An hour later simultaneous messages were speeding over the wires to my correspondents in London, Amsterdam and Hamburg:
Ascertain what becomes of all cigarettes made by Gregorides; brand, Crown Aa.
CHAPTER IV
THE CZAR’S AUTOGRAPH
The next morning at breakfast I found the two invitations already promised. That of the head of the Manchurian Syndicate was for the same night.
Resolved not to remain in the dark any longer as to the reason for this apparent breach of etiquette, I decided to do what the Marquis of Bedale had suggested, namely, approach the Dowager Empress in person.
Well accustomed to the obstacles which beset access to royalty, I drove to the Palace in a richly appointed carriage from the best livery stable in Petersburg, and sent in my card to the chamberlain by an equerry.