In a dim sort of way Nello understood. This man was an outlaw. Was it not just a chance that he was not one himself? Many a night, as he had played in the cold streets for a few miserable pence, he had pa.s.sed the flaring restaurants, the well-lighted shops, their windows full of precious things to be coveted by the poor and hungry. He could not deny that many a time he had railed at the world's injustice, that criminal thoughts had surged through his half-maddened brain.

He thought of the saying of the old Quaker, whenever he heard of a criminal on the road to death. "There, but for the grace of G.o.d, goes myself."

Yes, but for the sudden intervention in the shape of good old Papa Peron, he might have drifted into evil courses like the wretched creature grovelling at his feet. It was not for him to judge.

He looked at him steadily, still keeping the pistol levelled at the vital part, and repeated his question.

"What has become of your band of robbers and a.s.sa.s.sins?" he asked sternly.

"Dispersed, Monsieur--dispersed, I give you my word. Yesterday we learned that the soldiers and police were on our track, were preparing to draw a cordon round us. It was a case of _sauve qui peut_, devil take the hindmost. We agreed to separate. There were not more than half a dozen of us, but our numbers have been exaggerated. We all scattered in different directions. Somehow, I stumbled up here, and you tell me the little village is astir."

"What is it you want of me?"

"Just a little money, Monsieur; just a little money to help me on my way to St. Petersburg, where I shall find friends."

Nello looked at him suspiciously. "But why do you want money? It was only yesterday that you heard the police were closing round you. You have been robbing as you go. When you agreed to separate, no doubt you divided the ready money."

"That is true, Monsieur; you are very clever," replied the grovelling man in a fawning voice. "You will hardly believe me when I tell you, but I swear it is true. Last night I slept in a little inn a few miles from here. I had drunk heavily, I admit; I slept very soundly. When I awoke in the morning every coin I possessed had been stolen from my pockets. I, an old hand, blush to tell you, Monsieur; but I, who have robbed so many, was robbed myself."

"Do you suspect anybody?" was Nello's next question.

The man uttered a fierce imprecation. "Yes, I do; I suspect one of my so-called pals. As captain I took the biggest share when we agreed to separate. I caught his eye fixed upon me with a very sinister look. My theory is that he followed me at a safe distance and saw where I was lodged. He was well aware of my habits; he knew I should be pretty fast asleep. He climbed up through the window, Monsieur, and took every copper. I was too drunk to hear him. If I had been in my sober senses, I would have strangled him, and added one more crime to the many committed by Ivan the outlaw." He ended with a defiant grin, that showed a row of strong white wolfish teeth.

Nello mused for a little s.p.a.ce. The man might be speaking truth; he was half disposed to think so. On the other hand, he might be telling him a tissue of lies.

"Why are you not armed?" he asked suddenly.

"I have a pistol, Monsieur, but it is empty. I could find no place in which to buy cartridges. See for yourself."

He fumbled in his pocket and threw down the weapon on the ground.

Nello picked it up cautiously; it was, as its owner had truly declared, harmless.

A grim smile crossed the young man's countenance, but he did not for a second relax his vigilance. This ruffian of the highway was, no doubt, as cunning as he was plausible.

"If your pistol had been loaded, I expect you would have extorted money from me instead of begging it."

Ivan the outlaw shook his big head. "Under ordinary circ.u.mstances, yes, Monsieur. Adversity has taught me not to stand upon ceremony. But when I saw your lips moving in prayer before the ikon, I would not have harmed a hair of your head. You would have been sacred."

Truly a strange being, imbued with the ever-present superst.i.tion of the Russian peasant, thought Nello to himself.

"And you want money from me. Of course you know what my duty is, as a peaceable man who has no sympathy with robbers and a.s.sa.s.sins?"

"Certainly, Monsieur. If you don't choose to shoot me in a vital spot and so insure my death, you ought to maim me to prevent me from moving, leave me here and go and fetch the police from the village to take me into custody." The man had spoken so far in a low, imperturbable voice; then at the end he lashed himself into sudden fury and shrieked out.

"It's a toss of a copper to me what you do. But if you won't give me any money, kill me outright. I have not made such a success of life that I am anxious to enjoy much more of it. Kill me, Monsieur, and finish it once for all. The police will thank you for having got rid of 'Ivan the Cuckoo.' They won't ask too many questions."

Nello thought for some little time. His thoughts went back to a very miserable night, some six months ago. He had been playing in the streets and had returned home with nothing. He owed the rent for the miserable hovel in which they sheltered; they had no food.

