Jack did so, and with his left hand the Czar took him by the right shoulder, while with his right he touched him over the heart; and when Jack stepped back and his fingers touched the spot where the Czar’s had rested so lightly he felt something pinned thereon. Examining it he found it to be The Cross of St. George.
He had been decorated by the Czar himself for personal gallantry.
“Your majesty——” stammered Jack, and fell upon his knee.
The Czar stretched forth his right hand, which Jack bent over and touched with his lips.
“There, there,” said the Czar, with the suspicion of huskiness in his voice. “I shouldn’t have fooled you so, but I simply could not resist. Mr. Templeton, you are a brave lad, and I envy my friend Lord Hastings the possession of so gallant an officer.”
Lord Hastings and Frank both now approached Jack and shook hands with him. Jack smiled faintly.
“I thought it was all over with me,” he said as he turned to Frank. “Of course,” he added, “I knew you would do all you possibly could for me, but I was afraid you couldn’t do enough, and you, too. Lord Hastings.”
“Now,” said the Czar, “if you will lead my men to the spot where you discovered the plot, I shall appreciate it.”
The lads signified their willingness to obey this command, and some minutes later, with a squad of mounted troops they drew rein at the tobacco shop.