"I may be able to help with an idea," said Lord Hastings, and continued: "Why not set a man to watch him. Let this man come beneath his eye in some peculiar manner, say, apparently as a German spy himself. Have him arrested by the count's own men and then let a demand that he see the count, reach the traitor's ears. Thinking that there has been some word sent him, Blowinski will see the man. Then this man will invent a plausible story, that he may ingratiate himself with the count. Such a story should not be hard to concoct. The rest would be a question of time only. Learning just when the count planned to take his final step, the man could communicate with you and when the time for this step came, you, knowing what he was about to do, would hold the whip hand." "A clever idea," declared the Czar after some consideration, "if I could but lay hands upon the man. He must be one who speaks German like a native German and one whom the count could never, by any chance, have seen before. If I could only find a man equal to such a task!" "Or men, or boys, sire," said Frank boldly. The Czar and Lord Hastings both whirled upon him. "What is that?" demanded the Czar. "I mean, sire," said Frank, flushing slightly, "that my chum here and I would be only too glad to undertake such a mission. I am sure that we come up to requirements." "Impossible!" declared Lord Hastings. But the Czar had been eyeing the two lads keenly. "Not at all," he said in reply to Lord Hastings' remark. "Not at all, my lord. If I can satisfy myself that these young fellows could do the work, I would ask you for their services." "Well, I am forced to say they could do the work possibly better than any others," Lord Hastings grudgingly admitted. "In fact, I know it. But I would hate to lose them." "But you are not going to lose them," declared the Czar. "If they are as smart as I think they are, they will come through with this thing famously." "Indeed we will, sire," declared Jack. "Good," laughed the Czar. He turned again to Lord Hastings. "My lord," he said, "I crave your permission for the use of these two officers of yours upon the mission you have suggested." "I am loath to part with them, your Majesty," Lord Hastings replied. "But for the cause?" inquired the Czar softly. "For the cause." Lord Hastings bowed his head. "For our cause," he replied, "I would do much. I cannot deny you, sire." CHAPTER X. COUNT BLOWINSKI. "You are sure now that you know exactly what to do?" asked Czar Nicholas of the two lads several hours later. "Perfectly, your Majesty," said Frank with a bow. "We have our instructions well memorized, sire," Jack agreed. "Very well. Now if you will step into the next room you will find clothing laid out for you. I have seen to all arrangements while you were discussing details with Lord Hastings."