“Silence,” ordered Prokop. “I have chosen one man as best suited for this work.
“Some of you have watched Prince Zuvor. This one has constantly been on guard. He has served for months as Zuvor’s servant. His ears have been stung with remarks that he has heard — remarks belittling our cause.
“He has done much for us. Through him we have discovered many facts pertaining to Prince Zuvor. So to this man I give the privilege of destroying three enemies: Prince Zuvor, his friend; and his Royalist servant, Ivan Shiskin.”
There was an impressive silence. Then:
“Agent K. Step forward.”
For a moment no one responded. Then there was a stir, and a hooded figure advanced slowly toward Prokop.
The leader of the Reds conducted him to the end of the room. There he lifted a spherical object from a box. He carried the object carefully, and showed it beneath the light.
“This bomb,” he said, “is of our newest pattern. When the dial is set, and the clockwork is put in motion, it will explode at the exact minute.
“You will use it to-morrow night, Comrade K. Use it for our cause. Destroy our enemy — your enemy — Prince Zuvor!”
THE man designated as Agent K received the bomb. Prokop explained the mechanism, in a matter-of-fact manner, as though taking it for granted that the agent understood.