ins of Kings and Emperors. In
the meantime, you will take all necessary precautions. It would not be
wise to trust too much to the Emperor's inspiration, whatever it may
be."

CHAPTER XXVI

Corsini quitted the cabinet shortly after the departure of the
Emperor. Alexander, full of his great idea, and it was proved later on
that it was a very excellent and ingenious one, felt that he could
leave all further details to the astute Golitzine, Salmoros, and the
two Generals.

After the Czar had left, Golitzine had questioned the Italian
closely as to certain items of the information which he had gathered
at the villa the night before. Being satisfied as to these, he had
intimated, of course in the most polite and diplomatic manner, that
Corsini's presence was no longer required. He was now going into
certain practical matters with the two Generals, with regard to the
disposition of the soldiery and police, of a strictly technical nature
which would have no interest to a civilian.

Corsini took the hint at once. He had already learned that high
politics meant strict business. These two great men would put up with
your company, just so long as you were useful to them. As soon as you
had fulfilled your part, you were dismissed, in order that they might
turn to somebody else of equal importance.

But Golitzine, in spite of his lean and rather saturnine aspect, was a
kind-hearted old fellow. He shook the young man warmly by the hand and
whispered in his ear:

"Please do not accuse me of scant courtesy, if I seem to hurry you
away, but the time is all too short for what I have to plan and
arrange. Be assured that, so far as the Emperor is concerned, your
fortune is made. I cannot take upon myself to predict the precise
nature of your reward, but it will be a very substantial one. And of
course your friend Ivan and his associate will be remembered, too."

Corsini bowed gratefully. He already knew enough of Courts to assume
that Golitzine himself would determine the nature and extent of those
rewards. The Emperor would only speak with the voice of his Secretary,
although as a matter of etiquette, he must always be regarded as the
fountain of honour.

Golitzine went on in a still lower tone. "You have more time on your
hands than we hard-working servants of the State have. We shall not
meet again till to-night at the _bal-masque_. You might use a few of
your leisure moments in strolling round to my house and cheerin