not
to-night? The moon is beautiful, and, indeed, it is hardly dark at
midnight. Your speaking of boats has filled me with a sudden desire to
go rowing. What do you say, dear count?" and she turned amiably to
Kallash.

Count Kallash at once consented, considering the baroness's idea an
admirable one, and they were soon on their way toward the Simeonovski
bridge.

"How delightful it is!" cried the baroness, some half hour later, as
they were gliding over the quiet water. "Count, do you like strong
sensations?" she asked suddenly.

"I am fond of strong sensations of every kind," he replied, taking up
her challenge.

"Well, I am going to offer you a little sensation, though it always
greatly affects me. Everything is just right for it, and I am in the
humor, too."

"What is it to be?" asked Count Kallash indifferently.

"You will see in a moment. Do you know that there are underground
canals in St. Petersburg?"

"In St. Petersburg?" asked Kallash in astonishment.

"Yes, in St. Petersburg! A whole series of underground rivers, wide
enough for a boat to pass through. I have rowed along them several
times. Does not that offer a new sensation, something quite unlike St.
Petersburg?"

"Yes, it is certainly novel," answered Count Kallash, now interested.
"Where are they? Pray show them to me."

"There is one a few yards off. Shall we enter? You are not afraid?"
she said with a smile of challenge.

"By no means--unless you command me to be afraid," Kallash replied in
the same tone. "Let us enter at once!"

"Kasimir, turn under the arch!" and the boat cut across the canal
toward a half circle of darkness. A moment more and the darkness
engulfed them completely. They were somewhere under the Admiralty, not
far from St. Isaac's Cathedral. Away ahead of them was a tiny half
circle of light, where the canal joined the swiftly flowing Neva.
Carriages rumbled like distant thunder above their heads.

"Deuce take it! it is really rather fine!" cried the count, with
evident pleasure. "A meeting of pirates is all we need to make it
perfect. It is a pity that we cannot see where we are!"

"Light a match. Have you any?" said the baroness.

"I have, and wax matches, too." The count took out a match and lit it,
and the underground stream was lit by a faint ruddy glow. The channel,
covered by a semi-circular arch, was just wide enough for one boat to
pass through, with oars out. The black water flowed silently by in a
slugg