? Madame Bernstein had recognised the fugitive as
Katherine's father, and the man himself had rejoiced at being with his
daughter again after so long a separation. There was a mystery
somewhere, upon which he would have to be enlightened before very long.

As he arrived at this conclusion Captain Mason approached him.

"The chief-engineer reports that all is ready, sir," he said. "If you
wish it we can get under way at once."

"The sooner the better, Mason," Browne replied. "I shall not be happy
until we have put the horizon between ourselves and that gentleman over
there."

He nodded in the direction of the cruiser, which the boat had just
reached.

"I agree with you, sir," answered the captain. "I will get the anchor
away at once."

"Before you do so, Mason," said Browne, "just get those two men out of
the tunnel and send them aft. Don't let them come on deck whatever you
do. They're certain to have their glasses on us over yonder."

"Very good, sir," Mason returned, and went forward to execute his
errand.

Anxious as he was to go below, Browne did not leave the deck until the
screw had commenced to revolve. When he did, it was with a great fear
in his heart--one that he would have found it extremely difficult
either to describe or to account for. As he argued with himself, it
was extremely unlikely that the Russian Authorities would make a
mistake; and yet, if they did not, why had Madame Bernstein always been
so anxious to assure Katherine that the man, he had saved, was her
father? And, what was still more important, why had she fainted that
morning when the officer had given his information concerning the
fugitive? When he entered the drawing-room, to his surprise, he found
Katherine alone there. Her face was still very white, and it struck
Browne that she had been crying.

"What is the matter, dear?" he inquired, as he placed his arm round her
and drew her towards him. "Why do you look so troubled?"

"I do not know," she answered, burying her face in his shoulder, "but I
am very, very unhappy."

He did his best to soothe her, but without success. A weight was
pressing upon her mind, and until it was removed relief would be
impossible. For some reason Browne made no inquiry after Madame's
condition. It seemed, for the moment, as if he had forgotten her very
existence. At last he bade Katherine put on her hat and accompany him
to the deck. The fresh air would revive her, he said. Sh