“The man interests me chiefly,” I said, “because he seems to be of more importance than he claims.” Galitsyn looked at me thoughtfully, as if making up his mind whether he could fully trust me, and after a moment, determining upon reserve. “You have approached the truth, M. de Brousson,” he said calmly; “but it is not worth while to fathom it as yet. Lykof is a man who can keep a secret so well that I marvel that you have formed so accurate a conclusion.” “Perhaps he has been more careless with me than usual,” I replied, satisfied that there was a good deal behind Galitsyn’s reserve, and in spite of myself feeling a keen interest. “Like the Czarevna Sophia, he has probably recognized your honor, M. le Vicomte,” replied the prince, graciously, fencing as easily as usual. I had told him of Homyak’s villainy, and now, before taking my leave, recalled it to his mind. “The rogue deserves punishment richly,” I said angrily, recalling my sensations of suffocation. “Yes, such vermin are best exterminated,” Galitsyn replied; “but he will serve a purpose yet, perhaps. It is always my policy to let such knaves run, not only their own heads, but a few others into the noose before strangling them.” CHAPTER XIV. MADEMOISELLE EUDOXIE’S WINDOW. AFTER leaving Galitsyn’s palace, I returned at once to my own quarters, and was glad to find that Pierrot had not neglected my instructions, and had a comfortable meal spread. I had been through a rough experience, and was well pleased to rest a little, with a feeling of satisfaction at the safe execution of my mission. I was well rid of the packet, and hoped too to be rid of the consequences. I saw that Pierrot was far less sanguine than I, for he moved about the table as if waiting on a corpse, his lugubrious countenance both amusing and annoying me. However, the evening passed without any event, and I went early to rest, feeling the effect of the rough handling of the previous night, for I was not a little sore and stiff. The seven days which ensued were disgusting to every decent man. The _pravezh_ continued, and officer after officer was publicly scourged before being permitted to retire in disgrace to his country-place. It was the revolting spectacle of a weak and tottering government unable to control its own soldiers, and swayed too by every fiendish impulse of the mob. How long this state of things could continue seemed an open question, and among the more conservative there was fear that Sophia would never be able to handle the spirit of evil that her intrigues had helped to set free, for it was no secret that the czarevna was working on the feelings of the ignorant soldiers, and upon the populace.