The Golden Bough

ontaining the bank notes of Nemi was safe upon the floor of the tonneau and the Princess Tatyana, still clad in her dark robe, sat in the seat beside him, completely at his orders. Th

e pig of a Yankee liberated from the vault. He had been imprudent when in the first flush of his success he had told T

followed the imprisonment of the Yankee intruder in the vault was now slowly giving way to a vague inquietude. For the arm of Nemi, as Khodkine himself had said, was long and if Max Liederman blew o

with a gentle hand. He had held her, heretofore, by the threat which he had hung over her,--a painful business at best, since she was quite the most desirable woman he had ever known. But the pig Rowland had startled him by revealing a knowledge of his nationality, his correct name, regiment and employment. For if Rowland knew who he was, from whom had he received the inform

at rigidly in resolute silence, deaf or oblivious to the small attentions which he offered her. But as the day had now broken and

amarov," he said, "that

de no

ncess Samarov, we will

repetition of her name, but gave

ine," she replied coldly,

ed, "do not say that. Rather

nothing but

at her p

ecarious." He drove on in a moment of silence and then spoke more soberly. "Come. Be reasonable. Through no fault of my own we are enemies. It is very painfu

Is this gen

appened in Moscow. Prince Samaroff brought his fate upon himself. Nor had you the right to confide, without the consent of the Council of Nemi, in this absurd adventurer from America

ie," she mut

hrug

st him--and you, Princess

tion the cowl fell over her should

that I would steal money given in a holy c

a moment and then a smi

nce I would surely run into a market-cart. It is difficult furthermore," he sa

very genuine, as she twisted away from him.

ighest honor in the privilege of any man to bes

and turned towa

you have done to

our father, Prince Samarov, was t

rder," she broke in wildl

th some show of delicacy, "because he was a

is mine--the integrity of R

smiled

ess, and with it those who ar

a chase of will-o'-the-wisps through a mist of illusions. You speak of treachery; You----!" She stifled the scorn of he

at Prince Samarov was thrown into prison is indeed a proof of my loyalty--for did I not know that in condemning him--" Khodkine's voice sank a no

him quickly but

amarilla of Rasputin," she said in a tense vo

e that I can help," he said suavely. "Indeed I am not without

you not be--yo

low her cassock fingering the

Tatyana?" he

ged and l

-of license!" sh

believed in the Provisional Government and the

nd turned t

oldiers, profited upon munitions which never reached those who upheld the honor of Russia at the front--the capitalists and those they put in power. I need not go on. You know the

t moment she seemed to be completely in his power, and until a proper opportunity presented, she must meet him at his own game. This was not the first time he had declared his love for her. There had been other moments in Petrograd and at Nemi when Gregory Khodkine had chosen to dignify her with his attentions, but beneath his suave demonstrations of affection, she had always been sure of his venality and felt the threat of

, Stepan's slayer, sat beside her, driving into the sunshine of the dewy morning, alive, awake, persistent and successful, a portent of the triumph of the dark forces which were spreading their evil snares all about the world. She stole a quick sidelong glance at him and marked the handsome, finely-cut profile. He was good to look at--but cold--so ruthless and so cold! And it was this man who a moment ago had asked her to marry him! There had seemed something more ominous to her in the carefully chosen words of his declaration than there would have been in the rugged orders of an honest jailor. And yet there was too something in the quietness of his manner and in the air of subm

npleasant, and for the present he seemed to have forgotten her existence. Love? To such a man--it was a t

rt of the tissue of falsehoods he had woven about his life or was it a tangible thing that would cut and rend a

you are right. I am only a woman. I have thought deeply and sorrowed deeply for Russi

r the blue valley which l

lf that he lacked nothing. He is comfortable, well-fed and in no danger. If you

s thoughts at the first wind that blows. You are catering to a maddened people drun

rule all Russia. You shall see. Out of chaos, cosmos shall come

r head and s

aos but the chaotic. You se

e said quietly. "But one day you will

spoke, trying to measure her words

urself a loyal Russian, to go into the very heart of your enemy's country without hindrance, without question? And by what right do yo

. "You are now in Germany and presently may be placed in a positi

e Samarov is not afrai

for you and protect yo

had driven prude

rried here and there against my will. By wh

d a deserted strip of the road and Khodkine drove more slowly. "Listen, Tatyana. Perhaps you did not believe me

er

o a place of safety, where you as well as I will have some say in its disposition in international affairs. You chose to be suspicious of me and to take into your confidenc

Liede

d you know wha

a Ro

no time. I know. I have evidence. He was prepared for the death of Kirylo Iva

ficiencies, is at least honest in hi

laughed

he woman herself. Zoya Rochal has owned many men and used their fortunes. She is without an occupation. Herr Liederman i

ssively and finis

never have carried out

s she made

mpossible to do otherwise. The judgment of a woman is not always to be relied upon. You are out of harm's way. I shall save you from mischief and fro

gers clutched the doss

The passports, Monsieur--to m

. "I am either a spy of Germany in Russia or

dence am

--of R

e slightest slip might betray her. "Oh," she

sia. I was educated in a German university. If I have used

de no

facts--or help you to

," she said slowl

her keenly f

was acting in the interests of Prus

s eyes. "I was not the confidante of Kirylo Ivanitch in

admit, upon good grounds. In the twentieth century abduction is hardly conv

or a long momen

ate that it should be you, Princess Tatyana, who are thrown across my path, but that has made no difference to me. My life or happiness is nothing beside the other issue. That day at the British Embassy when we met and afterwards walked along

red. "My situation is delicate enoug

e town and Monsieur Khod

i, but I pray you to be discreet. One may not speak freely in Germany in times like these. I warn you now that for myself I fear n

you want

valise, a hat, coat, and such toilet articles as you may require. Tonight we should reach Munich where you

ter tha

ou, we shall go

promise to obey you thus far,

Samarov when we reach Petr

e assented at l

s dreamers--idealists. Russia has dreamed too long. The party to come into power will be radical, applying desperate remedies to desperate diseases, but it will be

onal Pruss

ned sli

dy breaking yo

he persisted eagerly. "What beco

his jaws

r themselves, Princess

sinking back into he