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"Yes, although it won't make much difference. Nikol could release the rest of us." "I thought the second tying-up might have made it impossible," said Hal. "I'm ready any time you give the word," said Nikol. "Then do it now," said Hal. The others gazed curiously as Nikol made his little form still smaller.
There also we encountered Anthony Stubbs, war correspondent, and his man, Nikol." "Very plausible, very plausible," said the Bulgarian. "But how do I know you speak the truth?" Hal shrugged his shoulders. "We can't very well offer proof of our identities," he said. "But were the American consul here, I could very soon convince him." The officer frowned at this remark.
Colonel Anderson, Chester and Nikol stood with drawn revolvers. Gently Hal lifted Colonel Edwards' head to his knee. The eyes were closed. The lad put a hand over the officer's heart. There was a faint beating. A moment later Colonel Edwards opened his eyes. He smiled feebly. "Guess I'm done for," he said quietly.
Chester broke into a little laugh, which died suddenly as he stared down into the angry face of Nikol, which glared up at him. There was a deep frown on the dwarf's face and he tapped himself upon the breast with one finger as he said: "Any man who insults my friend, insults me. You have cast reflections upon my friend's courage.
Nikol, with flushed face, muttered something unintelligible and backed slowly away. Then the king thanked each member of the party separately. Even Stubbs seemed somewhat abashed by the king's manner. Later Colonel Anderson mentioned the gold they had brought and it was all deposited fifteen bags of the precious metal before the king. "Again I thank you," said the monarch.
Then he raised his voice a trifle and called aloud, at the same time drawing his revolver and presenting it squarely at the Bulgarian's head: "Chester! Oh, Chester! You can all come down now." In response to this hail, Chester, Helen, Mr. Stubbs and Nikol soon stood before them. When Hal drew his revolver, the Bulgarian officer staggered back. "A traitor, eh?" he exclaimed.
With his right arm the dwarf struck the face that gazed up at him as he was suspended high in the air. The big man gave a roar like that of an angry bull, hurled the dwarf from him and then jumped after the flying figure with remarkable agility for a man of his huge size. But even as he would have seized Nikol again, Hal stepped forward.
Two sharp reports came almost together. Hal felt a bullet brush past his ear. Nicolas dropped suddenly from his horse. Turning, Hal gazed into the calm face of Nikol and in the dwarf's hand was a smoking revolver. He had whipped out his revolver and fired in the nick of time. Hal realized that he owed his life to the dwarf and he smiled at him slightly.
"You afraid, Mr. Stubbs? You do me an injustice, I assure you. Why, I have seen you fight, Mr. Stubbs. Now, do you, by any chance, remember your battle with three wildcats?" "I do," said Stubbs, considerably pleased. He turned to Nikol. "Did I ever tell you about that fight?" he asked. Nikol shook his head and eyed the little war correspondent with interest. "Well, I did," continued Stubbs.
As they started for the monarch's quarters, Stubbs and Nikol both hung back. "Come on now, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester. "The king will be as glad to see you as any of the rest of us." "I'm not much used to kings," Stubbs protested. "Besides, this is none of my expedition. You're the fellows he wants to see."
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