The man saluted, thanked him, and retired; a moment later he heard the jingle of a bell, and then the steady throb of an engine. There was no window to the stateroom, and he could not tell whether the steamer was going up or down the river. Up, he surmised, and he suspected his destination was Schlusselburg, the fortress-prison on an island at the source of the Neva. He determined to go on deck and solve the question of direction, but the soldier at the door brought down his gun and barred the passage.
“I am surely allowed to go on deck?”
“You cannot pass without an order from the captain.”
“Well, send the captain to me, then.”
“I dare not leave the door,” said the soldier.
Lermontoff pressed the button, and presently an attendant came to learn what was wanted.
“Will you ask the captain to come here?”
The steward departed, and shortly after returned with a big, bronzed, bearded man, whose bulk made the stateroom seem small.
“You sent for the captain, and I am here.”
“So am I,” said the Prince jauntily. “My name is Lermontoff. Perhaps you have heard of me?”