+
+"Yes," he was saying, "I am Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent of the _New
+York Gazette_. I am here on important business. But I have other worries
+besides my work. I am burdened with the care of two young American boys.
+I have to look after them and keep them out of trouble. Hal Paine and
+Chester Crawford. Perhaps you know them?"
+
+The little man paused expectantly.
+
+"I have met Chester Crawford," was the reply. "He was here only a moment
+ago. I do not know Hal Paine."
+
+"Well, if you know one of them you are just one better off than I am,"
+was Stubbs' rejoinder. "I know them both, too well. Were it not that I am
+continually giving up my time to getting them out of scrapes, I would be
+able to give more attention to my own work. You should be glad that you
+know but one of them."
+
+"But I thought--" began the girl.
+
+Stubbs interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
+
+"Oh, I know what you thought," he said. "I thought so myself once. So
+have lots of others. But if you knew them as well as I do you'd change
+your mind."
+
+"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Chester of Hal, in a whisper.
+
+"I think it's about time we went in," returned Hal.
+
+Chester advanced into the room and the others followed. Stubbs
+turned guiltily.
+
+"Oh, there you are," he said. "I was just telling this young lady here
+what great friends we all are. Yes, sir. I just remarked that if she were
+in any kind of danger, to mention it to you and you boys would see that
+no harm came to her."
+
+"Are you sure that's what you were talking about, Mr. Stubbs?"
+asked Chester.
+
+"Why, of course. What did you think?"
+
+"Well, I thought perhaps you might have told Miss Ellison of all the
+trouble we have caused you."
+
+Stubbs started.
+
+"I--I--" he stammered.
+
+"Oh, we heard you, Mr. Stubbs," said Hal.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs with ruffled dignity. "Eavesdroppers never hear any
+good of themselves." But the little man soon recovered his poise. "I was
+just joking," he said. "I knew you boys were listening. Ha! Ha!" He eyed
+Chester. "The young lady here says she has met you," he said. "You young
+rascal, so this is why you wanted to come on ahead, is it?"
+
+Chester blushed.
+
+"See here, Mr. Stubbs," he began, "I--"
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Stubbs. He approached Chester and gave him a dig in the
+ribs with his thumb. "So," he exclaimed, and added, "well, I was young
+myself once."
+
+He had successfully turned the tables on Chester and he was now very much
+pleased with himself.
+
+Chester decided that the best policy was to ignore the little man's
+remarks, so he turned the conversation by introducing Hal and Nikol to
+Helen. Then, when all were on speaking terms, he turned to Hal.
+
+"Tell me how you happened to find us?" he asked.
+
+"It's simple enough," was the reply. "As we were sailing along, I heard
+shots below. I came down to investigate. The first thing I knew, after
+coming in sight of this house, I saw a great hulk of a man come rushing
+out. I drew my revolver and was about to fire when I recognized Ivan. At
+first I wasn't sure whether Ivan knew us, but when he grabbed Stubbs
+there and began to play with him, I knew he did. So Nikol and I stood
+back and watched. Then you came out. That's all I have to tell."
+
+"And so you admit it wasn't a dream," exclaimed Stubbs angrily. "A fine
+lot of friends you are. How do you know what that untamed heathen might
+have done to me?"
+
+"Heathen, am I?" exclaimed Ivan, getting to his feet.
+
+"No, no! I didn't mean that," said Stubbs, backing away. "I apologize."
+
+Ivan resumed his seat and Stubbs continued:
+
+"I just want to tell you I don't think much of such treatment. As I have
+told you before, you rush to each other's aid fast enough, but when I get
+in a tight place I am left to fight it out by myself."
+
+"And you always come out on top, Mr. Stubbs," declared Chester. "We would
+deprive you of none of the glory."
+
+"Yes, but some of these times I won't come out on top and then what good
+will glory do me, huh?"
+
+"Think how proud Mrs. Stubbs--"
+
+"I can tell you right now that Mrs. Stubbs is not looking for glory,"
+shouted Stubbs. "What Mrs. Stubbs wants is me and if I fool around with
+you much longer I'm mighty likely to disappoint her."
+
+Stubbs stalked across the room and sat down in a corner.
+
+"Tell me," said Hal to Chester, "what was all the shooting about?"
+
+"Oh, it didn't amount to much," returned Chester. "Thirteen
+Bulgarians attacked us. That's all. Anderson, Miss Ellison and I
+disposed of a couple and Ivan here attended to the rest. They are all
+dead now, I guess."
+
+"And where is Anderson?" demanded Hal.
+
+"Over there on the sofa," said Chester, pointing. "He's sleeping and I
+didn't like to disturb him. He's got a hole in his head."
+
+"Bad?" asked Hal anxiously.
+
+"No; mere flesh wound. He'll be all right directly."
+
+"And do you mean to tell me," demanded Hal, "that Ivan here did all
+this work?"
+
+"Well, he did the greater part of it. It reminded me of the old days,
+when we watched Alexis in action. Any one who had ever seen them both
+fight would know they were brothers. Ivan is a powerful man and a
+great fighter."
+
+Ivan had hung his head modestly as Chester talked. Now he looked
+up and said:
+
+"It was nothing."
+
+"And yet how unlike Alexis," muttered Hal. "Can you imagine what Alexis
+would have said after a fight like that?"
+
+"Rather," said Chester dryly. "He'd have sworn he had defeated a
+regiment."
+
+"Well," said Hal. "It seems to me we have delayed here long enough. You
+will remember your orders to hurry. My plane will carry us all, if Miss
+Ellison cares to go."
+
+"Certainly she cares to go," returned Chester. "We can't leave her here
+alone. I'll wake Anderson now."
+
+He did so. The Colonel announced that he was feeling perfectly fit and
+ready to go at any time.
+
+"Well, you people get ready and I'll go and have a look at the
+plane," said Hal.
+
+He left the house.
+
+It had grown light by this time. Dawn had broken half an hour before and
+there was every indication that the day would be bright and cheerful.
+
+Helen was upstairs getting her things together, while the others sat
+about in the parlor. Suddenly Hal dashed into the house. There was an
+expression of alarm on his face. The others jumped to their feet
+excitedly.
+
+"Now what's the matter?" exclaimed Chester.
+
+"Oh, nothing much," said Hal, "only that about fifty thousand Bulgarians
+have nabbed my aeroplane."
+
+"What?" exclaimed the others.
+
+"Exactly," said Hal, "and that's not the worst of it."
+
+"My goodness!" exclaimed Stubbs. "What can be worse than that?"
+
+"Well," replied Hal, sinking into a chair. "On the other side of us I
+made out about a million Serbians advancing."
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Chester. "You mean we are in between them?"
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"Oh, my," groaned Stubbs. "This will be the last of us for sure."
+
+"Quiet, Stubbs," said Hal sharply.
+
+Now Ivan had a remark to make.
+
+"There don't happen to be a million Serbians," he said calmly.
+
+"Well, I wasn't talking literally," said Hal. "I don't know how many
+there are, but they look like a million."
