"Signor Corsini, I cannot say how deeply I am grieved that you should have been subjected to this outrage. Rest assured it shall be tracked home to the proper quarters, and you shall be amply avenged. I have asked General Beilski to put a secure guard around you whenever you venture abroad. You need fear no repetition. Salmoros would never forgive me if you came to harm." Corsini was taken back to his hotel, wondering over all the things that had happened to him. A tale was fudged up to the manager that he had been attacked with sudden indisposition at the house of Count Golitzine, and compelled to remain there. Beilski took good care that he was unobtrusively guarded by members of the secret police. The next thing was to get hold of the two maids. The General's satellites secured the one in the service of Madame Quéro, and brought her along. Beilski interrogated her himself, but the cross-examination of five minutes convinced him that she was not the woman who had brought the note. And the porter was equally certain on this point. She was a person of different build. He dismissed her with a caution, as he handed her some coins. "I would prefer that you kept your mouth shut about this visit. Still, it is very probable you will blab about it to your mistress." "Not after your generosity, your Excellency," answered the maid gratefully, with a smirk. The General grunted. "That is as it may be. I don't know that I trust you farther than that door. But if you should feel disposed to take your mistress into your confidence, you can tell her this--that we have our eye upon her and know more than she thinks." Half an hour later the terrified Katerina was brought into his presence. She had been taken in charge a few yards outside the Zouroff Palace, whence she was proceeding on a shopping errand for her young mistress. The General, with his experienced eye, read at once in her demeanour the signs of great perturbation. She was no hardened criminal, only a weak, trembling girl. He had rough and ready methods for such as these. "Speak the truth, girl, and fear not; the strong arm of the law shall protect you," he thundered in his loud, vigorous accents. "You are the young woman who brought me a note the other day from the Princess Nada. My hall-porter has recognised you." This, of course, was a flight of the gallant General's imagination. The hall-porter had distinctly said that he would not be certain of recognising her; but it was enough to scare the shrinking Katerina. She sank upon her knees, trembling in every limb. "It is true, your Excellency. Are you going to kill me, or send me to Siberia?"