you can whip this man?" pointing to von Bernstrum.

Alexis' fingers twitched.

"Remember you are wounded, Alexis."

"Try me," he said simply.

"Keep quiet, then, and do as I tell you," said Hal.

He turned again to von Bernstrum.

"I can see," he said, "that the lady would be pleased to know a man like
you."

"Ah! you see it?" cried the German. "But Heinrich is so cunning. Now if
I had your help----"

"What would you have us do?" asked Hal.

The big German was silent for some minutes before replying.

"If I had your help," he said at length, "I would see that you all
regained your liberty. Will you help me?"

"What is it you would have us do?" asked Chester.

"I will not say until you have promised," said von Bernstrum.

"And we will not promise till you have told us," said Hal. "How do we
know that you are a man of your word, or that you are a fighter, such as
you would have us believe."

"What! Freiderich von Bernstrum not a fighter!" exclaimed the big German
in surprise.

"We have only your word for it," said Hal quietly.

Von Bernstrum paced up and down excitedly. He stopped suddenly.

"Let me bring swords!" he exclaimed, "and you shall see whether I can
fight!"

He made as if to leave the room.

"Not so fast!" exclaimed Hal. "The clash of steel would bring the whole
fortress down on us. But I shall try you out."

"How?" exclaimed the German eagerly.

"Alexis!" called Hal.

The big Cossack approached.

"Here," said Hal to the German, pointing to Alexis, "is a foeman worthy
of your steel. You shall try with him."

"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum. "With fists?"

"No," replied Hal, who was somewhat doubtful of Alexis' prowess in the
fistic art. "How about a wrestling match?"

"Good!" exclaimed von Bernstrum again. "But I assure you I am his
superior." He turned to Alexis. "Get ready, man!"

CHAPTER VIII.

THE ESCAPE.

Alexis made ready.

Hal realized that he was taking a desperate chance to put through the
scheme that had entered his mind. Not only was von Bernstrum a bigger
man than Alexis, but the latter had lost much blood only 36 hours
before. Doubtless also he knew every trick of a wrestler or fighter.

Alexis took off his shoes and threw them into a corner, and divested
himself of his coat. Von Bernstrum growled like a dog as he followed the
Cossack's example.

Alexis held out his hand. Von Bernstrum gripped it hard and gave a grunt
of satisfaction.

"A man's