"I have this moment signed your pardons," he said. "I have told the military authorities, who are under my supervision, that I have positive evidence you are not German spies. My word goes here yet--and will in the days to come, when the German armies have occupied Moscow." The count swept his arm about the room, taking in all the other figures in a single comprehensive gesture. "These," he said to the two lads, "are the men who are with me in this undertaking. You may speak plainly before them." The lads bowed to the circle of faces. "Very well, your Excellency," said Jack quietly. "By the way," said the count, "how am I to address you?" Jack smiled slightly as he replied, indicating Frank. "My companion here as Lieutenant Maurice Depree and myself as Lieutenant Raoul Santon, of the French army." "Good," said the count. "Good for our work here. But your real names?" "Are not to be mentioned in Moscow," replied Frank simply. "And why?" demanded the count with a sudden show of anger. "Because it is commanded," returned Frank firmly. For a moment it seemed that the count was about to make an angry retort, but he checked himself and after a moment smiled. "A command," he said, "is a command. It would be well if others obeyed orders as well as you." He then presented each lad in turn to the various men about him, and Frank and Jack were surprised to learn that some men so high in the Russian service were engaged in this gigantic German plot. "The names of some," thought Frank to himself, "would startle the whole world." "And now," said the count, "perhaps you can throw a little light upon a subject we have been trying to solve. First, of course, you know something of what we are planning to do?" "A trifle," said Jack. "I shall explain. Our plan is to gather together, in Moscow first, such a number of men who are dissatisfied with Russian rule, as to raise a hand for the Kaiser. I may say without boasting that at this moment I have the pledges of at least a hundred Russian noblemen to use their influence and what power they have to join when the time is ripe. There is dissension among the troops, particularly those who have been held here and in Petrograd--St. Petersburg once more when German arms have been victorious. Among high officers in the army we have found recruits, as well as in the ranks. When the time comes we shall strike, and when it does come I have enough men at my command to capture Moscow and hold it. "Now, perhaps you have heard that the Czar will visit Moscow next week?" Frank nodded, and then he took a long chance. "It was for that reason, so I am told," he said, "that we were sent here at this time. I can now give you what verbal instructions I carry. I am commanded to tell you that the time to strike is on the last day of the Czar's visit to Moscow, after which, it is understood at home, he is going to the front."