+
+"And what are we going to do?" moaned Stubbs.
+
+"It looks to me as though we should have to stop right here," said
+Hal quietly.
+
+"And be shot to pieces?" This from Stubbs.
+
+"You might go outside and try running a bit," returned Chester. "I have
+no doubt you would be killed a bit quicker."
+
+"I'll stay here," said Stubbs.
+
+At this moment Helen came into the room. She was heavily attired and
+carried a small satchel.
+
+"Well, I'm ready," she said, smiling. "Did you think it would take me all
+day to dress?"
+
+"You might just as well go back and get unready," said Stubbs in a
+faint voice.
+
+Helen gazed at the serious faces about her queerly.
+
+"Why, what on earth is the matter?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Matter?" echoed Stubbs. "Everything is the matter. The Serbians and
+Bulgarians are coming to shoot us full of holes."
+
+Helen turned to Hal for an explanation.
+
+"It's true, Miss Ellison, though not as Mr. Stubbs expresses it," said
+Hal quietly. "We are between two fires. The Bulgarians are less than half
+a mile from us and they have seized my airplane. The Serbians are
+advancing. There will undoubtedly be a battle and we will be somewhere
+about the middle of it."
+
+"But can't we leave now and hurry toward the Serbians?" asked Helen.
+
+"I had thought of that," said Hal; "but the Bulgarians are too close. If
+they saw us fleeing, they would probably shoot us down."
+
+"Then cannot we seek the protection of the Bulgarians?"
+
+This brought a growl from Ivan.
+
+"Better keep as far from the Bulgarians as possible," he said in a harsh
+voice. "I know something of the Bulgarians."
+
+Hal nodded.
+
+"Besides, we have other business," he added. "We do not want to fall into
+the hands of the Bulgarians if we can possibly help it. We have a mission
+to perform if it is humanly possible."
+
+"Boom!" it was the sound of a big gun.
+
+"The battle is on," said Hal. "Will any of you come to the roof with me?
+We should be able to get a good view."
+
+"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
+
+The battle was on in full blast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+IN GRAVE PERIL.
+
+
+Helen led the way to the roof, the others following closely. As Hal had
+predicted, it was possible from this height to obtain a fair view of the
+opposing armies.
+
+To the north, as far as the eye could see, the army of King Ferdinand of
+Bulgaria spread out, a mass of moving energy. Faint puffs of smoke dotted
+the Bulgar line as far as the eye could see.
+
+"Cannon!" said Hal briefly.
+
+To the south, the Serbian line moved forward. It, too, spread out on
+either side as far as the eye could reach and puffs of smoke rose
+steadily, shutting out the view of the moving men.
+
+"More cannon," said Chester.
+
+"We seem to be safe enough for the moment," said Hal. "The shells are
+passing over us. But if one side or the other should advance as far as
+this house, we would be in imminent danger of being struck by shells from
+the other side."
+
+"Well, one side is bound to advance sooner or later," declared Chester;
+"but I guess there is nothing for us to do but wait and watch the
+progress of the battle."
+
+"You fellows can watch all you want to," said Stubbs. "I'm going down
+stairs where I won't be able to see a shell coming."
+
+"It won't make much difference whether you are up here or down there if a
+shell hits this house, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester.
+
+"Maybe not; but I won't see it and that will help some."
+
+Stubbs betook himself below.
+
+"Don't know what is coming over Stubbs," said Chester. "He didn't use to
+be as bad as that."
+
+"He was when we first met him," Hal replied. "But he seemed to be getting
+over it. He's worse than ever now."
+
+From their position, those upon the roof of the house could witness
+the effect of some of the great shells that were hurled into the
+opposing lines. One, from the Serbians, struck squarely upon the
+Bulgarian first line troops, doing terrible execution. Men were mowed
+down in great numbers.
+
+A few moments later the Bulgarians also found the range and the havoc was
+frightful on each side.
+
+"They can't stand that very long," said Hal. "One side or the other will
+have to make a move."
+
+The lad was right; and as it transpired the first move was to be made by
+the Serbians.
+
+So suddenly that it appeared the work of magic, a great body of horsemen,
+stretching out for perhaps half a mile, issued from the Serbian line in a
+charge. On they came, their sabers flashing in the early morning sun,
+straight for the distant Bulgarian line.
+
+Chester gave an exclamation of dismay.
+
+"They'll pass within a short distance of us," he ejaculated. "Then the
+Bulgarians will turn their big guns on us." He turned to Helen. "You
+would better go downstairs, Miss Ellison," he said quietly.
+
+"But I want to see the battle," the girl protested.
+
+"Chester is right," Hal agreed. "This is no place for you. Bullets are
+likely to be flying about here before long now."
+
+"But the rest of you are not coming down?"
+
+"That's different," said Chester.
+
+"I don't see how. A bullet is no more liable to hit me than it is
+to hit you."
+
+"Well, of course if you insist, I won't push you down," said Hal,
+somewhat nettled.
+
+Helen Ellison tossed her head.
+
+"Of course if you are going to be mean about it, I'll go down and sit
+with Mr. Stubbs," she said.
+
+Without another word she disappeared below.
+
+Hal looked at Chester and smiled.
+
+"Women and girls," he said, "are very peculiar. As soon as you agree with
+them they change their minds."
+
+"Well, she's down, anyhow," said Chester. "That's some relief."
+
+"And here come the Serbians," said Hal.
+
+A handsome body of men, these Serbian cavalrymen, as they charged
+straight across the open field into the very jaws of death. Men fell on
+all sides, but those who were left did not pause. The command had gone
+forth that the Bulgarian guns must be silenced and the Serbians went
+about the work as coolly as though they had been on dress parade.
+
+But it appeared a few moments later that the battle was not to be between
+horsemen and artillery, but rather between cavalry and cavalry.
+
+From the Bulgarian lines now issued a large body of horsemen; and they
+came toward the Serbians at a swift gallop, their officers riding in
+front with swords flashing and urging their men on with words of
+encouragement.
+
+The Serbian cavalry, at a command, halted and braced to receive
+the shock.
+
+"Great Scott! What did they stop for!" exclaimed Hal. "They are giving
+the other fellows, all the advantage when they come together."
+
+"Looks like bad generalship to me," Chester agreed.
+
+Now, at a command from their officer, the Serbians resumed their charge;
+but the damage had been done and when the long lines of opposing horsemen
+came together the very impetus of the Bulgarian charge carried them
+through. The Serbians reeled, staggered and their line broke.
+
+The Bulgarian horse plowed in among them, cutting, slashing and stabbing.
+Individually, the Serbians fought as bravely as their foe, but in spite
+of the desperate work the Bulgarian cavalry retained its cohesion and
+pushed steadily on.
+
+The fighting was terrible to behold. Revolvers were brought into play and
+their sharp crack, crack could be heard above the sound of the trampling
+horses and yelling men. It became apparent to the onlookers that the
+Serbians were getting the worst of the encounter.
