"I obtained your immunity from arrest here in England, it is true," I said. "But I fear that in my efforts to obtain for you a false passport I shall fail. If the police discover you within Russian territory, then nothing can save you from Siberia." "But they will not find me," she cried hastily. "Obtain for me a passport that will carry me across the frontier, and within an hour I shall be as dead to the police as the stones in the wall." This expression she had involuntarily let drop struck me as distinctly curious. It certainly was not such a phrase as would be used by any but a constant fugitive from justice. Indeed, it was really the parlance of the habitual criminal. Again I remained silent in doubt. "Will you try?" she asked, intensely in earnest. "If it is your wish I will try," I answered. "But only in return for one service." "Well?" she inquired sharply. "That when I bring you the passport you will tell me truthfully and honestly the grounds whereon you allege that Ella Laing is my enemy." She knit her brows for a few brief seconds, as if the possibility of my demand had never occurred to her. Then, suddenly smiling, she answered, extending her hand,-- "It's a bargain. But, remember, I must be in St Petersburg within fourteen days." "I shall not forget," I answered, with a sudden resolve to do my utmost to obtain the permit allowing this strange but handsome girl to re-enter her native land, and thus learn the truth regarding my well-beloved. "I shall call on Verblioudovitch to-morrow." "You are good to me, m'sieur, very good," she cried, joyfully. "In return, I will tell you one thing, even now. If you doubt what I say regarding the woman you love, look calmly into her face, pressing her hand affectionately the while, and ask her if she knows anyone with diamond eyes." "Is Diamond Eyes a pet name?" I inquired. I was puzzled, for I had a faint consciousness of having heard that designation before, but to whom applied I know not. "Discover for yourself," she answered, smiling. "I have given you the clue. Follow it, and seek the truth." Many times during our subsequent conversation I besought her to tell me something further, but she would not, and at last, after remaining with her over an hour, I left, promising I would at once set about obtaining the passport she desired. Hers was a strange personality, yet I, by some vague intuition, felt myself on the verge of a discovery. I was convinced that she knew of the theft of the secret convention, and could, if she wished, impart to me some startling truth. CHAPTER SIXTEEN. ADVICE GRATIS.