house and had left again about a quarter
of an hour later, taking the way that the party had gone on their
promenade, and he had not seen her since.

Boris spoke up:

"She must have passed on the other side of the carriages while we were
behind the trees, general, and not seeing us she has gone on her way,
making the round of the island, over as far as the Barque."

The explanation seemed the most plausible one.

"Has anyone else been here?" demanded Matrena, forcing her voice to
be calm. Rouletabille saw her hand tremble on the handle of the
rolling-chair, which she had not quitted for a second during all the
promenade, refusing aid from the officers, the friends, and even from
Rouletabille.

"First there came the Head of Police, who told me he would go and find
you, Barinia, and right after, His Excellency the Marshal of the Court.
His Excellency will return, although he is very pressed for time, before
he takes the train at seven o'clock for Krasnoie-Coelo."

All this had been said in Russian, naturally, but Matrena translated the
words of the schwitzar into French in a low voice for Rouletabille, who
was near her. The general during this time had taken Rouletabille's hand
and pressed it affectionately, as if, in that mute way, to thank him for
all the young man had done for them. Feodor himself also had confidence,
and he was grateful for the freer air that he was being allowed
to breathe. It seemed to him that he was emerging from prison.
Nevertheless, as the promenade had been a little fatiguing, Matrena
ordered him to go and rest immediately. Athanase and Thaddeus took their
leave. The two officers were already at the end of the garden, talking
coldly, and almost confronting one another, like wooden soldiers.
Without doubt they were arranging the conditions of an encounter to
settle their little difference at once.

The schwitzar gathered the general into his great arms and carried him
into the veranda. Feodor demanded five minutes' respite before he was
taken upstairs to his chamber. Matrena Petrovna had a light luncheon
brought at his request. In truth, the good woman trembled with
impatience and hardly dared move without consulting Rouletabille's
face. While the general talked with Ermolai, who passed him his tea,
Rouletabille made a sign to Matrena that she understood at once. She
joined the young man in the drawing-room.

"Madame," he said rapidly, in a low voice, "you must go at once to see
what