“Oh, very well,” he said. “May I write a note to a friend who is waiting up for me?”
“I regret, Highness, that no communications whatever can be allowed.”
The Prince stepped down from the vehicle, walked diagonally across a very dimly lighted courtyard with his guide, entered that section of the rectangular building which faced the Neva, passed along a hall with one gas jet burning, then outside again, and immediately over a gang-plank that brought him aboard a steamer. On the lower deck a passage ran down the center of the ship, and along this the conductor guided his prisoner, opened the door of a stateroom in which candles were burning, and a comfortable bed turned down for occupancy.
“I think your Highness will find everything here that you need. If anything further is required, the electric bell will summon an attendant, who will get it for you.”
“Am I not to be confronted with whoever is responsible for my arrest?”
“I know nothing of that, your Highness. My duty ends by escorting you here. I must ask if you have any other weapon upon you?”
“No, I have not.”
“Will you give me your parole that you will not attempt to escape?”
“I shall escape if I can, of course.”
“Thank you, Excellency,” replied the officer, as suavely as if Lermontoff had given his parole. Out of the darkness he called a tall, rough-looking soldier, who carried a musket with a bayonet at the end of it. The soldier took his stand beside the door of the cabin.