CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MYSTERY CLEARED.
Chester stared in astonishment at his friend. Had he gone mad and takenthis means of staying their execution?
The Grand Duke staggered back a step, and Count de Reslau smiledincredulously.
"Have I your permission to do so, Your Excellency?" asked Hal.
The Grand Duke waved his hand.
"You shall have three minutes to produce him," he said angrily.
"Good!" said Hal. "It will require even less."
His right hand was in his pocket. Suddenly it flashed forth, and with itsomething white. Straight toward Count de Reslau the lad sprang, andbefore the latter could leap out of the way Hal grasped him firmly bythe back of the neck with his left hand, and with his right clapped along, flowing white beard to his face. Then with a twist, he whirled himso that he faced the Grand Duke.
"Behold Brunnoi, chief of the bandits!" he cried.
The Grand Duke staggered back again, and put one hand to his eyes.
"Impossible!" he exclaimed.
But he was forced to believe what his eyes saw. Count de Reslau andBrunnoi, the bandit chief, were one and the same man. There could be nodoubt of that.
In vain did the bandit struggle to free himself from Hal's firm grasp.The lad clung to him tightly in spite of all his efforts. Then,realizing that the Grand Duke must be convinced, he dropped the beard tothe ground and stepped back while half a dozen rifles covered the count.
The Grand Duke, with a wave of his arm, instructed the officer incommand of the firing squad to release the two lads. Then he ordered himto conduct the bandit chief to his quarters, and motioned the lads tofollow. Inside the tent the Grand Duke turned upon his false friend.
"De Reslau," he said, addressing the prisoner, "we have been friends,and for that reason I am offering you a chance to make a satisfactoryexplanation--if you can."
"I have nothing to say," replied the prisoner.
"Will you tell me how you have conducted your operations?"
The bandit did not reply and Hal stepped forward.
"Your Excellency," he said, "I believe I can rehearse it from beginningto end. The count probably will correct me if I am wrong."
The Grand Duke ordered him to proceed.
"Well," said Hal, "the count knew of our mission. We went horseback, butthe count, being prepared for these rapid journeys, proceeded byautomobile."
The bandit chief glanced at the lad in surprise.
"How did you know that?" he demanded.
"We stumbled upon your automobile garage in the mountains," said Halquietly. "Of course, when we returned, the count was waiting for us. Whyhe left us behind alive when he came back here, I don't know, but I nowremember how greatly surprised the count was to see us back safely.Immediately he planned to get us out of the way. Hence the attack theother night, in which we were fortunate enough to capture him."
"But the escape?" demanded the Grand Duke. "How did he escape?"
"Very simple," replied Hal. "The man to whom you gave the pass to seethe prisoner was of course not Count de Reslau, but a man made up toresemble him. Am I right, count?"
"Yes," replied the bandit. "I have kept him near me for that verypurpose. He had his orders that in the event I was ever arrested, hewould make up to resemble me."
"Exactly," continued Hal. "Once alone with the prisoner the rest waseasy. He removed his disguise, and Brunnoi removed his. Brunnoi came outas Count de Reslau, and the other man stayed. Naturally, the first thingthe count thought of when he was free was to dispose of Chester andmyself. Hence his call this morning. As he escaped from Alexis Isucceeded in pulling off his beard. That's all there is to it."
"And now," demanded the bandit chief, "what are you going to do withme?"
"There is but one thing I can do with you," replied the Grand Duke. "Thefate of Count de Reslau shall be the same as that already pronounced forBrunnoi, the bandit. You shall be shot within the hour. Personalfriendship shall not keep me from doing my duty. Officer, see that mycommand is carried out."
The guard closed in about Count de Reslau and he was led away. Then theGrand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian armies, sank intoa chair, and buried his face in his arms on the table. Quietly the ladsleft the tent.
"By Jove!" exclaimed Chester, as they walked along, "you spotted deReslau just in time. Another moment and it would have been too late.Tell me, how did you happen to hit it?"
"Ever since I pulled Brunnoi's beard off this morning," replied Hal,"another face has kept flashing into my mind. I could not make it outclearly until just as we stood before the firing squad. Then I saw it asplain as day."
"It's lucky for us that you did," said Chester with enthusiasm. "Buthere comes Alexis. He'll be glad to know that Brunnoi has been disposedof."
And he was.
"But you make much over a small matter," he said.
"Small matter!" exclaimed Chester. "I should say that proving Brunnoiand Count de Reslau were one and the same person was quite a bigmatter."
"If you had asked me," returned Alexis calmly, "I could have told youthat several days ago."
"You could?" cried both lads in a single voice.
"Of course. I knew it right along. You see, my eyes are unusually keen.I remember once how this keen sight proved of great advantage. We wereon a raid. The officer in command, using his glasses, could not quitemake out objects moving some miles away. He called upon me. My eyes,being far more powerful than the glass, showed me plainly what was goingon, and we were thus kept from falling into a trap. Then I rememberanother case----"
"One is enough," said Hal dryly. "If you knew Brunnoi and Count deReslau were the same person, why didn't you say so?"
