He had been absent only a few minutes before he reappeared, bearing a large basket of crimson roses in wax, under a glass shade, and set them in the place whence he had removed the real ones. "What have you brought those for?" I asked, as wax-flowers are one of my abominations. "For you, m'sieur. Are they not superb?--so near the life. Wonderfully clever imitation, are they not?" I nodded assent, but it struck me there must be some reason for the hotel-keeper placing these in my window. What was it? I was about to order him to remove them also, but refrained from doing so, determined to observe this strange proceeding and endeavour to find out the cause. After some cigarettes, I went out for an evening stroll, and as soon as I gained the street there were unmistakable signs that something extraordinary had happened, though, not speaking Russian, I was unable to ascertain. Intelligence of some description had spread like wildfire and was causing a terrible sensation, for from mouth to mouth ominous news was whispered with bated breath, conversations were being carried on in an undertone, heads were shaken mysteriously, and newspapers rapidly scanned, which all tended to confirm my suspicion that something had occurred. Such a stir had not been created in the capital for many years, and that night the streets presented a scene of panic that impressed itself indelibly upon my memory. When I returned to the hotel I chanced to be walking upon the opposite side of the street, and glancing up, before crossing, saw what caused me to start in surprise. Though the lamp in my sitting-room was alight, the blind was not drawn, the brilliant illumination within causing the wax roses to stand out in bold relief in the window--so bold, indeed, that they could be plainly seen from the most distant part of the great square. That they were placed there for some purpose I was convinced--what did they mean? I retired to rest as usual, but could not close my eyes for thinking of the strange episode. There seemed an air of mystery about the whole place that I did not like. Several minor matters now occurred to me of which, at the time they happened, I thought nothing; yet as I lay thinking I confess I began to wish myself anywhere but in St Petersburg. Throughout, there had been so much that was incomprehensible, and I had been so sorely puzzled, that I felt a fervent desire to give up, and seek no further elucidation of the riddle from Vera. The bells of the Izak Church had broken the silence of the night, chiming the hour of three, as I lay dozing, when suddenly there came a sharp rapping at the door, and voices demanding admittance. My first impression was that the hotel was on fire, but on throwing open the door, Trosciansky and two other men entered. "What is the meaning of this?" I demanded. "Hist! m'sieur," he replied, laying his finger upon his lips, indicative of silence. Then he said in a low voice: