“Substituted another and more innocent document.” “Just so. ’Twas neatly done, but it didn’t escape me. Convinced that the document must be one of great moment I determined to become the possessor of it. Knowing that Pahlen was about to proceed to the Mint to receive a deputation of merchants, I made some excuse for accompanying him, first, however, secretly sending a note to the Police Bureau.” “What did the note contain?” “These words—‘Send Godovin to me at once. I am at the Mint.’” “And who in the devil’s name is Godovin?” “Once the most expert pick-pocket in St. Petersburg, now an honest—ahem!—police officer!” “I see your design.” “Towards the close of the meeting, just as Pahlen was ending his speech to the merchants, my man entered. ‘Godovin,’ I whispered, ‘within Pahlen’s breast-pocket is a paper that I must have. Can you take it without his knowledge?’ The fellow smiled and nodded.” “And he succeeded?” “Godovin never fails. I’ve employed him before. Just as Pahlen was passing out Godovin simply brushed by him, and the next moment he was pushing beneath my cloak the document I wanted.” “A useful knave! And the contents of this document?” “Are eminently adapted to make us rejoice.” “Why so?” “Because the document—hold your breath—relates to a plot for the deposing of the Czar; it contains the autograph signatures of the conspirators; and, as many of them happen to be obstacles in the way to our future advancement, we have but to denounce them to Paul, and Siberia or death will be their doom.” Arcadius slapped his thigh savagely. “I knew it,” he cried. “I guessed there was something of the sort afoot when Benningsen took to damning the Czar in my presence, and drinking to the powers that will be! Of course that German pig is one of the conspirators! At last I have him in my power! You have brought the document with you?” For answer Loris drew forth a roll of vellum, which he proceeded to unfold. “Read it.” “The devil! You don’t ask me to read all this, do you?” protested Loris, exhibiting the document to his brother’s gaze. “It’s infernally long and prosy, but it’s unimpeachable in its treason, and that’s all we want. It starts with a statement drawn up by a body styling Itself ‘The Committee for the Public Weal.’” “What’s the gist of it?” “The Committee begin by affirming that they are neither revolutionaries nor republicans, and proceed to enumerate the advantages of a hereditary monarchy. At the same time, they admit that occasions may arise to justify the setting aside of the legitimate occupant of the throne; as, for example, when a ruler shows signs of madness. Such a crisis is now occurring in Russian affairs, and the Committee proceed to point out the strange words, ukases, and acts of Paul, all which, it is alleged, sufficiently prove that the Czar has lost his reason.” This was what all men in St. Petersburg had been thinking for a long time, but none had durst say so openly.