“How came you to seek me here?” I exclaimed, feigning ignorance of his search for me.
“I went back to the doctor’s,” he replied calmly, “and he told me that you had gone in this direction. You had better take my horse, M. le Vicomte,” he added, “and I will return on foot.”
“Have you heard anything at the Kremlin to-day?” I asked, after a moment’s thought.
“Only of the excitement over the granting of the petitions of the Streltsi,” he replied.
“Is Prince Basil Galitsyn there?” I asked, hoping he might have some information.
“No, monsieur,” he said; “the prince has not gone to the Kremlin, but has just arrived at his own palace, for I passed there but three quarters of an hour since, and he had just come.”
My mind was made up at once.
“I will take your horse, Pierrot,” I said; “and you can return and prepare my dinner, for I shall be hungry. Stay,” I added, as he turned to go, “tell Dr. von Gaden that I go to Prince Basil Galitsyn’s house and from there I shall return to my quarters.”
I took this precaution, remembering my experience with the czarevna’s papers, and fearing that they might bring me ill luck again. Then I turned my horse’s head in the direction of the prince’s palace, and made what speed I could, traversing deserted streets again, for all the city was feasting on the hideous spectacle in the quarters of the Streltsi.
My acquaintance with Galitsyn was slight; but I had early recognized his ability, and since Von Gaden’s eulogium, had taken a greater interest in him. That his star would rise in case of Sophia’s success, I did not doubt, and I felt some curiosity about the probable result of such an event.