“Certainly! Yet do not forget that time flies. Will the gold stay safe while you think?”
Florence paled. “Gracious!” she cried. “I forgot the gold!”
“Perhaps I can save you the necessity of going on board the yacht.” Demidroff touched a bell. “I will send for some one whom you will be glad to see,” he explained.
“Who is it?”
“You shall see.” Demidroff touched a bell and gave an order in Russian. An instant later the door was pushed open.
Professor Shishkin stood on the threshold!
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
NEITHER Florence nor the Professor was as much surprised at seeing the other as might have been expected, and this for the very simple reason that neither knew that the other had been missing. Ever since her flight, Florence had been cut off from all information concerning the yacht, while Professor Shishkin had vanished during the fight without having learned of the treachery of Wilkins and the woman who was impersonating his daughter.
Consequently, when they saw each other, neither expressed any particular amazement nor delight. Each, indeed, was uncertain what this confrontation in the office of the chief of the secret police could mean. Shishkin wondered if Florence had betrayed his substitution of her for his daughter, while Florence wondered whether the Professor was about to bring her to shame by disclosing that very fact. Each, therefore, stared at the other much as do two strange dogs hesitating whether to fight or to fraternize.
At last the Professor stretched out a trembling hand. “Olga! My child!” he quavered.