But there was no escape from the coil. Explanations were impossible. Go they must, for Serge's life was at stake. But the thought of the explanations which must be made on the morrow hung upon him like a great black cloud. Liberty was good, but the love and companionship of Hope Ivanovna were more to him than anything liberty could give him. With her he would have been content to spend the rest of his life at Kara. Content? Ay, happy beyond anything all the rest of the world could possibly hold for him. And now--their happy content must suffer shock and be strained through bitterness. It would survive the shock, if they themselves survived the dangers of the road they were about to travel, but it would always bear the imprint of it. And, not without bitterness, he recognised all the irony of the position. How Serge was repaying him in kind, and most exactly, for the service he had once rendered him. For Hope Ivanovna's sake he had undertaken Palma's burden, and so, all unconsciously, had been the means of separating her and Serge. And now Palma had come, at risk of his life, to set him free, and, all unconsciously, was threatening the new happiness which had come to Hope and himself. It was a strange turn of the wheel, and there was no escape from it. He strove to be grateful, but found it well nigh impossible. CHAPTER XXV HOW THEY STRUCK A FRIEND Pavlof's heart was beating wild alarms as he led Hope to police headquarters a little before eight the following morning. What would they find there, and how would Hope come through the ordeal? Had any answer come from St. Petersburg? Was Serge even now under arrest and this wild chance of liberty gone? Verily he wished the chance had never offered. One false step, a look too much, and Serge was ruined beyond redemption, and he pressed Hope's arm tight inside his own to brace her for the test. But as soon as they turned in through the big gate of the stockade, the sight of Colonel Zazarin's three-horse tarantas and a teléga, at the door of Sokolof's quarters, set his mind at rest. So far no discovery had been made and all was well. He arranged the bundles in the tarantas to make as comfortable a seat as could be managed for Hope. He took her hand through his arm again for the crucial moment, and they stood waiting for Sokolof and Lieutenant Vinsky. "Now," said Pavlof shortly, as they appeared in the doorway. Hope shot one quick glance at Serge, and then her hand began to tremble violently on Paul's arm. "Steady," he murmured, "it will be over in a minute," and Sokolof and Palma came towards them, saluting Madame as they came. "So, Madame, you have decided to be courageous once more," said Sokolof. She bowed, not daring to use her voice or raise her eyes. "Well, that is as it should be. And be sure I shall do my utmost to shorten your trials." "It is very good of you," she murmured.