"Lord Hastings!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What brings you here, and what is the meaning of this fighting? If my people have been discourteous to you they shall answer for it," and the Czar gazed about him angrily. The eyes of all fell before him. Czar Nicholas advanced and took Lord Hastings by the hand. "Of what service can I be to you?" he asked. "And will you kindly tell me the cause of this trouble? My own subjects seem to be tongue-tied." "The cause of the trouble, your majesty," said Lord Hastings, "is that one of your attendants refused to tell your majesty that I desired an audience immediately, on a matter of life and death." "So!" exclaimed the Czar. "They shall answer for it. But I have been engaged already in some such matter. An attempt was made to assassinate me not an hour ago." "So I have been told," said Lord Hastings, "and it is concerning that that I would speak." "And what do you know about it?" asked the Czar in surprise. "Only, your Majesty, that you have the wrong man." The Czar took a step back. "That is what the prisoner says," he replied drily. "But what do you know of this matter?" "Your prisoner," said Lord Hastings, "is one of the lads I presented to you this morning, my own first officer." "By Jove!" said the Czar in perfect English, "I thought his face looked familiar. So it is he, eh? Well, if he did not try to kill me how does it come that he was seen with the bomb in his hand?" Frank stepped forward. "I can explain that, if your majesty will give me permission," he said quietly. The Czar looked at him. "And you," he said, "are Lord Hastings' second officer, are you not?" "I am, your majesty." "Then tell me what you know of this attempted assassination, if anything." As briefly as possible Frank reconstructed the scene for the Czar. As he progressed with his tale, the Czar became more and more interested. "And so," Frank concluded, "had it not been for my friend, who your majesty is pleased to believe would have killed him, the real assassin would have accomplished his work." "You tell exactly the same story as the prisoner," said the Czar thoughtfully. "There must be truth in it." "I can vouch for both of them, your majesty," interposed Lord Hastings. "Why, time after time they have been instrumental in dealing smashing blows to the enemy. Do you believe, then, that one of them would attempt to murder the ruler of one of England's allies?" The Czar struck the table violently with his clenched fist. "No!" he shouted. "I don't believe it. The lad is innocent, and he shall be freed immediately, no matter what my counselors may have to say." He called for his chief aide, and to that worthy gave the command: "Have the prisoner brought before me at once." "But, your majesty----" began the aide. The Czar turned on him angrily. "There are no buts!" he exclaimed. "Have him brought here immediately--immediately, do you understand?" The aide saluted and left the room hurriedly.