l it a
mile away, it has been pickled so well."

Again there was a short pause, and then after gazing intently at his
vis-a-vis, Heideck suddenly said--

"You are an officer?"

Without being able to collect himself the Russian stared into his face.

"Let us be candid with each other," he rejoined, after long reflection.
"You are also a soldier, sir?"

"I need not deny it in reply to a comrade. My name is Captain Hermann
Heideck of the Prussian General Staff."

The Russian rose and made a correct bow. "And my name is Prince Fedor
Andreievitch Tchajawadse, Captain in the Preobraschensky regiment of the
Guards."

They then once more touched glasses: "To ourselves as good comrades"
rang their mutual toast.

"Comrade, I will tell you something," said the Russian. "General Ivanov
is on the march towards the Indian frontier. The Tsar has given up his
theosophy; he intends to declare war upon England."

Heideck would have wished to learn more, but the Prince had addressed
himself to the good liquor somewhat more than his head could stand, and
he began to sing indecent French chansons, only to pass of a sudden
to melancholy Russian popular songs. In his present condition it was
impossible to think of continuing a sensible conversation with him
further.

Heideck already found himself somewhat perplexed what to do with his
intoxicated guest, when a new surprise was sprung upon him. The door
to the next room opened and a tall, handsome young fellow, of at most
eighteen years, appeared on the threshold.

He was garbed in a sort of fantastic page's dress, which in any other
country but that of rainbow-hued picturesque India would have looked
like that of a masquerader. The blue gold-embroidered jacket was girded
with a red silk scarf, and the loose red trousers disappeared at the
knees in patent leather topboots, the elegant shape of which showed
the contour of the smallest of feet. Thick golden locks fell like waves
almost down to the shoulders of the boyish youth. The handsome oval face
had the complexion of a blushing rose; the great, blue eyes, however,
showed the energy of a strong will.

As soon as the Prince had set eyes on the young visitor, he stopped
singing.

"Ah! Georgi?" he stammered.

Without uttering a syllable, the page had advanced towards him, and had
quickly raised the intoxicated man from the chair. Prince Tchajawadse
flung his arm round the boy's shoulders, and without bidding his German
comra