He shuddered.

"I know it, Nikol," he said gravely.

He put out his hand and patted the dwarf on the head.




CHAPTER XV.

MR. STUBBS EASES HIS MIND.


The remainder of the journey to Cettinje was without incident. After the
defeat of the mountaineers the lads felt safe, for they were once more
within the borders of Montenegro and were unlikely, they knew, to
encounter other enemies.

Stubbs, when informed of the death of Colonel Edwards, was greatly
grieved.

"Poor fellow," he said, and added after a pause: "There is no use
talking, Hal, this is no life for any one. He's likely to be snuffed out
at a moment's notice. I'm going to be careful where I go in the future."

Besides the three bags of gold he had carried when he left the Albanian
mountains, Hal now had the two he had taken from the body of Colonel
Edwards. The two Nicolas had carried had been left with him, for there