ce. It was very dark there and the lad could not make out his surroundings, but he seemed to have brought up against a solid wall. He explored the smooth surface with his hands, but could

ounded behind him and

are you

nd who was with me whe

e. He must be near som

of my prisoners, I expect. I re

out, will you?"

y," retur

rk passage. Presently Hal heard a huge ro

it?" h

e a cry o

Chester's voice. "How o

eems that it's a good thing I did get here. I though

ms," said Chester ruefully. "We didn't hope to be fortunate

to the fire-and you, t

now came forward, cl

wed all around and Ivan seemed genuinely pleased to meet Chester. He was profuse in his apologies for his rough treatment,

would not have bothered you," Ivan explained. "To tell

" said Hal, "what

pt that it is awfully cold in these mountains. I'm going to t

son agreed dryly, stretchi

completed a most terrible climb. Coming once again to a level spot we sat down to rest. We saw a

em, all right

ms that between us we talked too much. Ivan here didn't like it. He said he guessed he'd have to take us along with him. We said we were satisfie

h the butt of the weapon. I ventured a trifle too close and he nailed me, too. He shook me so hard that I dropped my gun. An

we decided to jump him if he came in. We jumpe

o Colonel Anders

s the Colonel'

nned she

You see, sometimes I don't realize my own streng

," said Chester, "and who is this litt

elf Stubbs' best friend. Stubbs overcame him in fair fi

matter?" Stubbs br

Hal hastened

ubsided

are we going to do? There is no use staying here long

. "Tell me what it is you are going to do? Perhaps I

glanced at Hal

a good ide

s explained. Ivan h

e of the service rendered the Czar by my brother Alexis. I am ashamed that I have been idling here in these mountains whi

"is there a strong Austrian s

t," returned Ivan, "But recently there has been a cha

Alba

ll worse. He bears the same name as the king of Montenegro, Ni

raise the enmity of the Albanians agai

e reason-gold,"

s?" inquired Co

d," was t

Anderson. "Furnished

have taken no part in active fighting, although I admit I have neglected my own country, I have not fallen low enough for that sort of work. Howev

d Hal slowly, "

d Chester,

continued, "we may accomplish

l," said Col

please. Being, apparently, friends of Ivan's, we shall be received. Then Ivan can appear to fall

y all that easily enough, but you can tak

do, we shall have removed the cause of the Albanian enmity toward Montenegro. Th

feet and clapped

you; and if it comes to a fight, you wil

of it," s

his eye upon the little

y toward him and

ght each other when there are others to fight?" He turned to Hal. "I'll guarantee this man will give a good account of himsel

d the dwarf grinned at him,

e said and gripped

ooner we get started the sooner we may ge

y, and the giant moved towa

es with you and I hope to go with you a whole lot more, but I claim it is downright foolishness t

on't have to go along if you don't

ttle man. "Stay here by

e alone and I don't want

t some place where it's

you want t

ountry," said

dwarf in surprise. It

ad talked

?" demanded Stubbs. "You n

e confusion. Apparently Stubbs'

on't be stubborn

his head sadly. "I'll go if the rest of you do