. Certainly, it would be
very easy for him to go round to the Zouroff Palace and strangle its
master; half a dozen others, if necessary. This was surely the most
certain way to his soldier-like and practical mind.

"Sergius, my good friend, this affair wants a little diplomacy, which
you and I will carry out between us. I shall acquaint Golitzine and
the others with it, say, an hour before the reception begins. They
think they have the monopoly of brains, that their Emperor must always
think the thoughts they put into his head, always speak the words they
prepare for him. Well, I am going to show them that sometimes I can
act upon my own initiative. I have prepared a little stratagem, in
which I invite your co-operation. I will explain it to you."

He unfolded his scheme to the puzzled and interested Sergius. The
blunt soldier rose up when the Emperor had finished, and smiled
delightedly.

"Excellent, most excellent, Sire. You can rely upon me; you may be
sure I shall not fail to play my part."

At midnight the vast saloons of the Winter Palace were thronged with a
happy, joyous crowd. Zouroff was there, in a disguise that he thought
nobody could penetrate. The other seven leaders were there also, safe
as they thought from recognition.

Corsini was there, having come on from the Opera. And the young
Princess had come also, with the Countess Golitzine. At first she had
protested. She wished to see the Emperor triumph, as she was assured
he would; but the Emperor's triumph would mean the ruin of her
brother. Basely as he had treated her, she was reluctant to assist at
the spectacle of his degradation.

But curiosity prevailed, the natural curiosity of being in at the
finish of things. And besides, the Countess had told her that she
would give to Corsini a description of her costume, and obtain from
him one of his, so that they could easily recognise each other. In the
end, she went.

The commanding figure of the Emperor, clothed in his mask and blue
domino, moved about amongst his guests. There was no mistaking that
Imperial presence. One man, in particular, was watching intently,
following every motion.

Corsini had at last found out his sweetheart. They were conversing
together in low whispers, when suddenly there rose from a hundred
throats the shout of--"Treason! Treason!"

They turned their startled gaze towards the end of the room, in time
to see the Emperor's huge form sink slowly to the floor. A small