The two Austrians who had arrived in time to prevent his escape after his tussle with Robard now stood guard over the lad, waiting for Robard to return to consciousness.  Presently the fallen man stirred, rolled over, gasped a bit, and sat up.  He gazed about and took in his surroundings.  An ugly look passed over his face as his eyes fell upon Chester.

“I’ll get even with you for this,” he said harshly, as he scrambled to his feet.

“Oh, I don’t know,” returned Chester with a smile.  “I might only increase my indebtedness the next time we meet.”

The Austrian took a threatening step forward.  Chester did not flinch and the man paused and dropped the arm he had raised.

“I’ll wait till we get to Vienna, and then I’ll guarantee to make you whine for mercy,” growled Robard.

“We shall see,” said Chester.

Robard turned to his men.

“We’ll go at once,” he said.

“By the way,” interrupted Chester, “what has happened to the ambassador?”

Robard gave a start, and looked quickly at his two men, who had turned at
Chester’s words.

“You’ll find him in the next room, I think,” said Chester, pointing.

“Shut up!” commanded Robard, again taking a step forward.

Chester smiled and stepped back a bit.

“Where you shot him,” he continued pleasantly.

With a cry Robard leaped upon him.  Chester struck out quickly with both fists, one after the other, and the Austrian staggered back.  Chester turned to the others.

“What I say is true,” he said quietly, as he noted the look of uncertainty on their faces.  “You can easily tell by investigating.”

“It’s a lie!” shouted Robard.

The men hesitated.

“Look and see,” said Chester.

“The boy is right,” said one of them.  “I’ll look.”

He stepped toward the door.

“Stand where you are!” cried Robard.

He moved upon the other and clenched his fists.  The man gazed at him a moment without a word; then, suddenly, he seized his superior by the arms and held him as though he had been in a vise.

“You have a look, Fritz,” he said to his companion.  “I’ll hold him safe enough.”

The latter wasted no time.  He hurried from the room.

“You’ll pay for this!” screamed Robard.

“Perhaps,” said his subordinate, “but I believe the boy has told the truth.  I never did trust you, with your shifty eyes.”

At that moment the third man came back into the room, dragging a heavy body after him.

“The ambassador!” cried the other.

“You see, I was right,” said Chester.

The ambassador was unconscious still, although it was hours after he had been wounded.

“He’s alive,” said one of the Austrians, after an examination.

“Get some water,” commanded the other.

At this moment Robard took a step forward, and seemed about to wrench himself free from his captor’s arms.