“Good reasoning, Nikol,” said Hal.  “We shall wait, as you suggest.”

Nikol became silent again.  Ivan said nothing either.

“But it’s awfully tiresome being trussed up like this,” Stubbs protested.

“Better a little tiresomeness now than a bullet in the morning, Mr. Stubbs,” returned Chester.

“Right you are, Chester, I’ll kick no more,” said Stubbs.

He, too, became silent.

Hal, Chester and Colonel Anderson talked in low whispers.

“After we are freed of our bonds, then what?” questioned the Colonel.

Chester shrugged his shoulders as much as his bonds would permit.

“Ask Hal,” he replied.  “I don’t seem to be able to think of anything.”

“Well,” said Hal, “our guards, knowing that we are apparently securely bound, won’t keep as strict guard as they should, I hope.  Once freed, perhaps we can tap one of them over the head and appropriate his uniform.  After that another uniform and so on until there are garments for all.  We’ll climb into them.  Then we’ll crawl under the tent, and once outside, we’ll strike out boldly.”

“And after that?” questioned Chester.

This time it was Hal who shrugged his shoulders.

“Who knows?” he said quietly.  “We’ll have to leave something to chance.”

“And Miss Ellison?”

“A uniform for her also,” said Hal decisively.  “It’s the only way.”

“But—­”

“Oh, I know it is a desperate chance,” exclaimed Hal.  “But certainly it is better than sitting down and awaiting the arrival of the firing squad.”

“You’re right, Hal,” said Chester.  “But it’s a ticklish business and one that will require nerve.”

“It’s not a question of nerve, when you know what’s in store in the morning,” said Hal.  “But as this is my plan, I’ll do the work, or what part of it I may.”

“You’re the doctor,” Chester agreed.

“Now,” said Hal, “we’ll try and get a little sleep.  We can do nothing until after dark, and the better our physical conditions, the better our chances for escape.”

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Through the night.

Hal, Chester, Colonel Anderson, Nikol and Ivan slept.  The first three, veterans of many campaigns and hardships, had schooled themselves to sleep under almost any conditions.  The same might be said of Nikol and Ivan because of days spent in the mountain fastness, where danger lurked at all times.

Stubbs, however, although he bore up bravely under the death sentence, was unable to sleep, try as he would.  Nor could Helen gain a much needed rest, though she was not conscious that she was at all afraid.  So these two talked during the long hours of the day as the others slept peacefully and deeply.

With the coming of darkness a man entered bearing a tray with bread and water.  The others awakened now and all did full justice to the frugal meal.  Their hands were untied while they ate, but the meal over, they were bound again.