Sandoff left the room with a firm step and composed bearing, but nevertheless his brain was fairly bursting with the intensity of his thoughts. He had but one idea—the necessity of making an immediate and desperate dash for liberty. The game was up. Just inside the door stood the four Cossacks who formed Colonel Nord’s escort. They were laughing and talking boisterously, and Sandoff noted with satisfaction that the _starosta_ had taken away their horses—probably to be fed and watered. Here was one danger out of the way. The sledge stood where he had left it, facing the road, and the gates were wide open, the _starosta_ having neglected to close them after Colonel Nord’s entry. Another favorable circumstance! Sandoff calmly untied the strap that held the horses to the gate post. Then he turned and slowly mounted the seat beside Shamarin. Even in the dim light the marble pallor of his face was visible, and his companions were quick to scent danger. “Something has happened,” said Vera. “What is it, Victor?” “Hush!” said Sandoff in a voice that they hardly recognized. “Not so loud! All is lost and discovery is inevitable. Prepare the firearms for use. All depends now on getting clear of the village.” He gathered up the lines and Shamarin touched the horses with the whip. They trotted out of the yard, the circlet of bells making merry music over their heads, and turned up the street on a gallop. “Those accursed bells!” muttered Sandoff. “Why did I not take them off?” Then he fiercely jerked the horses to a standstill as the military post loomed in view, with the barred gate stretching from side to side across the road. The officer who had stopped them before came out with a lantern. “Open the gate,” demanded Sandoff. “I am in haste, and must make up for lost time.” The man hesitated. “Have you seen Colonel Nord already, your excellency? He came but a moment or two ago.” “Certainly, you blockhead!” roared Sandoff, losing control of himself. “Else why should I be here? Open that gate instantly!” The officer was cowed by this determined attitude, and moved forward with the evident intention of obeying; but before he could take three steps a door was heard to slam violently, and from the post yard came a volley of shouts and curses, delivered in Colonel Nord’s high pitched voice. Then followed answering cries, and a quick running of feet over the frozen snow. The officer halted, and looked keenly at the occupants of the sledge. Then he called “Guard! guard!” in a shrill voice. “Hold firm,” whispered Shamarin. “There’s only one way—I’ll do it—stand by me.”