rprise. "You
see, many things are known to me. For instance, now, I could even tell
you the object of your expedition to these mountains. Is it necessary?"

Hal threw wide his arms with a gesture of dismay.

"I guess it is not necessary," he said quietly.

"Good!" cried Brunnoi, for the first time evincing real interest in the
lad. "You are a man after my own heart. You have nothing to gain by
subterfuge."

"Well," said Hal slowly. "You know who we are and the object of our
mission. What is your answer? Are you Austrian or Russian? Are you a
Slav or not?"

Brunnoi jumped to his feet.

"Yes," he replied, "I am a Slav; but I am not one of your down-trodden
Russian Slavs. I am a Hungarian, and a Hungarian--a true
Hungarian--to-day is an Austrian!"

"Then," said Hal calmly, "our mission is accomplished. We know where you
stand. May I ask you a question?"

"Certainly."

"Is it true that you have been able to furnish the Austrian general
staff with the Grand Duke Nicholas' plans?"

Brunnoi was silent for some moments, but at length he replied:

"I don't mind answering that question, for you will never repeat my
answer to the Grand Duke. Yes, I have furnished the Austrian general
staff with important information."

"Well," said Chester, breaking into the conversation, "what are you
going to do with us?"

"Why," said Brunnoi, "for the present you shall be kept here as my
guests--prisoners, if you prefer. After that--well, it all depends.
Should the Russians come, it may be necessary to dispose of you.
Therefore, you should be wise and pray for Austrian success."

"Surely you do not mean that you would murder us?" asked Hal.

"I call it by no such name," replied Brunnoi calmly. "Putting away an
enemy is not murder."

"Very well," said Chester calmly. "I suppose there is no use talking
about it."

"Not the slightest. Come! Follow me, and I shall show you where you will
make your home."

The bandit chief arose from his chair and led the way into another
compartment. Hal, Chester and Alexis followed him. This room was also
fitted up comfortably, though not as pretentiously as the bandit's
office. There were several beds in the room.

"You may make yourselves comfortable here," said Brunnoi. "The door will
be always locked, but that need not interfere with your comfort."

He bowed and left the room, and the three prisoners heard the key turn
in the lock behind him.

"It looks to me as though we are in a