Brunnoi heard the sound of the giant’s footsteps. He turned quickly, and drew his revolvers, but the Cossack’s leap was too quick. With a single movement he sent both of the weapons from the bandit’s hands, and reached out to seize him.
Brunnoi was as slippery as an eel. He eluded Alexis’ grasp and darted through the door. Now without weapons, he took to his heels.
Hal perceived the flying apparition, and reached out a hand to detain him. He clutched the flowing white beard of the bandit chief–and the beard came away in his hand. Brunnoi fled down the steps and made good his escape, Hal being too surprised to move.
Chester and Alexis were equally as astonished.
“Well, what do you think of that?” demanded Chester, in great surprise. “A false beard! But I wonder how he escaped from the firing squad.”
“It’s too deep for me,” Hal admitted. “But we had better report this to the Grand Duke.”
Together they made their way to the quarters of the commander-in-chief. The latter listened to their story with interest.
“I have just learned of Brunnoi’s escape from the firing squad,” he said when they had finished their account of their experience with the bandit chief. “Count de Reslau, being a Hungarian himself, was greatly interested in this Brunnoi. He asked me for a pass to see him, I granted this request. The guards saw the count leave the tent after a few moments’ conversation. But when they went in to lead Brunnoi forth to execution, he was gone, and another man was there in his stead. He had exchanged places with Brunnoi.”
“Have you perfect confidence in Count de Reslau, Your Excellency?” asked Hal.
“Absolute confidence,” replied the Grand Duke. “Why?”