“You never can tell,” said Colonel Anderson sententiously.

Outside the tent it was now growing light, for time had passed swiftly.  Hal noticed the light filtering in.

“Great Scott!  I had no idea it was morning,” he said.  “It must have been after midnight when we awoke.  Let’s get outside.”

They left the tent and Hal went into their own quarters a moment, where he found Stubbs up and about to emerge.  Together the five walked toward the eastern extremity of the camp.

Came a sudden blaring of trumpets and a body of horse swept toward them.  The riders drew rein almost before the friends, dismounted and stood at attention, while a figure who had been in the center also jumped to the ground.  This figure of huge stature, a man of advanced age, who dismounted nimbly in spite of his years, walked toward the spot where stood the five friends.  Edwards came to attention, as did the others.

“The king!” said Colonel Edwards in a low voice.

CHAPTER IV.

Into the mountains.

Nicholas, king of the Montenegrins, came forward slowly, his head bowed as though in grief, and it seemed for a moment as though he would pass Hal, Chester and the others without seeing them.  But even as he drew abreast of the five, he looked up suddenly.  His gaze rested upon Colonel Edwards and the Englishman bowed low.  Colonel Anderson did likewise.  Hal, Chester and Stubbs remained erect.

The king smiled slightly at Colonel Edwards, whom he plainly knew, and glanced inquiringly at the others.

Colonel Edwards approached him.

“Your majesty,” he said, “I would crave your permission to present another of my countrymen and three Americans, who have seen service with your allies in the western theater of war.”

The king nodded his head affirmatively and Colonel Edwards motioned the others to approach.  The king extended a hand to each and spoke a few pleasant words.

“I hope,” he said, “that you will make yourselves perfectly at home in my camp.  I am sorry I have no better to offer you.”  He turned to Edwards.  “I have faith in you English,” he said, “and for that reason I was about to summon you this morning.  I have a mission of importance, and some danger, I would have you undertake.”

“I shall be pleased, sire” replied Colonel Edwards with a bow.

The king smiled.

“I knew you would be,” he said.  “Now this mission will necessitate probably more than a single man.  You shall pick the others.  It seems simple, but I can assure you it is not.  Among the Albanian tribesmen, I am told, there is a disposition to doubt the justice of our cause and the cause of our allies.  A spirit of unrest is rife there.  I would have it looked into.  I have faith in the majority of the Albanians, but a few agitators could do much harm right now.  The reason I say one man could hardly undertake the task is that he would hardly have time to cover the necessary ground.  Two might do; even more would be better.”