several places, serious trouble in the engine room and other minor wounds suffered in

red for action and gave a signal for the submarine to heave-to. Lord Hastings obeyed and a launch put over the side and came toward the D-17. A few

Russian naval authorities for repair. It was found that it would be necessary to put the craft in dry

that time, I'd like to know?" s

ut Petrograd a bit," sai

n you fellows this time. You may remember the trouble you had o

have much of a time

either will you if there is anything I can do to prevent it. To tell the truth, I am half wa

e good, sir,

Lord Hastings. "If you're not, you may take my

t tell us something of the nature of th

"I don't suppose you would have any objec

a smile. "I remember once when Jack paid

r that, too," a

see you again," said Lord Hastings. "He will re

flu

ot remind him of i

will be necessary,"

in this audience of the Czar that the boys

their names were presented. When the three entered his pre

n." He turned to the two lads. "And these," he added, "are your two young of

mself, dropped to one knee; but Frank, who recognized no monarch, bowed low, and re

riendly call, or have you anyth

astings gravely. "I may as well come

d the Cza

nd in high standing and authority-is a man who is a trait

rently no whit surprised.

I fear you will find it hard to believe; and had I not the proof of t

ds made an impression upon t

d. "The man's name.

stings very gravely, "is

The chief of the Russian secret police! Impossible, Lord Hasting

both, sire," said L

l the Russias. "Count Blowinski has been, al

ue that he is a traitor

gs was in deadly earnest,

taken, my lord,"

t I am not. I have the proof here in

Czar. "Let me have it, man! I must kn

from his inside pocket took a small packet, which he placed in the ou

rvously and cast his eyes upon the words they contained. For long minutes he pored over the sev

r than these papers are needed to convi

the Czar, again glancing at the p

showered with honors. You would betray me to the Germans. Well, you should know how we deal with traitors."

Hastings, "if I may be

aid the Cz

gest that you do not act

emanded the

you imagine. If you execute him summarily, there is no telling what may result-revolution, anarchy-no man ca

, considering. When he raised his eyes again, Lord H

lt that he has. I have enabled him to obtain it. Why, even now he is in Moscow attending to details of a campaign I hav

s attending to it-in his own w

the Czar with a faint smile.

stings, "is to catch him in an

returned the

et a demand that he see the count, reach the traitor's ears. Thinking that there has been some word sent him, Blowinski will see the man. Then this man will invent a plausible story, that he may ingratiate himself with the count. Such a story should not be

the man. He must be one who speaks German like a native German and one whom the count coul

ys, sire," sai

d Hastings both

at?" demand

chum here and I would be only too glad to undertake su

" declared L

been eyeing the

at all, my lord. If I can satisfy myself that these young fe

y better than any others," Lord Hastings grudgingly admi

e Czar. "If they are as smart as I think they are

ill, sire,"

My lord," he said, "I crave your permission for the use of th

th them, your Majesty,

inquired the Czar sof

ings bowe

ied, "I would do much. I