"And this time," said Lord Hastings, "I shall present to his majesty my first officer, Mr. Templeton, and my second officer, Mr. Chadwick." CHAPTER XVIII. A PLOT. "What do you suppose that fellow is sneaking along like that for?" asked Jack. Frank shrugged his shoulders. "Search me," he replied. The object of the lads' conversation was hurrying furtively along one of the narrow streets of the Russian capital, casting occasional glances about him. It was the afternoon of the day following that upon which they had reached Petrograd, and Frank and Jack, together with Lord Hastings, had only just come from the palace, where they had been given an audience with the Czar. Upon leaving the palace Lord Hastings had been for returning aboard the D-16 immediately, but the lads had expressed a desire to see something of the city, and had set out by themselves. The only instructions Lord Hastings had given them was to be aboard before dark. "Well," said Jack, still eyeing the little man slinking along the street, "I'm sure that fellow is up to something. I'd like to know what." "I suppose the easiest way to find out," said Frank, "is to follow him." "That suits me," replied Jack. "Come on." A hundred yards behind they set out in pursuit of the suspect. "What's that thing he is carrying under his arm?" asked Frank. "Looks like it might be a bomb." Frank laughed. "Not much danger of that," he said. "Oh, I don't know," was the reply. "I have read enough about Russia and St. Petersburg to believe that all the nihilists and anarchists are not dead yet." "Well, I think you have this one spotted wrong. Look at him. He wouldn't have the nerve to carry a bomb, much less throw one." "You can't judge a man's nerve by his looks," said Jack quietly. "Perhaps not always," agreed Frank. "But I believe I am right in this case, at least." "All right, but we'll have to look sharp or he'll lose us. There he goes around the corner. Hurry up." The lads quickened their steps and rounded the corner just in time to see the man they were pursuing disappear in a little shop. Approaching closer they perceived the place to be a tobacconist's, and they also entered. The shop keeper eyed them keenly, and to avoid any suspicion Frank bought a package of cigarettes. Then they went out. "Did you see him?" asked Jack. "I thought I caught a glimpse of him in the little room in the rear of the shop," replied Frank. "I am sure it was he," agreed Jack. "He poked his head out just as I glanced in that direction." "Well, what are we going to do about it?" "I don't know that there is anything to do. In the first place we probably are on a wild goose chase and I fail to see why we should bother with him any longer." "Nor I. Still I am curious." "My curiosity is not entirely satisfied either. What do you say? Shall we let him go or shall we try and get in and see what it's all about?"