“None at all,” said the governor. “I have the receipt for the prisoners all ready for your signature. That formality done with and you are free.” They entered the office. A man who sat at the governor’s desk turned them a casual look. Then he slowly rose to his feet and stared. It was Prince Berloff. CHAPTER XXVII THE GODDESS OF VENGEANCE The prince stared about at the transfixed party. In all his life he had never been more astounded. But after the first moment he had his astonishment under perfect control. He realized that he was master of the situation, and that the situation, near as it had been to spoiling all, fitted his desire as though framed by his private deity. The governor had addressed him with obsequious pleasure and surprise, but him the prince had at first not heeded. But now he turned to him. “Colonel Kavelin, would you mind explaining the meaning of this,” he said in his even voice. “Certainly, Your Excellency. Captain Laroque here is removing these prisoners to Schlusselburg. Here is the order,” and he took it from his desk. “Thank you. I do not care to see it.” He turned to Drexel. “And so, Captain Laroque,” he said, with a glint of a white, sardonic smile, “you are removing these people to Schlusselburg.” Drexel had run the whole gamut of emotions that night. There was no new dismay, no deeper fear, for him to feel. He had done his best, but fate had been against him from the first and the game was up; and there was nothing for it now but to meet the end as boldly as he could. He did not answer the prince, but he met his look calmly. “I suppose you are not aware, Colonel Kavelin,” the prince continued in his even, conversational tone, “that your Captain Laroque is no captain at all, but a revolutionist.” “What!” cried the governor. “I recognize him as a leader who is wanted by the police, and I charge you to seize him.” The governor turned on Drexel in a fury. “So you have been trying to fool me!” he roared. “I have done my best,” said Drexel. “And this Schlusselburg business is just a plot to free these prisoners?” “You are quite correct.” “Then that prisoner was right!” ejaculated the governor. “Perhaps after all he is a spy, and there is to be an order for his release!” “There is an order,” said the prince, “for I am here to bring it.” “My God--and I all but set them free!” The governor blanched at his narrow escape. Then his fury blazed forth again. “Back you all four go to your cells!--and you two straight from your cell to your scaffold! And as for you, Captain Laroque”--he almost frothed in his revengeful rage--“you’ll never leave here to trick another man!”