The Grand Duke turned to the count with a smile.
“And they have successfully performed their mission,” he said. “But it is even as I have feared. Brunnoi will support Austria. And what is worse, my plans are being learned by at least one of his agents and sent to the Austrian general staff.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed the count, who had now regained his composure. He turned to the two lads. “Certainly,” he said, “when I saw you last I did not expect that you would ever return here. It was a hazardous mission the Duke sent you on. Are you sure your information is authentic?”
“Perfectly,” replied Hal calmly. “Brunnoi himself was our informer.”
“In that case,” said the count with a shrug of his shoulders, “you must be right.”
He turned, and with a few brief words to the Grand Duke, left the tent. The lads talked for some moments with the Russian commander-in-chief, and then left the tent, informing him that they would join their regiment the following day. Outside, they climbed again into the automobile and Hal drove the car to the house where they had left Marquis.
The dog was overjoyed at seeing his friends again. His tail wagged fiercely and he barked with gladness, insisting upon kissing all three, in spite of their protests.
“Down, Marquis!” cried Hal with a laugh. “Do you want to eat us up. Now what do you say, sir, will you be glad to rejoin your regiment to-morrow?”
“Yes! Yes!” barked Marquis.
“Good!” said Chester. “But we will leave you here while we get something to eat. Then we will come back and get you.”