"Why," said Alexis in no wise disconcerted, "I didn't see that it madeany difference."
"Then your sight is not so good after all," said Chester. "But what arewe going to do now, Hal?"
"Well," said Hal, "I guess we might as well go get Marquis and return toour regiment. Our work here is done."
The dog was indeed glad to accompany his three friends forth once more,and so, procuring three fiery chargers, the trio set out to rejoin theirregiment at the front--some miles to the west of the city of Lodz.
Most of the officers of the regiment to which the three were attachedhad been killed in the previous battle, and so when they finally reachedit, Alexis found that instead of being a lieutenant he had become acaptain.
"You see," he told the boys confidentially, "a brave man always comesinto his own. You will see how these fellows fight with me at theirhead. They will be a whole lot different, I can tell you."
The Russians had intrenched themselves along the entire front, as hadthe Germans only a short distance away. During the days in which thelads had been in the midst of the Carpathians, there had been onlyskirmishing between the opposing forces. Long range artillery duelsraged incessantly; but there had been little work for the cavalry andinfantry.
There had of course been several charges and counter charges, but theadvantage rested with neither side. The Russian troops, in spite of thecold weather, made themselves comfortable in the trenches, wrapped tothe chin in their heavy sheepskin garments. Used to severe winterweather, the Russian troops did not fare as badly as did the Germans,who suffered severely.
The lads' regiment was stationed near the center of the long line ofbattle. Preparations for a movement of some sort were being made on allsides. Troops were being hurried here and there, and officers dashedhither and yon. Occasionally the men burst into song; while from theGerman trenches came the chanting of the "Watch on the Rhine." The menof both armies were making the best of the situation, and seemedreasonably happy.
From his pocket one of the Russian officers now produced a pack ofcards. Alexis, invited to take a hand, consented, but Hal and Chesterrefused.
"What's the matter?" demanded the officer. "Are you too good to playcards?"
"Not a bit," smiled Hal. "We simply don't c
are to play, that's all. Wedo play occasionally, for pastime, but we don't gamble."
"Don't gamble!" exclaimed the officer. "How can you play cards if youdon't gamble. Come on now, we need two more players."
"No," said Hal, decidedly. "We shall have to ask you to excuse us."
Even Alexis glanced at the lads in astonishment. Plainly this was beyondhis comprehension, as gambling among the Cossacks is an ordinarypastime. But the other officer was not satisfied. He arose and camedirectly up to Hal.
"You must play with us," he said.
"I am sorry," replied Hal, "but we do not care to play."
"Afraid, eh?" said the Russian.
"No," replied Hal, "we are not afraid. We simply don't care to play."
"You are cowards," said the Russian, and jostled Hal with his shoulder.
Hal stood his ground and refused to be pushed aside. The Russian reachedout a thumb and finger and pulled Hal's nose. Then he staggered back,for Hal had sent his fist crashing against his chest.
Quickly the Russian officer drew his sword and sprang upon the lad, whoalso drew his weapon and stood on guard. But now Alexis leaped to hisfeet, and his own sword struck up the weapons of the others.
"Enough of this," he said sternly. "Put up your swords."
"I have no desire to fight," replied Hal calmly.
"I know you haven't," sneered the Russian. "You are afraid. But I demandsatisfaction for that blow."
"Well," said Alexis, "if you must fight, let it be with fists."
"Any way suits me," said the Russian.
"If he insists on a fight, I am willing to give it to him," said Hal,and quickly threw off his coat.
The Russian also discarded his heavy coat, and the two squared off. Itwas perfectly plain to Hal that the Russian, although considerablylarger than himself, was no boxer, and he had little doubt of theoutcome, for the lad was proficient in the use of his fists.
The Russian came forward with a rush. Hal sidestepped neatly, and thehuge fist passed by harmlessly. Hal sent a quick sharp blow to theRussian's cheek, staggering him a bit. The latter turned and againrushed at the lad.
Quite a crowd had now collected around the combatants and watched thecontest eagerly. As the Russian rushed at him this time, Hal struck upthe blow with his left forearm, and stepping in close planted his rightover his opponent's heart. The Russian staggered back, and at the sametime Hal sent a series of left and right jabs to his opponent's face.
But the Russian, recovering, bored in again, striking out wildly at thelad. The latter gave a clever exhibition of footwork, and not a singleblow landed. At the same time he continued to tap the Russian lightly oneither side of the face.
Suddenly the Russian lowered his hands and stepped back.
"I quit," he said, smiling foolishly. "There is no use trying to hit aman when he runs away all the time. Now with swords or pistols----"
"There will be no swords or pistols used while I am here to prevent it,"exclaimed Alexis.
At that very instant the clear call of a bugle sounded in the Russiantrenches. Quickly all personal animosities were forgotten, and the mensprang to their posts.
It was the signal for an advance.
Boy Allies with the Cossacks; Or, A Wild Dash over the Carpathians Page 18