"Your name is Dubravnik?" said one of the men, addressing me.

"Yes," I replied.

"And may I ask if this is the Princess d'Echeveria?"

"That is my name," replied Zara.

"I am very sorry to disturb you, but I must request you both to go with
me, in the name of the Czar."

Zara started violently, and turned one distrustful glance upon me; but
I remained calm and unmoved.

"Do you mean that we are arrested?" she inquired indignantly, returning
her gaze to the officer.

"Temporarily, princess. We were forced to make an arrest in the street
near this house just now, and from one of the men taken we learned that
we had to come here. I can say no more. You will come with us without
resistance?"

"Arrested in the name of the czar," murmured Zara blankly. "I did not
anticipate this. Yes, I will go with you. Is my house to be searched?"

"I have no such orders, madame."

Then he turned to me.

"And you, sir?" he inquired.

"I am at your service," I said.

"One moment----" began Zara, who evidently doubted the regularity of it
all, but I interposed.

"Princess," I said. "I do not think that these men mean to treat us
unkindly. It is evidently some official inquiry brought about by the
arrest that he had mentioned. I think it decidedly best to go without
question."

Her face flushed and she said nothing more, but having had her wraps
brought to her, followed me into the street, and we were soon driving
rapidly away. The men were thoughtful enough to give us the interior of
the vehicle to ourselves, and as soon as we were seated Zara turned her
wistful eyes towards me.

"What does it mean?" she asked.

"It means that you are to be protected from the hands of your friends,"
I replied. "It means that I know that the nihilists would take your
life as soon as they know that betrayal of those who were waiting for
me came from your home. I do not propose that they shall have such an
opportunity. It means that I am going to place you for a time where no
harm can come to you, and that not one of them will know where you
are."

"But how, how have you the authority to do all this?"

"Did I not tell you that I am in the service of the czar?"

"Of my worst enemy, yes."

"Is it not wise to compel your enemies to do your service?"

"Can I accept a service from one whom I hate as I do him?"

"I think so, if your life and mine are both dependent upon that
service."

"But where are we going?"

"To the Vladek pr