It was at this stage of the proceedings that a request was made to Michael Danevitch—who was then in St. Petersburg—to come through to Moscow, and endeavour to solve the mystery. He complied with the request, and at once waited upon General Govemykin, the military governor of the city, by the General’s special desire.
‘I want you,’ said the General, ‘to use every means that your skill can suggest to clear up the mystery surrounding the deaths of Colonel Ignatof and Captain Baranoff. Both these gentlemen were murdered; of that there seems to be no doubt; and the murderers must be brought to book. During the last few years a good many soldiers have lost their lives in this city by foul play, and in several instances justice has gone unsatisfied. Now two officers, men of unblemished reputation and good social position, are killed by the same means, and yet the police are unable to bring the crime home to anyone. It seems to me that it is little short of disgraceful that the police supervision of a city like this is so deficient.’
‘Is it deficient?’ asked Danevitch.
‘Yes; otherwise, how is it officers and gentlemen can be brutally done to death and the murderers escape?’
‘As far as I gather, this is no ordinary crime,’ remarked Danevitch.
‘Well, perhaps not; but it shows a weakness in the organization when our police fail to get the slightest clue to the perpetrator of the crime. Now, what are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know,’ Danevitch answered, as brusquely as the General asked the question.
‘If you don’t know, what is the use of your taking the matter in hand?’
‘Pardon me, General, but I am not a prophet, therefore I cannot foretell what I am going to do.’
‘Well, no, perhaps not; but you must have some idea of the lines you intend to proceed upon.’