, my father's private
room. Of the use he made of those notes, we shall not speak.--You were
not alone by more than a thousand men and women.--Yesterday, before his
death, I was given the cipher key to this document, and was urged to
continue his use of it."

The Governor-General gave a slight, involuntary groan.

"How I carried out that wish, you may see for yourself, sir. The whole
of that infamous document lies there, on the floor, before you. Within
one hour those shreds will be in ashes."

* * * * *

"And your reward, Ivan Mikhailovitch?--What can I make you?--What have I
to give you?"

"Two things, your Imperial Highness: first, your hand--to me! Secondly,
if possible, your forgiveness,--at least, not too much condemnation--of
the crimes of him who was my father."

But the Grand-Duke Dmitri, faulty though he might be, had not the vice
of utter ingratitude. In that hour, and for the rest of his life, there
was no exertion of power or strength that he would not have made for the
man who had voluntarily freed him from the yoke which, for years, had
been forcing him ever lower and lower towards the soil. He left Ivan's
house that day with twenty years fallen from his face and his heart. One
week later a royal messenger entered Prince Gregoriev's presence,
leaving in his hand a little packet, which was found to contain one of
the great honors of Russia:--the white-and-gold cross of St. George,
bestowed only on one who has performed a deed of surpassing personal
heroism.

* * * * *

It took nearly three months to dissolve every vestige of the world that
had once revolved round Michael Gregoriev. At the end of that time there
was a new chief of the Third Section in Moscow, who dwelt far on the
other side of the Moskva. Thus the great palace on Konnaia Square opened
no longer to receive the great dignitaries of the mother-city: nor rang
to any sounds of revelry by night. The formidable suite in the east wing
was closed; for the new Prince dwelt up-stairs, in rooms that had been
his mother's. The palace routine knew little state. The staff of
servants had been cut in twain; but old Sosha was again in the house of
his youth, having first superintended the removal of the furniture from
Ivan's old rooms to the palace: articles gathered, one by one, during
the years of Ivan's long struggle, and so endeared to him forever. The
grand Erard, which had been hi