"I haven't any idea," returned his commander. "But certainly it must be something important for him to summon us thus in the middle of the night." Jack looked at his watch. "Quarter after one, sir," he said. "Yes, it must be something important." He paused, struck by a sudden thought. "By Jove, sir! Maybe Count Blowinski has been captured." "Pshaw!" said Lord Hastings. "That is hardly possible. They can't have been looking for him more than a couple of hours." "And still that may be it, sir." "Oh yes, it may be, but I don't think so." But as it developed Jack's guess had been correct. For, when they were ushered into the Czar's presence once more, the first figure upon which their eyes rested was that of the count himself. "By Jove! you were right," said Lord Hastings in an aside to Jack. The lad smiled but said nothing aloud. To himself, however, he remarked: "Another of those things Frank calls hunches." The Czar greeted them with a smile. In spite of the lateness of the hour, the Czar was as fully dressed as when they left him earlier in the night and he had the appearance of not having retired. "My Lord and Mr. Templeton," said the Czar, "I see that you have recognized our friend in the corner there." Lord Hastings and Jack nodded and the Czar continued: "We were fortunate enough to come upon him almost at once; and I'll wager, My Lord, that you have no idea where we found him." The Czar paused, apparently awaiting an answer. Lord Hastings shook his head. "No, your Majesty, I haven't the slightest idea," he returned. "Well," said the Czar, "what will you say when I tell you that the good count was caught in the act of trying to break into the palace?" "Into the palace!" repeated Lord Hastings in the greatest surprise. "Exactly," returned the Czar with a smile. "It seems that he had still further designs on my life. Am I not right, my dear Count?" He turned to Count Blowinski with a pleasant smile on his features. The count glowered at him angrily. "Yes, it's true," he shouted. "And if you weren't so cowardly that you keep yourself so well guarded, I would have reached you. I have not given up hope yet." "Then you may as well, Count," was the reply. "After this morning at daybreak, I promise you you will worry about me no more. As Siberia is too small to hold you, I must take other means to insure my own safety. No, Count, after this night you will trouble no one." The count growled under his breath, but he made no audible response to the Czar's words, although he must have realized what the Russian monarch meant. "Now," said the Czar, "I wouldn't be surprised if the count would tell us just how he managed to escape from Siberia--the bourne from which a traveler seldom returneth. I am curious." "I shall tell you nothing," declared the count decidedly. "Come, come, Count!" exclaimed His Majesty. "Surely you will not be so selfish. On my word, I am curious to know. Pray enlighten my curiosity."