I gave him just time to get well away, and then hurried off in the direction of the rooms where I knew the Czar would be at that hour.
What happened when the young secretary returned to find I had hoaxed him, I do not know, and never had an opportunity of ascertaining. He went out of my thoughts there and then, and the occurrences of the next few hours were too vital for me to think of him again.
I had to get to the Czar, and assuming an air of as much importance as I could, and feeling, it must be confessed, not a little nervous, I strode into the ante-room, my pulse beating with the fear that Prince Kalkov might be there, and said to one of the aides-de-camp, as I handed him my card—my own card this time—
“Kindly let his Majesty know that I have obeyed his summons and am here.”
The aide looked up and frowned.
“I have no note of your name, monsieur. What is your business, if you please?”
“I am here by his Majesty’s request. I was staying in the Palace as his Majesty’s guest until the last two days. I am going to Khiva, and his Majesty wished to see me first.”
“Oh yes, I heard of that. Pray pardon me; you are the American, M. Denver, yes. His Majesty is engaged at present, but the audience will be over directly, and if he sent for you, of course he will see you.”
“I was to see him before I left. But my name will be enough.”
“Will you wait, monsieur?” And he waved me to an adjoining room.