"To-morrow morning I will give you the case. Go to the Hotel Michaeli, on the Galernoi Oulitza, at St Petersburg, and remain there until a tall, fair gentleman presents my card and asks for them. He will give his name as Paul Volkhovski." "Very well," I said, "I shall leave to-morrow night." Then we retraced our steps, and entering the carriage, drove back to Genoa in the fading twilight. Next morning we met alone in the drawing-room, and she placed in my hands a leather jewel-case about nine inches square and three deep, securely sealed, saying,-- "I trust to you for their safety. Do not let this out of your sight for an instant, and on no account allow the seals to be broken, for it will be easy enough to pass so small a box through the _douane_." I bade her rest assured the diamonds would be safe in my hands, and that I would carry out her instructions regarding the preservation of the seals. "I trust you implicitly," she repeated. "And now--as to funds?" producing her purse. "No," I said firmly, "I should not think of taking your money. This journey will be a pleasure, and you must allow me to defray its cost." "Thank you, a thousand times," she replied, her lips quivering with emotion. "Our movements are very uncertain, but I have your London address, and will write and inform you of our wanderings from time to time." "After I have accomplished this mission, I shall return to you immediately, when I hope you will be convinced that my love is no mere passing fancy, but a--" "Hark!" she interrupted, "my uncle's cough. Go!--Farewell!" I bent and kissed her, then snatching up the box, hurriedly left the room. CHAPTER EIGHT. POST-HASTE ACROSS EUROPE. One circumstance puzzled me greatly. My baggage had already been placed in the carriage which was to take me to the station, and in descending the stairs to depart I passed the sitting-room occupied by Vera. The door was ajar, and I was suddenly prompted to enter to wish her a final adieu. Having opened the door half-way I heard voices, which caused me to halt. Vera was seated upon an ottoman, her elbows upon her knees in an attitude of dejection. Before her, with his hands thrust deep in his capacious pockets, stood a well-made athletic young fellow, who, though his back was burned towards me, had the air of a military officer. Apparently he had assumed a commanding demeanour, for he was bending over her, speaking rapidly in a language I did not understand, while she was appealing to him to desist. I had already bade her adieu, and as neither noticed me I passed down the staircase and out into the street, the thick pile of the carpet preventing my footsteps being heard.