To my surprise no attempt at all was made to interfere with me. I presume I was closely watched, but it was done so cleverly that I saw no signs of it. It was not my cue to show any anxiety about it, and I drove from store to store making a few purchases and many inquiries, until the time came for me to return to the hotel to Helga. She was surprised to see me. Over lunch I told her my news, and we discussed the position.
“He feels so sure, Harper, that he has put it off. But it will come before the day is out.”
“The papers are well away by this time,” I laughed, “so he can do his worst.”
“He means to. I have seen M. Boreski. He had heard of my arrest and release, and he came to my house when I was there.”
“I thought he was out of Russia.”
“The Duchess Stephanie has patched everything up with her family. So he told me. He is to get back his Polish title, with a pardon for his old conspiracy, and compensation for his lost estates.”
“They must be glad that she is married.”
“I think it is they are rather afraid of what she might do next. It was a strange meeting;” and she smiled. “He is not really a strong man: I mean he likes some one to lean on. He seemed afraid lest the fact of his coming to me should be known, and yet felt bound to come to warn me. He is very conscious of his new dignity.”
“To warn you?”
“Yes, about this journey to Siberia. The Duchess had heard of it and told him—she must be in close consultation with Kalkov after all; probably working hand and glove with him to recover the papers. The intention is that I shall be kept there as a prisoner—if we ever reach there, that is. M. Boreski warned me strongly against going.”