“As I told you, Miss Baxter, the project is so difficult that your failure, if you _do_ fail, will merely prove it to have been impossible, because I am sure that if anyone on earth could carry the project to success, you are that person; and, furthermore, I am very much obliged to you for consenting to attempt such a mission.” And thus it was that Jennie Baxter found herself in due time in the great capital of the north, with a room in the Hotel de l’Europe overlooking the Nevski Prospect. In ordinary circumstances she would have enjoyed a visit to St. Petersburg; but now she was afraid to venture out, being under the apprehension that at any moment she might meet Lord Donal Stirling face to face, and that he would recognize her; therefore she remained discreetly in her room, watching the strange street scenes from her window. She found herself scrutinizing everyone who had the appearance of being an Englishman, and she had to confess to a little qualm of disappointment when the person in question proved to be some other than Lord Donal; in fact, during her short stay at St. Petersburg she saw nothing of the young man. Jennie went, on the evening of her arrival, to the offices of the Sleeping Car Company, to secure a place in one of the carriages that left at six o’clock on the evening of the 21st. Her initial difficulty met her when she learned there were several sleeping cars on that train, and she was puzzled to know which to select. She stood there, hesitating, with the plans of the carriages on the table before her. “You have ample choice,” said the clerk; “seats are not usually booked so long in advance, and only two places have been taken in the train, so far.” “I should like to be in a carriage containing some English people,” said the girl, not knowing what excuse to give for her hesitation. “Then let me recommend this car, for one compartment has been taken by the British Embassy--Room C, near the centre, marked with a cross.” “Ah, well, I will take the compartment next to it--Room D, isn’t it?” said Jennie. “Oh, I am sorry to say that also has been taken. Those are the two which are bespoken. I will see under what name Room D has been booked. Probably its occupant is English also. But I can give you Room B, on the other side of the one reserved by the Embassy. It is a two-berth room, Nos. 5 and 6.” “That will do quite as well,” said Jennie. The clerk looked up the order book, and then said,-- “It is not recorded here by whom Room D was reserved. As a usual thing,” he continued, lowering his voice almost to a whisper and looking furtively over his shoulder, “when no name is marked down, that means the Russian police. So, you see, by taking the third room you will not only be under the shadow of the British Embassy, but also under the protection of Russia. Do you wish one berth only, or the whole room? It is a two-berth compartment.” “I desire the whole room, if you please.”