As each file was examined it was thrust back, so that in case they were suddenly interrupted there might be no disorder to betray what they had been about. There were digests of reports on the railroads, on the peasants, on the wholesale corruption in the army commissariat, on a hundred things of vital interest to the statesman at large Berloff ostensibly was--but nothing relating to what they knew to be his real business. “After all, he must have some secret hiding-place for his records of the political police,” whispered Drexel. “Perhaps. But we must first make sure they are not here.” The faint, musical jangling of bells without caused Drexel to glance through the window. Already the brief daylight was beginning to wane. “What is it?” asked Sonya. “A sleigh driving up with one man in it. Another guest, I suppose.” Sonya, who had been turning swiftly through crop reports from the Ministry of Agriculture, gave a low cry and stared at a paper. “We’re finding something! Think of it! Prince Berloff was behind that attempt a month ago to kill the prime minister with a bomb! The revolutionary leader who urged it on was in reality one of his spies!” “Berloff try to kill the prime minister! Why?” “Because that would be to kill two birds with one stone--make the revolutionists unpopular because of their inhuman methods, and make vacant the position he covets. But here are more! Examine the bottom of the files.” “Here it is!” cried Drexel. “What does it say? Quick!” “Arrested in the dress of a railway porter----” “But the prison!” “Put in Central Prison.” She gave a sharp moan of disappointment. “He was put there at first. But we know he was secretly removed to some other prison. Quick--we’ll find it!” They went feverishly at the files. But suddenly both straightened up. Indistinct voices were heard in the corridor that opened into the library. In an instant the files were back in their places and all looked as before. “I did not expect you to-day,” said a voice in the library. “Berloff!” whispered Drexel. “We’ll carry it off before him,” said Sonya, confidently, and she took down a volume of genealogy. “Count Orloff was very eager you should have the reports at once,” a rumbling bass responded to Prince Berloff. “That voice!” breathed Sonya. “I, too, have heard it before! But where?” The library filled with light. They crept to the half-open door. Sonya put her eyes to the crack and peered in. The next instant she had clutched Drexel with tense, quivering hands and was drawing him back. Even the deepening twilight could not hide her sudden pallor. “Who is it?” Drexel whispered. “The captain of gendarmes!” “The one who pursued us? Captain Nadson?” “Yes.” They stared at each other in deepest consternation. “If he finds us here together----” breathed Drexel. “The destruction of our plans--trouble for you--ruin for me, and who knows what worse!” “We must escape, then.” “Yes--but how?” “The windows, perhaps.”