"I don't believe so. I saw him turn once or twice, but I am sure he did not suspect we were trailing him." Jack moved on. "Here's a little alley," he called back to Frank. "Maybe he ducked in here." "Well, take my advice and don't go fooling around there in the dark," advised Frank. "It's darker than pitch there. A man in the alley could see you, and if he were there, he'd crack your skull before you even saw him." "Oh, I'm not going to try it," said Jack. "I was just wondering; that's all." "As long as you stay outside and wonder, it's all right, I guess," said Frank. But events so shaped themselves that they were not to stay out of the dark alley. Jack's sharp ears caught the sound of a body moving in the alley. "There is some one in there," he called excitedly to Frank. "I'm going after him." "Hold on," cried Frank. "Come back here," he added as Jack started forward. But it was too late. Jack had already disappeared in the darkness. Drawing his revolver, Frank also sprang forward. In the darkness it was impossible to see a hand before one, but Jack moved forward, revolver in hand, without fear. "Who's here?" he demanded, first in French and then in German. There was no reply, and the lad repeated the question, continuing to walk further up the dark alley. And then, before the lad could raise a hand to prevent it, something the nature of which he could not distinguish in the brief moment before he lapsed into unconsciousness, struck him over the head. Jack fell to the ground without so much as a murmur. There was silence again in the alley, at last broken by an exclamation from Frank, as he moved slowly forward. "Jack! Are you all right?" he demanded. "Jack!" exclaimed Frank again. "Are you there?" Again there was no reply and Frank became greatly alarmed. Thinking only of his friend, and forgetful of his own safety, the lad sprang forward. In the darkness he tripped over a prostrate form at the same moment that a blow, the exact counterpart of the one that had laid Jack low, struck him upon the head. Frank also crumpled up without a word. From within the darkness of the alley there came a hoarse chuckle. "So!" exclaimed a voice that would have been familiar to both lads could they have heard it. "So! You thought to recapture Count Blowinski, eh? You fools. You should have known I would be on my guard. Now what am I going to do with them? I would like to take them with me, but I can't lug them both. I have it. I'll take one, leaving the other here." The count stooped over the two forms which lay within a few feet of each other and lifted Jack in his arms. Then, paying no further heed to Frank, he moved toward the street. At the mouth of the alley he hesitated for a moment. He gazed up and down the street, but saw no one. He moved on again, carrying his human burden.