“I know no more,” he protested wildly; “if you torture me, you can learn no more.” I looked at him coldly. “Perhaps,” I said, “you can tell me more about the mode in which Vladimir Sergheievitch learned that mademoiselle, his niece, was at Von Gaden’s house at all.” He shrank back, and looked at me like a hunted beast. “You dogged my footsteps,” I went on harshly; “you tracked mademoiselle and her companion to the doctor’s house and betrayed them, and now you ask mercy of me with a lie in your mouth!” “It is not a lie!” he cried, thoroughly cowed. “It is the truth, by our Lady of Kazan! I do not know--but I can tell you of one who does,” he added, a gleam of hope showing in his eyes as he realized that he had not yet played his last card and lost. “Tell me the name at once,” I said sternly; “every minute’s delay will cost you dear!” “Be merciful to me, and I will tell you the truth; I can do no more!” he protested pitifully. “Be quick!” I cried angrily. “My master and Viatscheslav Naryshkin were obliged to be in attendance at the palace,” Polotsky said, “and a dwarf whom they trust--” “Homyak!” I exclaimed at once. “Yes, Homyak,” he admitted. “He was intrusted with the mission; he was to get Zénaïde Feodorovna and her governess out of the house and take them to some place where yonder boyar--” he pointed to the door which separated us from Feodor Ramodanofsky, “could not find her.” “Where is that place?” I demanded fiercely, glancing at the poker as it lay amid the coals. His eyes followed mine, and I saw him cringe. “Master, I do not know!” he protested wildly. “But Homyak can tell you all; catch him.” And he adhered to this, although I pressed him close, until I was satisfied that he had really told all he knew. Then, going out, I closed the door and bade Pierrot guard the prisoner strictly; I was determined that he should not be tortured to death in my house, and I saw Michael lurking in the hall like a wild beast robbed of his prey. Joining Ramodanofsky and Von Gaden, I told them of Polotsky’s confession, and my conviction that he was telling all the truth. The Jew believed it; but I saw that the boyar was dissatisfied, although he had the courtesy to accept my statement as final. A brief consultation followed, all our minds concentrating on the one object,--to liberate Zénaïde. “Homyak was at the palace this morning,” I said, “and we must get hold of him at once, and compel him to guide us to the house.” “That is impossible,” rejoined Von Gaden, quietly. “I know that Homyak was despatched by the Czarina Natalia herself on an errand that will carry him to Troïtsa. In the mean time, Zénaïde will be forced to wed Viatscheslav.” Ramodanofsky clenched his hands. “Never!” he ejaculated fiercely; “I will go at once to Vladimir and force him to surrender her to her father.”