Freeman’s slits of eyes gleamed, for he fathomed the prince’s plan. “Clever--devilishly clever!” he commented beneath his breath. Twenty minutes later Berloff and his two subordinates were admitted to the Valenko palace by a sleepy servant. Berloff was ushered into a room richly furnished as an administrative office. The military governor raised his tall and portly body from his chair. He wore a dressing-gown of deep crimson, and what with his gray hair, his thick gray beard, his stern dominant face, and his military carriage, he was a rarely imposing figure of a man. He greeted Berloff with grumbling cordiality. “What fool business is this, that pulls a man out of his bed at this time of the night?” “So important that I did not feel justified in waiting till morning to refer it to you.” “Well, sit down, and out with it.” Both took chairs. “But first,” said Berloff sympathetically, “how is the princess?” The general’s face softened with concern, and he sighed. Those who said that the harsh old despot loved his daughter put the truth conservatively. “The doctor tells me she is still in serious danger.” “Have you seen her yet?” “No,” returned the general. “He says she must be spared any such excitement.” “Well, you know all St. Petersburg is praying for the best.” “I know--I know.” He sighed again. “But what’s the business?” “Of course you have heard about the arrests made this evening.” “Of course. It was a tremendous coup--especially the capture of The White One.” “Some first-rate information has come to me in connection with the arrests.” The prince watched the old man’s face closely and subdued his voice to a tone of mere official interest. “First, the young woman who was arrested is the woman who tried to shoot me two weeks ago.” “The devil you say! How did you learn it?” “She confessed to Freeman. You know he was intimate with the group. Besides, Captain Nadson recognized her. They are both here to offer their evidence in person. Of course I am merely reporting what they told me.” “What is she like?” asked the general. “You know when she attacked me I saw her only in the dusk. She was then dressed as a lady. But that probably was only a disguise. Freeman can tell you about her.” “But I don’t see why her case could not have waited till morning.” “Her case is not all. I have learned the identity of Borodin.” “Well?” “He is Borski.” The general’s red figure sprang up. “What! The leader of the South Russian revolt!” “Yes. The revolutionists confessed it to Freeman.” The general rang sharply. “Show in the two men who are waiting,” he said to the servant. A minute later Freeman and the captain entered. The latter, having the least to say, was first examined. He testified to the identity of the arrested girl and was dismissed. The general then turned to Freeman, and Berloff slipped back in his chair, withdrawing as it were from the affair.