"Arrest!" cried Frank. "And what for?" "All in good time, all in good time," said the officer with a deprecating gesture. "Out here with you." "See here," protested Jack, "I wish you to understand that you are talking to two French gentlemen, allies of Russia in this critical stage, and I must insist that you be more choice in your words." "So?" queried the Russian with an evil leer. "Just to put a stop to all this foolishness, I may as well tell you that I know you for what you are. You are both German spies." "Spies?" echoed Frank. "I assure you, sir----" "It's no use," declared the Russian. "You have been followed for days now. We were warned of your approach and instructed to arrest you both on sight. You will come with me now, without further talk." Jack said a few words in an aside to Frank. Immediately the Russian officer produced a pair of revolvers, with which he covered the two lads. "No foolishness," he said quietly. "I have a squad of my men out here. Will you come out, or must I use force?" "I assure you you are making a grave mistake," declared Jack, "but rather than cause unpleasantness, we shall come with you until we are able to prove our identities." "You are sensible, sir," returned the officer quietly. "Alight, please." Jack stepped from the compartment first and Frank directly behind him. Outside, a squad of half-a-dozen men surrounded them and they were marched away. They walked down several streets and turned in toward a rather handsome appearing building. Here they were led before a figure attired in the uniform of a Russian general. This officer heard the report of his subordinate and then commanded: "Relieve them of what weapons they may have." An officer felt through their pockets and removed the revolvers so recently given them by the Czar. Then the general ordered: "Lock them up and see that they are kept safely." Again the lads were marched down a long corridor, then down a flight of long steps into inky blackness; thence along another corridor and finally into a low and narrow cell. Here they were locked in and the officer and his men withdrew. "Nice place this," said Frank, after their captor had taken his departure. "Rather," agreed Jack dryly. "Doesn't look to me as though we were going to get very far with this mission." "Come now," said Frank, "you don't mean to tell me you don't see through this?" "See through what?" demanded Jack. "This darkness? Couldn't any one see through it." "Oh, no," said Frank. "I mean our arrest and imprisonment." "Of course I see through it," said Jack. "We've been spotted and the count has had us caught. Must be a leak in the Czar's palace some place." Frank laughed. "I should say things are working out first rate," he said calmly. "Oh, you would. Maybe you can explain it to me then."