"If you will prove to our satisfaction that you are really Count Blowinski, we shall do so," said Jack. "I see it is useless to profess ignorance any longer." For answer the count stepped to the door of the cell and raised his voice in a call for the jailer. The latter hurried forward. "Tell these prisoners who I am," ordered the count. "You are Count Blowinski, your Excellency," replied the man. "Good," said the count. "Leave us again." The man retreated and again the count turned to the two lads: "Are you satisfied now?" he asked. "Perfectly, your Excellency," declared Frank. He took off his coat, and ripped open the lining. Then he produced a paper, which he passed to the count. Jack did likewise. "They are in duplicate," said Jack. "In case one of us failed to get through, the other, it was felt, would reach you safely." Quickly Count Blowinski scanned the papers and then tore them into little pieces and dropped the bits into his pocket. "Now," he said sternly, "if you will tell me why you told me you carried a verbal message?" His words were a question and Frank replied quietly. "So that, in the event you were not really Count Blowinski, you would not know that we carried papers," he said. "Good! Good!" cried the Russian. "You are shrewd. I shall be able to make use of you. I suppose you know that the contents of these papers put both of you at my disposal?" "No, your Excellency, we had not been so informed." "But it is true," declared the count. "And your courage and resourcefulness is commended to me. Yes, I shall have use for you." "We are at your service, your Excellency," said Jack. The count moved toward the door. "I shall have to leave you here for a time," he said. "It may be an hour, it may be six. Things cannot be done in a minute without arousing suspicion, in spite of my rank. However, I shall have you out as soon as I possibly can, for I would converse with you further. Good-bye." He passed out and again summoned the jailer, whom he ordered to relock the door. This done, the two moved away. "Well, he swallowed it," said Frank, after he was sure the count was out of hearing. "I should say he did," Jack agreed. "I didn't imagine it would be so easy." "Nor I; but we have the hardest part of the work still ahead of us." "And we shall carry it to a successful conclusion," said Jack. "Or know the reason why," added Frank. It was well within the specified time that a jailer again approached the cell and commanded the two lads to follow him. "Where are you taking us?" demanded Jack. "Count Blowinski desires your presence," replied the guard. The lads followed without further questioning. They were ushered into the count's presence in his own handsome apartments. They were rather surprised when they found the count was not alone, but their surprise was short lived, for after the guard had taken his departure, Count Blowinski addressed them immediately.