“I’ll be quiet then and go to sleep,” Frank decided.
Lord Hastings and Jack took their leave and made their way to the quarters in the palace placed at their disposal by command of the Czar himself. Ten minutes after their arrival there they were abed and fast asleep.
It seemed that they had hardly closed their eyes when they were awakened by a loud rapping at the door. Both were on their feet instantly, and Lord Hastings called out:
“Well?”
“His Majesty’s compliments, sir, and he would like to have you come to him at once—both of you,” came a voice from without.
“Tell His Majesty that we shall obey his summons instantly,” Lord Hastings made reply.
There came the sound of footsteps retreating down the hall.
“Wonder what the Czar wants, sir?” asked Jack excitedly, as he dressed.
“I haven’t any idea,” returned his commander. “But certainly it must be something important for him to summon us thus in the middle of the night.”
Jack looked at his watch.