Ascending the stairs unnoticed by the sleepy concierge, I knocked at the door of the General’s apartments. Replying to my inquiry in Russian, the man-servant, a thin, cadaverous-looking fellow, informed me that his Excellency was out, and his return was uncertain. “But I have to see him upon official business,” I said, at the same time slipping a ten-franc piece into his ready palm. “Show me to his room, and I will wait.” Conducting me along the hall, he showed me into a large well-furnished room, the two windows of which looked out upon the boulevard. The heavy curtains were drawn, a large brass lamp burned brightly under a shade of crimson silk, and the spacious saddle-bag armchairs gave the apartment an air of cosiness. It was half library, half sitting-room, and the littered writing-table that stood in a recess near the fireplace showed that the ex-Governor had considerable correspondence. It was to ascertain the nature of his communications that I had ventured into the spy’s sanctum. When the servant had withdrawn and closed the door, I immediately commenced my investigations. Rapidly glancing at the open letters and memoranda, I saw they related to various persons suspected of Nihilism, resident in Paris. Presently I took up a large folded blue paper and opened it. The document revealed how closely Russian suspects were being watched. It was the report of a Secret Police agent who had been told off to keep observation upon Israel Lebedeff, the father of Natalya. In order that my readers may fully understand the manner in which the “Security Section” carries out its system of espionage, I give the following copy of the printed questions:— IMPERIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO BE FILLED IN WEEKLY:— 1. What is the Christian name, paternal name, and family name of the person under observation? 2. Where is his (or her) residence? In what district, street, and house? What is the number of the room? How many rooms? 3. Where did you first see him, and under what circumstances? Has he seen you? 4. How long has he resided at his present address? Whence did he come? Give particulars of his last place of residence. 5. Does he live alone, or with some one? In the latter case with whom? State particulars of such person. 6. Has he any servants? If so, what are their names? If not, who looks after his room, or rooms? What things has he in his rooms? To whom is his dirty linen sent? State name and residence of his laundress? 7. Does he have his meals at home, or elsewhere? In the latter case, where? 8. Does he visit any library, and if so, which one? State what books he has borrowed in the course of the week. 9. At what o’clock does he leave his rooms, and when does he return? 10. How does he spend his time at home? 11. Has he a wife, or children? If the latter, how many?