became extreme, and summoned me to
her aid. But she gave me poor directions, for she did not know her own
plans very clearly. She spoke of a place called Darkwater, and I have
been hunting half Scotland for it. It was only last night that I heard
of Dalquharter and guessed that that might be the name. But I was far
down in Galloway, and have ridden fifty miles today."

"It's a queer thing, but I wouldn't take you for a Russian."

Alexis finished his work and put away his tools.

"For the present," he said, "I am an Englishman, till my country comes
again to her senses. Ten years ago I left Russia, for I was sick of
the foolishness of my class and wanted a free life in a new world. I
went to Australia and made good as an engineer. I am a partner in a
firm which is pretty well known even in Britain. When war broke out I
returned to fight for my people, and when Russia fell out of the war, I
joined the Australians in France and fought with them till the
Armistice. And now I have only one duty left, to save the Princess and
take her with me to my new home till Russia is a nation once more."

Dickson whistled joyfully. "So Mr. Heritage was right. He aye said
you were an Australian.... And you're a business man! That's grand
hearing and puts my mind at rest. You must take charge of the party at
the House, for Sir Archibald's a daft young lad and Mr. Heritage is a
poet. I thought I would have to go myself, but I doubt I would just be
a hindrance with my dwaibly legs. I'd be better outside, watching for
the police.... Are you ready, sir?"

Dickson not without difficulty perched himself astride the luggage
carrier, firmly grasping the rider round the middle. The machine
started, but it was evidently in a bad way, for it made poor going till
the descent towards the main Auchenlochan road. On the slope it warmed
up and they crossed the Garple bridge at a fair pace. There was to be
no pleasant April twilight, for the stormy sky had already made dusk,
and in a very little the dark would fall. So sombre was the evening
that Dickson did not notice a figure in the shadow of the roadside
pines till it whistled shrilly on its fingers. He cried on Alexis to
stop, and, this being accomplished with some suddenness, fell off at
Dougal's feet.

"What's the news?" he demanded.

Dougal glanced at Alexis and seemed to approve his looks.

"Napoleon has just reported that three boatloads, making either
twenty-three or twen