“They are double, and are screwed down. The only way would be to break the glass. And then they would seize us before we could get out.” Drexel thought. “Our only chance then is that they may go away without discovering us.” “There is no other,” said she. They crept back to the door, and this time Drexel put his eyes to the crack. The big captain was in the act of handing Berloff a large envelope. “Here are the reports Count Orloff sent.” “I suppose my advice is wanted soon?” “Within two or three days, the count said.” “Of course you can remain here until I have my advice ready. For a couple of days.” “Just as you order, Your Excellency.” “Very well. And now what have you to report concerning the young woman who made that attempt here a week ago?” “I regret to say, nothing, Your Excellency.” “Not even a clue?” “She has completely disappeared. But her description is in the hands of our men all over Russia. We’ll get her sooner or later.” “And the man who helped her? An American, you said.” “We have only his word for that. He probably lied. He could have been English. As to him, also nothing.” “You have had the police departments of the different cities send you the records of American and English passports?” “Yes; but these foreign passports only give the age and the colour of one’s eyes and hair. That helps little to identify a man--especially since most of the Americans and Englishmen in Russia are between twenty-five and thirty, which was about the age of this woman’s confederate.” “Well, keep after them, captain. There is another little matter on which I desire further information that I think you can give me, but I must refer to the record in the case. It is in my study. Come with me.” The prince and Captain Nadson rose and started for the study door. “It’s all up!” whispered Drexel. “I’ll attack them, and under cover of that you run.” “No--no!” returned Sonya. “Don’t move--don’t breathe!” And to Drexel’s consternation she calmly swept through the study door into the arms of the two men. CHAPTER XIII BETWEEN THREE FIRES At sight of her, Captain Nadson fell back and stared. “Prince Berloff!” he ejaculated. But Berloff, surprised at her appearance, did not heed him. “Why, Olga,” he said, “I thought you were indisposed, and lying down.” Sonya, cool, haughty, ignored the captain as a thing below her notice. “So I was,” she replied; “but I felt a little better and a few minutes ago I wandered in there to look at your genealogical library. Here’s a volume that I find has some new things about the Valenkos in the time of Ivan the Terrible.” “Don’t you think it would be well for you to eat something?” inquired the prince. “Perhaps I shall,” she said languidly. “Boris will get you anything you wish. You will excuse us. Come, captain.” He started toward the door. Sonya was putting out her hand, but it was Nadson who stopped him. “A moment, prince. I want to speak to the lady.”