cha back
again to her father. It is necessary to leave her course open to her--if
you really wish to save General Trebassof. What do you decide, Sire?"

"It is the first time anyone has questioned me, monsieur."

"Ah, well, it will be the last. But I humbly beg Your Majesty to reply."

"That would be many millions given to the Revolution."

"Oh, Sire, they are not given yet. The general is sixty-five, but he has
many years ahead of him, if you wish it. By the time he dies--a natural
death, if you wish it--your enemies will have disarmed."

"My enemies!" murmured the Tsar in a low voice. "No, no; my enemies
never will disarm. Who, then, will be able to disarm them?" added he,
melancholily, shaking his head.

"Progress, Sire! If you wish it."

The Tsar turned red and looked at the audacious young man, who met the
gaze of His Majesty frankly.

"It is kind of you to say that, my young friend. But you speak as a
child."

"As a child of France to the Father of the Russian people."

It was said in a voice so solemn and, at the same time, so naively
touching, that the Tsar started. He gazed again for some time in silence
at this boy who, this time, turned away his brimming eyes.

"Progress and pity, Sire."

"Well," said the Emperor, "it is promised."

Rouletabille was not able to restrain a joyous movement hardly in
keeping.

"You can ring now, Sire."

And the Tsar rang.

The reporter passed into a little salon, where he found the Marshal,
Koupriane and Matrena Petrovna, who was "in a state."

She threw a suspicious glance at Rouletabille, who was not treated this
morning as the dear little domovoi-doukh. She permitted herself to be
conducted, already trembling, before the Emperor.

"What happened?" asked Koupriane agitatedly.

"It so happened, my dear Monsieur Koupriane, that I have the pardon of
the Emperor for all the crimes you have charged against me, and that I
wish to shake hands before I go, without any rancor. Monsieur Koupriane,
the Emperor will tell you himself that General Trebassof is saved,
and that his life will never be in danger any more. Do you know what
follows? It follows that you must at once set Matiew free, whom I have
taken, if you remember, under my protection. Tell him that he is going
to make his way in France. I will find him a place on condition that he
forgets certain lashes."

"Such a promise! Such an attitude toward me!" cried Koupriane. "But I
will wait for the Emperor