Jack, his eye ever keen, had been watching Count Blowinski like a hawk. As the emperor spoke of traitors, the lad saw the count's form stiffen. Then the big Russian suddenly whipped out his revolver and fired at the Czar. But Jack had acted just as promptly. As he saw the count's revolver leap forth, the lad jerked out his own weapon. Hardly taking time to aim, but breathing a fervent prayer, Jack pressed the trigger a moment before the count's finger tightened on the trigger of his revolver. There was not the space of a second between the two sharp reports, but Jack's revolver spoke the fraction of a second before that of the count. Count Blowinski staggered back. The bullet from Jack's revolver had struck him in the shoulder, but his finger had already tightened on the trigger, discharging his weapon. But his aim had been deflected by Jack's bullet and the missile went wide of its mark. Before he could fire again, had such been his intention, Jack had leaped forward and his powerful fingers were clasped about the big Russian's throat. The force of Jack's spring had been so great that he bore the big man to the floor. At the same time he cried to the Czar: "Back inside, quick, your Majesty!" But the lad need not have spoken; for at the sound of the first shot, others of the Czar's personal retinue had seized their Emperor and borne him forcibly away. Then the crack of rifles filled the air. Under the command of their officers, trapped though they were, the disloyal Russian troops turned to give battle to the loyal forces who surrounded them on all sides. So terrific, however, were the volleys poured in on them from beyond, one after another, and so fast did they drop, that their resistance was but momentary. Yet during the time that it took them to lay down their arms and cry for quarter, fully a thousand of them were shot down. Immediately thereafter, the commander of the loyal forces gave the command to advance, and the men came forward at the double, thrusting to right and left with their swords and long bayonets among the now unarmed men. Jack, having choked Count Blowinski into unconsciousness, had paused a moment before going inside to watch the battle. Therefore, he was still on the palace steps when a squad of loyal troops burst through the disloyal forces and ascended the steps with a rush. The officer in command saw Jack standing there almost alone, a revolver still in his hand, and pointing toward the lad with his sword he exclaimed: "Seize him!" Immediately rough hands were laid on Jack. In vain he struggled to free himself and protested his innocence of any wrong. The grasp of his captors only tightened. In spite of his struggles he was led down the steps and in among the heart of the Russian troops. Here he was turned over to another squad of men, with orders to take him at once before General Burgoff.