returned, the count was waiting for us. Why
he left us behind alive when he came back here, I don't know, but I now
remember how greatly surprised the count was to see us back safely.
Immediately he planned to get us out of the way. Hence the attack the
other 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 see
the prisoner was of course not Count de Reslau, but a man made up to
resemble him. Am I right, count?"

"Yes," replied the bandit. "I have kept him near me for that very
purpose. He had his orders that in the event I was ever arrested, he
would make up to resemble me."

"Exactly," continued Hal. "Once alone with the prisoner the rest was
easy. He removed his disguise, and Brunnoi removed his. Brunnoi came out
as Count de Reslau, and the other man stayed. Naturally, the first thing
the count thought of when he was free was to dispose of Chester and
myself. Hence his call this morning. As he escaped from Alexis I
succeeded in pulling off his beard. That's all there is to it."

"And now," demanded the bandit chief, "what are you going to do with
me?"

"There is but one thing I can do with you," replied the Grand Duke. "The
fate of Count de Reslau shall be the same as that already pronounced for
Brunnoi, the bandit. You shall be shot within the hour. Personal
friendship shall not keep me from doing my duty. Officer, see that my
command is carried out."

The guard closed in about Count de Reslau and he was led away. Then the
Grand Duke Nicholas, commander-in-chief of the Russian armies, sank into
a chair, and buried his face in his arms on the table. Quietly the lads
left the tent.

"By Jove!" exclaimed Chester, as they walked along, "you spotted de
Reslau 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 out
clearly until just as we stood before the firing squad. Then I saw it as
plain as day."

"It's lucky for us that you did," said Chester with enthusiasm. "But
here comes Alexis. He'll be glad to know that Brunnoi has been disposed
of."

And he was.

"But you make much over a small matter," he said.

"Small matter!" exclaimed Chester. "I should say that proving Brunnoi
and