“More gold,” was the reply.

“I see,” said Colonel Anderson.  “Furnished by the Austrians, eh?”

“How else?  I have had several interviews with this Nicolas.  He seems to think I could be of use to him.  In fact, he has made me offers.  But while I have taken no part in active fighting, although I admit I have neglected my own country, I have not fallen low enough for that sort of work.  However, I did not tell Nicolas that.  I temporized with him and I suppose he believes he can win me over if he cares to make his offer tempting enough.”

“All this,” said Hal slowly, “suggests a plan.”

“Well?” said Chester, expectantly.

“And by this plan of mine,” Hal continued, “we may accomplish even more than we set out to do.”

“Explain, Hal,” said Colonel Anderson.

“It’s very simple.  We’ll have Ivan take us to Nicolas.  He can tell him we are Germans, or what you please.  Being, apparently, friends of Ivan’s, we shall be received.  Then Ivan can appear to fall in with his plans.  At the first opportune moment, we shall take charge of Mr. Nicolas and escape.”

“H-m-m-m,” mused Colonel Edwards.  “You say all that easily enough, but you can take my word for it, it will be no small job.”

“Of course not,” Chester agreed, “but still we should be able to do it.  And if we do, we shall have removed the cause of the Albanian enmity toward Montenegro.  There will be no such strong Austrian sentiment once the supply of gold is cut off.”

Ivan jumped to his feet and clapped the lad on the back.

“Good!” he exclaimed eagerly.  “I’m with you; and if it comes to a fight, you will find that you can use me to advantage.”

“I am sure of it,” smiled Hal.

Ivan, in turning, cast his eye upon the little dwarfed figure of Nikol.  He walked quickly toward him and extended a hand.

“We didn’t finish our little argument awhile ago,” he said simply.  “I see no reason why we should finish it.  Why should we fight each other when there are others to fight?” He turned to Hal.  “I’ll guarantee this man will give a good account of himself,” he said.  “I doubt if there is another man in the mountains, besides myself, who has his strength.  He will prove his worth.”

He turned to Nikol again and the dwarf grinned at him, showing strong white teeth.

“You are right,” he said and gripped Ivan’s hand hard.

“Well then,” said Colonel Edwards, “the sooner we get started the sooner we may get back again.  When shall we start, Ivan?”

“Immediately,” was the reply, and the giant moved toward the mouth of the cavern.

“Now, look-a-here, you fellows,” said the voice of Anthony Stubbs.  “I’ve been a whole lot of places with you and I hope to go with you a whole lot more, but I claim it is downright foolishness to stick our heads into a brigand’s lair.  What’s the use?  The best we can get is the worst of it.”