ce cried that they had the
trail. They ran under the trees, because it was almost certain she had
taken the narrow path leading to the bridge that joins Krestowsky to
Kameny-Ostrow. Some indications discovered by the police who swarmed to
right and left of the path confirmed this hypothesis. And no carriage in
sight! They all ran on, Koupriane among the first. Rouletabille kept at
his heels, but he did not pass him. Suddenly there were cries and calls
among the police. One pointed out something below gliding upon the
sloping descent. It was little Kathanna. She flew like the wind, but
in a distracted course. She had reached Kameny-Ostrow on the west bank.
"Oh, for a carriage, a horse!" clamored Koupriane, who had left his
turn-out at Eliaguine. "The proof is there. It is the final proof of
everything that is escaping us!"

Dawn was enough advanced now to show the ground clearly. Katharina was
easily discernible as she reached the Eliaguine bridge. There she was
in Eliaguine-Ostrow. What was she doing there? Was she going to the
Trebassof villa? What would she have to say to them? No, she swerved
to the right. The police raced behind her. She was still far ahead, and
seemed untiring. Then she disappeared among the trees, in the thicket,
keeping still to the right. Koupriane gave a cry of joy. Going that way
she must be taken. He gave some breathless orders for the island to be
barred. She could not escape now! She could not escape! But where was
she going? Koupriane knew that island better than anybody. He took a
short cut to reach the other side, toward which Katharina seemed to be
heading, and all at once he nearly fell over the girl, who gave a squawk
of surprise and rushed away, seeming all arms and legs.

"Stop, or I fire!" cried Koupriane, and he drew his revolver. But a hand
grabbed it from him.

"Not that!" said Rouletabille, as he threw the revolver far from them.
Koupriane swore at him and resumed the chase. His fury multiplied his
strength, his agility; he almost reached Katharina, who was almost out
of breath, but Rouletabille threw himself into the Chief's arms and
they rolled together upon the grass. When Koupriane rose, it was to see
Katharina mounting in mad haste the stairs that led to the Barque, the
floating restaurant of the Strielka. Cursing Rouletabille, but believing
his prey easily captured now, the Chief in his turn hurried to the
Barque, into which Katharina had disappeared. He reached the bot