"I will."
The stranger appeared like a Russian or a Polish Jew, but there was something about him that seemed to interest Barnwell.
"Can I trust you beyond a doubt?"
"I think you can in ordinary matters. Why do you ask?"
"For very good reasons. And when you know that the lives and liberty of hundreds of brave men and women depend upon your trust and faith, will you swear to be true?"
"I will swear, sir," said Barnwell, earnestly, for he was becoming more strongly interested.
The stranger appeared to hesitate as though not daring to trust the entire importance of the business to the young man. But he finally concluded what to do, evidently, and drawing Barnwell still further away from the throng, he took a large brown envelope from the breast-pocket of his coat.
"Everybody in St. Petersburg knows Prince Mastowix, and it will be an easy matter for you to find and approach him, seeing that you have your passport all right. Will you swear to me to place this envelope in his hand, allowing no one else to see or handle it?" asked the stranger, with great earnestness.
"I will swear to do so if you will tell me your name, and assure me that I shall not be breaking any law of my country by so doing."
"Paul Zobriskie is my name," said he, after hesitating an instant, and gazing sharply at the brave youth before him.