"Then, General, you are in a difficult situation," said the Czar quietly. "And yet I will give you another chance. I shall relieve you of your command temporarily and you shall go after this young Englishman yourself. Bring him back to me safely. Here," and the Czar turned and scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, after which he affixed his seal, "this order, for the moment, appoints you commander-in-chief of all the forces in Siberia. Bring this young Englishman back to me safely, or suffer the consequences." The general took the paper the Czar extended to him. "It shall be done, sire," he said quietly. "And," the Czar continued, "you will make careful inquiry. If the young Englishman has been ill treated, you will seek out the man who is the cause of this ill treatment, arrest him and bring him to me, be he who he may. Yes, even if it be General Surgoff himself!" Again the general bowed. "Your Majesty," said Frank at this juncture. The Czar eyed him in surprise and Lord Hastings disapprovingly. But Frank was not abashed. "Your Majesty," he said again. "Well?" said the Czar. "Can I not go with the general, sire?" he asked. "I would like to go to Jack's aid as fast as possible. He will expect me. He would hunt me out, no matter where I was." The Czar looked at Lord Hastings. "What do you think, my lord?" he asked. Lord Hastings shrugged his shoulders. "As you please, your Majesty," he replied. "I have no doubt Mr. Templeton would be glad to see him. Neither have I any doubt that Mr. Chadwick here might come in handy." The Czar turned to General Burgoff. "What do you think, general?" he asked. "Well, sire, to tell the truth, I would rather not be bothered with excess." "In that case, general," said the Czar, with the suspicion of a twinkle in his eye, "and as you have been somewhat lax in your own duties, I shall allow the lad to accompany you. You will see that he is well treated." General Burgoff bowed low. "It shall be done, sire," he said. "Very well. Now, general, you will take with you from Petrograd enough men to assure you that your orders will be obeyed, come what may. Do I make myself clear?" "Perfectly, your Majesty. I shall take sufficient men." "And one thing more, general," said the Czar firmly. "Let me impress upon you the utter necessity of being in the right hereafter, before you take too much upon yourself. Men have been shot for less." The general accepted this rebuke with a bow and a flush of the face. "I shall obey, sire," he replied. "Good. Now, make what haste you may. That is all." The general saluted stiffly, motioned to Frank to follow him, turned on his heel and stalked from the Czar's presence. Frank stopped a brief moment for a word of farewell to Lord Hastings and then expressed his thanks to the Czar. "There, there!" said the latter with a laugh. "No thanks are necessary. I am glad to give you a chance of seeing Siberia with an opportunity of coming back. Run along now."