"General," said the Czar, when the officer stood before him, "I am seeking information of a young Englishman, who was in the city when I arrived." "An Englishman?" repeated the general. "There may be many here, Sire." "So there may," the Czar agreed, "but only one like the one I am seeking. He has been living with the Count Blowinski for some days. I had thought that he would be with the count. In fact, I saw him just before the trouble occurred. He stood near the count on the palace steps." "Oh," said the general, "was he big and young?" "Yes," said the Czar, "he was big and young." "And you say, Sire, that he was in league with Count Blowinski?" "Well, I didn't say so," returned the Czar, "but if you know anything of the Englishman, tell me at once." "I am sure he was in league with Count Blowinski," said the general. "If the Englishman is the one to whom I refer, he is now on his way to Siberia." The Czar came to his feet with a jump. "What's that?" he demanded, thinking he had not heard aright. "I say he is on the way to Siberia, Sire," replied the general. "And why is he on the way to Siberia, may I ask?" demanded the Czar, his voice very calm. "Because I ordered him sent there, Sire. I found him on the palace steps flourishing a big revolver, and I had my men seize him. He offered me some strange story for his presence there; but I knew he was lying. I had him transported to Siberia along with a hundred other prisoners at once." "Oh, you did," said the Czar. "By any chance, did this Englishman tell you that he was engaged on a mission for me, General?" "He did, Sire. But, of course, I didn't believe any such story as that." "Of course not, General; as you say. But did you think of taking the trouble to investigate his story?" "Of course not, your Majesty. I knew you did not wish me to take up your valuable time that way. Have I done anything wrong, Sire?" "Nothing," said the Czar, "except to send to Siberia a British naval officer, a youth, who, by risking his own life, has saved your country and your Czar." Now it was the general's turn to be astonished. He stepped back in alarm. "You mean he was telling the truth, Sire?" "I do." The general clasped and unclasped his hands nervously. "And," the Czar continued, "unless he is back here within twenty-four hours, you shall be relieved of your command, General." The Czar spoke very softly, but the general could see that he was in deadly earnest, and his face grew pale. "I fear it is impossible, sire," he said at last. "I have instructed the officer in command of the prisoners, to let no one approach them for any reason whatsoever. Even a telegram would not catch them now, sire."