"Something up!" exclaimed Hal. "What do you mean?"

"Why, simply that the prisoner's attempt to escape was a ruse."

"A ruse?"

"Exactly. That's why he jumped toward us. Do you see now?"

"No," replied Hal, losing his temper, "I don't. Quit beating around
the bush. If you have anything to tell me, do it."

"Well, then," said Chester, "you see this piece of paper?"

"Yes."

"Well, the prisoner made his attempt to escape for the sole purpose of
handing this to one of us. I happened to be closer to him than you
were. That's why I got it."

"You mean----" began Hal.

"Exactly," Chester interrupted. "Now, let's see what it says."

Both lads bent over the paper.

"It's written so finely I can hardly make it out," said Chester, after
looking over the paper.

"Bring it over to the window," replied Hal. "Under a strong light we
may be able to read it."

Again both lads bent over the little piece of paper. This is what they
read:

"For the success of military operations in the western
theater of war, it is essential that the Russian campaign be
pushed with immediate vigor, particularly in the north.
Knowing that we are all working in sympathy and accord,
without awaiting an answer, I take it for granted that this
suggestion will be acted upon."

"No address and no signature," said Hal. "What's it all about?"

Chester bent closer over the paper.

"What's this at the bottom?" he said.

Hal looked again.

"Some kind of a seal, it looks like to me," he said, after a careful
scrutiny. "By Jove, I have it! It's a secret sign, that's what it is.
The man for whom this is meant will undoubtedly recognize it."

"I believe you have hit it," exclaimed Chester.

"But how are we to know for whom it is intended?" said Hal. "It
carries no address."

"It is intended for Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the
Russian armies," replied Chester.

"How do you know that?"

"When I was wrestling with the prisoner he told me so," was Chester's
reply.

"Well, then," said Hal, "we know for whom it is intended, but what did
the man give it to you for?"

"Well, he said that it must be delivered at all costs."

"I hope he didn't expect us to deliver it."

"I guess he did though, or to see that it went on its way."

"Yes; and how are we going to do it? Can you figure that out?"

"No," said Chester, "I can't. But something has got to be done. I
imagine that General French and Gener