was a strong measure!"

"I apologize!" laughed the Russian. "All the more as I find you were
too many for us after all. I would give something to know how you
managed to hide the letter you got through."

It was my turn to laugh. I had reason to feel satisfied. Weak as the
Russian Emperor might be, it was evident that he had not betrayed my
secret.

"Well, now," the promoter resumed, "all that being over, is there any
reason why we should not be friends? Be frank with me. What end have
you in view that is likely to bring us into collision?"

"There is no reason why I should not be frank with you," I answered,
racking my brain for some story which the man before me might be
likely to believe, "especially as I do not suppose that either of us
is likely to report this conversation quite faithfully to his
imperial majesty. I am a Japanese spy."

Petrovitch gave me a glance in which I thought I detected a mingling
of incredulity and admiration.

"Really, you are a cool hand, my dear V----!"

"Why, is there anything in that to make us enemies? You are not going
to pose as the zealous patriot, I hope. I thought we had agreed to be
frank."

The financier bit his lip.

"Well, I do not deny that I am before all things a man of business,"
he returned. "If your friends the Japanese can make me any better
offer than the one I have had from another quarter, I do not say."

"I will see what I can arrange for you," I answered, not wholly
insincerely. "In the meantime, I think you said something about an
invitation?"

"Oh, yes, from Nicholas. He wants to see you. He has some scheme or
other in which he thinks that you and I can work together, and he
wants us to be friends, accordingly."

"But we are friends, after to-day, I understand?"

"It is as you please, my dear V----," replied the conspirator with a
slightly baffled air. "You have made a good beginning, apparently,
with the Princess Y----."

I put on the self-satisfied air of the man who is a favorite with
women.

"The Princess has been extremely kind," I said. "She has pressed me
to visit her frequently. Oh, yes, I think I may say we are good
friends."

Petrovitch nodded. I had purposely prepared his mind for the story
which I anticipated he would hear from my beautiful protector.
Evidently it would be necessary for her to tell the Syndicate that
she was feigning affection for me in order to draw me into a trap.

"Then, as my carriage is outside, may I tak