Part 27 (2/2)

”Small matter!” exclaimed Chester. ”I should say that proving Brunnoi and Count de Reslau were one and the same person was quite a big matter.”

”If you had asked me,” returned Alexis calmly, ”I could have told you that several days ago.”

”You could?” cried both lads in a single voice.

”Of course. I knew it right along. You see, my eyes are unusually keen.

I remember once how this keen sight proved of great advantage. We were on a raid. The officer in command, using his gla.s.ses, could not quite make out objects moving some miles away. He called upon me. My eyes, being far more powerful than the gla.s.s, showed me plainly what was going on, and we were thus kept from falling into a trap. Then I remember another case----”

”One is enough,” said Hal dryly. ”If you knew Brunnoi and Count de Reslau were the same person, why didn't you say so?”

”Why,” said Alexis in no wise disconcerted, ”I didn't see that it made any difference.”

”Then your sight is not so good after all,” said Chester. ”But what are we going to do now, Hal?”

”Well,” said Hal, ”I guess we might as well go get Marquis and return to our regiment. Our work here is done.”

The dog was indeed glad to accompany his three friends forth once more, and so, procuring three fiery chargers, the trio set out to rejoin their regiment at the front--some miles to the west of the city of Lodz.

Most of the officers of the regiment to which the three were attached had been killed in the previous battle, and so when they finally reached it, Alexis found that instead of being a lieutenant he had become a captain.

”You see,” he told the boys confidentially, ”a brave man always comes into his own. You will see how these fellows fight with me at their head. They will be a whole lot different, I can tell you.”

The Russians had intrenched themselves along the entire front, as had the Germans only a short distance away. During the days in which the lads had been in the midst of the Carpathians, there had been only skirmis.h.i.+ng between the opposing forces. Long range artillery duels raged incessantly; but there had been little work for the cavalry and infantry.

There had of course been several charges and counter charges, but the advantage rested with neither side. The Russian troops, in spite of the cold weather, made themselves comfortable in the trenches, wrapped to the chin in their heavy sheepskin garments. Used to severe winter weather, the Russian troops did not fare as badly as did the Germans, who suffered severely.

The lads' regiment was stationed near the center of the long line of battle. Preparations for a movement of some sort were being made on all sides. Troops were being hurried here and there, and officers dashed hither and yon. Occasionally the men burst into song; while from the German trenches came the chanting of the ”Watch on the Rhine.” The men of both armies were making the best of the situation, and seemed reasonably happy.

From his pocket one of the Russian officers now produced a pack of cards. Alexis, invited to take a hand, consented, but Hal and Chester refused.

”What's the matter?” demanded the officer. ”Are you too good to play cards?”

”Not a bit,” smiled Hal. ”We simply don't care to play, that's all. We do play occasionally, for pastime, but we don't gamble.”

”Don't gamble!” exclaimed the officer. ”How can you play cards if you don't gamble. Come on now, we need two more players.”

”No,” said Hal, decidedly. ”We shall have to ask you to excuse us.”

Even Alexis glanced at the lads in astonishment. Plainly this was beyond his comprehension, as gambling among the Cossacks is an ordinary pastime. But the other officer was not satisfied. He arose and came directly up to Hal.

”You must play with us,” he said.

”I am sorry,” replied Hal, ”but we do not care to play.”

”Afraid, eh?” said the Russian.

”No,” replied Hal, ”we are not afraid. We simply don't care to play.”

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