Browne replied.
"I have no doubt you are right, however. At any rate, I will be most
careful of what I say, and how I act, in her presence. Now, perhaps,
you can help me still further, since you declare you are better
acquainted with the subject than most people. Being so ignorant, I
should be very grateful for a few hints as to how I should set to
work." In spite of the old man's boast, Browne thought he had rather
got the better of him now. He was soon to be undeceived, however.

"You intend to carry this through yourself, I suppose?" asked his
companion. "If I mistake not, I heard you say this evening that you
proposed to set sail at once for the Farther East. Is that so?"

"It is quite true," Browne replied. "I leave for London to-morrow
afternoon, and immediately upon my arrival there I shall commence my
preparations. You will see for yourself, if the man is so ill, there
is no time to waste."

"In that case I think I can introduce you to a person who will prove of
the utmost assistance to you; a man without whom, indeed, it would be
quite impossible for you to succeed in your undertaking."

"That is really very kind of you," said Browne; "and, pray, who is this
interesting person, and where shall I find him?"

"His name is Johann Schmidt," said Sauber, "and for some years past he
has taken up his residence in Hong-kong. Since we are alone, I may as
well inform you that he makes a speciality of these little affairs,
though I am not aware that he has done very much in that particular
locality in which you are at present most interested. New Caledonia is
more in his line. However, I feel sure that that will make little or
no difference to him, and I do not think you can do better than pay him
a visit when you reach Eastern waters."

"But how am I to broach the subject to him? And how am I to know that
he will help me? I cannot very well go to him and say straight out
that I am anxious to help a Russian convict to escape from Saghalien."

"I will give you a letter to him," replied Herr Sauber, "and after he
has read it you will find that you will have no difficulty in the
matter whatsoever. For a sum to be agreed upon between you, he will
take the whole matter off your hands, and all you will have to do will
be to meet the exile at a spot which will be arranged, and convey him
to a place of safety."

"I am sure I am exceedingly obliged to you," said Browne. "But will
you answer me one more qu