“That’s much as I guessed,” said Drexel.
“I would have remained here in disguise longer,” she continued, “but last night’s ball had been long arranged for, the invitations had been out for a month, and I had already once postponed my homecoming. To postpone it further was impossible.”
“But why did you, and not some less important person, undertake that dangerous mission at Prince Berloff’s?”
“For two reasons. First, I was best qualified. And then——”
She paused and gazed at him keenly. “Yes, I shall tell you that. You know the Government does not know who the prisoner Borodin is.”
“So I have been told.”
“And only half a dozen persons do know who he is. You have heard that I have an older brother?”
“Who became involved with the revolutionists and disappeared four or five years ago. And how your father—”
“Yes, to have a revolutionist in his family—that almost broke my father’s proud heart. Well—Borodin is my brother.”
“Your brother!” Drexel ejaculated. “Ah, I see now why you were ready to risk so many dangers. To save your brother!”