s study and sat
late into the night, discussing various important matters.

When they were about to separate, the General drew from his pocket the
anonymous letter, and handed it to his host.

"Read that, Count, although I don't suppose you will be able to make
more out of it than I. It was left to-day by a mysterious young woman
who bolted as soon as she had given it into the hands of the porter.
He took very little notice of her and doubts if he would recognise her
again."

The Count read the letter slowly, and meditated for a few seconds.
"Strange, very strange," he said at length. "A person of some
importance in the artistic world!"

"Does that give you any clue?" inquired Beilski. "Of course you know a
good many things that I don't, and you also mix in more worlds than I
do. Is there anybody you can think of, or are acquainted with, whose
removal might be useful to some person or persons?"

It was some time before a sudden flash of inspiration came to
Golitzine. When it did, he spoke slowly.

"At present, mind, it is only a conjecture. But I can think of a man
who would answer to the description--Corsini, the Director of the
Imperial Opera."

The General elevated his eyebrows. "From all I have heard of him--I
have never met him--a most quiet, unassuming fellow. How could he give
offence to anybody?"

"I must let you into one of my secrets, Beilski. This young man is
acting for me in a certain matter. I have given him some information
which, according to my instructions, he has divulged to somebody else,
a woman."

"Is there any objection to telling me the name of the woman?"

"As I have gone so far, I may as well go a little bit farther," was
the Count's answer. "But, at the moment, you must remember it is only
a conjecture. The woman whom I suspect of having sent that note is La
Belle Quero."

"The woman who gives supper parties to men whom we strongly suspect,
but regarding whom we have, up to the present, no actual proof,"
commented Beilski.

"Precisely." The Count looked at his watch. "That carriage has started
with its freight some time ago. I think we can soon solve the problem
of whether Corsini is the occupant or not."

"Your theory is, then, either that this Madame Quero has more
conscience than her associates, or is in love with the young man and
has made up her mind to save him?"

Golitzine nodded his head. "If my suspicions are wrong, Corsini is at
one of two places, either at his ho