“Certainly, your excellency. My lips shall be sealed.” This ended the discussion. Zamosc turned to the _starosta_ and said in a loud voice, “Bring us food and drink for two, my worthy man, and see to it that my sledge is in readiness at three o’clock in the morning. I wish to make an early start.” Sandoff remained in his place of concealment for fully five minutes, and then rising slowly up he made a cautious survey of the room. The three merchants were spreading rugs on the floor in preparation for going to sleep. At the table they had recently occupied now sat Zamosc and the Russian officer, hobnobbing sociably over food and a bottle of vodka. Sandoff watched them with a half smile on his face. “A passport for himself and companions!” he whispered. “Traveling on secret service to Vladivostok! He wants an escort and a driver!—Well, he shall have them, if I can provide them for him. You and I will settle up old scores, Serge Zamosc. It is a daring plan—but I will attempt it.” With this enigmatic self communing Sandoff turned away. Creeping noiselessly around the angle of the house, he passed on to the courtyard stockade—first making sure that no one was in sight. What he had hoped to find was there—a crevice large enough to see through—and putting his eyes to it he obtained a good view of the station yard, and of Serge Zamosc’s sledge. This Sandoff examined long and intently. There was just enough light to reveal its ample dimensions, the huge waterproof hood that covered it, and the mass of furs, rugs, and straw that peeped out from the rear. “Good,” muttered Sandoff. “Nothing could be better suited for the purpose.” In the same cautious manner in which he had come he retraced his steps to the ravine. Once there he started off with great strides, and in ten minutes appeared, breathless and excited, before his companions, who had been on the point of starting to look for him, alarmed by his long absence. “Your hands are empty,” said Shamarin sadly. “You have brought no food?” “I have brought something better than food,” was the reply. “I bring good news. If you will bear me out in the plan I have formed, I can promise you a quick journey to the Pacific—a journey in a sledge—food in plenty, and a warm shelter. There will be a certain risk, but we won’t talk of that now.” Before Shamarin and Vera could ply him with questions, he told them what he had just seen and heard. Then he outlined hurriedly the daring plan which had entered his mind. “All I ask of you,” he concluded, “is strict obedience, courage, and constant presence of mind, no matter what may occur. I know you both well, and I am convinced that you have these qualities.” His companions were at first stunned with amazement at Sandoff’s daring proposition, but they soon realized its practicability.