CHAPTER V
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE CZAR
I had been in St. Petersburg less than an hour and was still ponderingover the uncertainty of what first to do in order to begin thedifficult task that I had set for myself, when I was startled by asharp summons at my door.
It opened before I could respond, and a total stranger entered theroom. That he was an officer of that mysterious force known as theRussian Secret Police I had not a doubt, but I greeted him courteously,pretending not to see that there were others with him, who waited inthe hallway.
"I believe I have the honor of addressing Mr. Derrington," he said inperfect English, making use of my true name which however, was not theone mentioned in my passports, for I had crossed the border under thename of Smith. I bowed and indicated a chair which he declined with awave of his hand but with a smile that was as genial as his face wasmasterful and handsome. "Perhaps you prefer to be called Mr. Smith," hecontinued. "It is, I understand, the name that is mentioned in yourpapers."
"For the present, yes," I replied.
"I regret that I am compelled to place you under arrest, Mr. Smith, butsuch is my unfortunate duty. You will have to take a short drive withme. I hope that you will not be detained beyond your patience. Takeyour wraps, and we will go at once if you please."
"Certainly. Shall I leave the keys to my baggage here?" I knew Russiaand I did not protest.
"Thank you, yes; it will simplify matters. I have friends here who willtake charge of your rooms until you return, or----" He did not finishthe sentence but that inimitable smile shone upon me again and somewhatassured me, in spite of the fact that my perfect knowledge of Russianaffairs rendered me thoroughly aware of my peril.
We were presently in the street and driving rapidly away; whither, Idid not know, for my companion pulled down the curtains so that I couldsee nothing of the scenes through which we were passing. I tried tokeep note in my mind of the turns we made, and to remember the streetswe traversed, but it was useless and I was convinced that my conductorswere purposely confusing me. This conviction forced upon me another;that my escort, or the people who had sent him to me, were informedregarding my past, and had somehow learned that I knew St. Petersburgas well as they did.
During the drive which lasted nearly an hour we remained perfectlysilent. I knew how utterly useless it would be to question the man atmy side, and he volunteered not a word. Presently the pace wasincreased until the horses were on a run through the streets; thensuddenly we flew around a corner at breakneck speed and stopped soabruptly that I was thrown forward on my face in spite of the robes inwhich I was swaddled. At the same moment I heard a gate clang shutbehind us and was respectfully bidden to alight.
Night had just fallen when we left the hotel, and in the grim courtyardwhere I found myself after the ride there was nothing discernible savethe shadowy forms of my abductors, the champing, foam-flecked horses,and the somber walls of a huge building which loomed up on three sidesof me. I had very little time for thought, for my companion took mefamiliarly by one arm and led me forward until we passed through a doorwhich I did not see until it swung open before us. Then it closed assilently and as magically as it had opened, and I was led onwardthrough darkness that was absolute, through corridors and rooms, atlast emerging upon a dimly lighted hall, which seemed almost brilliantby comparison. There we paused and waited.
"This does not seem like a prison," I said.
"No; but it has often led to one," he replied grimly. "One word ofadvice to you before we proceed."
"I shall appreciate it. Heaven knows I need it."
"Do not on any account ask a single question during the experiences ofthe next half hour. Forget that there is such a thing as aninterrogation. Perhaps, if you heed what I say, I may have the pleasureof riding back to your hotel with you."
I did not have time to reply, for a door opened and we started forwardagain, passing from room to room, each better lighted than the last,until finally we entered one that was occupied. A man--a very largeman--was seated at a desk, and he raised his eyes as we entered hispresence. Never in my life was I so astonished as at that moment for Irecognized him at a glance.
I was in the presence of the czar.
There was a very good reason for my astonishment. I had gone to St.Petersburg in the hope of obtaining an audience with the Emperor of allthe Russias, but I had anticipated some difficulty in securing it, nordid I even wish for it in such a forcible and unsought manner. It wasbecause I desired to keep the object of my visit a close secret that Ihad travelled incognito, and as I had imparted my secret to no livinghuman being, I was naturally astounded that my object should be soquickly attained. A mental question shot through me in that instantwhen I realized where I was: In what manner could any person havelearned of the true reason for my visit? and if it had not been learnedand transmitted to the czar, why was I conducted to the augustpresence? At the same instant I comprehended that it would be the bestpolicy for me to appear not to know in whose presence I was, so Isimply inclined my head in the coldest bow I could master.
"You speak Russian?" he demanded imperiously, advancing a step towardsme.
"Perfectly," I replied.
"Your name!"
"Daniel Derrington." I purposely made my reply as curt as his question,and I saw the shadow of a smile flit across his features. I knew thenthat I had taken the right course with him.
"What is your nationality?"
"I am an American."
"Do you know who I am?"
"I do, your majesty." This time I bowed with more show of ceremony, buthe waved his hand commandingly, and in a voice much softer than he hadused before, went on:
"Forget that you do know. It is more than likely that we will have manyinterviews of this kind and I wish them all to be on the plane ofequals. That, I believe, is a condition which will come quite naturallyto an American although it would be utterly impossible to a European.Are you as well acquainted with the identity of your companion?"
"I regret to say that I am not," I replied, relapsing into my formermanner.
"Then permit me to introduce you. Mr. Derrington, the Prince MichaelMichaelovitch Gortshakoff. And now that you know each other, we willproceed. But first, be seated."
My business during several years had taken me into astonishingsituations, but never into one so astounding as this. I racked my brainin wondering what it could portend; in conjecturing if it were real, orif it were only the "hearty meal before the execution." I longed to aska few questions, but remembering the advice that had been given me justbefore entering the room, I refrained.
"You will be surprised to learn that I am entirely aware of the objectof your presence in Russia," continued his majesty, "for unless I ammistaken you believed your errand to be an inviolate secret. Is thattrue?"
"Quite true."
"And yet it is known to me. The best proof of that is that you arehere."
I bowed.
"I knew a few hours after you left your own country, that you hadstarted. I was fully acquainted with your mission. My eyes, or the eyesof those who are in my confidence, have not been off you one momentsince you arrived in Europe. They followed you to Paris, acrossGermany, and even into the hotel where our friend called upon you andwhere you are known as Mr. Smith." He paused an instant, and turning tothe prince, added: "Tell him the prospective fate of Mr. Smith,prince."
"Siberia," came the reply in one word, uttered calmly and coldly.
"Siberia?" I repeated after him, and shrugged my shoulders; and theczar added:
"Siberia."
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