"You believe, then, that the general runs a great immediate danger?""I do not only believe it, monsieur, I am sure of it.His death is a matter of hours for the poor dear man.Before I go I shall not fail to tell him, so that he can prepare himself comfortably for the great journey and ask pardon of the Lord for the rather heavy hand he has laid on these poor men of Presnia.""Monsieur Rouletabille, have you discovered something?""Good Lord, yes, I have discovered something, Monsieur Koupriane.
You don't suppose I have come so far to waste my time, do you?""Something no one else knows?"
"Yes, Monsieur Koupriane, otherwise I shouldn't have troubled to feel concerned.Something I have not confided to anyone, not even to my note-hook, because a note-book, you know, a note-book can always be lost.I just mention that in case you had any idea of having me searched before my departure.""Oh, Monsieur Rouletabille!"
"Eh, eh, like the way the police do in your country; in mine too, for that matter.Yes, that's often enough seen.The police, furious because they can't hit a clue in some case that interests them, arrest a reporter who knows more than they do, in order to make him talk.But - nothing of that sort with me, monsieur.You might have me taken to your famous 'Terrible Section,' I'd not open my mouth, not even in the famous rocking-chair, not even under the blows of clenched fists.""Monsieur Rouletabille, what do you take us for? You are the guest of the Tsar.""Ah, I have the word of an honest man.Very well, I will treat you as an honest man.I will tell you what I have discovered.I don't wish through any false pride to keep you in darkness about something which may perhaps - I say perhaps - permit you to save the general.""Tell me.I am listening."
"But it is perfectly understood that once I have told you this you will give me my passport and allow me to depart?""You feel that you couldn't possibly," inquired Koupriane, more and more troubled, and after a moment of hesitation, "you couldn't possibly tell me that and yet remain?""No, monsieur.From the moment you place me under the necessity of explaining each of my movements and each of my acts, I prefer to go and leave to you that 'responsibility' of which you spoke just now, my dear Monsieur Koupriane."Astonished and disquieted by this long conversation between Rouletabille and the Head of Police, Matrena Petrovna continually turned upon them her anguished glance, which always insensihly softened as it rested on Rouletabille.Koupriane read there all the hope that the brave woman had in the young reporter, and he read also in Rouletabille's eye all the extraordinary confidence that the mere boy had in himself.As a last consideration had he not already something in hand in circumstances where all the police of the world had admitted themselves vanquished? Koupriane pressed Rouletabille's hand and said just one word to him:
" Remain."
Having saluted the general and Matrena affectionately, and a group of friends in one courteous sweep, he departed, with thoughtful brow.
During all this time the general, enchanted with the promenade, told stories of the Caucasus to his friends, believing himself young again and re-living his nights as sub-lieutenant at Tills.As to Natacha, no one had seen her.They retraced the way to the villa along deserted by-paths.Koupriane's call made occasion for Athanase Georgevitch and Thaddeus, and the two officers also, to say that he was the only honest man in all the Russian police, and that Matrena Petrovna was a great woman to have dared rid herself of the entire clique of agents, who are often more revolutionary than the Nihilists themselves.Thus they arrived at the datcha.
The general inquired for Natacha, not understanding why she had left him thus during his first venture out.The schwitzar replied that the young mistress had returned to the house and had left again about a quarter of an hour later, taking the way that the party had gone on their promenade, and he had not seen her since.
Boris spoke up:
"She must have passed on the other side of the carriages while we were behind the trees, general, and not seeing us she has gone on her way, making the round of the island, over as far as the Barque."The explanation seemed the most plausible one.
"Has anyone else been here?" demanded Matrena, forcing her voice to be calm.Rouletabille saw her hand tremble on the handle of the rolling-chair, which she had not quitted for a second during all the promenade, refusing aid from the officers, the friends, and even from Rouletabille.
"First there came the Head of Police, who told me he would go and find you, Barinia, and right after, His Excellency the Marshal of the Court.His Excellency will return, although he is very pressed for time, before he takes the train at seven o'clock for Krasnoie-Coelo."All this had been said in Russian, naturally, but Matrena translated the words of the schwitzar into French in a low voice for Rouletabille, who was near her.The general during this time had taken Rouletabille's hand and pressed it affectionately, as if, in that mute way, to thank him for all the young man bad done for them.Feodor himself also had confidence, and he was grateful for the freer air that he was being allowed to breathe.It seemed to him that he was emerging from prison.Nevertheless, as the promenade had been a little fatiguing, Matrena ordered him to go and rest immediately.Athanase and Thaddeus took their leave.
The two officers were already at the end of the garden, talking coldly, and almost confronting one another, like wooden soldiers.
Without doubt they were arranging the conditions of an encounter to settle their little difference at once.
