"You are a fool," he said pleasantly. "Why do you think I came here at the head of five thousand men? Either you will give me your sword this moment as a sign that you recognize my authority, or I shall put you and your entire command under arrest, if I have to shoot half of them down to do so." "But sir," protested the other, "surely you will not humiliate me in the sight of my men." "You cannot be humiliated, sir," was the reply. "You are too low for that. It gives me pleasure, sir, to tell you that you are a coward and a cur." General Surgoff's hand dropped to his sword belt. "No man can call me that," he said, "and live." "But I do," declared his successor. "I call you that and I shall live to see you brought before the Czar. Now sir, for the last time, your sword." Slowly General Surgoff drew his sword and seemed on the point of passing it to the officer who had relieved him of his command. But suddenly he raised it before him and sprang forward with a cry. General Burgoff was taken completely off his guard. Not so Jack. He had been eyeing Surgoff closely and had half expected some such move. Therefore, at the moment the man leaped forward, so did Jack. With his right hand the lad struck the officer's arm and then closed with him. With a sudden movement he seized the arm that held the sword and he twisted it sharply. The sword went flying through the air and struck ten yards away, while the Russian sought in vain to free himself from the lad's clutch. At length, believing he had the man powerless, Jack released his hold and stepped back. With a sudden movement the infuriated officer whipped out a revolver and aiming it directly at the lad, pressed the trigger. Jack had seen the movement, but he was so surprised that he seemed to be rooted to the spot. He was unable to move. But there had been another close witness of the struggle and the quick action of this watcher alone saved Jack's life. Frank had sprung suddenly forward and succeeded in knocking up the Russian's arm at the very moment his finger tightened on the trigger. Jack therefore emerged from the cloud of smoke unharmed. Now Frank had grappled with the officer and was seeking to wrest the revolver from his hand. But the lad was no match for the big Russian. Jack sprang forward just in time to lend a helping hand and General Surgoff was subdued without much trouble. "Now," said General Burgoff to the deposed officer, "I shall have the pleasure of informing the Czar that you attempted to assassinate me. Do you realize what that will mean?" General Surgoff made no reply, though he glared at the other angrily. "By the way, General," said Jack, stepping forward at that moment, "you haven't forgotten the promise you made me, have you?" General Burgoff smiled. "No danger," he returned. "I shall be an interested witness." He turned again to General Surgoff. "Surgoff," he said, "did you ever hear of men fighting with their fists?"