+
+Casting his eye toward the main Serbian line, Hal gave a short cheer. A
+long, dense line of infantry was moving out to the support of the
+cavalry. Slowly they came at first, then faster and still faster as the
+men broke into a run. An imposing sight, indeed, and one to stir the
+blood. The Serbian cavalry, at a command, fell back upon the infantry,
+which separated into two sections to permit of the cavalry passing
+through the center. Then the infantry closed in again.
+
+But the Bulgarian cavalry, with victory apparently within its grasp, had
+no intention of giving up now. With utter recklessness they charged the
+Serbian infantry, dying bravely before the rifles and upon the bayonets
+of their enemy when they chanced to escape the rifle fire.
+
+The Serbian line held like a stone wall.
+
+Then the Bulgarian cavalry drew off. A cheer, which arose from the
+Serbian line, was quickly checked as the giant batteries of the
+Bulgarians opened upon the unprotected Serbian line. The Serbians
+wavered, broke and fled.
+
+Then once more the Bulgarian cavalry wheeled and charged. Right into the
+dense masses of Serbians rode the troopers, cutting and slashing to
+right and left. The execution among the panic-stricken Serbians was
+terrible to behold.
+
+"They can't stand it long," Hal shouted, barely making himself heard
+above the roar of battle.
+
+"The day is lost already," Chester shouted back.
+
+There seemed no doubt of that now.
+
+What was left of the Serbian infantry staggered back to the main army
+shattered and beaten. The big guns took up the battle again, but not with
+the same vigor and confidence as before. The Serbian fire seemed even to
+tell the spectators on the housetop that the Serbians had lost hope.
+
+Half an hour later a general retreat began.
+
+"Bad generalship, that's all," declared Hal.
+
+"Without doubt," agreed Colonel Anderson. "A charge is a charge and
+once begun must be finished. That was where the Bulgarians gained the
+whip hand."
+
+"The next step, I suppose, is an advance by the Bulgarians," said
+Chester.
+
+"Very likely," Hal agreed, "and that means that we shall be caught in the
+Bulgarian lines."
+
+"It means worse than that," said Colonel Anderson. "We are all in
+civilian attire and if our identities are discovered, it means that we'll
+be stood up and shot."
+
+"By Jove!" said Hal. "I hadn't thought of that."
+
+"Oh, we've been in predicaments just as serious," said Chester, "and we
+have always come through somehow. I guess we shall do so again."
+
+"We'll get into one just once too often, I'm afraid," said Hal, "and this
+is likely to be it."
+
+"You're getting as bad as Stubbs, Hal," said Chester. "Just keep a stiff
+upper lip and we'll come through this thing some way."
+
+"I'm no quitter," said Hal. "But the best we can do now is let events
+shape themselves."
+
+And now the Bulgarian advance began.
+
+Apparently the Bulgarian commander had no thought of attempting to
+overtake the Serbians and annihilate them. Apparently he figured that
+ground gained was ground gained whether with or without a fight. The army
+moved forward slowly.
+
+A party of officers, following in the wake of the vanguard, rode suddenly
+toward the house in which the friends had taken refuge.
+
+"And here comes the trouble, as Stubbs would say," declared Hal. "Let's
+go below and get ready to receive them."
+
+He suited the action to the word and the others followed him silently.
+Below, Hal acquainted Helen with what had transpired and announced that
+the Bulgarians were approaching.
+
+"And what of the bodies without?" asked the girl quietly.
+
+"Whew!" Hal gave a long and expressive whistle. "I hadn't thought of
+that. Wait a moment, though. We'll have to say they were here when the
+Serbians advanced and were killed."
+
+"But the Serbians were not so close to the house."
+
+"I know that, but I cannot think of any better excuse."
+
+"Besides," said Stubbs, "if the Bulgarians were killed here by the
+Serbians, the chances are the Bulgarian commander will want to know how
+it happens we weren't killed also."
+
+"Stubbs," said Hal, "I told you you were always a kill-joy. You can pick
+more flaws in things than any one I can think of. We'll tell the
+Bulgarians that story and take a chance on its passing muster."
+
+"Then we may as well say our prayers now," said Stubbs mournfully.
+
+"But what will we tell them we are?" asked Chester.
+
+"Americans," replied Hal. "Caught here by the retreat. We were just
+making our way out of the country. I'll do the talking."
+
+"All right," said Chester, and added: "Sh-h-h, here they come now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+PRISONERS.
+
+
+Came a knock at the door.
+
+"You answer it, Miss Ellison, please," said Hal, adding: "If you are
+questioned, tell the same story you told Chester."
+
+The girl nodded and moved to the door without a sign of nervousness.
+Directly she could be heard in conversation with one of the officers.
+Then followed heavy footsteps approaching.
+
+"You say they are in here? I'll have a look at them myself," said a
+voice.
+
+A moment later the scowling face of a Bulgarian colonel appeared in the
+doorway. Helen stood just behind him and behind her were several other
+Bulgarian officers.
+
+Hal rose, as did the others, as the Bulgarian swept into the room.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded the officer in a harsh voice.
+
+"Hal Paine, an American," replied the lad, and indicated the others after
+this fashion: "Chester Crawford, also an American; Harry Anderson, an
+American; Nikol, an Albanian, the servant there of Anthony Stubbs,
+American war correspondent; Ivan Vergoff, also an Albanian."
+
+"Hm-m-m," muttered the Bulgarian. "You have quite a fluent tongue, young
+man. And what are you doing here?"
+
+"Three of us," said Hal, indicating Chester, Colonel Anderson and
+himself, "were looking about Montenegro when the war broke out. We have
+been there since, lending what aid we could to the wounded. There we
+encountered Ivan Vergoff, who, for some reason, became attached to us.
+There also we encountered Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, and his
+man, Nikol."
+
+"Very plausible, very plausible," said the Bulgarian. "But how do I know
+you speak the truth?"
+
+Hal shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"We can't very well offer proof of our identities," he said. "But were
+the American consul here, I could very soon convince him."
+
+The officer frowned at this remark. The mention of an American consul or
+minister or ambassador always brought frowns to the faces of military
+officers in the war zone. It boded trouble if American subjects were not
+well treated.
+
+"And how do you happen to be here?" demanded the Bulgarian.
+
+"Montenegro was becoming too warm," said Hal. "We thought we would get
+into Bulgaria or Greece, neutral countries. We did not know Bulgaria had
+declared war."
+
+The Bulgarian's face seemed to relax a trifle. Apparently Hal had made a
+favorable impression.
+
+"Well," he said, "the best I can do is turn you over to my superior.
+Still, if things are as you say, I have no doubt that you will be allowed
+to proceed into Greece."
+
+"Thank you, Colonel," said Hal.
+
+The officer glanced around the room; and suddenly his eyes fell upon a
+man lying in the corner of the room. It was the Bulgarian whom Ivan had
+tied up the night before.
+
+"What's that?" demanded the officer.
+
+He commanded another of his officers to investigate. Hal's heart fell.
