"It was reported shortly in the local newspapers," replied Vassili, "and
repeated in one or two continental journals, as the police were of
opinion that the man was a foreigner. Any one watching the newspapers
would see it--otherwise the incident might pass unobserved."

"And you think," said De Chauxville, suppressing his excitement with an
effort, "that the lady has risked every thing upon a supposition?"

"Knowing the lady, I do."

De Chauxville's dull eyes gleamed for a moment with an unwonted light.
All the civilization of the ages will not eradicate the primary
instincts of men--and one of these, in good and bad alike, is to protect
women. The Frenchman bit the end of his cigarette, and angrily wiped the
tobacco from his lips.

"She may have information of which you are ignorant," he suggested.

"Precisely. It is that particular point which gives me trouble at the
present moment. It is that that I wish to discover."

De Chauxville looked up coolly. He saw his advantage.

"Hence your sudden flow of communicativeness?" he said.

Vassili nodded.

"You cannot find out for yourself, so you seek my help?" went on the
Frenchman.

Again the Russian nodded his head.

"And your price?" said De Chauxville, drawing in his feet and leaning
forward, apparently to study the pattern of the carpet. The action
concealed his face. He was saving Etta, and he was ashamed of himself.

"When you have the information you may name your own price," said the
Russian coldly.

There was a long silence. Before speaking De Chauxville turned and took
a glass of liqueur from the table. His hand was not quite steady. He
raised the glass quickly and emptied it. Then he rose and looked at his
watch. The silence was a compact.

"When the lady dined with you in Paris, did she recognize you?" he
asked.

"Yes; but she did not know that I recognized her."

For the moment they both overlooked Steinmetz.

De Chauxville stood reflecting.

"And your theory," he said, "respecting Sydney Bamborough--what is it?"

"If he got away to Nijni and the Volga, it is probable that he is in
Eastern Siberia or in Persia at this moment. He has not had time to get
right across Asia yet."

De Chauxville moved toward the door. With his fingers on the handle he
paused again.

"I leave early to-morrow morning," he said.

Vassili nodded, or rather he bowed, in his grand way.

Then De Chauxville went out of the room. They did not shake hands. Ther