a bow, "I need hardly repeat, you are
most welcome to do."

During the remainder of the day Count Zeno acted as if he were most
deeply interested in all the sciences. He requested his host to
instruct him in the various uses of all the instruments which lay
around. He even pretended never to have seen a galvanic battery or a
theodolite.

There was, however, one object in the room the purpose of which he was
really unable to divine, but to inquire about which might have seemed
the height of simplicity. It was a long, thick silken cord which hung
down from the ceiling. What could it be? A bell-rope? But what
purpose, he asked himself, would that serve? The only servant in the
building was stone-deaf, so it would be of little use ringing for him.

Feodor had moved his chair in front of this hanging cord in such a way
as to make it impossible for any one to approach it.

The two men sat and discussed various scientific experiments and,
from time to time, the wine. While they were engaged in these
occupations night began to fall. They could hear the two boys talking
in the next room. The lads wished Mashinka good-night, and then went
off to their bedroom. Shortly afterwards the men heard a deep sigh,
followed by the opening words of a prayer. The woman was evidently
commending her soul to Heaven during the night. All three, therefore,
would soon be asleep.

"Now we may go up to the observatory," said Feodor, rising from his
chair. "There we can listen better to the sound of the bell."

He stepped over to the fireplace in order to light a small hand lamp
with which to show the way.

As soon as Feodor had risen from his seat and turned his back on Zeno,
the latter stepped swiftly and noiselessly towards the silken cord and
pulled it violently.

Immediately the deep tones of the hidden bell sounded from above.

"Ha!" he cried in triumphant wrath; "so the bell is here!"

"Wretch!" hissed Feodor beneath his breath; "you yourself have given
the signal!"

Zeno drew his sword and sprang to the door opening on the staircase.
Feodor was quite unarmed. The Commodore threw the door open and
shrilly blew his seaman's whistle.

Immediately, as if in response to the shrill sound, the hurried
footsteps of men were heard ascending the dark staircase.

"Seize that man and put him in irons!" ordered Zeno, pointing with his
naked sword to Feodor.

But the men seized Zeno himself, tore the sword from his grasp, and
bound his