+
+The other officer stepped quickly across the room and jerked the man to
+his feet. Then he untied him and drew him before the Colonel. The latter,
+after one glance at the Bulgarian uniform, ordered his other men to guard
+all exits, and he addressed the man.
+
+"What are you doing here, sir?" he asked sharply.
+
+"I came here with some of my comrades last night," said the man. "I, a
+little in advance of the others, was overpowered and tied up. All I know
+of the others is that they arrived later and there was a fight. I have
+heard these people say my comrades were killed."
+
+"Search the house and make a careful examination without!" ordered the
+Bulgarian officer.
+
+Half a dozen of his men leaped to obey. The officer said nothing until
+his men reported fifteen minutes later.
+
+"The man speaks the truth," said one of the officers, indicating the
+Bulgarian.
+
+The colonel whirled upon Hal.
+
+"So," he exclaimed, "you have been lying to me. Perhaps you are not
+Americans, eh? Perhaps you are attached to the Anglo-French expedition at
+Saloniki?"
+
+"I--" began Hal, but the officer silenced him with a gesture.
+
+Then he turned to one of his officers.
+
+"Take a squad of ten men and escort these prisoners to General Blozle!"
+he commanded shortly. "Search them for weapons first."
+
+Hal and Chester realized the futility of resistance. They held their arms
+high, as did the others, and were relieved of their weapons without a
+word. Then, surrounded by a guard, they were marched away.
+
+An hour later they stood before the Bulgarian commander, where the
+officer who had captured them related his story. General Blozle eyed
+them keenly.
+
+"Have you anything to say?" he asked when the colonel had presented the
+case against them.
+
+Chester stepped forward.
+
+"Just this, general," he said quietly. "Miss Ellison here is in no way
+concerned in anything we may have done. We had never seen her until last
+night, as she told the colonel. Also, I would like to speak a word for
+Mr. Stubbs here. He is, as my friend has said, an American war
+correspondent. That's all, sir."
+
+The lad resumed his place.
+
+"Bah!" exclaimed the general. "You as much as admit you are a spy. If you
+are a spy, so are the others. You are a lot of spies. You English hounds!
+If it were not for the English, Bulgaria would now have what was
+rightfully hers. You shall all be shot at sunrise! Take them away!"
+
+The prisoners were marched out with scant ceremony. They were taken to a
+large tent, with ample room for all of them. There they were securely
+bound and a guard stationed without.
+
+"Well," said Stubbs quietly, with nothing of the fear of other days in
+his manner, "I guess we have come to the finish line at last."
+
+"It looks that way, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester sadly. "I am sorry that we
+have implicated you in this."
+
+"Oh, that's all right," replied the little man. "I'm not blaming you. But
+I would have liked to go back to New York once more."
+
+Chester turned to Helen.
+
+"And you, Miss Ellison," he said. "I hardly know what to say. If it had
+not been for me, you would not have been in this serious predicament."
+
+Helen smiled at him.
+
+"Say no more about it," she said quietly. "You saved me once. I am not
+the girl to whine now."
+
+"Now that you people have all decided you are going to die, I would like
+to say a few words."
+
+It was the voice of Nikol.
+
+The others looked at him in surprise.
+
+"What's the matter with you?" demanded Stubbs. "Want to berate us, I
+suppose, for getting you into this fix."
+
+Nikol eyed Stubbs somewhat scornfully.
+
+"I," said Nikol, "wish to say that while there is life there is hope."
+
+"Good for you, old man," cried Hal. "You have expressed my thoughts
+exactly."
+
+"Suppose you tell us how, securely tied as we are, we are going to get
+out of here?" Stubbs addressed Nikol.
+
+"Very simple," said Nikol. "First I want to say this. I am no strategist.
+I can unloosen us all, if some one else will show us the way out."
+
+"You do your part, Nikol, and I'll try and do mine," said Hal quietly.
+
+The dwarf eyed him approvingly.
+
+"You are the one person in the crowd who seems to have sense," he said.
+"As I say, I can break our bonds at any time. I can break the ropes that
+bind me and I have no doubt that Ivan there can do the same."
+
+Ivan nodded his head energetically.
+
+"I had thought of it," he smiled. "Yes; I can do it."
+
+"Then why haven't you done it a long while ago?" demanded Stubbs.
+"Anything is better than remaining here like this."
+
+"I haven't done it before for fear of discovery," said Nikol.
+
+"My idea exactly," agreed Ivan.
+
+"It would be better," Nikol continued, "to wait until we are sure we
+shall not be disturbed again during the night. Then Ivan and I shall free
+ourselves and release the others. I believe it would be unwise now."
+
+"Good reasoning, Nikol," said Hal. "We shall wait, as you suggest."
+
+Nikol became silent again. Ivan said nothing either.
+
+"But it's awfully tiresome being trussed up like this," Stubbs protested.
+
+"Better a little tiresomeness now than a bullet in the morning, Mr.
+Stubbs," returned Chester.
+
+"Right you are, Chester, I'll kick no more," said Stubbs.
+
+He, too, became silent.
+
+Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson talked in low whispers.
+
+"After we are freed of our bonds, then what?" questioned the Colonel.
+
+Chester shrugged his shoulders as much as his bonds would permit.
+
+"Ask Hal," he replied. "I don't seem to be able to think of anything."
+
+"Well," said Hal, "our guards, knowing that we are apparently securely
+bound, won't keep as strict guard as they should, I hope. Once freed,
+perhaps we can tap one of them over the head and appropriate his uniform.
+After that another uniform and so on until there are garments for all.
+We'll climb into them. Then we'll crawl under the tent, and once outside,
+we'll strike out boldly."
+
+"And after that?" questioned Chester.
+
+This time it was Hal who shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Who knows?" he said quietly. "We'll have to leave something to chance."
+
+"And Miss Ellison?"
+
+"A uniform for her also," said Hal decisively. "It's the only way."
+
+"But--"
+
+"Oh, I know it is a desperate chance," exclaimed Hal. "But certainly
+it is better than sitting down and awaiting the arrival of the
+firing squad."
+
+"You're right, Hal," said Chester. "But it's a ticklish business and one
+that will require nerve."
+
+"It's not a question of nerve, when you know what's in store in the
+morning," said Hal. "But as this is my plan, I'll do the work, or what
+part of it I may."
+
+"You're the doctor," Chester agreed.
+
+"Now," said Hal, "we'll try and get a little sleep. We can do nothing
+until after dark, and the better our physical conditions, the better our
+chances for escape."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+THROUGH THE NIGHT.
+
+
+Hal, Chester, Colonel Anderson, Nikol and Ivan slept. The first three,
+veterans of many campaigns and hardships, had schooled themselves to
+sleep under almost any conditions. The same might be said of Nikol and
+Ivan because of days spent in the mountain fastness, where danger lurked
+at all times.
+
+Stubbs, however, although he bore up bravely under the death sentence,
+was unable to sleep, try as he would. Nor could Helen gain a much needed
+rest, though she was not conscious that she was at all afraid. So these
+two talked during the long hours of the day as the others slept
+peacefully and deeply.
