ow the firing ceased, and in a moment Major Hendricks appeared, at the head of his party.
"Well, we've got them," he said, saluting Stoddard. "How are you, old man?"
"All right," was the gritted reply. "Let's have a look at them."
A flashlight was swept across the stolid group of Cossack prisoners, but as Stoddard peered into one face after another, he realized that Krassnov was not among them.
"You haven't got the leader," he said. "See here, you birds," he addressed the Cossacks, "where is he, eh?"
If they understood, they gave no indication of it, but shook their heads sullenly.
"Well, damn it, we'll find him!" Stoddard wheeled and strode past them. "Give me three or four men, Major. I'll smoke out that Russian bear. He must be here somewhere."
Hendricks sent the main body above, with their prisoners, and gave him the men he wanted, putting himself at their head.
"You'd better go on up, too, Professor," said Stoddard, addressing Prescott. "You've risked enough, in my behalf."
But the older man shook his head.