He emerged after them and his hand was on his automatic as he did so.

"Which way?" asked Chester.

"Straight ahead," said Nicolas.

"No," said Hal quietly. "About face. We are going the other way."

"Where to?" demanded Nicolas surlily.

"Right back to Cettinje," replied Hal, "where you shall be turned over to
the Montenegrin authorities to meet the fate you deserve!"




CHAPTER X.

FLIGHT.


Nicolas stopped short in his tracks. His face went red, then white, then
flushed a dull red again. For a moment there was a deathly silence and
then the Montenegrin sprang toward Hal with a cry of fury. The boy stood
his ground.

"I wouldn't if I were you," he said very quietly.

His automatic glistened in his hand at his hip. Nicolas gazed down
and then pulled himself up short as his eyes rested on the weapon. He