+
+With the coming of darkness a man entered bearing a tray with bread and
+water. The others awakened now and all did full justice to the frugal
+meal. Their hands were untied while they ate, but the meal over, they
+were bound again.
+
+Then all waited for what seemed hours, though in reality it could not
+have been more than three. Then Hal addressed Nikol.
+
+"Still think you can break your bonds?"
+
+"I can," replied Nikol quietly.
+
+"And you, Ivan?"
+
+"Yes, although it won't make much difference. Nikol could release the
+rest of us."
+
+"I thought the second tying-up might have made it impossible," said Hal.
+
+"I'm ready any time you give the word," said Nikol.
+
+"Then do it now," said Hal.
+
+The others gazed curiously as Nikol made his little form still smaller.
+He drew in his chest as much as possible and then expanded suddenly, at
+the same time thrusting out with his strong arms. There was a report as
+of a revolver being discharged, though much fainter, and Nikol was free.
+
+"Ha!" said Ivan. "He did it. Now watch me."
+
+The mighty muscles of the giant strained once and the strong rope
+snapped. Ivan did not seem to have exerted himself.
+
+"Now for the rest of us," said Hal.
+
+Quickly Ivan and Nikol released the others.
+
+"Now what?" asked Ivan.
+
+"Now comes my work," said Hal quietly.
+
+He moved silently to the edge of the tent and lay down flat, feeling the
+edges with his fingers.
+
+"This will come up all right," he muttered to himself. "I can get
+out here."
+
+He went back to the center of the tent again and enjoined the others
+to silence.
+
+"Don't make a sound on your lives," he commanded sternly. "Chester, you
+remain right where I leave the tent and if I bring a man back with me you
+drag him under and see that he doesn't make a sound."
+
+Chester nodded his agreement and took his place at Hal's side.
+
+Now the lad lifted the bottom of the canvas slightly and peered out. He
+smiled a trifle to himself. It was as he hoped. The guard or guards, as
+the case might be, was not as vigilant as the security of the prisoners
+should have required. Hal wriggled into the open.
+
+The huge camp slept. Here and there a sentinel stalked and it was upon
+these guardians of the night that Hal must prey.
+
+He moved toward the front of the prison tent, seeking the guard there.
+And directly he came upon him, stretched at full length upon the ground,
+his heavy military coat pulled closely about him, smoking a cigarette.
+Hal moved toward him cautiously.
+
+"I hate to do this," he muttered, "but--"
+
+With a light leap he was upon the man and his right fist shot out hard
+and true. It caught the Bulgarian just above the left ear and the man
+never made a sound.
+
+Quickly Hal dragged the body to where he knew Chester would be waiting.
+Chester dragged it under the tent and Hal went under after it.
+
+"This uniform is for me. I'll go after some more," he said.
+
+Quickly he climbed into the Bulgarian uniform and disappeared again. But
+this time, garbed in a Bulgarian uniform, he went more confidently. His
+hand rested upon his revolver.
+
+A short distance away he came upon an unsuspecting sentinel. A sharp
+blow with his revolver butt placed the other _hors de combat_.
+Supporting the unconscious figure with his arm, Hal moved back to the
+prison tent. This figure also was pushed beneath the canvas and the
+uniform donned by Chester.
+
+"Now we can make a little better time," said Hal, "there are two of us."
+
+Uniforms were still needed for Colonel Anderson, Ivan, Nikol, Stubbs and
+Helen. Hal and Chester disappeared into the night.
+
+Five minutes later Hal returned, this time with a uniform and no man. He
+had found him in a deserted spot, and after knocking him down and tying
+him up, had stripped him.
+
+"Put this on, Anderson, and get out after one," he ordered.
+
+He was gone again a moment later. Soon also Chester returned successful
+and he and Anderson departed almost together. There were now needed
+uniforms for Nikol, Stubbs and Helen, for Chester had brought one for
+Ivan. And these uniforms must necessarily be small uniforms, for they
+were for small figures. Therefore, the hunt was longer and it was more
+than an hour later until all three had returned to the tent.
+
+"Well, here we are, all of us first class Bulgarians, now," said Hal.
+"Now, we'll leave the tent one at a time, except that I shall take Miss
+Ellison with me first. Now do exactly what I tell you, all of you.
+Leaving the tent, walk two hundred paces to the left, then turn to the
+right and walk a hundred and fifty more. Next fifty paces to the left
+again. We shall wait for you there. I have covered the distance and it's
+the best place to join forces I can imagine. It is in the shelter of a
+great rock that overhangs a large tent--probably the quarters of the
+commanding officer. Do you all understand?"
+
+He had each repeat the directions several times, and then, taking Helen
+by the arm, he helped her under the tent.
+
+Outside, with caps drawn down, for the weather was cold, they hurried on.
+And at the appointed place Hal stopped. There was nothing to do now but
+wait for the others.
+
+Stubbs was the next to arrive and he came shaking a trifle. The little
+man was trying to bear up, but he was having a hard time. The next
+arrival was Nikol and then came Ivan. Chester was next to arrive,
+following Colonel Anderson by a few seconds.
+
+"Now we're all here," said Hal. "We may as well move. I have no idea just
+where we are, so we'll have to select a direction and stick to it."
+
+"Wait a moment, please," said Helen. "Isn't that the house in which we
+were captured?"
+
+She pointed in the darkness. The others peered intently in the direction
+indicated. A dark shadow loomed up some distance ahead.
+
+"I believe it is," said Hal. "Why?"
+
+"Then, if you want to get into Greece, the quickest way is to go
+due south."
+
+"But the question is, which is south?" said Hal.
+
+"Oh, I can tell you that. You just follow the road that leads by
+the house."
+
+"So be it," said Hal. "March."
+
+With Chester and Helen he led the way.
+
+They were forced to go very slowly for they were still in the Bulgarian
+lines, and all knew they would be for a considerable distance. How far
+the Bulgarians had extended their lines following the retreat of the
+Serbians they had of course no means of knowing, but Hal felt sure it
+would be a good ways.
+
+Tents dotted their line of march for an hour as they walked along keeping
+parallel with the road, but some distance from the highway.
+
+"This road will eventually lead across the Greek border," the girl
+whispered as they walked along.
+
+"Here's hoping we get across the border before the Bulgarians get after
+us," said Chester.
+
+"Second that motion," declared Hal.
+
+They walked on in silence.
+
+It had been more than an hour now since they had left their late prison
+and Hal was beginning to hope their absence would not be noticed before
+morning. He had just said as much to Chester.
+
+"I am afraid that is too much to hope for," was the latter's reply.
+
+And, as it turned out, it was.
+
+The party had walked possibly five miles, when, from behind, they heard
+the sudden booming of a great gun.
+
+"Faster," said Hal, and broke into a trot. The others followed suit.
+
+"Suppose they have discovered our flight, or the gun was some other
+signal?" said Chester.
