le chose some little sandwiches which he placed on a plate. He
took a bottle of pivo and made the man understand that later, if it were
possible, he would like a good hot supper. The other made a sign that
he understood and showed him into an adjoining room which was used for
diners. Rouletabille was quite ready enough to die in the face of his
failures, but he did not wish to perish from hunger.

A table was placed beside a window looking out over the sea and over the
entrance to the bay. It could not have been better and, with his eye
now on the horizon, now on the estuary near-by, he commenced to eat with
gloomy avidity. He was inclined to feel sorry for himself, to indulge
in self-pity. "Just the same, two and two always make four," he said to
himself; "but in my calculations perhaps I have forgotten the surd. Ah,
there was a time when I would not have overlooked anything. And even now
I haven't overlooked anything, if Natacha is innocent!" Having literally
scoured the plate, he struck the table a great blow with his fist and
said: "She is!"

Just then the door opened. Rouletabille supposed the proprietor of the
place was entering.

It was Koupriane.

He rose, startled. He could not imagine by what mystery the Prefect of
Police had made his way there, but he rejoiced from the bottom of his
heart, for if he was trying to rescue Natacha from the hands of the
revolutionaries Koupriane would be a valuable ally. He clapped the
Prefect on the shoulder.

"Well, well!" he said, almost joyfully. "I certainly did not expect you
here. How is your wound?"

"Nitchevo! Not worth speaking about; it's nothing."

"And the general and--! Ah, that frightful night! And those two
unfortunates who--?"

"Nitchevo! Nitchevo!"

"And poor Ermolai!"

"Nitchevo! Nitchevo! It is nothing."

Rouletabille looked him over. The Prefect of Police had an arm in a
sling, but he was bright and shining as a new ten-rouble piece, while
he, poor Rouletabille, was so abominably soiled and depressed. Where did
he come from? Koupriane understood his look and smiled.

"Well, I have just come from the Finland train; it is the best way."

"But what can you have come here to do, Excellency?"

"The same thing as you."

"Bah!" exclaimed Rouletabille, "do you mean to say that you have come
here to save Natacha?"

"How--to save her! I come to capture her."

"To capture her?"

"Monsieur Rouletabille, I have a very fine little dungeon in Saints