Jack's heart bounded with relief. "Well, would n't that be a reason for attempting it?" "I should be happy to know that the plans were on their way to the post office in St. Petersburg," shrugging his shoulders. "They would soon be on their return journey--and not by mail." "Oh," cried Armitage, suddenly remembering his conversation with Thornton. "I think I can put you in the way of recovering your stolen plans." Thereupon he told of the capture of Yeasky and of the papers taken from him, already in the keeping of the secret service men in Boston. As he spoke Turnecki leaned forward, his eyes blazing, uttering subdued German exclamations. When Armitage had concluded he sprang forward and seized Jack by the hand and then after the manner of his country, kissed him on the cheek. "A thousand thanks!" he cried. "My servitude ends now; for when Koltsoff awakens I shall be _en route_ for Boston. You said that you would send on an order for their delivery." "Yes, I 'll write that now--and then I 'll tell you what you can do for me. Of course, you understand that the secret service chaps will require the Austrian Consul to vouch for you." "Oh, I understand that, of course," said the man. "All right." Armitage took his fountain pen from his coat lying on the bed and leaned across the bureau, about to write, when he abruptly laid the pen down and half closed his eyes. Some new thought seemed filling his mind and moving him deeply. "Just a second," he said at length. He walked across the room, jerked the towel from the lamp, gazed closely at the man for an instant, and then with an exclamation continued to the door, which he locked, placing the key in his pocket. Returning he stood directly in front of the man, who had arisen. "Well," he said, "of all fools, commend me! How do you feel, Yeasky, with your beard off and wig on; your German dialect and your painted scar?" The man looked at Armitage with face utterly expressionless. "You are mistaken," he said. "Am I?" sneered Jack. "I have been mistaken so far as you are concerned several times in the past." He laughed grimly. "But not this time, old boy. Come, pass out that control." "I have n't it." "You lie. Take off your coat." Yeasky deliberately divested himself of his coat and threw it at Jack's feet. Then he slapped all his pockets. "You see," he said, "I have not got it." "Who has?" "Koltsoff, I suppose. He did not speak of it to me." "What did he speak of? What are you here for? You were released upon condition that you leave this country. I suppose you know I can put you in the way of spending several years in an American jail." "I had intended going, but I received his orders and had to come to him. So I escaped from the steamship, and returned to Newport." "Did you want to come?" "No, I am sick of the service. It is all work and danger and no credit. He receives it all." "Then why did you obey his orders?"