Petersburg and Warsaw.
These accounts have never been asked for. I will make it my business
to remind the Council of them, as in the days of their need they
swore eternal gratitude to me. Come, Bertram, let us see whether these
worshipful magistrates are any better than other men, and whether they
have any recollection of those sacred promises which they made me in
the days when they needed help, and when misfortune threatened them."

* * * * *

CHAPTER VIII.

THE RUSSIAN PRINCE.

Before the door of the first hotel in Berlin stood a
travelling-carriage covered with dust. The team of six post-horses,
and the two servants on the coach-box, showed that it was a personage
of quality who now honored the hotel with a visit; and it was
therefore very natural that the host should hurry out and open the
carriage door with a most respectful bow.

A very tall, thin man descended from the carriage with slow and solemn
dignity, and as he entered the house gravely and in silence, his
French valet asked the host whether he had rooms elegant enough to
suit the Prince Stratimojeff.

The countenance of the host expanded into a glowing smile; he snatched
the candlestick hastily from the hands of the head butler, and flew up
the steps himself to prepare the room of state for the prince.

The French valet examined the rooms with a critical eye, and declared
that, though they were not worthy of his highness, yet he would
condescend to occupy them.

The prince still remained silent, his travelling-cap drawn deep down
over his face, and his whole figure concealed in the ample robe of
sable fur, which reached to his feet. He motioned to the host with
his hand to leave the room; then, in a few short words, he ordered his
valet to see to supper, and to have it served up in an adjoining
room, and as at that moment a carriage drove up to the house, he
commissioned him to see whether it was his suite. The valet stated
that it was his highness's private secretary, his man of business, and
his chaplain.

"I will not see them to-day--they may seek their own pleasure," said
the prince, authoritatively. "Tell them that our business begins
to-morrow. But for you, Guillaume, I have an important commission. Go
to the host and inquire for the rich banker, John Gotzkowsky; and when
you have found where he lives, enter into further conversation, and
get some information about the circumstances of this gentlema