demanded.

The officer stood his ground.

“Just what I say,” he replied. “I don’t believe you. The tale you tell is impossible.”

Chester stepped into the breach. He took Hal by the arm.

“Of course such a tale is hard to believe,” he said. “But, nevertheless, it is true. We carry an important message for the Grand Duke.”

“Well,” said the officer, “I don’t think you will see him. He is too busy to give up his time to listen to such a tale as yours.”

But at this moment a second officer, apparently the other’s superior, approached. To him, upon request, Hal repeated his story. This officer also looked incredulous, but the result was different.

“You tell a very strange story,” he said, “but it is not for me to pass upon its veracity. You shall be given an audience with the Grand Duke; but, mark me well, if it is found that you have been lying–that you have nothing of importance, it will go hard with you.”

“We have no fear of that, sir,” said Chester briefly.

“All right, then. Follow me.”

The lads did as ordered, Marquis trailing along after them. Through thousands of rapidly-moving men the lads followed the officer, and at last, after more than an hour’s walk, came to a stop, upon command, in front of a large, bewhiskered man, of imposing military stature.

“This,” said the officer who had conducted them, “is Grand Duke Nicholas.”

The officer looked down on them.

“What is it?” he demanded gruffly.

The officer repeated the story the boys had told him. The Grand Duke grew greatly interested as the story progressed, and, when the message was mentioned, he interrupted.

“Enough,” he said. “I have been expecting such a message.” He turned to the two lads. “Do you bear it?” he asked.

Hal bowed in assent.

“Then give it to me!” he cried eagerly.

Chester reached in his pocket, and a moment more the Grand Duke eagerly clutched the paper the lad handed him–a paper they had gone through so much to deliver.

The Grand Duke read the message through twice, sitting on his horse without a move, his face a perfect blank. Then he thrust it into his pocket and turned once more to the two lads.

“You have done well,” he said. “Captain, you will see that they are brought to my quarters to-night at eight o’clock. I desire to question them. In the meantime, see that they are fed and clothed properly, for it is very cold.”

The officer saluted, and the Grand Duke rode away, closely followed by the members of his staff. At a sign from the officer in whose charge they had been left, the lads followed him.

Toward the rear of the army they continued their way, coming at last upon a row of tents. Into one of these the officer led the way, the lads and the dog following him.

Here the officer quickly set out food, and the boys fell to with a will, for it was a long time since a morsel had passed their lips. Then, having satisfied their appetites, they informed the officer that they would like to rest.

The officer nodded, and showed them into another tent, where two bunks had been prepared. With a word of thanks, the boys climbed in, and the officer left them alone.

“Well,” said Chester, “we have accomplished our mission successfully. What are we going to do now?”

“I have been thinking,” Hal replied, “of how life on this side of the war arena would go.”

“You mean stay here and not return to France?” asked Chester.

“Exactly. I have read that the Russian Cossacks are terrible fighters. I would like to see some of them in action.”

“And so would I,” declared Chester.

“All right,” said Hal. “Then, if you are agreeable, when we see the Grand Duke to-night, I shall ask him if he cannot arrange to assign us to duties with the Russian army.”

In another moment the two lads, tired out, were fast asleep, with Marquis on guard.

CHAPTER III.
UNDER THE BEAR.

“So, Your Excellency,” Hal concluded, “you may see that we have had considerable active service.”

The Russian Grand Duke Nicholas did not reply for some moments. It was plain that he was greatly impressed, as he had been greatly interested in the boys’ adventures since they had taken service with the Allies just before the defense of Liège.

“Yes,” he said at length, “you certainly have seen considerable service; and, in bringing me this paper safely”–the Grand Duke tapped his breast pocket–“you have rendered an invaluable service to our cause. I am indeed glad to know you. Now, if there is anything I can do to show my appreciation, you may consider it done.”

Remembering their conversation of a few hours before, Hal started to speak, then hesitated. Realizing that the lad had something he felt a delicacy of saying, the Grand Duke said:

“Come, out with it. What can I do for you?”

“Well, Your Excellency,” said Hal, “my friend and I would like to see service with the Russian army.”

“What!” exclaimed the Grand Duke.

“Yes,” Chester broke into the conversation. “We have talked it over, and we have decided that we would like to see service in the Eastern theater of war.”

“Hm-m-m,” said the Duke, stroking his mustache, “and have you picked out the branch of the service to which you would like to be attached?”

“Yes, sir,” said Hal; “we have.”

“And that is?” questioned the Grand Duke.

“The cavalry, Your Excellency–the Cossacks.”

The Grand Duke jumped to his feet in surprise.

“Well, well!” he exclaimed. “You have certainly picked out the most difficult thing you could have asked me. Still, I have no doubt it can be arranged.”

“If it will inconvenience you, your Excellency—” Chester began.

“Tut! Tut!” the Grand Duke interrupted him, with a wave of his hand. “It shall be done. Consider the matter settled. Do you know anything of the Cossacks?”

“Why, yes, Your Excellency,” replied Hal. “We have read considerable about them.”

“Still,” said the Grand Duke, “I’ll warrant you do not know overly much about them. I’ll tell you a little, if you like.”

“We would be glad to hear Your Excellency,” said Chester.

“The Cossacks,” said the Grand Duke, “from whom the Russian cavalry is mainly drawn, form a community within the Russian Empire enjoying special rights and privileges in return for military service. Each Cossack village holds its land as a commune, and the village assembly fixes local taxation and elects the local judges. It has been estimated that the Cossacks will place 400,000 armed men in the field in this war.

“Both in historical writings and in fiction the Cossacks are often represented as little better than savages. But this is a mistake, for the level of education among the Cossacks is higher than in the rest of Russia.

“Now, the Cossacks have always been fighters–none better in the world. They have won renown wherever they have fought by their daring and bravery. But the Cossacks, to a certain degree, are clannish–they do not take kindly to those not of their kind. Which is the reason, as I said, you had made it hard for me when you asked to be assigned to a Cossack regiment. By the way, can you ride?”

“Yes, Your Excellency,” replied Hal. “We are both used to the saddle, having ridden much in America.”

“Well,” said the Grand Duke, “I will see that it is arranged. Report to me here in the morning.”

The lads saluted and took their departure, returning to the spot where they had sought rest only a few short hours before.

It was about seven o’clock the following morning when they again stood in the presence of the Grand Duke. With him was an officer in a dark uniform, that gave evidence of having