ph that the giant Cossack had
inscribed in the hard wood. It was this:

"Marquis--killed on the field of honor!"

It was upon the following day that the welcome news came that there was
to be further action. Practically every Cossack regiment at the front in
Poland was ordered back to Lodz, their places being taken by other
Russian cavalry and infantry.

Again in Lodz the lads learned what this new movement meant. Grand Duke
Nicholas, the investment of Galicia having been successful, had decided
upon an immediate invasion of Hungary. The Cossacks had been called to
lead the dash over the Carpathians into the heart of the enemy's
territory.

Hal and Chester had an audience of the Grand Duke. The latter summoned
them to his quarters to offer an apology for his hasty action in
ordering them shot some days before. Also he talked a little of the
proposed invasion.

"Sixty thousand Cossack cavalry will be the advance guard," he informed
them. "Behind these will come the infantry in great force. I plan to
have a million men in Hungary within two months. If we are successful in
forcing a passage of the mountains, and I am sure we shall be, Budapest
will be at our mercy, with Vienna as the next goal.

"In the meantime the Poland campaign will be pressed, that the Germans
may be unable to go to the aid of the Austrians in the south. The thing
that I fear now is that Turkey may be drawn into the war on the side of
the German emperor. The Kaiser has brought great pressure to bear upon
them, and I fear that they cannot long be kept neutral."

"What effect would that have upon the invasion of Hungary?" questioned
Chester.

"It would unquestionably delay it for days, possibly weeks. While we are
prepared for the Turks, nevertheless it would probably necessitate the
sending of reenforcements toward the border, and naturally I should have
to draw upon the forces I am now sending into Hungary."

"I see," replied Chester. "But the Turk, as a fighting man, doesn't
amount to much, as I understand it."

"In the recent Balkan war they did not show much fighting prowess, it is
true," said the Grand Duke, "but officered by Germans, and under German
discipline, there may be a different story to tell."

"But there is no danger of their affecting the ultimate outcome of the
war?" asked Hal.

"None," was the confident reply. "What it will mean, however, is that
Turkey, as a nation, will be wiped off the map of Europe, and, possibly,