Princess Zara

re would be many interviews of the kind I was then enjoying (?), and in the next that my destination was Siberia. It was certainly paradoxical an

ia?" he demanded, but in

with you," I replied, remembering h

hat pu

r your s

at cap

y for which I s

made an impression that was not detrimental to me in his eyes, and thought that I began

that determined your visit

a year," I responded. "Since then it has been constan

swer my question,

now here, in this country; one who afforded me very great assistance w

is his

forgot

led with a poo

sisted me when they have been compelled to place

ow Alexis

d

ll me where

York,

tion to make to me, in case you were

d

ured the audience. I wil

unusual one, and that the very manner of my introduction to the Czar of all the Russias was calculated to be confounding to me and to place at naught my customary determined poise, and unswerving self-reliance. The abrupt mention of Alexis Saberevski, coupled with other insinuations already brought forward in our conversation, confirmed me in the idea already half formed, that my apparent arrest at the hotel, my strange and mysterious journey through the night, and the threat of Siberia, were all in the nature

in words that flowed easily, and which came to me like an inspiration, I stated almost in one sentence, and

rce put together. In order to do so I must have my own way entirely, must be absolute master of the situation, as far as my men are concerned, and can have

of your accomplishme

th my duties by any one no matter how high in place, would render my efforts impotent, a

is tha

ion of anarchists known as nihilists against whom I have

there was not a word spoken. Presently he turned and came back to the chair where I was seated, towering over me like a veritable giant, the most magnificent specimen of masculine humanity I have ever seen; and accordi

ion he recommended you to me, and I directed him to put the bee in your bonnet that has been buzzing there ever since; so you see that I really sent for you, although you did not know it. It was necessary that I should first be entirely convinced that I could trust you implicitly, before entering into negotiations with you. I am convinced. I accept your service. You w

ost cordial manner; and with a genial smile upon his face which render

ears no title and who does not wish for one. Henceforth we will count ourse

almost lost in his great palm when they were clasped together. I forgot

h it, sir, if the

gton. In the morning I wil

ad an opportunity to examine it and to familiarize myself with all that it contained. The prince found some Russian cigarettes on the table, and lighted one

ntil I catch my breath, I will esteem it a great favor,"

tain

please tell m

augh inter

en them nearly three years ago. From time to time Alexis dropped little hints to you which set you to thinking, and the thought finally blossomed into action. Had you confided your plans to anybody, even to Alexis, your services would not have been a

u will

ihilism seeks to remedy are kept alive by its existence. If it were eradicated Russia would take its place among the liberal nations of the world, and it is the ambition of Alexander to perform that service for the empire he controls, just as it was his idea to free the serfs. But the character of our people is different from that of any other people in the world, and your task is not so much to find out and banish those who conspire against the czar, as it will be to convert the men who organize such conspiracies

larg

are hatching every day. Our present system

ganization of which you spea

those whom I h

any ni

only living beings who ever heard of

rince, if I tell you t

n, Mr. Derrington, th

hung about one of the great windows. The prince repeated his question, this time in a louder and angrier tone than before, and when I made no reply was about to leave the room; but I made a sign that compelled him to paus

er instant I had dragged into view the senseless form of a man in the livery of the palace servants-a man whom the prince instantly recognized as a trusted servitor of the czar-on

rd and known. Let us hope that they do not already know more than th

, but he had a handsome, Patrician face; and despite his condition of insensibility, or perhaps

to the point of the present denouement. I could realize just how shocked Prince Michael was by the event; just how puzzled his own reasoning powers were for the moment, because of this discovery of a

onsciousness, was the undoubted personal proof of the deadly danger of my mission; but as I had foreseen and forestalled this incident, so I believed I would be able to foresee and forestall others that would be like unto it; and I determined to make the most of this one, by using it to an advantage which had instantly occurred to me when I saw and read the physiognomy, and behind that, the character of the man on the floor. His features and the ge

iolent. As it was, he opened his eyes and gazed sullenly upon us, realizing better than I did, the fate that was in store for hi

but he did not reply. "Prince," I added, turning to my companion, "I think if you will leave

not be b

hority?" I asked, smiling. So the princ