At the head of the steps--at the same point where the count had paused momentarily--Jack also paused for a second. He thrust both hands into the pockets of his great coat and made sure that his revolvers were ready. One quick glance he cast about him and started; for he felt sure that he had perceived a form lurking in the shadows some distance back. But it was too late to hesitate now; so, drawing a long breath, Jack descended the steps. Below he expected to find a door, where it would be necessary to give the knock he had heard mentioned in Count Blowinski's rooms earlier in the evening; but there was no door, or if there were, it was standing open. At any rate Jack did not see a door and he passed into the darkness beyond. It was inky black inside, and Jack walked forward slowly, one hand touching the wall on the side as he advanced. Suddenly he brought up against a solid wall. He felt along in the darkness and found that the passage turned to the left. He continued along it. Suddenly he stumbled. His foot had struck something. He leaned down to investigate and discovered that the something was nothing more than a flight of stairs. He mounted them as rapidly as the darkness would permit. At the top he came to another passageway, leading off to the right. Down this he walked in the darkness for fifty paces and then brought up against another solid substance. He stretched out his hands on each side of him. There was no turn in the passageway. Apparently the obstruction that barred his progress was a door. Here was where it would be necessary to knock for admittance. Jack did not hesitate. Five sharp taps he gave, followed by a single loud tap, and then two sharp taps. A moment later the door swung inward a trifle and a head showed itself. "The word?" the man questioned in a deep voice. "The Czar," replied Jack firmly in German. "Enter," said the voice. The door swung back farther. Settling his cap firmly on his head, Jack once again felt of his revolvers and stepped inside. Before him another long passageway stretched out. Apparently the man who had opened the door at the lad's knock was some distance from the rendezvous. Jack asked no questions, but walked ahead. Several more turns and another flight of stairs he traversed before bringing up before another door. Here again he found it was necessary to knock, but he ran the gauntlet safely and a few moments later found himself inside, thinking to himself as he gazed upon the circle of men who sat about the room: "Certainly they are careful enough not to be discovered."