+
+"I don't know," said Hal. "It's as likely to be one as the other. The
+farther away we get the better."
+
+More guns now shattered the stillness of the night, growing closer
+and closer.
+
+"They are after us, all right," declared Hal.
+
+Without pausing, he glanced quickly around. Then suddenly he swerved
+sharply to the left.
+
+"Why this change in course?" panted Chester.
+
+"See that woods?" demanded Hal, pointing.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Well, we may find safety there. It's a long chance."
+
+They dashed into the shelter of the little woods a moment later.
+
+Hal stopped and turned to Helen.
+
+"Climb?" he asked.
+
+"Why, yes, I guess so."
+
+"Up in this tree with you then."
+
+He lent her a hand as she grasped the lowest branch and soon clambered
+higher up toward the top.
+
+"You too, Stubbs," he commanded.
+
+The little man did not hesitate, but also was soon among the branches.
+
+"Colonel Anderson, you and Nikol get up there also. I want some
+protection for Miss Ellison in case of trouble."
+
+The others obeyed orders without question.
+
+"All right," from each, and they moved toward him.
+
+"Ivan, you come with me. You too, Chester."
+
+Hal turned for a moment, to deliver a parting injunction to those in
+the trees:
+
+"Don't any of you so much as move until I tell you to."
+
+"And where are we bound?" asked Chester, as the three moved off.
+
+"Apparently," said Hal, "we are Bulgarian officers. The bluff may work. I
+want to tell all inquiring parties that we have just explored these
+woods. Catch the idea?"
+
+Chester and Ivan nodded.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+MR. STUBBS PROVES HIMSELF.
+
+
+"We'll stay in among the trees and won't show ourselves unless we have
+to," Hal explained.
+
+From the direction in which the fugitives had so recently come, there now
+came the noise of a rapidly approaching body of horsemen. They halted a
+short distance from where Hal, Chester and Ivan stood and dismounted.
+
+"They may be hiding in here," said a voice. "We'll have a look."
+
+The men, a dozen of them, came forward.
+
+Making a slight detour, the three friends managed to get behind them.
+Then, instead of continuing straight ahead, Hal turned sharply in his
+tracks and followed in the wake of the Bulgarian searching party.
+
+The Bulgarians proceeded slowly, exploring every nook and corner of the
+woods, and firing their rifles into the densest of the trees. Hal,
+Chester and Ivan came up with them at length and mingled among them
+without being discovered.
+
+"Off to the left farther," instructed the officer in command.
+
+"No use," said Hal, in a gruff voice. "I've just come from there. There
+is no one there. The fugitives must have gone farther."
+
+"Are you sure?" asked the officer, looking at the lad searchingly.
+
+"Positive. I fired my revolver into every tree in which I thought there
+was a possible chance for them to hide."
+
+"There is no use wasting more time, then," said the officer. "This
+way, men."
+
+He led the way back toward the road. Hal, Chester and Ivan, still among
+the Bulgarian troopers, were forced to go along with them or run the risk
+of being detected. They all walked slowly and gradually were left behind.
+
+The Bulgarians mounted and rode off down the road.
+
+"Well, we are safe for a few minutes," said Chester, drawing a breath of
+relief. "What now, Hal?"
+
+"Well," was the reply. "We can't fool about in these woods long. We are
+bound to be found sooner or later if we do. Also, there is little chance
+that we could walk to the Greek frontier without being discovered. In
+some way we must find a conveyance."
+
+"Yes, but how?" questioned Chester.
+
+"That's the question. But certainly some of these Bulgarian officers must
+have motor cars. Surely they have some means of transportation besides
+horses. I have an idea that if we will follow them, in their search, we
+may come across an automobile."
+
+"That's not a half bad idea," declared Chester. "We'll do it. Shall we
+start now?"
+
+"Hold on," said Hal. "Either you or I must remain here. We can't both go.
+One of us has to direct the actions of the others."
+
+"True," said Chester. "Will you go or stay?"
+
+"Whatever you say," said Hal.
+
+"Then," said Chester, "we shall match to see who goes."
+
+He produced a coin and Hal did likewise.
+
+"If I match you, I go," said Hal. "If not, you go."
+
+"Agreed!"
+
+The two coins went spinning in the air and each lad caught his own as it
+descended and covered it with his hand.
+
+"Tails," said Chester.
+
+"Tails," said Hal. "I go."
+
+"All right," said Chester. "Then I'll be moving back toward the others.
+Good luck, old man, and hurry back."
+
+The two lads clasped hands and Chester turned on his heel and
+strode away.
+
+"You shall go with me, Ivan," said Hal.
+
+The big Cossack showed his pleasure.
+
+"I was afraid I was going to be left behind," he said. "I thought you
+might need me."
+
+"I hope I won't," said Hal, "but you never can tell, you know. Let's
+be moving."
+
+Again he led the way to the road and the two set out briskly.
+
+After half an hour's walk they came upon a party of searchers. An officer
+hailed them as they approached.
+
+"Seen anything of the fugitives?" he demanded.
+
+Hal shook his head negatively.
+
+"Did you?" he asked.
+
+"Not a sign. It's a mystery what can have happened to them. Colonel Roth
+is a short distance ahead. I heard him say he believed they were still in
+the main camp."
+
+"That so?" replied Hal. "How is the colonel traveling? Automobile?"
+
+"Of course. He's too dainty for any other kind of travel, you know."
+
+"Well, we'll move on ahead a bit," said Hal.
+
+They continued their journey.
+
+Fifteen minutes later they came upon a large touring car in the road.
+
+"Here is the thing we want," said Hal quietly. "Now if it were just
+turned around, I would take a chance and grab it. But by the time I
+turned in this narrow road, I'd have the whole Bulgarian army on me.
+We'll have to do a little figuring."
+
+They continued on their way until they came up with Colonel Roth's
+searching party. As they approached, an idea suddenly came to Hal. He
+sought out the man he knew must be Colonel Roth by his haughty air and
+his stripes.
+
+"Colonel," he said, saluting. "I know it would be a feather in your cap
+if you could land these fugitives, and I have come to show you where
+they are."
+
+"What's that?" exclaimed the dapper little man.
+
+"I said I've come to show you where they are," said Hal quietly. "All I
+ask for turning them over to you is a thousand German marks."
+
+"H-m-m-m," muttered the colonel, eyeing the lad keenly. "Even if you can
+do what you say, the price is rather high. I'll give you five hundred."
+
+Hal seemed to consider.
+
+"All right," he said at length. "It's a bargain. Turn your car about and
+I'll take you to their hiding place at once."
+
+"Very well."
+
+The colonel stepped into his automobile, and, after a series of attempts,
+finally succeeded in turning it. Then to the others:
+
+"Climb in," he said briefly.
+
+Ivan climbed into the rear seat, while Hal took his place beside the
+Bulgarian.
+
+"Straight ahead until I tell you to stop," the lad instructed.
+
+The Bulgarian officer asked no questions.
+
+A few minutes later the machine drew up in response to Hal's command. All
+dismounted.
