He tore Drexel’s revolver from its holster, and with a quick stride toward his desk raised a hand above a bronze bell to sound the guard-summoning alarm. But though Drexel had thought all hope was gone, there was an instinct in him, deeper than consciousness, not to give up. He sprang desperately forward and caught the descending arm. At the same moment, as though this had been a signal, Razoff and Borodin seized Berloff in their manacled hands. Like a flash Drexel’s other hand went for the governor’s throat to shut off the alarm from that, and he swung him out of reach of the bell. But the governor seized from the desk the big knife with which he had been making erasures and drove it into Drexel’s shoulder. He jerked it out and raised it for a second plunge. Drexel released the throat to check this nearer death. He seized the governor’s wrist, and in the same instant sent his fist into the governor’s great stomach; the wind rushed groaning out of his mouth and his arms fell to his sides. Drexel drove his fist fiercely into the bushy beard. The governor went reeling, and even as he fell Drexel drove his fist with terrific force a second time against his chin. The governor lay motionless. Drexel whirled about for Berloff. For the minute of his struggle with the governor Borodin and Razoff had managed to hold the prince, but the handicap of manacles and anklets was too great, and the instant the governor fell the prince broke from their grasp. So when Drexel turned it was to find himself looking at the cold barrel of a pistol, and behind that the cold face of Berloff. “I owe you great thanks, Captain Laroque, for removing the governor as a spectator,” he said, his eyes agleam with triumph. “That sets me free to admit the fact of our acquaintance and to enjoy this little reunion openly. For there is no danger”--he smiled about on them in malign pleasantry--“when all the present witnesses will soon be as insensible as our friend the governor there, only permanently so.” White as she was, Sonya went a shade paler. She came forward with short, clanking steps. “Do you mean, Prince Berloff, that you intend executing not only us Russians, but Mr. Drexel as well?” “Duty is duty, my dear cousin”--he bowed to her--“however unpleasant.” She would have spoken in Drexel’s behalf, but he stopped her. “I would not plead with him for your life, for I know it would be useless. It is just as vain to plead for mine.” He turned to Berloff. “We want none of your devil’s raillery! You have won. Go on with your purpose!” “As you command. But remember that the haste in the matter is yours, not mine.” He crossed to the desk and stood beside the bell. “But before I call in those outsiders, the guards, let us have our farewell among ourselves.”