Presently I heard the sound of the shuffling of feet, and as it was repeated after a few moments’ interval, I could tell some one was waiting at a distance ahead of me.
I must find out what it meant, and that at once, for minutes were precious. I sat up, therefore, and took off my boots, and as I was rising my hand struck against my hat.
I crept forward now as cautiously as before I had ran heedlessly, stopping every few yards to listen.
That any one could be waiting for me did not even then cross my mind; but I was carrying too great a responsibility to run risks and although the slow progress I made chafed and worried me, I dared not quicken it. And well it was indeed that I exercised this restraint.
There was very little wind moving, but what there was came from the direction I was going, and in one of the pauses I made to listen, I caught the sound of a voice, and then heard the tread of heavy feet. In a moment I rolled myself under the hedge.
The steps came nearer, and I could tell there were two men. They were speaking in low guttural tones, but I could not at first catch the words, until one of them said in a louder voice, with a touch of impatience—
“Yes, seven o’clock, of course.”
In a flash my eyes were open. It was the hour the servant had insisted upon for my escape. The whole thing had been planned by Kalkov himself. And these men were—who?
I was not long in doubt on that point either.
The two came on, drew level, and passed; and as I held my breath I heard a muttered reference to the brotherhood and Vastic’s murder, which told me all I needed to know.