"I am very sorry to disturb you, but I must request you both to go with me, in the name of the Czar."
Zara started violently, and turned one distrustful glance upon me; but I remained calm and unmoved.
"Do you mean that we are arrested?" she inquired indignantly, returning her gaze to the officer.
"Temporarily, princess. We were forced to make an arrest in the street near this house just now, and from one of the men taken we learned that we had to come here. I can say no more. You will come with us without resistance?"
"Arrested in the name of the czar," murmured Zara blankly. "I did not anticipate this. Yes, I will go with you. Is my house to be searched?"
"I have no such orders, madame."
Then he turned to me.
"And you, sir?" he inquired.
"I am at your service," I said.
"One moment——" began Zara, who evidently doubted the regularity of it all, but I interposed.