this with
every nerve strained and his brain working at high pressure.

He had learned two things of great importance. Zouroff, in a
roundabout way, had confessed to the murder of La Belle Quero.
Secondly, the Princess was to be taken _that night_ to this gloomy
castle in the Caucasus. And he, in his character of Stepan, the man
who could not hear and only speak with the greatest difficulty, was to
be an instrument in her abduction. Here was food for thought. Oh, for
five minutes with that man of subtle brain and resource, Golitzine! At
such a moment, even the inferior Beilski would have been welcome, even
one of the four men waiting outside! How could he save the innocent
young Princess from the vile schemes of her remorseless brother? A few
minutes could alone decide this momentous issue. Why had she not taken
his advice, proffered a few hours earlier?

The conspirators talked presently in lower tones of a great _coup_ to
be brought off to-morrow night at a big reception at the Winter
Palace. But although they spoke almost in whispers, as if fearful of
the magnitude of the stupendous event, Corsini had sharp ears and
heard quite enough. This would be great news for Golitzine, as soon as
he could see him.

The conference was ended, the supper partaken of. No servants ever
assisted at these simple feasts. An hour after the meal was finished,
La Belle Quero, the handsome singer, the idol of more than one
capital, had passed away in the arms of her faithful maid, done to
death by the implacable vengeance of Zouroff.

One by one the traitors filed out. The Prince came last and made signs
to the waiting janitor, supposed to be Stepan.

"You will come with me to the Palace. You will convey two women, my
sister and her maid, to the Castle of Tchernoff, in the Caucasus. When
you have deposited them safely there, return to the Palace, where I
will find you further employment. It is very likely that Madame Quero
will have no further need of your services."

Corsini replied in appropriate signs that he comprehended his
Excellency's wishes.

Together they drove to the side door of the Palace, in front of
which a carriage was standing. Two burly men, the Prince's chosen
confederates, were beside it. Zouroff motioned to Corsini to stay
where he was.

A few moments later the forms of two helpless women, the Princess Nada
and her maid, were carried out and placed in the carriage. The Prince
was well served in his household.