gone, determined to offer your services where they are most needed,
then that far corner of the world where I would wait and watch events,
would become a peaceful spot to me, for I know that you could succeed
where all others have failed."

Alexis Saberevski and I had many such conversations as that one, after
that, in which we discussed pro and con the suggestion he had made.

It grew upon me and grew upon me until I became obsessed by the idea
although I did not think that he guessed my eagerness.

He remained in New York, and virtually became my guest at the club,
during more than two months, and we were as constantly together as was
possible and convenient.

One afternoon while we were chatting as usual, I called his attention
to a paragraph I had seen in the _Herald_ of that morning which
announced the arrival in New York of a Russian princess. The fact had
not interested me, but recalling at the instant the idea that she was
most likely known to my friend, I said:

"Saberevski, one of your countrywomen, a princess whose name escapes me
for I did not notice it particularly, arrived in the city this morning,
and is at one of the hotels. I mention it because you may not have seen
the notice, and might like to pay your respects to her. You will find
her name and a column or more of other information concerning her, in
this morning's _Herald_."

"Thank you," he said, "I will look it up."

More than a week later while I was walking down Fifth avenue, a hansom
cab stopped at the curb beside me, and Saberevski's face looked out.

"Jump in, Dan," he said. "I want you to take a ride with me;" and with
no thought of hesitation, I complied. I did not even ask to be told our
destination and was somewhat surprised when our conveyance stopped at
one of the North river steamship piers.

"You are not leaving the country, are you, Alexis?" I asked, as we got
down.

"No," he replied; "but someone I know is leaving. Will you walk to the
end of the pier with me, or will you wait here?" I recalled, later,
that even then he left the choice to me.

I accompanied him to the end of the pier. I asked no question
concerning the person he had referred to, as sailing that day, and
thought it rather strange that he seemed to seek no one, and expressed
no desire to go aboard the vessel then about ready to steam away.

When it had swung into the stream I ran my glance along the decks of
the vessel from stem to stern, seeking a wav