“And now,” he added, “tell me how you have been treated. Have you any complaint to make?”
Jack’s lips set sternly.
“Do not think I am whining, sir,” he said, “when I say that the treatment accorded prisoners by General Surgoff and his underlings is barbarous.”
“Tell me,” said the general.
Jack told of his own treatment and that of other prisoners as he had witnessed it. General Burgoff’s face turned red as the lad progressed, and when he had concluded, he said:
“Yes, I shall pay my respects to General Surgoff, and at the Czar’s command. So that is the way prisoners are treated in Siberia, eh?”
“General,” said Jack, “I have a favor to ask.”
“Name it; it is granted,” was the reply.
“Then, sir, in respect to General Surgoff, will you not follow my plan?” and the lad outlined an idea that had come into his head.
When Jack stopped talking, General Burgoff clapped his hands and exclaimed: