"Take these prisoners to Count Preskoff's," he said, "and deliver this order to him."
The sergeant motioned the lads to follow him. With a bow to the governor, which he passed unacknowledged, they followed the soldier.
"A disagreeable brute, that," Jack said. "A little work in the trenches would do him good, and take some of his cockiness out of him. That was a good idea of the doctor, not saying good-bye in Russian. I don't suppose we shall run against that fellow again, but it we did, he might make it so disagreeable that we might be driven to show him a clean pair of heels."
"He didn't ask for our parole," Dick said, "so we shall be justified in making a bolt if we see a chance."
Passing through the streets the sergeant led them through the town and out into the country beyond.
"Where on earth is he taking us to?" Jack wondered. "I would bet that he has quartered us on this Count Preskoff from pure spite. I wonder what sort of chap he is."
After half an hour's walking they approached a large chateau, surrounded by smaller buildings.
"He's a swell evidently," Dick said. "We ought to have comfortable quarters here."
They entered a large courtyard, across one side of which stood the house; and the sergeant, proceeding to the main entrance, rang the bell. It was opened by a tall man dressed in full Russian costume.
"I have a message for the count from the commandant," the sergeant said.