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“An American who would gladly welcome an opportunity of seeing you again, mademoiselle.”

“An American who does not desire it more fervently than I. Meanwhile, accept my warning, sire.” She spoke with intense earnestness, and then left the train.

How’s that for an adventure, eh? But that was only scene one. I sat thinking it over until the train ran into the station at Petersburg, and then came scene two.

The moment I stepped from the cars I saw that considerable preparations had been made to receive some one of importance, and while I stood looking about for him an old man, tightly bound in a somewhat rich uniform, with two or three companion volumes in attendance and a shelf of soldiers behind, came up to me. He waved everybody else out of earshot, and then with an almost reverential salute, said, in a low voice—

“Mr. Denver, I am sure.”

“Yes, that’s my name.”

“Allow me to welcome you to the capital in my august master’s name. I am Prince Kalkov, and His Majesty has instructed me to conduct you to the Palace. Will you accompany me?”