“Yes, Homyak,” he admitted. “He was intrusted with the mission; he was to get Zénaïde Feodorovna and her governess out of the house and take them to some place where yonder boyar—” he pointed to the door which separated us from Feodor Ramodanofsky, “could not find her.”
“Where is that place?” I demanded fiercely, glancing at the poker as it lay amid the coals. His eyes followed mine, and I saw him cringe.
“Master, I do not know!” he protested wildly. “But Homyak can tell you all; catch him.”
And he adhered to this, although I pressed him close, until I was satisfied that he had really told all he knew. Then, going out, I closed the door and bade Pierrot guard the prisoner strictly; I was determined that he should not be tortured to death in my house, and I saw Michael lurking in the hall like a wild beast robbed of his prey. Joining Ramodanofsky and Von Gaden, I told them of Polotsky’s confession, and my conviction that he was telling all the truth. The Jew believed it; but I saw that the boyar was dissatisfied, although he had the courtesy to accept my statement as final. A brief consultation followed, all our minds concentrating on the one object,—to liberate Zénaïde.
“Homyak was at the palace this morning,” I said, “and we must get hold of him at once, and compel him to guide us to the house.”
“That is impossible,” rejoined Von Gaden, quietly. “I know that Homyak was despatched by the Czarina Natalia herself on an errand that will carry him to Troïtsa. In the mean time, Zénaïde will be forced to wed Viatscheslav.”
Ramodanofsky clenched his hands.
“Never!” he ejaculated fiercely; “I will go at once to Vladimir and force him to surrender her to her father.”
Von Gaden plucked his robe. “You cannot do it, boyar,” he said calmly; “it will ruin every well-laid plan to move now. The czarina will support Viatscheslav, and this is the hour when Sophia Alexeievna can do least for you. If you go to Vladimir’s house, you will risk your own life, and then the wretched fate of your daughter will be assured. Listen to reason, my old friend; we must find some other way.”
I had stood a little aside to let them talk; but now I turned to the boyar and found his stern eyes already on my face.