l compunction assailed her as to the fate of her brother, in
spite of his infamous conduct towards herself. As to that fate,
Corsini's words had left her in no doubt. In a few hours the
arch-plotter and assassin would be on his way to Siberia. The House of
Zouroff, so far as its titular head was concerned, would have ceased
to exist.

But she was very happy in her knowledge of her love for Corsini, of
Corsini's love for her. The name of Zouroff might be a tainted one,
but the Italian stood high in the estimation of the Emperor and his
powerful Secretary. Princess as she was, she would not stoop so
greatly in becoming the wife of this favourite of fortune.

Zouroff spent the greater part of his day in calling at the houses of
his various adherents. The knowledge that Golitzine was now acquainted
with the dastardly part he had played against his innocent sister,
spurred him to extra effort. Optimist as he was, he had an uneasy
conviction that he was playing a desperate game. Could he strike
before Golitzine would strike? That was the question, and it was one
which would be determined in the coarse of a few hours.

He brought all the resources of his mind to bear upon this important
problem. He employed all his eloquence, he exercised all the influence
of his strong personality. He heartened the wavering amongst his
fellow-conspirators, he urged to more determined resolution those who
were staunch and confident.

But he felt it was touch and go. He kept away from the Palace all that
day, sending round a note to Peter to bring his evening clothes to a
secret meeting-place. At any moment, Golitzine might determine to
strike, and he might find Beilski's emissaries waiting for him at his
ancestral home.

He was so terribly in the dark as to what Stepan had revealed or been
forced to reveal. Of course, he did not learn till much later that it
was not Stepan who had driven away on the box, but his hated rival,
Corsini.

And why had Stepan feigned this sudden fit of insanity, a man who had
always appeared so devoted to his person and his fortunes? Stepan,
with his incurable deafness, could have learned nothing at these
secret conclaves, he would have no information to sell that was worth
any price. And yet he had driven straight to Golitzine's house. What
could have been his motive? There was something here he could not
fathom.

Wandering in this maze of tangled speculation, Zouroff believed he had
hit upon the right so