en then he felt
dissatisfied and ill at ease as he left the place. He had made a little
progress; but, after all, was it worth while? Supposing that the man
with whom her husband was even at this moment closeted was the Baron de
Grost! He called a taxi-cab and drove at once to the Embassy of his
country.

* * * * *

Even at this moment de Grost and the Russian--Paul Hagon he called
himself--were standing face to face in the latter's sitting-room. No
conventional greetings of any sort had been exchanged. De Grost had
scarcely closed the door behind him before Hagon addressed him
breathlessly, almost fiercely.

"Who are you, sir?" he demanded. "And what do you want with me?"

"You had my letter?" de Grost inquired.

"I had your letter," the other admitted. "It told me nothing. You speak
of business. What business have I with any here?"

"My business is soon told," de Grost replied; "but in the first place, I
beg that you will not unnecessarily alarm yourself. There is, believe
me, no need for it--no need whatever, although, to prevent
misunderstandings, I may as well tell you at once that I am perfectly
well aware who it is that I am addressing."

Hagon collapsed into a chair. He buried his face in his hands and
groaned.

"I am not here necessarily as an enemy," de Grost continued. "You have
very excellent reasons, I make no doubt, for remaining unknown in this
city, or wherever you may be. As yet, let me assure you, your identity
is not even suspected, except by myself and one other. Those few who
believe you alive believe that you are in America. There is no need for
anyone to know that Father----"

"Stop!" the man begged piteously. "Stop!"

De Grost bowed.

"I beg your pardon!" he said.

"Now tell me," the man demanded, "what is your price? I have had money.
There is not much left. Sophia is extravagant, and travelling costs a
great deal. But why do I weary you with these things?" he added. "Let me
know what I have to pay for your silence."

"I am not a blackmailer," de Grost answered sternly. "I am myself a
wealthy man. I ask from you nothing in money; I ask you nothing in that
way at all. A few words of information, and a certain paper which I
believe you have in your possession, is all that I require."

"Information?" Hagon repeated, shivering.

"What I ask," de Grost declared, "is really a matter of justice. At the
time when you were the idol of all Russia and the