CHAPTER XIX.
FRANK STARTS TO THE RESCUE.
After Count Blowinski’s attempt on the life of the Czar had failed, it was several hours before Frank and Lord Hastings found themselves in the presence of the Russian Emperor. They had kept out of sight immediately after the Czar’s arrival in Moscow, for all feared that should the count chance to see the lad, it would spoil everything. Therefore, when they were summoned to the Czar’s presence, it was to find Count Blowinski there as well, though disarmed, nursing a wound in his shoulder and guarded by a squad of troops.
“I have summoned you, my lord,” said the Czar, “so that your officer here, Mr. Chadwick may confront the count, and thus prove to him the uselessness of further denials.”
He signaled to Frank and the boy stepped forward. Approaching close to Count Blowinski, Frank gazed at him quietly.
“Have you anything more to say, Count?” asked the Czar, with a cold smile.
“Nothing,” was the sullen response, “except this.”
Before any one could realize what he was up to, the count leaped forward, and, throwing his left arm around Frank’s neck, struck him heavily in the face three times.
In vain the lad struggled to release the grasp. The count’s hold was like a grip of iron.
The Russian troopers sprang forward at a word from their officer and laid hold of the count, who struggled viciously and clung to Frank’s neck tenaciously.
But the grip of the soldiers told at last and the count was dragged away, muttering fierce imprecations to himself.