ench as well as you can, and the Prince
always expresses himself to him in that language."

"Then all should go very smoothly, Ivan. When do you want me to take
up my _role_; in other words, when does the next meeting at the villa
take place?"

"To-morrow night or the night after, I cannot be sure. But I shall
hear from Stepan to-morrow, who will be informed by Madame Quero. I
will send you round a note to your hotel," answered the outlaw.

"And at what hour do they assemble?"

"Shortly after midnight, Signor. Here, by the way, is a list of the
names which you might like to show. I take it, after our conversation,
you will go at once to General Beilski and tell him what you have
learned."

Corsini nodded. It was not, however, his idea to repair to that
somewhat pompous functionary. He proposed to seek the astute
secretary, Golitzine, at his own house; failing that, at the Winter
Palace.

"And you will not forget the free pardon, Signor, for the poor outlaw
who was driven to a life of crime through the wrongs perpetrated upon
him and his by the Zouroffs, father and son."

"No, Ivan, I will not forget that. I shall also press for a
substantial reward, if things come off as we hope. Now, supposing I
want to communicate with you? Will you let me have your address, or
not?"

Ivan pointed his hand in the direction of the four waiting men.

"I am rather fearful of this sort of gentry, Signor, as you can well
imagine. But I trust you; I proved your metal that night when I found
you in front of the ikon. I know you will not betray me. Still, do
not write to me unless absolutely necessary, and be very careful of
your messenger. Anyway, address me under an assumed name."

He drew a dirty piece of paper out of his pocket and scribbled upon it
the address of his mean lodging, in one of the commonest quarters of
the town; also the assumed name by which he was to be addressed.

Corsini held out his hand. "Well, Ivan, if this all turns out well,
you will have more than repaid your obligation. Good-night; I will get
that free pardon for you, rely upon it. I shall hear from you
to-morrow or next day at the latest."

He watched the big figure of the outlaw well out of sight. Then he
beckoned to the leader of the four men.

"A most fortunate meeting," he said, in a cheerful voice. "I am now
going straight on to Count Golitzine. I will try his house first."

CHAPTER XIX

But Golitzine was not at his house. Corsin