The Celt instantly obeyed.
The others armed themselves with Winchesters. Thus they stood by the airship’s rail as the Siberian police came up.
“What ho!” cried the leader, a tall, bewhiskered fellow, reining in his horse at sight of Nicolas, “there is your man, guards! Seize the dog and iron him!”
The fellow spoke in the Russian language. Every word was plain to Frank Reade, Jr.
The unfortunate exile cowered by the airship’s rail. The guards would have seized him, but Frank said, quietly:
“Stand firm! Aim!”
Barney was in the door of the pilot house with his rifle at his shoulder. Frank, Pomp and Professor Gaston each held a rifle aimed at the foe.
At this the guards halted.
“Back!” thundered Frank in Russian, “or every dog of you dies!”
For a moment the Russian captain sat his horse like a statue. Then he cried, in amazement: