Part 37 (1/2)

”Do you know where she went?”

”Yes; to the home of a peasant about six miles from here. His wife is sick and Miss Thatcher has been attending them since she has been well enough to do so.”

”And you were left here all along?” said Chester.

”Yes, but I wasn't afraid until this afternoon, when half a dozen Bulgarians crossed the frontier and tried to get in the house.”

”The did?” exclaimed Chester angrily. ”I wish we had been here.”

”So do I,” said Helen. ”They knocked on the door, but I wouldn't let them in. Then they threatened to break the door down, but an officer came up at that moment and ordered them away. They went sulkily and one of them called back that they would return. That's why I was afraid when you knocked a little while ago.”

”And no wonder,” replied Chester. ”It must have been a terrible day for you.”

”It has indeed,” said the girl weakly.

Chester sprang toward her quickly and took her gently by the arms, just as it seemed she would fall over in a faint. He seated her in a chair, and poured her a gla.s.s of water from a pitcher on a nearby table.

After drinking the water the girl appeared refreshed.

”So foolish of me to get weak like that,” she said, smiling.

”It's no wonder,” returned Chester. ”It's just the reaction. You'll be all right in a minute or two.”

The lad was a good prophet; and five minutes later Helen was talking and laughing vivaciously. All four were having a good time, when Chester's ears caught a faint sound from without.

The lad paused as he was about to say something in reply to one of Helen's questions and listened intently.

”What's the matter?” asked Helen.

”Oh, nothing,” said Chester, and continued his remarks.

A few moments later, however, he arose, and asking to be excused for a moment, stepped toward the door which Ivan had broken to permit their entrance; just beyond he caught sight of a dark shadow.

”As I thought,” he muttered. ”They have come back.”

He returned to the door of the parlor and summoned the big Cossack.

”Oh, Ivan,” he called. ”Come out here a minute.”

The Cossack came up to him and Chester led him toward the door.

”What can you see out there?” he asked.

Ivan poked his head out and looked around.

”Ho!” he exclaimed suddenly and leaped out.

A moment later Chester heard the sound of a brief struggle and then Ivan reappeared dragging a man after him.

”I've got him,” said the giant, laughing loudly.

The laughter attracted the attention of Helen and Colonel Anderson, who came from the parlor to learn the cause of it.