Part 25 (2/2)
”Not for some time to come, I'm afraid,” was the little man's rejoinder.
”I believe I can guarantee you will be kept out of mischief for the duration of the war.”
Hal had been gazing at the little man closely.
”Seems to me,” he said at last, ”that I have seen you some place before.
There is something familiar about you.”
”You've probably seen me,” was the reply. ”I've been around here for some time.”
Chester was now struck with a sudden thought.
”Is Matin mixed up in this thing?” he demanded, believing that, after all, the capture might have been concocted by the French soldier who had sought to kill Hal.
”Matin? Who is Matin?” asked their captor.
Chester explained.
”No, he has nothing to do with it,” was the reply.
”Then, in the name of the Great Czar, what's it all about?”
”I can't tell you,” was the firm reply.
Chester groaned.
”Of all the fool predicaments,” he said, ”this is the worst.”
The little man had now moved toward the door of the tent.
”I go now,” he said, ”to make my report. Pleasant dreams to you.”
”Hold on a minute,” shouted Hal.
”No; I think I had better go. Good-bye, boys!”
There was such a familiar ring to these words that Hal was struck with a great light. He uttered a loud exclamation, so loud, in fact, that the little man came running back in the tent.
Even Chester was surprised--but for a moment only--for the words that escaped Hal were these:
”By all that's holy! If it isn't Stubbs!”
CHAPTER XVIII
STUBBS REFUSES TO EXPLAIN
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