"By the Czar!" he exclaimed. "I wonder why General Burgoff comes in such force? I had expected that he would come practically alone. Here he must have five thousand men!" Nevertheless he advanced to meet the Russian commander without delay. General Burgoff descended from his car with a firm step and haughty mien. He did not pay much attention to the officer who came forward to greet him, other than to return his salute and say a few words. He spoke to one of his own officers. "Have the men on the march immediately," he said sharply. The latter saluted and moved away. The general entered the station and by his side walked Frank, come to Siberia to find his friend and chum. And no sooner had Frank entered the station that his eyes rested upon Jack. "Jack!" he cried and dashed forward. Jack turned quickly in utter amazement at the sound of his chum's voice. "Frank!" he cried joyfully, and half rose, only to be pushed down again by one of the soldiers who guarded him. Frank turned upon the soldier and cried: "Let him alone." At this moment the Russian officer who had captured Jack and Boris came up. "Look here," he said to Frank. "These men are my prisoners and neither you nor any one else can interfere with them." "Is that so?" shouted Frank, losing his temper. "Well, I'll----" A firm hand was laid on the lad's arm and he looked into the face of General Burgoff; the general's face wore a peculiar smile. "Silence, if you please," said the general. "I shall attend to this matter myself." Frank drew back a trifle as General Burgoff turned toward the officer who accosted Frank. "You, sir," said the general sternly, "are hereby relieved of the custody of your prisoners. I shall accept the responsibility; and in the future when you address any one at all, let it be in more of a gentlemanly manner." The officer flushed at this rebuke. "But sir," he protested, "I must make my report to General Surgoff, sir. He is in command in Siberia and he will not like your having taken my prisoners from me." "Now don't let that worry you, colonel. You need report to General Surgoff no more except when I tell you to." The colonel bowed. "I do not know your authority, sir," he said, "but I must yield to you as my superior officer. The prisoners are yours, sir; but I would add, if you will permit me, that they have escaped from General Surgoff and that he would probably be glad of their return." "Very well," said the general. "I am going to pay my respects to General Surgoff. You may consider yourself on my staff for the present. Now present my compliments to Colonel Luskowith and tell him to march immediately." The colonel bowed and departed. General Burgoff advanced to Jack's side. "So!" he exclaimed, "the young Englishman whom I sentenced to Siberia, eh?" "The same," said Jack briefly. "I have come," continued the general, "to tell you that I have discovered my grievous error, to release you and to ask your pardon."