morning hours. To-night he had a special reason
for sitting up late. At any moment he might expect a visit from the
young Italian, to report the results of the meeting at the Villa
Quero.

He peered into the darkness and his astonished gaze rested on more
than he expected to see. He was prepared to see Corsini, to observe
the bodyguard lurking in the background; but the carriage and two
impatient horses champing at their bits was more than he had bargained
for.

"In Heaven's name, what is this, Corsini?"

Nello advanced and whispered in his ear. "I dare say these men suspect
as much as I know, but for the present we need not assume it. Inside
that carriage are two helpless women, drugged by that ruffian Zouroff,
the Princess Nada and her maid. I will tell you all the details of the
adventure later. Enough to say that I have been able to rescue them
from his clutches and drive them to your house. You will not refuse
them shelter?"

"Of course not," replied the Count at once. "Bring them in and I will
at once arouse the Countess. Drugged, you say! Send round one of the
fellows for the nearest doctor: he is the same man who succoured you
at Pavlovsk. Stay, I will give the address myself."

The two helpless forms were carried in. The Countess Golitzine was
aroused. The doctor arrived. It was some time before he could bring
them round. Zouroff and his satellites were evidently acquainted with
the secret of a very powerful narcotic. He came down at length to the
Count in his study, where he found Corsini.

"Good-evening, Signor. Well, Count, I have brought them back to
consciousness, have prescribed a little light food. They were very
heavily drugged."

He turned to the young Italian. "It carries me back to that night at
the little inn at Pavlovsk, but you were a more difficult case. Then
you had had more than one dose. These young women have had only one. I
should say, by the symptoms, a similar drug, administered by the same
hand."

"Right, doctor; I will tell you all in good time," said Golitzine;
"but perhaps in a few days all St. Petersburg may hear of it. You will
see them in the morning?"

The doctor promised to call early the next day, but he assured them
that they need fear no anxiety; both young women had vigorous
constitutions. He was too discreet to mention that he had recognised
one of them as the Princess Nada. He had often seen her at the Opera
and driving in the Nevski Prospekt.

And Golitzine w