siness,"
said Hal, also taking a step forward, and tapping his opponent lightly
on the cheek.

The man grew very angry, and his face turned a dull red. He raised his
cane, and struck sharply at Hal. But Hal was not there, and a moment
later the man received a sharp jolt on the jaw as Hal's fist went home.

The man let out a string of epithets and rushed at the boy. But the
latter was prepared for him, and drove him back with straight rights and
lefts; one blow brought a tiny stream of blood from the man's nose.

He drew back.

"You will answer for that," he said quietly, and turning, walked off.

Hal shrugged his shoulders, and at that moment the salesman whom Alexis
had frightened a few moments before came back.

"Do you know who that was?" he asked of Hal.

"No," replied the lad, "and what's more, I don't care."

"Well," said the salesman, "the man whom you just struck is Count de
Reslau, and he is very influential. You have made a bad enemy."

"I don't care if he is the King of Poland," replied Hal. "No man can hit
me and get away without a return blow."

Alexis, meanwhile, had been gazing at Hal in astonishment. Now he
approached and laid a hand on the lad's arm.

"A real fighter!" he exclaimed. "A man after my own heart!"

"I didn't see you doing much fighting just a moment ago," said Hal,
somewhat nettled.

"Of course not," replied Alexis. "Do you think I wanted to get in
trouble? Suppose an officer had come along?"

"Well," said Hal, "suppose he had?"

"If he had, we would have lost our liberty for all time to come."

"And is that why you didn't fight?"

"Yes! Discipline in the Russian army is more strict than in any army in
the world; but you are certainly a fighter. The way you stood up to that
man reminds me of the time I----"

"Come on," broke in Chester, not wanting to hear any more bluster, "and
let's get out of here."

The three left the store, and continued their stroll about the town. As
they were passing an unfrequented corner, six men suddenly sprang out
upon them, armed with clubs and knives.

Hal and Chester immediately backed up against a wall, and turned to
fight off their assailants; but not so Alexis.

With a loud shout he rushed upon the six who had attacked them. Right
and left flew his huge fists, striking out blindly. One man toppled to
the ground. A stabbing wrist was caught in the Cossack's great hand, and
thrown twisting through the air. And at the same time Alexi