merchant
who acted in that capacity was very kind, and gave them all the
information they could desire as to what they should do about their
passports; he also wrote down for them a list of the names of the houses
at which they had arranged to call. Their first duty was to visit the
Alien Office, to take out their permission to reside or travel in
Russia. It is in the south-eastern part of the city. The gentleman who
presides over it goes by the name of Baron Verysoft among the English,
from the peculiar suavity of his manners. Mounting a flight of stairs,
they found the Baron at one end of a handsome room, more like a
drawing-room than an office, with a number of persons seated round it,
all waiting to undergo the ordeal of his friendly inquiries. Nearly all
civilised nations were there represented,--English, Germans, French, and
Spaniards. Among them they recognised some of their fellow-passengers.
The simple, round, good-natured face of one of them they were glad to
see. His name was Mr Tobias Evergreen. He was very civil to the lads
on board, and seemed to take a great interest in them. Cousin Giles
said he did not think he was quite the man to benefit by a journey in
Russia; but one thing was certain, he was not likely to make the police
very suspicious about his movements. Besides the strangers, there were
two or three clerks in uniform, whose sharp, piercing eyes kept glancing
round on the visitors, and narrowly scrutinising any fresh arrivals.
They seemed to have little else to do beyond this, but to mend their
pens, and to make occasional notes in some huge books before them. A
number of people had to go up to the table of the Baron, and to reply to
his questions; so our friends were compelled to exercise their patience
till their turn came. Mr Evergreen spoke a few sentences, which he
said was French. Cousin Giles also knew a little of that language, but
Fred was able to understand it, and to speak it tolerably well. At last
Mr Evergreen's turn came, and they followed him up to the table.

The Baron, in the blandest and most courteous way, inquired Mr
Evergreen's name and country; whether he was married or single; what was
his object in travelling; the name of his banker; how long he purposed
remaining in the country,--to all of which questions he gave answers
which seemed perfectly satisfactory to the Baron; and he then
volunteered several particulars of his private history, at which the
Baron