heeling round and walking
away.

Without looking after her Steinmetz walked on, gradually increasing his
pace. In a few minutes he reached the large house standing within iron
gates at the upper end of the English quay, the house of Prince Pavlo
Howard Alexis.

He found Paul alone in his study. In a few words he explained the
situation.

"What do you think it means?" asked the prince.

"Heaven only knows!"

"And you will go?"

"Of course," replied Steinmetz. "I love a mystery, especially in
Petersburg. It sounds so like a romance written in the Kennington Road
by a lady who has never been nearer to Russia than Margate."

"I had better go with you," said Paul.

"Gott! No!" exclaimed Steinmetz; "I must go alone. I will take Parks to
drive the sleigh, if I may, though. Parks is a steady man, who loves a
rough-and-tumble. A typical British coachman--the brave Parks!"

"Back in time for dinner?" asked Paul.

"I hope so. I have had such mysterious appointments thrust upon me
before. It is probably a friend who wants a hundred-ruble note until
next Monday."

The cathedral clock struck six as Karl Steinmetz turned out of the
Nevski Prospekt into the large square before the sacred edifice. He soon
found the Kazan Passage--a very nest of toyshops--and, following the
directions given, he mounted a narrow staircase. He knocked at the door
on the left hand at the top of the stairs.

"Come in!" said a voice which caused him to start.

He pushed open the door. The room was a small one, brilliantly lighted
by a paraffin lamp. At the table sat an old man with broad benevolent
face, high forehead, thin hair, and that smile which savors of the milk
of human kindness, and in England suggests Nonconformity.

"You!" ejaculated Steinmetz. "Stepan!"

"Yes. Come in and close the door."

He laid aside his pen, extended his hand, and, rising, kissed Karl
Steinmetz on both cheeks after the manner of Russians.

"Yes, my dear Karl. It seems that the good God has still a little work
for Stepan Lanovitch to do. I got away quite easily, in the usual way,
through a paid Evasion Agency. I have been forwarded from pillar to post
like a prize fowl, and reached Petersburg last night. I have not long to
stay. I am going south. I may be able to do some good yet. I hear that
Paul is working wonders in Tver."

"What about money?" asked Steinmetz, who was always practical.

"Catrina sent it, the dear child! That is one of the conditions