Half an hour later, together with a number of Russian officers, the lad found himself before the Russian commander. The latter looked them all over carefully, then motioned to one of his men to have Jack taken out. "He seems younger than the rest," he said. "Neither is he a Russian. I will take up his case after I have disposed of the others." Jack was taken from the general's quarters, but he had not long to wait. At the end of another hour he was again led before the general. Besides this officer and the man who commanded the squad in charge of Jack, there was no one present. General Burgoff leaned back in his chair and eyed Jack keenly. "What is your name?" he demanded. "Jack Templeton," replied Jack in English. "Lieutenant in the Royal British navy, sir." "What are you doing here, then?" demanded the general. "I am here on a special mission by command of the Czar," replied the lad quietly. The Russian commander smiled into his long beard. "A likely story," he replied. "It is true, sir," replied Jack. "What was the nature of this mission?" asked the general skeptically. "My friend and I were sent here to expose Count Blowinski," returned Jack. "How well we succeeded you may see by what has just happened." Again the general smiled skeptically. "I hope you don't expect me to believe any such story as that?" he questioned. "I do, sir, because it is the truth," was the lad's response. "Well, I don't believe it. Of course, it is only natural that you would have an excuse; all men do when they are caught. It is my belief that you are one of the traitors." "I assure you, sir----" began Jack. The general rose to his feet abruptly. "Enough!" he said sternly. "Your lies will gain you nothing. I shall prescribe the same punishment for you as for the other traitors." "But if you would only investigate my claim, sir," protested Jack. "A waste of time," replied the general. "The Czar must not be troubled with such matters." "You are likely to be troubled when the Czar hears of this," returned Jack quietly. "What!" exclaimed General Burgoff. "You dare to threaten me?" "I am making no threats, sir." "Come, enough of this talking," said the general. "As I have said, your punishment shall be the same as that of the other traitors." "Death?" asked Jack quietly. "Worse," was the general's response. Jack was surprised. What could be worse than death, he asked himself. The answer came in an instant and a chill struck his heart, as General Burgoff said sternly: "Siberia!" CHAPTER XVII. INTO SIBERIA. If there is one country in the world where the wheel of modern progress has failed to turn, that country is Siberia. True, there is a railroad, or perhaps several railroads, that traverse and extend into the broad expanse of uninhabited country; but they are few and far between. Except in times of war, such as these, they are not much traveled.