+
+"They are all back here a little ways," said Hal.
+
+The Bulgarian officer followed Hal toward where the lad knew the others
+were in hiding. Under the tree where he had left Helen, Hal paused. Then
+he raised his voice a trifle and called aloud, at the same time drawing
+his revolver and presenting it squarely at the Bulgarian's head:
+
+"Chester! Oh, Chester! You can all come down now."
+
+In response to this hail, Chester, Helen, Mr. Stubbs and Nikol soon stood
+before them.
+
+When Hal drew his revolver, the Bulgarian officer staggered back.
+
+"A traitor, eh?" he exclaimed.
+
+"Why, no," said Hal, and he removed his heavy cap.
+
+The Bulgarian gave a long whistle and ejaculated: "One of the
+fugitives himself."
+
+"So you know me?" said Hal. "Well, then you should know me well enough to
+do as I say."
+
+"What is it you want?" demanded the Bulgarian.
+
+"Nothing very difficult," declared Hal. "First we want to borrow your
+automobile for a few hours."
+
+"So?" exclaimed the Bulgarian. "Well, you can't have it."
+
+"We'll see," said Hal quietly. "Here, Ivan! You guard this fellow, while
+I have a look at the car."
+
+He examined the machine carefully.
+
+"All right for a quick dash, I guess," he said finally, rising from his
+inspection. "All aboard!"
+
+Every one obeyed, and soon all were seated in the car save Hal and
+Chester, who were to occupy the front seat. Hal also motioned the
+Bulgarian into the front seat.
+
+"He may come in handy after awhile," he declared.
+
+Everything in readiness at last, Hal and Chester climbed in and Hal took
+his place at the wheel.
+
+"I'll do the chauffeuring," he said, with a smile. "I may have to do some
+talking later and I want to be running this animal, so I can know what to
+do without having to talk. Keep your eye on our friend, there, Chester."
+
+"I'll hang on to him, all right," replied Chester grimly. "He'll not get
+away from me. Have no fear of that."
+
+"All right," called Hal. "Everybody ready?"
+
+He glanced around quickly.
+
+"All ready," came in Colonel Anderson's voice.
+
+The others nodded their assent and an instant later the machine darted
+southward at a rapid gait.
+
+Two miles down the road, Hal was forced to stop by the presence in
+the road of a single man armed with a rifle, which he aimed straight
+at the car.
+
+"What do you want?" demanded Hal, anxiously.
+
+"You'll have to get out," was the man's reply. "I have orders to let no
+one pass."
+
+Helen looked at Hal hopelessly and the lad was moved to action.
+
+Gently he stirred the Colonel with his toe as he commanded under
+his breath:
+
+"Speak for us or I'll put a bullet through you."
+
+The officer did as commanded.
+
+"Why are you barring our way?" he demanded in a harsh voice.
+
+"Orders, sir," was the reply.
+
+"Do you know who I am?"
+
+"No, sir, and it will make no difference."
+
+This conversation was put to an end in a sudden and unexpected manner.
+
+Anthony Stubbs rose in his place.
+
+"Will you permit us to proceed?" he demanded.
+
+The man in the road shook his head.
+
+"All right," said Stubbs.
+
+He climbed to the front seat, and before any one could realize what he
+was up to, sprang head-first at the Bulgarian.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+"GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN."
+
+
+Stubbs' action was so entirely unexpected that for a moment the other
+occupants of the automobile were stunned. Then Hal and Chester leaped to
+their feet, as did Nikol, Ivan and Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Little man's gone off his head," muttered Ivan, as he leaped from the
+car to go to Stubbs' assistance.
+
+Stubbs, in his headlong leap, struck exactly where he had intended--right
+upon the Bulgarian's shoulders, and the force of the impact bore the man
+to the ground. Again, the action was so unexpected that the man did not
+have time to discharge his rifle.
+
+As the soldier went to the ground beneath his weight, Stubbs' hands
+gripped him by the throat and he squeezed as hard as his weak muscles
+would permit.
+
+But the Bulgarian had recovered himself now and hurled Stubbs to one
+side. He pulled himself to his feet, and with an angry growl, half raised
+his rifle.
+
+It was at that moment that Ivan, quicker than the others, seized the
+rifle in his two hands. He gave a quick twist and jerked the weapon from
+the hands of his opponent. The latter staggered back and his hand dropped
+to his belt. But before he could draw a revolver, Ivan had raised his
+newly won rifle and brought it down on the Bulgarian's head. The man
+dropped inert without a sound.
+
+Then Ivan picked Stubbs up bodily, deposited him in the tonneau of the
+car and climbed in himself.
+
+"We'd better get away from here," he said.
+
+Quickly Hal resumed his seat and threw off the clutch. The automobile
+dashed forward again.
+
+Ivan turned to Stubbs.
+
+"Why all this bloodthirstiness, Mr. Stubbs?" he demanded in surprise.
+
+"I'm getting tired of all this nonsense," replied Stubbs. "I want to get
+out of this country. I want to get back home where there is no
+war--where men are not killing each other off by the thousands. I'm a
+peaceable man and I'm going back to a peaceable country if I have to
+fight to get there."
+
+Nikol the dwarf now extended a hand to Stubbs.
+
+"You are a brave man, sir," he exclaimed. "Not many are there who would
+have attacked a man who held a rifle pointed at his breast. You are a
+brave man, sir."
+
+Unthinkingly, Stubbs clasped the hand and a moment later gave a
+howl of pain.
+
+"Hey! Leggo my hand!" he cried. "Ouch!"
+
+Nikol released Stubbs' hand with a murmured apology, while Stubbs felt
+the injured right member tenderly with his left and turned an aggrieved
+eye on Nikol, but he said nothing.
+
+Suddenly the car slowed down. Those in the rear seat glanced ahead and
+the reason for the abrupt slackening of speed became apparent.
+
+Coming toward them at a rapid trot was a squadron of Bulgarian cavalry,
+blocking the road.
+
+Hal turned to the Bulgarian officer between him and Chester and
+said quietly:
+
+"Now it's up to you. Remember, I've got my gun ready and at the first
+false move I'll put a bullet through you."
+
+The captain in command of the cavalry squadron gave a sharp command and
+his men drew rein while the officer came forward. He glanced at the
+colonel in the automobile and saluted.
+
+"Oh, it's you, sir," he said. "Have you seen anything of the fugitives?"
+
+The Bulgarian felt the pressure of Hal's revolver in his back.
+
+"No," he said.
+
+The captain saluted and would have passed on, but Hal instructed his
+prisoner to ask:
+
+"How far are we from the Greek frontier?"
+
+"Less than a mile," was the answer. "There is but one more body of our
+troops between here and a strong force of Greeks, which is patrolling
+the border."
+
+The two Bulgarians saluted each other and the troop separated to make a
+path for the automobile.
+
+"Another close shave for all of us," said Chester, when they had passed
+by. "You, too," he said to the Bulgarian. "You'd have been a goner if you
+had sought to give the alarm."
