The three left the house, and made their way to the nearest restaurant, where they ordered a sumptuous meal. It had been long days since they had tasted food in plenty, and they ate hungrily. It was almost dark when they left the restaurant and started after Marquis.
As they passed down a side street, five men armed with long knives sprang out upon them. The three friends were caught off their guard by the suddenness of the attack, and in spite of the fact that they drew their swords, for they were again in uniform, their assailants pressed them sorely. A sword thrust pierced Hal in the arm, and his weapon fell to the ground. He drew his revolver with his left hand, however, and fired point-blank at his adversary. His aim was true, and there was one enemy less.
At the same moment Chester ran his opponent through, and Alexis brought another to the ground. The other two turned and fled.
“I wonder what that was for?” said Chester, brushing himself off.
“I can’t imagine why we should have been attacked,” declared Hal.
He broke off; for at that moment he espied a figure standing in a nearby doorway; eyeing them evilly. Hal caught Chester by the arm, and pointed to the figure.
“There is the answer,” he said quietly.
Chester gazed in the direction indicated. Then, with a sudden cry, both boys dashed toward the doorway.
For the man they saw, with a sneer curving his lips, wore a long, flowing, white beard and a military uniform.
He was Brunnoi, chief of the Hungarian bandits!