“More important? What is it?” “We’ll talk a little business first. I believe that after his children, you are the next heir to Prince Valenko?” “What are you driving at?” “I’ll tell you in good time. You are, are you not?” “You know I am.” “And I believe you would be quite willing to have these intervening heirs disappear--permanently--provided no blame attached to you?” The prince’s eyes narrowed, and he tried to read Freeman’s meaning in his face, but that was too blurred a page. “Suppose I say yes.” “Suppose, then, I can arrange to put it in your power to remove them safely--hum--how much?” There was a stealthy silence. “How much do you want?” “Fifty thousand.” Again a silence. “Very well.” “Agreed!” said Freeman, and his slits of eyes glittered. “Then I have the pleasure to tell you that the job is done.” “Done?” “Yes, done! Prince, I have made some great discoveries to-night! First, do you know who Borodin is?” The prince started. “Not the young Prince Valenko?” he cried. “Yes. And do you know who else he is? No? He is Borski.” “Borski! The leader of the South Russian revolt?” “The same!” “Oh!” slowly breathed the prince, and his eyes glittered back at Freeman’s. “But you forget. There still remains his sister, the Princess Olga.” “You have been told that a young woman was arrested to-night?” “Yes.” “That young woman is the sister.” This was too much for even Berloff’s self-command. His thin lips fell apart and he stared at Freeman. “She Princess Olga? You are mistaken. Princess Olga lies dangerously ill at home.” “Pardon me,” Freeman calmly returned, “Princess Olga lies in a cell in Peter and Paul.” “You are certain?” “She told me who she was herself--and told me before Drexel.” “Drexel knows the princess. You may be right.” He walked the floor in repressed excitement. “Yes--you are right! And her pretended illness is only a trick to hide her absence!” He came to a pause. “But what charge can be made against her? The jail-breaking plot? Shooting gendarmes?” “An attempt to assassinate Prince Berloff.” “What!” “She is that woman. She confessed it to me.” “Captain Nadson was not mistaken then! But do many know all this?” “Only you and I, and two or three revolutionists besides those under arrest.” “Then between us two it must remain a secret.” “Of course. But you must act quickly, or the revolutionists may decide to reveal it.” The prince paced up and down the room in deep concentration, then he took up his telephone. After long waiting he got the number he desired. “Is this one of the servants?” he asked. “Yes? Will you awaken General Valenko and tell him that Prince Berloff is coming over to see him immediately on a matter of the very gravest importance?” He hung up the receiver. “Mr. Freeman, I want you and Captain Nadson to come with me to Prince Valenko’s. I shall want your evidence. I think you will know what to say and what not to say.”