Immediately the Siberian commander summoned two men, who it appeared were his official "lashers." They came forward with their long whips, and cruel smiles on their features. General Surgoff indicated Jack with a gesture of his right arm. "Strip him and give him thirty hard lashes!" he ordered. The men sprang forward and laid hands on the lad, who submitted without a murmur. General Surgoff eyed him with an evil smile. "So!" he exclaimed. "I have you back, eh? Well, before I am through with you, you will wish you had died in the snow. Hurry, men!" The two men now stepped back and raised their whips. But before the first blow could be struck, General Burgoff sprang forward. "Stop!" he commanded in a harsh voice. Somewhat bewildered the men dropped their whips. General Surgoff turned upon General Burgoff angrily. "What do you mean, sir?" he demanded. "I mean that things like this shall come to an end," declared the other. "There will be no more of this brutality in Siberia, when it is in my power to stop it." "In your power, sir?" questioned General Surgoff. "You forget, sir, I am in command here. The punishment shall proceed. Apply the lash, men!" "One moment," said General Burgoff quietly, raising a hand. Again the men dropped the whips they had raised. General Burgoff turned to the Siberian commander. "I have allowed this matter to proceed thus far," he said, "because I desired to see how you conducted matters here. I have seen enough. And besides having seen, I have heard. Your sword, sir!" General Surgoff staggered back in utmost amazement. "Wha--what's that?" he demanded, hardly believing the senses of his own ears. "Your sword, and at once," said General Burgoff. "You may consider yourself under arrest, sir." A slow smile flitted over the other's face, now that he was sure he had understood. "You forget, sir," he replied, "that I am in command here. I, sir, in turn, demand your sword for having interfered with your superior officer." General Burgoff laughed aloud. "Surely," he said, "you don't think I would make such a demand without some assurance that I could enforce my orders. Come, sir, your sword, and quickly." "And by whose command do you act?" asked General Surgoff, somewhat uneasily. "At the command of the Czar!" General Surgoff again staggered. "But--but----" he began. "Silence," interrupted General Burgoff. He drew a piece of paper from his pocket and passed it to the other. "By this," he said, "I am empowered to relieve you of your command in Siberia and I have full authority to act in your place." General Surgoff read the paper and his eyes flashed dangerously. Suddenly he tore the paper into little bits and turned upon the other defiantly. "There is your authority," he said, and threw the fragments of paper to the wind. "You are powerless to touch me now." Again General Burgoff smiled.