he demanded roughly.

"Luba Lazereff."

"Native of where?"

"Of Petersburg."

"What are you doing in Ostrog?"

"She is with me," I interposed. "I demand protection for her."

"I am addressing the prisoner, sir," was his cold remark.

"You refuse to obey the request of the King of England? Good! Then I
shall report you to the Minister," I exclaimed, piqued at his insolence.

"Speak, girl!" he roared, his black eyes fixed fiercely upon her. "Why
are you in Ostrog? You are no provincial--you know."

"She is my affianced wife," I said, "and in face of that document she
need make no reply to any of your questions. Read what His Majesty
commands."

"Thank you, sir. I have already read it." But I knew he could not read
English.

A short, stout little man, shabbily dressed, pushed his way forward to
the table, saying--

"Luba Lazareff is a well-known revolutionist, your excellency. The
French maker of bombs, Gustave Lemaire, is her lover--not this
gentleman. Gustave only left Ostrog yesterday." The speaker was, it was
plain, an agent of secret police.

"And where is Lemaire now? I gave orders for his arrest some days ago."

"He was found this morning by the patrol on the road to Schumsk,
recognised and shot."

At this poor little Luba gave vent to a piercing scream, and burst into
a torrent of bitter tears.

"You fiends!" she cried. "You have shot my Gustave! He is dead--_dead_!"

"There was no doubt, I suppose, as to his identity?" asked the General.

"None, your Excellency. Some papers found upon the body have been
forwarded to us with the report."

"Then let the girl be shot also. She aided him in the manufacture of the
bombs."

"Shot!" I gasped, utterly staggered. "What do you mean, General? You
will shoot a poor defenceless girl--and in face of that ukase before
you--in face of my demand for her protection! I have promised her
marriage," I cried in desperation, "and you condemn her to execution!"

"My Emperor has given me orders to quell the rebellion, and all who
make bombs for use against the Government must die. His Majesty gave me
orders to execute all such," said the official sternly. "You, sir, will
have safe-conduct to whatever place you wish to visit. Take the girl
away."

"But, General, reflect a moment whether this is not----"

"I never reflect, sir," he cried angrily; and rising from his chair with
outstretched hand, he snapped--

"How much of my time are you going to lose over t