Zeneida drawing three golden-shaped arrows from her hair, handed them to the sergeant of police. "Go back to your chief and show him these symbols. From them he will recognize that Assyria's queen challenges the Prince of Sarmatia to combat." The words were over the head of the agent of police, but he took the golden arrows. "Then I shall be compelled to take your names. Yours, sir, is--" "Caracalla," replied Galban, readily, "and this lady is my wife." The police-agent duly entered in his book, "Herr Caracallus and Madame Caracalla"; then turned to a gentleman who had just entered, Prince Ghedimin. "And what is your name?" "Rainbow. Here is my card." It may be mentioned that hundred-ruble notes are called "rainbows" on account of their gay coloring. The name pleased the agent of police so well that he evinced no further curiosity. With obsequious bow he wished the company a pleasant evening, drank a bottle of champagne on his way out, pinched the cheek of a pretty ballet-girl, then hastened back to make his truthful report to the President of Police that all was quiet and dark at Palace Ilmarinen as in a church, and not a soul waking save the house porter. But this was not the sole interruption that night. Scarce had the agent of police taken his departure before the organist and chaplain of the Protestant church appeared. The chaplain began a honeyed speech, probably to the effect that he hoped the lady of the house, as a good Protestant, would not give cause of offence to the faithful of the State religion by desecrating the first night of so holy a fast by entertaining so motley a crew of the worshippers of Baal. But Zeneida did not suffer him to proceed. "Go back and tell your superintendent, my dear sir," said Zeneida, "that I am holding the rehearsal of a grand concert, which I intended to give during Lent in aid of the building of the Protestant church-tower." Chaplain and organist were fully pacified. Going back they announced that the zealous and religious lady had begun the great fast with a good work for the benefit of the Church. And now, at length, the doors could be shut; now there would be no further interruptions from without, and those present would not be leaving until to-morrow night had set in. Chevalier Galban judged it advisable to resign the lady of the house to Prince Ghedimin. "Allow me to introduce myself, Prince--Chevalier Galban." "A name world-renowned. And one all-powerful among the ladies." "I may perhaps claim in that respect to have kept up my reputation to-day. See, Prince, the bracelet round this bouquet. Do you not recognize it? And this?" And he drew forth from his waistcoat-pocket the silver whistle which had formed the handle of Princess Ghedimin's riding-whip. Ivan recognized his own crest upon it. "These are the two conflicting _souvenirs_ of this morning's stag-hunt and to-night's triumph." "And it is you who have formed the connecting link."