“But sir,” protested the other, “surely you will not humiliate me in the sight of my men.”
“You cannot be humiliated, sir,” was the reply. “You are too low for that. It gives me pleasure, sir, to tell you that you are a coward and a cur.”
General Surgoff’s hand dropped to his sword belt.
“No man can call me that,” he said, “and live.”
“But I do,” declared his successor. “I call you that and I shall live to see you brought before the Czar. Now sir, for the last time, your sword.”
Slowly General Surgoff drew his sword and seemed on the point of passing it to the officer who had relieved him of his command. But suddenly he raised it before him and sprang forward with a cry.
General Burgoff was taken completely off his guard. Not so Jack. He had been eyeing Surgoff closely and had half expected some such move. Therefore, at the moment the man leaped forward, so did Jack.
With his right hand the lad struck the officer’s arm and then closed with him. With a sudden movement he seized the arm that held the sword and he twisted it sharply. The sword went flying through the air and struck ten yards away, while the Russian sought in vain to free himself from the lad’s clutch.
At length, believing he had the man powerless, Jack released his hold and stepped back.
With a sudden movement the infuriated officer whipped out a revolver and aiming it directly at the lad, pressed the trigger.