"Your chance will soon come," replied the Russian with an evil leer on the fourth day. "He will be here the day after to-morrow. He will be able to make you talk." "If he's telling the truth, the jig's about up," said Dr. Bird when the Russian had left. "I don't fancy that Saranoff will show us much mercy when he finds out what we've attempted to do." "How would it be to overpower our waitress and make a break?" asked McCready in a guarded whisper. "No good at all," replied the doctor decisively. "We wouldn't have a Chinaman's chance. Our best bet is to talk turkey to Saranoff. He may spare us if I can make him believe that I am willing to work for him. What a man he is! If we could turn his genius into the right channels, he would be a blessing to the world." * * * * * He paused as the door swung open and the Russian girl appeared with their food. She placed the cart against the wall and suddenly turned and faced them. "Dr. Bird," she said in excellent English, "I am Feodrovna Androvitch." "I'm glad to know you," said Dr. Bird with a bow. "Do you recognize my name?" "I'm very sorry, my dear, but it simply doesn't register." "Do you remember Stefan Androvitch?" A sudden light came into Dr. Bird's face. "Yes," he exclaimed, "I do. He used to work for me in the Bureau some time ago. I had to let him go under peculiar circumstances. Is he related to you?" "He was my twin brother. The peculiar circumstances you refer to were that you caught him stealing platinum. Instead of turning him over to the police, you asked him why he stole. He told you his wife was dying for lack of things that money would buy and he stole for her. You allowed him to quit his position honorably and you gave him money for his immediate needs. For that act of mercy, I am here to reward you." "Bread cast upon the waters," murmured Carnes. The Russian girl turned on him like a wildcat. "Unless you wish to deprive yourself and your companions of my help, you will not quote the Bible, that sop thrown by the church to their slaves, to me," she said venomously. "I am a woman of the proletariat!" "Respect the lady's anti-religious prejudices, Carnesy, old dear," said the doctor with a smile. "How do you propose to aid us, Miss Androvitch?" "I will give you exactly what you gave my brother, your freedom and money for your immediate needs." "Thanks. But, er--haven't you considered what your position here will be if you aid us to escape? Saranoff doesn't deal kindly with traitors, I fancy." The girl spat on the floor. "That swine!" she hissed, "I would like to kill him. I would have done so long ago had not the hope of the people rested on his genius. When the people finally triumph, I will feed his heart to my cat." "Nice, gentle, loving disposition," murmured the doctor. "All right, my dear, we're ready for anything. What's the first move?" * * * * *