Prescott steadied him to his feet. They continued on. * * * * * Now the firing ceased, and in a moment Major Hendricks appeared, at the head of his party. "Well, we've got them," he said, saluting Stoddard. "How are you, old man?" "All right," was the gritted reply. "Let's have a look at them." A flashlight was swept across the stolid group of Cossack prisoners, but as Stoddard peered into one face after another, he realized that Krassnov was not among them. "You haven't got the leader," he said. "See here, you birds," he addressed the Cossacks, "where is he, eh?" If they understood, they gave no indication of it, but shook their heads sullenly. "Well, damn it, we'll find him!" Stoddard wheeled and strode past them. "Give me three or four men, Major. I'll smoke out that Russian bear. He must be here somewhere." Hendricks sent the main body above, with their prisoners, and gave him the men he wanted, putting himself at their head. "You'd better go on up, too, Professor," said Stoddard, addressing Prescott. "You've risked enough, in my behalf." But the older man shook his head. "No, I'll come along, if you don't mind," he insisted. "I want to see the end of this thing." * * * * * It was an end that came with dramatic suddenness. Pausing before a barred door some fifty paces down the passage, they were debating what their next move would be--when suddenly it was flung open. "Come in, gentlemen," came a suave, ironical voice. "Sorry my servants were so uncivil." In the glare of light from beyond, Stoddard and the professor saw that it was Prince Krassnov. He stood there unarmed, smiling. "Is this the fellow?" rasped Major Hendricks, his automatic levelled. "It is," said Stoddard. Slowly, cautiously, they followed the man into the room, which in reality was merely the end of the passage sealed off, though its walls were richly panelled and it was luxuriously furnished. Pausing beside a small, heavy table, he swept his hand over it, indicating a heap of rough diamonds that must have represented millions. "Merely a fraction of my treasure, gentlemen," he told them, with a deprecating shrug. "I hadn't quite finished storing away the last shipment, when you interrupted me." He strode to one of the walls, drew out a small drawer from a built-in cabinet and dumped its glittering contents on the table with the rest. All around the room, Stoddard noted as he stood there swaying, were other cabinets dotted with the knobs of similar drawers. "And this, gentlemen, is but my American sub-headquarters," the Prince went on. "In Siberia, in Brazil--but why bore you with the multiplication of my now useless wealth? Tell me, instead, my good friends--Professor Prescott, Doctor Stoddard--how come you back here, after I saw you safely on your way earlier in the afternoon?"