CHAPTER XVI.

THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.

Troops, troops, troops. Hundreds, even thousands of men marching through the streets of Moscow drew the eyes of the populace. From the railroad station they emerged in squadrons and regiments; and the roads of all lay in the same direction--toward the palace.

Czar Nicholas and his retinue had arrived two hours earlier and were even now in the palace. It still lacked an hour of the time when the Czar was to make his address from the palace steps to Count Blowinski's own men, but these were gathered about the palace in dense masses.

The first regiment of troops to leave the railroad station and move toward the palace attracted little attention, nor did the second; but as the men continued to stream along word of their coming finally reached the ear of Count Blowinski.

That worthy, at the moment in consultation with some of his fellow-conspirators, among whom was Jack, became greatly excited when the first word reached him.

"Can it be possible that the Czar has an inkling of our plans?" he asked.

Jack took it upon himself to reply.

"It is hardly likely, count. I should judge that the presence of troops here at this time has no peculiar significance. Rather, their presence is probably part of a prearranged plan to have them go to the front. Perhaps the Czar intends to go with them."

"It may be as you say," was the reply, "but my messenger informs me that they are surrounding the palace, hemming my own men in, as though purposely."

"It does look a bit odd," Jack agreed. "But if you are afraid to go through with your plans now, count, why not postpone the coup?"

"It must be done now or never," replied the count decisively. "A delay would prove fatal. If it comes to the worst, I shall abandon my plan of seizing the Emperor and shoot him."

Jack gave a start. This was more than he had bargained for; and he realized that if the count really determined to put this latter plan into execution, there was no time to give the warning. The lad also realized that, in the event the count did try to assassinate the Czar, he, himself, was the only person who could hope to prevent it.

Jack determined, therefore, to stick close to Blowinski; and as he accompanied the count and his staff to the palace grounds to meet the Czar, he felt more certain at every step that the count's last plan was the one to be feared.

In the large open space in front of the palace stood Blowinski's own men; but even from where he stood, Jack could see the still more dense bodies of the Czar's troops hemming in those of the count. The lad could discern their attitude of hushed expectancy and he felt certain that their officers had their commands.

"It's shoot or nothing," the lad told himself, and he followed the count closely.

Now Count Blowinski approached the Czar and the latter extended a hand.

"Welcome, your Majesty," cried the count, and falling to his knee he took the hand and pressed his lips to it.

"I am glad to see you, Count," replied Czar Nicholas. "A fine body of men you have here."

"Thank you, sire! They are indeed a likely body of men and they would have you say a few words to them."

The count now presented the others of his retinue to the Czar, and followed his majesty to the top of the palace steps, as one befitting his rank and station.

There, he turned and surveyed the crowd below--a host of uniformed figures. He spoke a few words to them himself, and announced that the Czar would address them.

Then the count fell back a trifle, as the Czar advanced.

Jack watched the big Russian closely, noting that Blowinski's hand rested upon his belt, where was exposed the butt of a revolver. Jack's hand rested in his coat pocket and his fingers gripped his own weapon firmly.

"I wish Frank were here," he muttered. "I am not certain of my own aim."

Now the Czar began to speak and a hush fell over the vast assemblage.

"Soldiers!" said the Czar. "It gives me happiness to address you; and it would give me ever more happiness, were it not for one thing."

Here the Czar paused and his gaze went to the troops farther back, his own men, whom he knew could be trusted.

Jack saw the officers there exhorting their men to some sort of action as the Czar continued: "Yes, it would give me greater happiness did I not know that there are traitors among you--men who would betray me to the enemy. I----"

What else the Czar might have said was lost in two sharp revolver reports. For a moment thereafter there was a deathly silence; followed by a tremendous uproar and the sharp crack, crack of rifles.

Jack, his eye ever keen, had been watching Count Blowinski like a hawk. As the emperor spoke of traitors, the lad saw the count's form stiffen. Then the big Russian suddenly whipped out his revolver and fired at the Czar.

But Jack had acted just as promptly. As he saw the count's revolver leap forth, the lad jerked out his own weapon. Hardly taking time to aim, but breathing a fervent prayer, Jack pressed the trigger a moment before the count's finger tightened on the trigger of his revolver.

