The prince’s manner was cool, even casual, for the sake of those eyes that might be looking on, and in it was no slightest sign of the secret that lay between them. But when he spoke, his low words vibrated with eagerness. “Have you heard anything of the escaped prisoners?” he asked. “Nothing. And you?” “Nothing. Until certain gentlemen who honoured me with their company last night left me this morning, I had supposed the execution had taken place.” Drexel replied in the same masked language. “You must have been surprised.” The prince nodded. “I have no idea who this Captain Laroque is,” he went on, with a calm look into Drexel’s face; “and I have no wish to know, for it would be my official duty to hang him. But if by any strange twist of circumstances you should ever meet him, please inform him that he is the boldest man I ever heard of.” “Should there be such a strange twist, I will,” said Drexel. “Doubtless he is already on his way out of Russia,” the prince went on. “For he undoubtedly knows that of all concerned in last night’s affair he is the one most wanted by the Government--that a vast reward is being offered for his arrest, and that thousands of men are already searching for him.” “Indeed!” ejaculated Drexel. “But I dare say he will make good his escape. Should he by chance have any relatives of importance--bereaved relatives--in whose company he could go, he would be certain to escape suspicion.” He bowed. “I wish you good-morning, Mr. Drexel.” He started away. But with a quick motion Drexel caught his arm, for through the doorway had just entered Captain Nadson and Colonel Kavelin. “Prince,” he whispered, “see those two men who have just entered. I prefer not to meet them.” The prince looked. “Excuse me,” he said. “Those are the men who can identify Captain Laroque. I have some orders to give them.” Out of the tail of his eye Drexel saw the military governor accost the two officers with curt aloofness and lead them out. He waited a moment, then crossed to the door. The trio were in conversation down a corridor, the backs of the two officers toward him. Drexel crossed to the stairway and swiftly mounted. Of a surety, St. Petersburg was no safe place for him! He went to his uncle’s apartment. Tables and chairs were heaped with wedding gifts, and wherever a spot was empty of presents it held a vase of flowers. The Howards had been up most of the night before, and his aunt and Alice were only rising, but his uncle joined him at once. The old man greeted him heartily, and spoke for several minutes of the wedding now but a few hours off. “And was your trip to Moscow a success?” “I hope events will prove that I have succeeded in every detail,” said Drexel. “Good. You’ll tell me about it later. And I’ve been having success too.” He half closed his eyes and nodded his head. “I’ve had a dozen cipher cables from America while you’ve been gone. Great news about that street-railway scheme!”