our prayers before a village ikon. There
suddenly appeared a tall, bearded man who implored your charity."

Then Corsini recognised him. "Ivan the Cuckoo, Ivan the outlaw! What
are you doing here?"

"Get your friends a little out of earshot and then we can talk
quietly," was the outlaw's answer.

Corsini went up to the leader of the four men, who had drawn very
close.

"This is a man whom I met on my first entrance into this country under
very strange circumstances. I have good reason to believe he is well
disposed towards me; but he wishes to speak to me in private. Will you
withdraw a little so that you cannot hear what he says?"

The chief of the party looked somewhat doubtfully on the big figure of
the outlaw. "He seems a bit of a ruffian, Signor, but it is as you
wish. We will go out of earshot, as you request, but we will keep our
pistols well levelled at him, in case of accident. You are sure you
can trust him?"

"I think so," replied Corsini. "I am afraid he is not a very estimable
character and his appearance is not in his favour, but I helped him
once when he was in great straits, and he swore to return the
obligation. I am inclined to trust him myself."

The four men withdrew. The big man chuckled quietly. "So you have
persuaded them to get out of the way. They were urging you not to
trust me, eh?"

"Something of the sort. Well, Ivan, what have you got to say?"

"Simply this. On that day you saved me, when the police were waiting
within a few yards to trap me like a rabbit, I swore I would pay back
the debt, did I not?"

"You did, Ivan. I remember that promise well. But you don't mean to
say you are going to pay it back to-night."

"If not to-night, very shortly, Signor Corsini. You see, I know
something about you. Well, I will tell you something you may, or may
not, know; you have a very bitter enemy, who is resolved to hunt you
to death."

"That is true, Ivan. I can guess his name, but you know it. Is that
not so?"

"It is quite true," replied the outlaw in low tones. "Your enemy is
mine, too, the dastard and scoundrel who enjoys the style and title of
Prince Zouroff."

"Your enemy also?" queried Corsini in wondering tones. "But how can
you have crossed his path?"

"I have a heavy account against the man and his family," answered the
outlaw in his low, fierce voice. "In the old bad days of serfdom, his
father, who was even a bigger ruffian, if it is possible, than his
son, had my fathe