The Czar turned to Frank. "And can you lead my men to the rendezvous where this plot was hatched?" he asked. "Yes, your majesty," replied Frank. "Good. Then, perhaps as they are unaware that their rendezvous has been discovered, they may be captured." Frank bowed. Perhaps five minutes later the Czar's chief aide returned, followed by Jack, still looking very weak and shaky as the result of his experiences of a few hours. Motioning to the others in the room to remain silent, the Czar advanced and addressed Jack. "So," he exclaimed in a harsh voice, "you are the man who tried to kill me, eh?" "No, your majesty," replied Jack, "I----" The Czar silenced him with a gesture. "Oh, I know your excuse," he said. "Your friends have interceded for you, and I have every confidence in Lord Hastings. Of you, however, I know nothing. A hundred people saw you with the bomb in your hand. The case is perfectly plain." "But," began Jack. "Silence!" exclaimed the Czar, raising a hand. He turned to his aide again. "Bring me," he commanded, "the small velvet box on my writing desk." He turned and addressed all in the room as the aide hurried away. "You shall all see," he exclaimed, "how I dispose of a case like this." There was silence until the aide returned, and put the little box in the Czar's hand. Concealing the contents from Jack, the Czar opened it and took out something. Then he commanded: "Approach!" Jack did so, and with his left hand the Czar took him by the right shoulder, while with his right he touched him over the heart; and when Jack stepped back and his fingers touched the spot where the Czar's had rested so lightly he felt something pinned thereon. Examining it he found it to be The Cross of St. George. He had been decorated by the Czar himself for personal gallantry. "Your majesty----" stammered Jack, and fell upon his knee. The Czar stretched forth his right hand, which Jack bent over and touched with his lips. "There, there," said the Czar, with the suspicion of huskiness in his voice. "I shouldn't have fooled you so, but I simply could not resist. Mr. Templeton, you are a brave lad, and I envy my friend Lord Hastings the possession of so gallant an officer." Lord Hastings and Frank both now approached Jack and shook hands with him. Jack smiled faintly. "I thought it was all over with me," he said as he turned to Frank. "Of course," he added, "I knew you would do all you possibly could for me, but I was afraid you couldn't do enough, and you, too. Lord Hastings." * * * * * "Now," said the Czar, "if you will lead my men to the spot where you discovered the plot, I shall appreciate it." The lads signified their willingness to obey this command, and some minutes later, with a squad of mounted troops they drew rein at the tobacco shop.