“Silence, if you please,” said the general. “I shall attend to this matter myself.”
Frank drew back a trifle as General Burgoff turned toward the officer who accosted Frank.
“You, sir,” said the general sternly, “are hereby relieved of the custody of your prisoners. I shall accept the responsibility; and in the future when you address any one at all, let it be in more of a gentlemanly manner.”
The officer flushed at this rebuke.
“But sir,” he protested, “I must make my report to General Surgoff, sir. He is in command in Siberia and he will not like your having taken my prisoners from me.”
“Now don’t let that worry you, colonel. You need report to General Surgoff no more except when I tell you to.”
The colonel bowed.
“I do not know your authority, sir,” he said, “but I must yield to you as my superior officer. The prisoners are yours, sir; but I would add, if you will permit me, that they have escaped from General Surgoff and that he would probably be glad of their return.”
“Very well,” said the general. “I am going to pay my respects to General Surgoff. You may consider yourself on my staff for the present. Now present my compliments to Colonel Luskowith and tell him to march immediately.”
The colonel bowed and departed. General Burgoff advanced to Jack’s side.