ek_ of the Grand Duke!" she gasped.

He nodded, absurdly pleased at the recognition.

"I do not attend the meetings in Kieff, little sister, for reasons which
you will understand. But here in London, where I have come in advance
of Yaroslav, it is possible. Now, Sophia Kensky, you are a proved friend
of our movement?"

She nodded, since the statement was in the way of a question.

"It is known to you, as to us, that your father, Israel Kensky, is a
friend of the Grand Duchess."

Boolba, the President, saw the sullen look on her face and drew his own
conclusions, even before she explained her antipathy to the young girl
who held that exalted position.

"It is a mystery to me, Boolba," she said, "for what interest can this
great lady have in an old Jew?"

"The old Jew is rich," said Boolba significantly.

"So also is Irene Yaroslav," said the girl. "It is not for money that
she comes."

"It is not for money," agreed the other, "it is for something else. When
the Grand Duchess Irene was a child, she was in the streets of Kieff one
day in charge of her nurse. It happened that some Caucasian soldiers
stationed in the town started a pogrom against the Jews. The soldiers
were very drunk; they were darting to and fro in the street on their
little horses, and the nurse became frightened and left the child. Your
father was in hiding, and the soldiers were searching for him; yet, when
he saw the danger of the Grand Duchess, he ran from his hiding-place,
snatched her up under the hoofs of the horses, and bore her away into
his house."

"I did not know this," said Sophia, listening open-mouthed. Her father
had never spoken of the incident, and the curious affection which this
high-born lady had for the old usurer of Kieff had ever been a source of
wonder to her.

"You know it now," said Boolba. "The Grand Duke has long since forgotten
what he owes to Israel Kensky, but the Grand Duchess has not. Therefore,
she comes to him with all her troubles--and that, Sophia Kensky, is why
we have sent for you."

There was a silence.

"I see," she said at last, "you wish me to spy upon Israel Kensky and
tell you all that happens."

"I want to know all that passes between him and the Grand Duchess," said
Boolba. "She comes to London to-morrow with her father, and it is
certain she will seek out Israel Kensky. Every letter that passes
between them must be opened."

"But----" she began.

"There is no 'but,'" roared Boolba. "He