An imprecation from Ivan, a second report and flash of flame, and the man fell sprawling.

Ivan rose calmly.  He surveyed the field of action with a critical eye.  Then, without a word, he turned on his heel and stalked back to the house.  As he came to where Chester and Helen stood, he said quietly: 

“Any more of them in here?”

“None,” returned Chester.  “You finished the lot.”

“Good,” said the Cossack.  “I thought they had me once.”

He uttered no further word, but made his way to the parlor, where he sat down as calmly as though nothing had happened.

“You go in there, too,” said Chester to Helen.  “I’ll have a look at Anderson.”

But the girl refused to obey this command and accompanied the lad to where the gallant Colonel lay, moaning feebly.

Chester dropped down and raised Colonel Anderson’s head to his knee.

“How do you feel, old man?” he asked.

“Rather weak and dizzy,” was the Colonel’s mumbled response.

“Where did the bullet hit you?”

“Top of the head some place,” and Colonel Anderson raised a feeble hand and passed it over his head.

“Quiet now,” said Chester.  “I’ll have you in the other room in a jiffy and we’ll have a look at the wound.  Will you make a light in the parlor, Miss Ellison?”

The girl hastened away to do as Chester requested and the lad assisted Colonel Anderson to his feet.

“Put your arm around my neck,” the lad commanded.  “Lean all your weight on me and I’ll drag you into the other room.  You’re too big for me to carry.”

Colonel Anderson followed instructions and Chester dragged him to the parlor, where he laid him on a couch.  Then he bent over and examined the wound.

“Doesn’t amount to much,” he said finally, rising.  “Will you get me some water and a cloth.  Miss Ellison?  Also, if by any chance you can find it, a piece of adhesive plaster.”

“I can get them all,” said the girl.  “Miss Thatcher’s kit is still here.”

She hurried away and was back in a few minutes with the necessary things.  She lent Chester a hand and bathed the wound on the Colonel’s head, while Chester unrolled the adhesive plaster.  Then they bound up the wound.

Colonel Anderson then insisted on sitting up.  He passed a hand ruefully across his bandaged head and smiled faintly.

“Hurts a little, but not much,” he said in answer to Chester’s question.  “But now, if you’ll tell me—­”

He paused suddenly and raised a warning hand.

“What’s the matter now?” demanded Chester anxiously.

“Thought I heard voices without.”

With a bound Ivan left his chair and darted toward the door.  He disappeared in the darkness.

“Ivan’s fighting blood is up,” said Chester.  “I guess I’d better go after him.  You guard the wounded man here, Miss Ellison.”

He hurried after Ivan.