For a moment it seemed that General Surgoff could not believe he had heard aright. Then he stepped toward General Burgoff and said brokenly:
“I thank you, sir. I shall go to the front and seek to enlist in the ranks. Perhaps it is not too late for me to serve Russia well.”
“Do,” replied General Burgoff in a more kindly voice. “But do not thank me for this chance. Thank this young Englishman here.”
General Surgoff stared at Jack in the utmost surprise. Plainly such cases of forgiveness were beyond his comprehension.
“I bear you no ill will,” said Jack quietly.
“But I do you,” growled the deposed officer. “I shall accept this chance, sir,” turning to the general again, “but I will thank no one but you. And one more word,” again turning to Jack, “if ever I am fortunate enough to lay hands on you, I shall make you pay.”
Jack shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, all right, if that’s the way you feel about it,” he said with a slight smile.
General Surgoff saluted General Burgoff stiffly; turned on his heel and marched away.
“You see,” said the latter to Jack. “You see what forgiveness means to a man like Surgoff.”