“Yes, he has traced me. The city is full of his spies, and there is a Russian behind his power—a Russian of the old régime who is advising Zorogoff.”
“Who?” asked Peter.
“Oh, you would not know him,” she said, with a shrug of her shoulders. “I fear him more than Zorogoff, for I know that that this Russian is a part of Zorogoff’s government.”
“But I should know,” insisted Peter. “If I am to help you, I should know all the facts in the case, so that I may inform my superiors. Who is this Russian?”
“He was a Governor here in the old days—before the revolution.”
Peter leaned forward across the table, keenly alert, though he attempted to conceal his interest. “A Governor of the old days,” he said slowly and softly, so that the sentence was akin to a caress. “That is interesting. I wish you might tell me his name.”
She brushed her hand across her brow. “It is a dangerous secret,” she warned.
He laughed lightly. “Dangerous secrets are my business,” he said. “Learning them—and sometimes keeping them.”
“As I am in great danger because of having this secret, you also would be in great danger from Zorogoff if you had it. Remember, I caution you—Zorogoff will do all in his power to prevent you from escaping Chita if he learns that you know who is behind him and his government.”
“I accept the danger,” said Peter. “Come—we shall be in danger together! What is the name of this former governor?”