Empress glanced at her attendant in evident surprise.

"I must implore your pardon, Madam," the Princess stammered, in real
confusion. "I am aware I ought to have solicited your leave in the
first place, but knowing that this gentleman came from----"

She broke off, fairly unable to meet the questioning gaze of her
imperial mistress.

I pretended to come to her relief.

"I have a private message," I said to the Empress.

"You may leave us, Princess," the Empress said coldly.

As soon as the door had closed on her, I gave a warning look at the
Czaritza.

"That woman, Madam, is the most dangerous agent in the secret service
of your Empire."

I trusted to the little scene I had just contrived to prepare the
mind of the Czaritza for this intimation. But she received it as a
matter of course.

"Sophia Y---- has been all that you say, Monsieur V----. I am well
acquainted with her history. The poor thing has been a victim of the
most fiendish cruelty on the part of the Minister of Police, for
years. At last, unable to bear her position any longer, she appealed
to me. She told me her harrowing story, and implored me to receive
her, and secure her admission to a convent. I investigated the case
thoroughly."

"Your majesty will pardon me, I am sure, if I say that as a man with
some experience of intrigue, I thoroughly distrust that woman's
sincerity. She is intimate with M. Petrovitch, to my knowledge."

"But M. Petrovitch is also on the side of peace, so I am assured."

I began to despair.

"You will believe me, or disbelieve me as your majesty pleases. But I
am accustomed to work for those who honor me with their entire
confidence. If the Princess Y---- is to be taken into the secret of
my work on your majesty's behalf, I must respectfully ask to be
released."

As I offered her majesty this alternative in a firm voice, I was
inwardly trembling. On the reply hung, perhaps, the fate of two
continents.

But the Dowager Empress did not hesitate.

"What you stipulate for shall be done, Monsieur V----. I am too well
aware of the value of your services, and the claims you have on the
confidence of your employers, to dispute your conditions."

"The messenger who is starting to-night--does the Princess know who
he is?"

"I believe so. It is no secret. The messenger is Colonel Menken."

"In that case he will never reach Tokio."

Her majesty could not suppress a look of horror.

"What do you advise?" she dema