He had looked his sister squarely in the face and had whispered the question--"Is life worth living, Anita, under such conditions?" She had returned his gaze with a face as white as his own, but she had not faltered, as she replied, "Nello, I leave it in your hands." And, thank Heaven, he had conquered that terrible fit of despair, to find, later on, a new world opening to him.

He handed the wretched man a sum of money and spoke in very gentle tones.

"G.o.d be good to you, my poor friend, and soften your heart. I know not if the world has been too harsh to you, or you have too grievously offended the world. Go in peace. I am not your judge, and I will not be your executioner."

With a brief blessing, the outlaw took the money and slunk away in the gathering darkness.

"I shall remember your face for ever," he whispered in farewell. "It is not likely we shall ever meet again. But if we do and I can repay my debt, I will, and with interest."

A few hours later Nello was in St. Petersburg. He put up at one of the best hotels in the city, acting upon the instructions of Salmoros.

That gentleman had urged upon him the necessity of keeping up a good appearance, and spending money lavishly, at any rate for the present.

That night he had confused dreams of his gentle little sister Anita, the beautiful Princess Nada, and the rough outlaw whom he had saved from justice.

Next morning he made his way to the British Emba.s.sy and inquired for Lord Ickfold, mentioning that he had come on a special mission from the Baron Salmoros. In a few moments he was shown into His Excellency's presence.

Lord Ickfold was a handsome, presentable man of about sixty years of age. Contrary to the fashion of the day, he was clean-shaven. Being a widower, an unmarried daughter presided over the establishment. This morning he was at a somewhat late _dejeuner_, alone.

He rose and shook the young man cordially by the hand. "Anybody who comes from my good old friend Salmoros is especially welcome," he said with true diplomatic urbanity. "By the way, have you breakfasted? I am very late; I had to send important despatches last night. I did not get to bed till four this morning."

Nello answered with equal courtesy that he had already made his meal, and handed him the bulgy packet with which the Baron had entrusted him.

The Amba.s.sador perused the contents of the packet slowly as he consumed his breakfast. But the last letter he read seemed to agitate him to an unwonted degree. He jumped up hastily, rang the bell, and commanded the footman to order his carriage immediately. For a moment he almost seemed oblivious of the young man's presence.

"Pardon me, Signor Corsini. I must drive to the Winter Palace at once; the news in the last letter is of extreme urgency. We will go down together when the carriage comes. Can I drop you anywhere?"

But Nello preferred to walk and take his bearings of the wonderful city. Lord Ickfold shook him warmly by the hand at parting.

"I have your address. It will not be long before I shall want to see you again. If you are writing to the Baron to-day, please give him my warmest regards and a thousand thanks. It may be a little time, for certain reasons, before I communicate with him directly. In fact, I would rather send a letter to you to be forwarded."

Nello walked the gay streets for some time. Being a very shrewd young man, in spite of his comparative youth, it seemed to him that Lord Ickfold and the Baron were playing some subtle game, in which he was to be used as a p.a.w.n.

But what did that matter, so long as his career was advanced between the pair?

And then his thoughts reverted to the charming young Princess Nada.

When would he meet her again? She would be in St. Petersburg this week, so she had told him.

CHAPTER X

In the private room of Count Golitzine, the Czar's private secretary, sat two men--the Count himself and Lord Ickfold, the British Amba.s.sador. The apartment was in a secluded wing of the Winter Palace.

The Amba.s.sador was reading aloud from the Baron's covering letter, which he held in his hands.

"Remember, the young man, Corsini, whom I am sending you is everything for your purpose. Only you must keep him in entire ignorance of the part he is to play--at any rate for the present--as he is still very young and might be open to the influence of women. This is a most vital point. He is very intelligent without being suspicious; honourable, trustworthy, and innocent, without being a fool. I think I have taken his measure pretty accurately. He is devoted to his art--he is really a most accomplished musician, as the notices I enclose will prove--and you must get him pushed forward to the premier place, through the good offices of your friends. The Zouroffs are returning for a short s.p.a.ce to the Court and he will have the _entree_ to their house. I fancy, from what I have heard, that the Princess Nada is just a little attracted by him. The important thing, however, is to get him an introduction to La Belle Quero. She is hand in glove with Prince Zouroff, and from that fact alone to be suspected. They have been in correspondence with each other all the short time he has been in England; but although I have tried my best, I have never been able to get hold of any of their letters."

Lord Ickfold paused a moment and looked at the Count, who nodded his head.