"When will that be?"
"Soon after daylight."
"Then come to me at once. Have me awakened if I am sleeping; but I shall not be."
"I will do so."
"One word more. What of the princess?"
"She would have been murdered to-night by the nihilists had I not arrested her as one, conducted her through the prison, and thence on to the house of the prince."
"Why did you not bring her here and place her in my care?"
"She would not wish to come here, monsieur. Princess Zara once had a lover who became crazed, and was killed here in the palace by one of the guards, I believe, so——"
"Yes—yes, I understand. You did right. Stop! One word more before you go. This conspiracy to which you referred, against the whole royal family; are you sure that you have got at the root of it?"
"As sure as I am that I am here in the presence of the Czar of Russia."