"Still in the count's home, your Majesty. We figured it would be unwise for both of us to leave." "I see," said the Czar. "Long heads, as you Britishers would say, Lord Hastings. But come, our train is waiting. We shall continue our journey into the lair of my dear friend Count Blowinski." The Czar laid a hand on Frank's shoulder and guided him toward the royal carriage. At the door, he turned to the only officer who accompanied him besides Lord Hastings. "General Rushtriki," he said, "this young British officer and myself have important matters to discuss. He will take your place in my carriage." "But, your Majesty," protested the astonished officer, "I--there----" "Never mind, general," said the Czar. "I shall have my way in this; and if there is no other place for you aboard this train, well, then I guess you will have to remain here." "I shall find another place, sire," returned the general, with ruffled dignity. He stalked majestically away and entered another compartment. The Czar climbed back in his compartment and motioned Lord Hastings and Frank to follow him. "Now," he said, when he was comfortably seated and the train had resumed its interrupted journey, "now you shall tell me all about yourself, what you have been doing and what you have learned." Frank plunged into the account of their adventures. When he told of Jack's appearance in the den of the conspirators, the Czar was moved to ask: "And how did you find your way there?" "Why, your Majesty," returned the lad, "I overheard a conversation in one of the hotels where I chanced to stop; and as it was too late to return and acquaint Jack with what I had learned, I took it upon myself to follow the men." "I see," smiled the Czar. "Then you were undoubtedly surprised to see your friend there." The conversation languished now; and soon the Czar fell asleep. Frank took this opportunity of having a few words with Lord Hastings. "Then the Czar will not trust himself entirely to the count's troops, sir?" the lad asked. "Indeed he will not," said Lord Hastings. "He wanted to add a thousand men to his personal bodyguard and only consented to adding the thousands upon my suggestion, backed up by his ministers." "And there are really twenty thousand men coming, sir?" "There are. Following this train, at ten-minute intervals, are twenty more, each carrying a thousand men. They will not reach Moscow for an hour after the royal train arrives. Then they will be disembarked rapidly and marched to the palace, where the Czar is to rest before addressing the count's troops. This, too, is my idea, for I figured that if there were to be any break it would be at that moment. A man engaged in treachery always plays to the spectacular. Then, too, if I were wrong, it could make no difference if the troops were there." "Then your plan is not to let the count know the Czar's troops have arrived until the time for action comes, sir?" "Exactly."