The man did not walk with any particular caution, and the lads judged from his movements that he had no fear whatever of interruption.  The door of the guard-room stood open, and by the light of the fire which blazed within, they could see the soldiers lying about in a drunken sleep.  At the gate itself the sentry on duty was sitting on the ground with his back against a wall, and his musket beside him, in a heavy drunken sleep.

The warder unlocked the door, the key being already in the lock; the three issued out; the gate was closed and locked on the outside, and the key thrust under the gate.  The warder then led the way through the streets, until he reached a small house near the outskirts.  The door opened as their footsteps approached, and Count Preskoff came out.

“My dear boys,” he exclaimed embracing them as if he had been their father, “how much you have suffered for the sake of me and mine!  Here,” he continued, turning to the warder, “is the reward I promised you.  Go straight on to the chateau.  You will find my coachman with a light carriage ready for starting.  He will drive you twenty-five miles on your way, and you will then only have fifteen to walk before morning to the house of the woodman, your brother, where I hear you intend to remain hidden for the present.  You can rely upon my protection after the affair has blown over.  Now come in, lads, this is the house of a faithful serf of mine, who works here on his own account as an artisan, and you will be safe from interruption for the next hour or two.”

Upon entering the cottage, the midshipmen were surprised to find the countess and her daughters, who greeted them no less warmly than the count had done.

“My husband has told me all that you have done for us,” the countess said, “and how you first discovered the plot between the governor and that miserable traitor for our ruin.  I have blamed him for hiding it from us at first, for surely a wife should know of the dangers to which her husband is exposed.  Besides, I and my daughters would have remained ignorant of the obligation we owe you.”

“And to think of the way you took us in with the ponies,” Olga laughed.  “Papa said that was your invention, Master Jack.  That’s another score against you.”

“I hope,” Dick said, “that you are running no risks on our account, countess.  I fear that there may be suspicions that the count has been concerned in our escape.”

“The deputy-commandant may suspect,” the count said, “but he can prove nothing.  All in the chateau are, I believe, faithful, but even were they not, none know of our absence, as we did not leave until all were asleep, and shall return before daylight.  Alexis will himself drive the warder to his destination.  He has the best pair of horses, and will do the fifty miles in under four hours so that he will be back before any one is stirring.  The others concerned will hold their tongues for their