He took lodgings in a respectable quarter; and Barnwell enacted the part of a valet there with even greater perfection than he had while journeying from Siberia.
But he was watching his opportunities, knowing that he was a marked man with the police, and known to every member of it.
The first thing to do was to insure confidence in Kanoffskie and the police, and this he exerted himself to do, feeling certain that the time would come before the year was up for him to carry out his plans.
With Kanoffskie it was an easy matter, and as he was a government officer against whom there was no suspicion, Barnwell was allowed greater latitude on that account.
So, one day, after they had been in St. Petersburg about a month, he managed while carrying a message for Kanoffskie, to get near the official residence of the American minister, over which the Stars and Stripes of the great republic floated proudly. It thrilled him to the heart as he once more beheld that ensign of liberty, and, suddenly changing his direction, he rushed into the building and demanded to see the representative of the United States.
An attendant directed him to that officer's chamber, just as two officers of the police, who had observed his movements, entered the outer room.
"You, sir, are the American minister?" said Barnwell, rushing hurriedly into his presence.
"I am. What do you wish?"
"I claim the protection due to an outraged citizen of the United States."
"Who are you?"