"No, my dear. I was born optimistic; but there's a jinx somewhere in one of my pockets. Time after time I've had everything just where I wanted it, and then--poof! It's pure bald luck on their side, but sooner or later the wheel will turn. And any chance that offers I am bound to accept. Somehow or other we may be able to trap Florence and Norton. I want both of them. If I can get them, Jones will be forced to draw in Hargreave." "Is there such a man?" "You saw him that night at the restaurant." "I have often thought that perhaps I just dreamed it." She turned again to the piano and began humming idly. "Stop that and listen to me," said Braine, not in quite the best of tempers. "I'm in no mood for whims." "Music does not soothe your soul, then?" cynically. "If I had one it might. You will call on the Princess Parlova to-morrow afternoon. It depends upon you what my plans will be. I think you'll have little trouble in getting into the presence of her highness, and once there she will not be able to resist you." "I'll go." And go she did. The footman in green livery hesitated for a moment, but the title on the visiting card was quite sufficient. He bowed the countess into the reception room and went in search of his distinguished mistress. The Princess Parlova was a handsome woman verging upon middle age. She was a patrician; Olga's keen eye discerned that instantly. She came into the reception room with that dignified serenity which would have impressed any one as genuine. She held the card in her fingers and smiled inquiringly toward her guest. "I confess," she began, "that I recall neither your face nor your name. I am sorry. Where have I had the honor of meeting you before?" "You have never met me before, your highness," answered Olga sweetly. "You came on a charity errand, then?" "That depends, your highness. Will you be so good as to glance at this?" Olga asked, holding out her palm upon which the talisman lay. The princess shrank back, paling. "Where did you get that?" she panted. "From the head," was the answer. "And you have followed me from Russia?" whispered the princess, her terror growing. "Oh, no. The Black Hundred is as strongly organized here as in St. Petersburg. But we always keep track of old members, especially when they stand so high in the world as yourself." "But I was deceived and betrayed!" exclaimed the princess. "They urged me to join on the ground that the organization was to attempt to bring about the freedom of Poland." Olga shrugged. "You were rich, highness. The Black Hundred needed money!" "And you need it now?" eagerly, believing that she saw a loophole. "How much? Oh, I will give a hundred thousand rubles on your promise to leave me alone. Tell me!"