Jack was on his feet instantly. "Say no more about it, sir," he exclaimed. "You were greatly worried and overwrought at the time, sir. Any man will make a mistake, sir." The general looked at the lad keenly and then extended his hand. Jack grasped it. Then the general turned to Boris. "And your fellow prisoner?" he asked. "Boris," said Jack. "He has aided me greatly in making my escape." "Then, for that reason, if for no other," said General Burgoff, "I shall not question the reason of his imprisonment. He is free." The general motioned the soldiers who guarded the two to stand aside. "And now," he added, "tell me how you have been treated. Have you any complaint to make?" Jack's lips set sternly. "Do not think I am whining, sir," he said, "when I say that the treatment accorded prisoners by General Surgoff and his underlings is barbarous." "Tell me," said the general. Jack told of his own treatment and that of other prisoners as he had witnessed it. General Burgoff's face turned red as the lad progressed, and when he had concluded, he said: "Yes, I shall pay my respects to General Surgoff, and at the Czar's command. So that is the way prisoners are treated in Siberia, eh?" "General," said Jack, "I have a favor to ask." "Name it; it is granted," was the reply. "Then, sir, in respect to General Surgoff, will you not follow my plan?" and the lad outlined an idea that had come into his head. When Jack stopped talking, General Burgoff clapped his hands and exclaimed: "Good! Good! It shall be done! Come, gentlemen, we shall move at once. I shall indeed be glad to see my dear General Surgoff!" CHAPTER XXIV. A SEVERE REPRIMAND. General Surgoff had word of General Burgoff's approach long before the long line of troops appeared in sight. The former immediately made preparations to receive him. It was an hour after the first troops came within view of the prison camp that General Burgoff and General Surgoff saluted each other. Then the latter extended his hand, but General Burgoff appeared not to see it. Said the Siberian commander: "If you will come to my quarters, sir, I shall be pleased to make you at home." "Thank you, sir," was the reply, "but first I would deliver to you two prisoners whom I have picked up." He summoned his orderly. The latter went away and returned a few moments later with Jack and Boris, surrounded by a file of soldiers. At sight of them, General Surgoff's eyes lighted up. "Ah!" he exclaimed. "They escaped from here very recently, General Burgoff. I am indeed glad to have them back again, especially the young one. I shall teach him a lesson that he shall not forget if he lives to be a hundred; and with your permission, sir, I shall do it now." "I shall be glad to see the form of punishment you use in Siberia," was the other's reply.