Part 19 (1/2)

He gave ,” and the other man, who hadn't uttered a syllable the whole tiive an order to the guards outside, and then the heavy tra the staircase

I started tidying up; it would help to pass the tie from the Grand Duke Mishka had said nine o'clock, and it was not yet seven

Presently there caht be another police visitation; but it was only one of the hotel servants to say a droshky driver was below, de to see me He produced a dirty scrap of paper with ht I thought at once of the , and wondered how on earth he got my name and address I was sure it must be he when I heard that he declared ”the excellency had told him to call for payment” This ard; the fellowa bit of black on his own account Well, I'd better see hierous looking fellow,” he demurred

”That's my lookout and not yours,” I said ”If he wants to seedown to hily, and ainburly chap who seeh

I didn't think at first sight he was the man who drove reatcoats and loned hats He had a big grizzled beard and a thatch of matted hair, from which his little swinish eyes peered out with a leer Yes, he looked exactly like any other of his class, but--

As he entered behind the servant, touched his greasy hat, and growled a guttural greeting, he opened his eyes full and looked at me for barely a second, but it was sufficient

”Oh, it is you, Ivan; why didn't you send your nahly

”How much is it I owe you? Here, wait a e for ht; I know the fellow,” I added to the servant ”You needn't wait”

He went out, and for aeach other His disguise was perfect; I should never have penetrated it but for the warning he had flashed fro and nearly closed, looked dark and pig-like again

The droshky driver was the Grand Duke Loris himself

CHAPTER XVIII

THROUGH THE STORM

I moved to the door and locked it noiselessly I dared not open it to see if the servant had gone, for if he had not that would have roused his suspicions at once The Duke had already crossed to the further side of the room, and I joined him there

He wasted no tian, speaking in English, though still in the hoarse lol appropriate to his assumed character ”And I have learned s are as I suspect she will be brought before the tribunal We must save her if we can Will you come? To say it will be at the risk of your life is to put it mildly It will be a forlorn hope”

”I'll coo to the place where you e your clothes They will have some for you, and you need not use the formula They expect you already; I knew you would come! Mishka will join you, and will acco with my droshky You will hire me in the usual way; and ill tell you my plans e are clear of the city Have you any weapon?”

”No”

He felt in an inner pocket of his filthy greatcoat and brought out a revolver and a handful of spare cartridges

”It's loaded; you can have these, too, though if there's any shooting I doubt if you'll have the chance of reloading Let's hope you won't fall in with the police for the third time to-day! Mishka will join you between nine and ten We need not start till then,--these light nights are a drawback, but that cannot be helped The ht That is all now I er Give --I will destroy it immediately”

I put a sheet of note-paper into an envelope, and addressed it to Lieutenant Mirakoff at his barracks His was the first name that occurred toto the nahtly”

He nodded and picked up the note, holding it carefully by one corner between his filthy thuer