Strange telnet issue..

Hi all,

I'm having this strange telnet problem that I just can't resolve! My
problem is this:

I'm trying to telnet to a modem, but to do this I ssh onto a linux
server, telnet from there to another windows PC and from the windows
PC (which has two network cards btw) telnet to a modem. I can do each
step on its own; i.e. i can connect from the windows PC to the modem,
to the windows PC from the linux server etc. My problem comes when I
do the above steps in sequence, I get as far as the telnet to the
windows PC and then I can't go any further. It's as if my telnet
command is ignored once I'm connected to the PC, like I'm just hitting
return. I tried telnet, then "open 192.168.1.254" and it just says
there is already a connection to the PC. I can ping from this location
so I know its connected right! I also tried connecting to cygwin at
this stage and telnetting from there but I get another error "bash:
[172: 1] tcsetattr: Inappropriate ioctl for device".

Anyway, I'd be grateful if anyone should shed some light on this
situation! Is there a problem with telnetting from a telnet session?!

Thanks again,
olanb7