“What time have you set?” queried the prince.
“Twenty-six hours from now. Four o’clock Thursday morning.”
Berloff adroitly let it be seen that an idea had occurred to him.
“You have a suggestion?” asked the general.
“I was thinking this would have a more dumbfounding effect if it came without warning—if the revolutionists’ first news was the news that all was over.”
“Yes—yes. And it will show them how crushingly determined is the Government!”
“Then I suggest that you take precaution against your sentence leaking out. That you send along with the warrants an order to the governor of the Fortress that the prisoners are to be allowed to speak to no one, and no one is to speak to them—that is, without your permission.”
“An excellent precaution.” The general took up his pen. As the order was finished his secretary entered, and to him the general gave the orders and the warrants. “Take these immediately over to the governor of Peter and Paul.”
When the secretary had withdrawn, the prince arose. His pale face showed none of the exultant triumph that filled his heart.
“Since all is done, I will be going,” he said.