Had I been alone I could have left the sleigh and made off on foot. The crowd in some of the streets was thick enough for me to have lost myself among them and so to have got away unnoticed. But with three of us together the case was different. There was nothing for it but to remain in the sleigh and trust to the driver’s skill to save us.
Presently the good fortune which had befriended me changed. Turning into one of the side streets we found the roadway partially blocked by some heavy drays. We had to pull up, and moments, precious to us beyond count, were lost as we waited for room to be made for us to squeeze through.
The street was a long one without a turning, and before we reached the end of it, Volna, who was looking back, gave a cry of dismay.
“They are in sight,” she said; and we saw Bremenhof and three or four men spurring after us at full speed.
Ladislas called to Sergius, who lashed his horses and redoubled his efforts to make up some of the time we had lost.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“To Madame Drakona. Three miles out on the Smolna road.”
Sergius began his tactics of sharp turns again, swinging round corner after corner at a reckless speed. But beyond proving his great skill as a daring whip, he did little good.
Bremenhof began to gain fast upon us, and at length came within pistol range.
He called to us to surrender, and when we paid no heed, his men fired at us. Volna winced and shrank at the shots; but we were not hit and held on grimly.