Part 39 (1/2)
”But,” interrupted the Grand Duke, ”you would much prefer to be fighting with the English, your own people, or a kindred people, at least. Is that it?”
Both lads bowed in a.s.sent.
”It is, Your Excellency,” replied Hal.
”Well,” said the Grand Duke, ”so be it.”
He drew from his pocket a doc.u.ment, which he placed in Hal's hands.
”This,” he said, ”you will place in the hands of either Sir John French, the British commander, or General Joffre, the French commander-in-chief.
I could, of course, send the message by wireless to London, but it would be intercepted by the Germans, and, while it naturally would be sent in code, I am not at all sure that the Germans could not decipher it.”
”When shall we start, Your Excellency?” asked Chester.
”Whenever it is convenient,” was the reply. ”And the manner of your going I leave entirely to you. I will not hamper you with instructions.”
”Your Excellency,” said Hal, struck with a sudden thought.
”Yes?”
”I should like to make a request.”
”Consider it granted,” said the Grand Duke.
”Well, then,” said Hal, ”I should like to ask permission to take Alexis with us.”
The Grand Duke was plainly surprised.
”He may be of great aid to us in getting through,” Hal explained. ”His strength is prodigious, and more than once, as I have told you, has stood us in good stead.”
”Well,” said the Grand Duke thoughtfully, ”I will not order him to accompany you, for he would be out of his element on the other side; but, if he is willing to go, he has my permission.”
After some further talk the boys took a friendly farewell of the commander-in-chief of the Russian armies and left the tent. They hunted up Alexis immediately.
”Well, Alexis,” said Hal, ”to-morrow we start back for France!”
The giant Cossack was on his feet in a moment.
”You mean you are going away for good?” he asked.
”Yes,” replied Chester.
Alexis, although not an emotional man, was stirred deeply. The boys realized it in an instant; but he was not the man to give way to his feelings, and he said simply:
”I am sorry. I wish that you would remain here.”
Then Hal broached his plan.