, it might not only annul his leave of absence, but get him
into other difficulty.

He had made up his mind never to return to his post of duty, and if he
could not bring influence enough to bear upon the minister of war to get
him another assignment, he resolved to take advantage of his year's
leave of absence and escape the empire.

He took lodgings in a respectable quarter; and Barnwell enacted the part
of a valet there with even greater perfection than he had while
journeying from Siberia.

But he was watching his opportunities, knowing that he was a marked man
with the police, and known to every member of it.

The first thing to do was to insure confidence in Kanoffskie and the
police, and this he exerted himself to do, feeling certain that the time
would come before the year was up for him to carry out his plans.

With Kanoffskie it was an easy matter, and as he was a government
officer against whom there was no suspicion, Barnwell was allowed
greater latitude on that account.

So, one day, after they had been in St. Petersburg about a month, he
managed while carrying a message for Kanoffskie, to get near the
official residence of the American minister, over which the Stars and
Stripes of the great republic floated proudly. It thrilled him to the
heart as he once more beheld that ensign of liberty, and, suddenly
changing his direction, he rushed into the building and demanded to see
the representative of the United States.

An attendant directed him to that officer's chamber, just as two
officers of the police, who had observed his movements, entered the
outer room.

"You, sir, are the American minister?" said Barnwell, rushing hurriedly
into his presence.

"I am. What do you wish?"

"I claim the protection due to an outraged citizen of the United
States."

"Who are you?"

"William Barnwell. My name is on your books, and you personally saw my
passport."

At that moment the Russian officers entered.

"Ah! I defy you now! The Stars and Stripes once more wave above me!"
shouted Barnwell, as the officers approached him.

CHAPTER XII.

A FREE MAN ONCE MORE.

"Stand aside, officers, until I investigate this case," said the
American minister, in a tone of command that the tyrannical minions of
the law knew too much to disobey, for at that time the United States and
Russia were on exceedingly friendly terms.

"Now, what is your story?" he asked, turning to young Barnwell.

"It is this, sir," h