“The Brotherhood has fashioned a tool for its use; you want that tool. The Brotherhood will not--dare not--give it to you. But the Brotherhood is poor, and you are rich. It will sell it to you--at a great price. What will you give?” Caruth moved restlessly. It was shocking to him that Marie should be made a subject of bargain and sale. “I cannot chaffer over such a subject,” he cried. “Tell me what you want, and I will pay it if it is in my power. You say right. I am rich--not rich like many of my countrymen, but rich by ordinary standards. Tell me what you want, and I will pay it if I can.” “The Brotherhood wants a million dollars.” Caruth did not hesitate. “You shall have it,” he answered. “But you will have to give me time to get it for you. I have not a tithe of the sum in ready cash. I shall have to go to New York and sell property. It may take two months. I will give you my note for the sum at two months if you will take it.” Lermantoff bowed. “We will take it,” he answered. “And--and--you will trust me? I may take her away with me?” “Assuredly! But the Brotherhood trusts no one; it has no need to do so. Marie Fitzhugh will be as much within its reach in New York as she is in this house. No one can betray or deceive the Brotherhood and live to enjoy it.” Caruth’s face grew stern. “I understand that this million dollars buys the lady’s release absolutely. You will give up all hold on her, all claim over her. You will tell her so, and release her from her vows in my presence?” Lermantoff nodded. “That is the understanding,” he said. Turning, he said a few words to the man by his side, and that individual rose and went out. “I have sent for Marie,” he explained. Caruth sprang to his feet. “You--you will not tell her that I have--have bought her?” he pleaded. The other shook his head. “Have no fear,” he answered gently. “Remember! I love her too.” In a moment the man was back. With him came Marie. When she saw Caruth, she stopped short, gasping, with distended eyes. “You!” she muttered. “You here!” Caruth caught both her hands in his. “Yes!” he cried. “Yes! And it’s all right! All right! The Brotherhood has given you to me.” With joy dawning in her frightened eyes, the girl turned to the others. [Illustration: “YOU!” SHE MUTTERED, “YOU HERE!”] Lermantoff caught her glance and nodded. “Marie Fitzhugh,” he said solemnly, “for reasons that seem good to it, the Brotherhood has decided to send you to America to aid in creating sympathy for the Russian people there. You will go with Mr. Caruth to St. Petersburg, to the American Embassy, and marry him there, and go with him to the United States. You are hereby released from all obligations to the Brotherhood and from all your vows. Such service as you may render hereafter will be purely voluntary. As chief of the Brotherhood, I tell you this in Mr. Caruth’s presence. The other members of the Circle will now confirm it to you.”