anded him, knitting his
brows again as his eyes fell upon the British royal arms and the visa.

"We were found in a cellar where we had hidden from the revolt," I said.

"The place has been used for the manufacture of bombs," declared one of
the Cossacks.

The General looked my pretty companion straight in the face.

"What is your name, girl?" he demanded roughly.

"Luba Lazareff."

"Native of where?"

"Of Petersburg."

"What are you doing in Ostrog?"

"She is with me," I interposed. "I demand protection for her."

"I am addressing the prisoner, sir," was his cold remark.

"You refuse to obey the order of the Emperor's representative in London!
Good! Then I shall report you to the Minister," I exclaimed, piqued at
his insolence.

"Speak, girl!" he roared, his black eyes fixed fiercely upon her. "Why
are you in Ostrog? You are no provincial, you know."

"She is my affianced wife," I said, "and in face of my statement and my
passport she need make no reply to any of your questions."

A short, stout little man, shabbily dressed, pushed his way forward to
the table, saying:

"Luba Lazareff is a well-known revolutionist, your Excellency. The
German maker of bombs, Gustave Englebach, is her lover--not this
gentleman. Gustave only left Ostrog yesterday."

The speaker was, I afterwards discovered, one of Hartmann's agents.

"And where is Englebach now? I gave orders for his arrest some days
ago."

"He was found this morning by the patrol on the road to Schumsk,
recognised, and shot, your Excellency."

At this poor little Luba gave vent to a piercing scream and burst into a
torrent of bitter tears.

"You fiends!" she cried. "You have shot my Gustave! He is dead--_dead!_"

"There was no doubt, I suppose, as to his identity?" asked the General.

"None, your Excellency. Some papers found upon the body have been
forwarded to us with the report."

"Then let the girl be shot also. She aided him in the manufacture of the
bombs."

"Shot!" I gasped, utterly staggered. "What do you mean, General? You
will shoot a poor defenceless girl, and in face of my demand for her
protection. I have promised her marriage," I cried in desperation, "and
you condemn her to execution!"

"My Emperor has given me orders to quell the rebellion, and all who make
bombs for use against the Government must die. His Majesty gave me
orders to execute all such," said the official sternly. "You, sir, will
have safe conduct to whateve