Yeasky raised his shoulders and smiled significantly. "Siberia," he said. "The arms of such as Koltsoff are very long in cases of those who fail them." "What did Koltsoff want you here for?" "To confer with me. He thought we would be safe from spies here. When I saw you I hoped to get an order for the return of the Austrian plans." "Ump! You nearly succeeded. Did you tell Koltsoff I suspected him?" "No, that would have made my work appear even more bungling. Listen," added the man earnestly, "I told him I thought my capture had been due to the Austrians, whose system of espionage is really wonderful. That is God's truth," raising his hand solemnly. "I should have believed it myself had I not known you knew." "If that is true you have done me rather a good turn," said Armitage watching his face closely. Yeasky drew from his breast a silver ichon. "It is true." He knelt. "I swear it by this." "A man's oath is no better than his deeds," replied Armitage musingly. "Look here, Yeasky," he added presently. "I tell you what I am going to do. I am going to turn you over to Chief Roberts of the Newport police and he will hold you for two or three days under an assumed name on the charge of burglary. No one but the watchman and the police and myself will know of your arrest. When I recover the control you will be released, free to stay in this country or go where you please. The only condition is that you attempt in no way to communicate with Koltsoff." The man bowed his head thoughtfully. "Besides," resumed Armitage, "I don't know how the secret service people feel about the Austrian plans. I imagine Koltsoff has been making representations to the State Department, and since this Government has no business with them, they may hand them over. If I can help you there, I shall do so. Now," he concluded, "there is the proposition; take it or leave it." "I'll take it!" replied Yeasky. "As for the Austrian plans, you need not bother about them. You have promised me freedom after two or three days if I keep silent. That is all I ask. Ever since I have been in this country I have been on the point of making up my mind to become a citizen. The Russian Government cannot touch me here, can it?" "Not unless you have committed a crime." "I have committed many crimes; none, however, against the Russian Government. I am weary of Koltsoff, weary of this service, weary of this life. There is much money for me here in the practice of my profession." "You 've already worked in this country, have n't you. Your letter of recommendation from the Eastern Electric--" "Was forged," said Yeasky quietly. "No, I have never been employed here. I came from Fiume with Prince Koltsoff. I had some thought at the time of deserting; but I was afraid. Now my mind is made up. I want to remain here; I shall remain. I have a brother in Chicago." "Good," said Armitage. "Come on, now, quickly."