Part 39 (1/2)
”But,” interrupted the Grand Duke, ”you would lish, your own people, or a kindred people, at least Is that it?”
Both lads bowed in assent
”It is, Your Excellency,” replied Hal
”Well,” said the Grand Duke, ”so be it”
He drew from his pocket a document, 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 coe 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 theI 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 ranted,” 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 h,” Hal explained ”His strength is prodigious, and ood stead”
”Well,” said the Grand Duke thoughtfully, ”I will not order him to accompany you, for he would be out of his eleo, 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-iant Cossack was on his feet in a ood?” 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 s, and he said simply:
”I am sorry I wish that you would remain here”