My object, however, was not to inquire into the internal condition of Finland, or of her resentment of her powerful conqueror. I was there to find that unfortunate girl who had written so strangely to her old school friend and whose portrait had, for some hidden reason, been destroyed. On the morning of the third day after my arrival at Abo, while sitting on the hotel veranda reading an old copy of the Paris _Journal_, many portions of which had been "blacked out" by the censor, the Chief of Police, in his dark green uniform, entered and saluted before me. "Your Excellency, may I be permitted to speak with you in private?" "Certainly," I responded, rising and conducting him to my bedroom, where I closed the door, invited him to a seat, and myself sat upon the edge of the bed. "I have made various inquiries," he said, "and I think I have found the lady your Excellency is seeking. My information, however, must be furnished to you in strictest confidence," he added, "because there are reasons why I should withhold her whereabouts from you." "What do you mean?" I inquired. "What reasons?" "Well--the lady is living in Finland in secret." "Then she is alive!" I exclaimed quickly. "I thought she was dead." "To the world she is dead," responded Michael Boranski, stroking his red beard. "For that reason the information I give you must be treated as confidential." "Why should she be in hiding? She is guilty of no offense--is she?" The man shrugged his shoulders, but did not reply. "And this Baron Oberg? You tell me nothing of him," I said with dissatisfaction. "How can I when I know nothing, Excellency?" was his response. I felt certain that the fellow was not speaking the truth, for I had noticed his surprise when I had first uttered the mysterious nobleman's name. "As I have already said, Excellency, I am desirous of atoning for my insult, and will serve you in every manner I can. For that reason I had sought news of the young English lady--the Mademoiselle Heath." "But you have all foreigners registered in your books," I said. "The search was surely not a difficult one. I know your police methods in Russia too well," I laughed. "No, the lady was not registered," he said. "There was a reason." "Why?" "I have told you, Excellency. She is in hiding." "Where?" "I regret that much as I desire, I dare not appear to have any connection with your quest. But I will direct you. Indeed, I will give you instructions to a second person to take you to her." "Is she in Abo?" "No. Away in the country. If your Excellency will be down at the end of the quay to-morrow at noon you will find a carriage in waiting, and the driver will have full instructions how to take you to her and how to act. Follow his directions implicitly, for he is a man I can trust." "To-morrow!" I cried anxiously. "Why not to-day? I am ready to go at any moment." The Chief of Police remained thoughtful for a few moments, then said--