"Of your bonds, yes," was the reply; "but I regret to say that I cannot set you free."
"What are you going to do with us?"
"Take you to Austria."
"To Austria! Great Scott! What for?"
"For no particular reason," said Robard, and his face suddenly took on a savage look, "except that you have thwarted me, and for that you shall pay. I shall probably lose my rank for my failure to obtain the papers, and if I do I want some one to take my spite out on. Do I make myself clear?"
"Perfectly," replied Hal quietly. "It is very like a coward."
Robard took a threatening step forward.
"A coward, am I?" he cried in a loud voice.
He made as though to strike the lad, then suddenly changed his mind.
"I'll wait," he said. "I promise you shall regret those words before I am through with you."