+
+A few minutes later Hal made out another body of troops blocking the
+road. He reduced the speed of the car and spoke to the others.
+
+"The last barrier to freedom," he said. "Be ready to duck down in the
+car. I am going to take no more chances with our prisoner here. He is
+likely to take this last chance to betray us. The troops are drawn up on
+both sides of the road. I am going to make a dash for it."
+
+There was no reply, but Hal had expected none.
+
+The car approached the troops slowly and seemed about to stop.
+
+The Bulgarians moved to one side, thinking to surround the machine when
+it had come to a halt.
+
+Less than fifty feet from the nearest soldiers, and a scant two hundred
+yards from where Hal could make out a large body of Greek troops, the car
+suddenly leaped ahead and Hal threw the gear into high.
+
+All save Hal ducked instinctively.
+
+The Bulgarians, taken completely by surprise, stood stock still for a
+moment and then the cry of in officer rang out:
+
+"Fire!"
+
+Instantly fifty rifles were leveled at the automobile, now fast eating up
+the short distance to the Greek frontier, and a score of bullets struck
+the car in the rear.
+
+Bullets flew all about Hal's head and he felt a stinging sensation in his
+left shoulder. There came a second volley and then the car flashed among
+the body of Greek troops.
+
+Quickly Hal brought the car to a stop. Heads bobbed up from the back of
+the car and it was Anthony Stubbs who breathed the relief that all felt.
+
+"Safe at last!" he cried.
+
+Now all alighted from the car, the Bulgarian officer, Hal's prisoner,
+with them.
+
+Greek troops approached.
+
+Hal spoke hurriedly to the Bulgarian.
+
+"Quick now!" he cried. "If you make a dash you can get back over the
+border before these fellows can stop you."
+
+The Bulgarian wasted no time in talk. He took to his heels and made
+record time for his own country, which he reached in safety, in spite of
+a volley fired by the Greek troops.
+
+A Greek officer now came hurriedly up to Hal.
+
+"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded harshly. "Do you not know that
+this is a neutral country?"
+
+"And we thank Heaven for that," said Stubbs fervently. "We have had a
+hard enough time getting here."
+
+"I shall have to turn you over to my superior," said the officer. "He
+will dispose of your cases. In the meantime, you may consider yourselves
+under arrest."
+
+Neither Hal nor Chester paid much attention to what the Greek officer was
+saying. They were too busily engaged watching the antics of their
+erstwhile prisoner, who, now safe on his own side of the line, was
+shaking his fist in their direction and making other fierce gestures.
+
+Now Hal turned to the Greek officer.
+
+"Will you accompany us back close to the line," he said, "that we may
+hear what yonder little fellow is talking about? He seems to be greatly
+put out about something."
+
+"First tell me what you are doing here?" was the command.
+
+Hal explained as rapidly as possible and then repeated his request that
+they be allowed to go back toward the border a few moments.
+
+At last the officer gave his permission.
+
+Chester, Hal, Colonel Anderson, Ivan and Nikol, each grinning, moved back
+toward the border. Stubbs hung back, and seeing this, Hal called:
+
+"Come along, Mr. Stubbs. Here is one time you may look at an enemy with
+impunity."
+
+Stubbs followed.
+
+The Bulgarian officer was still angrily waving hit arms about when they
+neared him.
+
+"Look at him rave, will you?" said Hal, with a laugh.
+
+"Ha! Ha!" laughed Ivan.
+
+"He should think himself lucky that we allowed him to go back,"
+declared Chester.
+
+The friends were less than fifty feet from the Bulgarian now, but they
+ventured no closer for fear they might inadvertently cross the line.
+They stood in this order: Hal, Chester, Nikol, Stubbs, Ivan and
+Colonel Anderson.
+
+"Poor little fellow," said Stubbs at this juncture. "Poor little fellow.
+He looks so awfully mad!"
+
+The Bulgarian officer, who had been growing angrier with each taunt from
+across the Greek line, now became suddenly infuriated. Forgetting all
+prudence, forgetting all laws of neutrality, forgetting everything except
+the smiling face of Anthony Stubbs, American war correspondent, he
+suddenly drew his revolver and fired pointblank at the little man.
+
+Stubbs' face blanched at the movement and the others were too surprised
+to move--all except one; and this one, quick as a flash, leaped forward
+with the agility of a cat and thrust his body protectingly before
+Anthony Stubbs.
+
+When the smoke of the revolver had cleared away Stubbs stood erect,
+unharmed--but at his feet lay the twitching body of Nikol, the dwarf.
+
+There was a sudden hush, prolonged for several minutes; then Stubbs
+dropped to his knee with an inarticulate cry and threw his arms around
+the neck of Nikol.
+
+Quickly the others gathered about and Hal shouted:
+
+"A surgeon, quick!"
+
+But Nikol, raising his head to Stubbs' knee, stopped him with a gesture.
+
+"It's no use," he said quietly. "It got me here," and he raised a hand
+slowly and touched a spot just above the heart. "A surgeon can do no
+good. Besides, I would not have a stranger near me when I die. To me you
+are all strangers and yet for days I have not looked upon you as such. I
+am glad to have known you all and I know the day will come when I shall
+see you all again. Now, if I could see the young lady for just a moment
+before--before--"
+
+Hal hastened back to the automobile where Helen Ellison still sat,
+wondering at the cause of the trouble, and repeated the dwarf's request.
+
+"Of course I'll go," said the girl, and there was a catch in her voice,
+for this was the first time death had come so close to her.
+
+She ran forward and knelt over the little dwarf and took his hand. He
+smiled at her.
+
+"I just wanted to tell you good-bye," he said. "I have never seen a young
+lady like you before."
+
+For a space of several seconds he looked at her. Then he dropped her
+hand and said:
+
+"Now if the rest of you will just shake hands with me once--"
+
+Silently the others grasped Nikol's hand, one after another, and at the
+last came Stubbs.
+
+To the latter's hand the dwarf clung tenaciously.
+
+"You, sir, are a brave man," said Nikol. "I am glad I was able to save
+you. You may be of some use in the world."
+
+The pressure upon Stubbs' hand tightened and tightened until the little
+man winced with the pain of it; but he made no outcry--only smiled as he
+exclaimed in a broken voice:
+
+"Nonsense! Nonsense!"
+
+"Well, good-bye, all," said Nikol faintly, after a moment's pause.
+"Good--"
+
+The pressure on Stubbs' hand relaxed and the little dwarf of the Albanian
+hills fell back, dead.
+
+Stubbs rose and brushed the tears from his eyes. Then, after one look at
+the still form on the ground, he turned and walked away. The others said
+nothing, for they knew his grief was great.
+
+And now, while the others--all good friends and true--are gathered about
+the body of little Nikol, the dwarf, we shall leave them once more,
+knowing that, after days and weeks of strenuous adventures and grave
+perils, they are, for the moment at least, in a land of peace.
+
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boy Allies in the Balkan Campaign
+by Clair W. Hayes
+
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