There was not the space of a second between the two sharp reports, but Jack's revolver spoke the fraction of a second before that of the count.

Count Blowinski staggered back. The bullet from Jack's revolver had struck him in the shoulder, but his finger had already tightened on the trigger, discharging his weapon. But his aim had been deflected by Jack's bullet and the missile went wide of its mark.

Before he could fire again, had such been his intention, Jack had leaped forward and his powerful fingers were clasped about the big Russian's throat.

The force of Jack's spring had been so great that he bore the big man to the floor. At the same time he cried to the Czar:

"Back inside, quick, your Majesty!"

But the lad need not have spoken; for at the sound of the first shot, others of the Czar's personal retinue had seized their Emperor and borne him forcibly away. Then the crack of rifles filled the air.

Under the command of their officers, trapped though they were, the disloyal Russian troops turned to give battle to the loyal forces who surrounded them on all sides.

So terrific, however, were the volleys poured in on them from beyond, one after another, and so fast did they drop, that their resistance was but momentary. Yet during the time that it took them to lay down their arms and cry for quarter, fully a thousand of them were shot down.

Immediately thereafter, the commander of the loyal forces gave the command to advance, and the men came forward at the double, thrusting to right and left with their swords and long bayonets among the now unarmed men.

Jack, having choked Count Blowinski into unconsciousness, had paused a moment before going inside to watch the battle. Therefore, he was still on the palace steps when a squad of loyal troops burst through the disloyal forces and ascended the steps with a rush.

The officer in command saw Jack standing there almost alone, a revolver still in his hand, and pointing toward the lad with his sword he exclaimed:

"Seize him!"

Immediately rough hands were laid on Jack. In vain he struggled to free himself and protested his innocence of any wrong. The grasp of his captors only tightened. In spite of his struggles he was led down the steps and in among the heart of the Russian troops.

Here he was turned over to another squad of men, with orders to take him at once before General Burgoff.

Half an hour later, together with a number of Russian officers, the lad found himself before the Russian commander. The latter looked them all over carefully, then motioned to one of his men to have Jack taken out.

"He seems younger than the rest," he said. "Neither is he a Russian. I will take up his case after I have disposed of the others."

Jack was taken from the general's quarters, but he had not long to wait. At the end of another hour he was again led before the general. Besides this officer and the man who commanded the squad in charge of Jack, there was no one present.

General Burgoff leaned back in his chair and eyed Jack keenly.

"What is your name?" he demanded.

"Jack Templeton," replied Jack in English. "Lieutenant in the Royal British navy, sir."

"What are you doing here, then?" demanded the general.

"I am here on a special mission by command of the Czar," replied the lad quietly.

The Russian commander smiled into his long beard.

"A likely story," he replied.

"It is true, sir," replied Jack.

"What was the nature of this mission?" asked the general skeptically.

"My friend and I were sent here to expose Count Blowinski," returned Jack. "How well we succeeded you may see by what has just happened."

Again the general smiled skeptically.

"I hope you don't expect me to believe any such story as that?" he questioned.

"I do, sir, because it is the truth," was the lad's response.

"Well, I don't believe it. Of course, it is only natural that you would have an excuse; all men do when they are caught. It is my belief that you are one of the traitors."

"I assure you, sir----" began Jack.

The general rose to his feet abruptly.

"Enough!" he said sternly. "Your lies will gain you nothing. I shall prescribe the same punishment for you as for the other traitors."

"But if you would only investigate my claim, sir," protested Jack.

"A waste of time," replied the general. "The Czar must not be troubled with such matters."

"You are likely to be troubled when the Czar hears of this," returned Jack quietly.

"What!" exclaimed General Burgoff. "You dare to threaten me?"

"I am making no threats, sir."

"Come, enough of this talking," said the general. "As I have said, your punishment shall be the same as that of the other traitors."

"Death?" asked Jack quietly.

"Worse," was the general's response.

Jack was surprised. What could be worse than death, he asked himself.

The answer came in an instant and a chill struck his heart, as General Burgoff said sternly:

"Siberia!"