"I am not sure of him," he muttered, "and so far I've failed altogether. More than once I was certain that I had him—certain that he was bound to me hand and foot, and then——"
He started to his feet and strode impatiently across the room. He appeared angry. Looking out of the window, he could see the tide of human beings which swept hither and thither in the London street.
"Good and evil," he said aloud—"good and evil. Those people are all the time tempted, and yet—and yet——But I'll have him. It's only a matter of time now."
He heard a knock at the door, and started violently. For a self-contained, strong man, he seemed at times to be peculiarly apprehensive.
"Yes; come in. Ah, it's you, is it? I was expecting you."
"Count Romanoff, are you ever surprised?" It was Mr. John Brown who spoke, and who quietly came into the room.
"Rarely," replied the Count. "Why should I? After all, the events of life are a matter of calculation. Certain forces, certain powers of resistance—and there you are."
"It takes a clever man to calculate the forces or the powers of resistance," replied Mr. Brown.
"Just so. Well, I am clever."
Mr. Brown looked at him curiously, and there was an expression almost of fear in his eyes.