Five men were seated in the private cabinet of the Czar--the Emperor
himself, his diligent and faithful Secretary, Golitzine, General
Beilski, the Head of the Police, General Burovkin, a man with a heavy
mustache and cast-iron countenance, one of the great military chiefs
of Russia, devoted like the others to the services of the autocrat,
and Nello Corsini.
Golitzine explained in his smooth, passionless accents. He was a man
who was never excited, never perturbed. Except that he was of lean
build, he might have suggested the idea of a relentless spider, moving
amongst a web of his own weaving to catch the unsuspecting flies.
He had been the first to speak. "Our very capable young friend,
Corsini, has done great work. He was hidden at the Villa Quero last
night and gathered information of the greatest importance."
The Emperor, who always liked to tell his subordinates that he knew
all that was going on, interrupted his faithful and more astute
Secretary.
"Ah, poor Madame Quero! I hear that she died in the early hours of the
morning and that there are certain suspicious circumstances connected
with her death--an idea that she has been poisoned, eh?"
Golitzine nodded. "Your Majesty has been correctly informed." He might
have added that he had given this information himself, but he was too
experienced a courtier to venture on such an experiment. Autocratic
monarchs like to think they discover things for themselves. And
perhaps the autocrat had not been quite awake when he received
Golitzine's letter long before breakfast.
Golitzine waved his hand towards Corsini. He possessed a very generous
nature, and he was quite ready to give honour where it was due.
"This is the man to whom we are indebted for the information which
shall be fully detailed to your Majesty. Salmoros never did us a
better service than when he sent Signor Corsini to us."
The Emperor inclined his head in his most gracious manner. "Salmoros
never makes a mistake, and Corsini has more than justified his
selection."
Golitzine leaned towards the young Italian. "Tell his Imperial Majesty
all that you told me last night, the full details of what happened at
the Villa Quero. I have given him a brief _resume_, but you can make
it more convincing than I can. Speak out, Corsini; omit nothing; you
need not fear to trespass on his Majesty's attention."
The Emperor inclined his head. He always blindly followed the lead of
his Secretary. He knew that he could trust him, above all; also some
half a dozen others, the two Generals amongst them.
Corsini, feeling very nervous, although by now he was becoming
accustomed to his new environment, began his recital, giving full
details of the strange things that had happened in the course of a few
hours. Of course, he was intending to keep strict silence as to that
little love scene between himself and the beautiful Nada. One must
keep back certain things even from an autocrat of Alexander's type.
Being very nervous in the presence of the Emperor and these high
officials of the Russian Empire, he told his story very haltingly.
Several times Golitzine helped him through when he faltered.
And then, when he was not a quarter through his narrative, there came
a hesitating knock at the door. It was that of a timid _aide-de-camp_,
who had taken upon himself to disturb his Emperor's privacy.
At the first sound of that timid knock, the Emperor frowned. His
orders had been precise: he was not to be disturbed, except on a
matter of greatest urgency. Perhaps this was one.
"Come in," cried the autocrat, in a far from conciliatory voice.
The young man, dressed in immaculate uniform, advanced, bowing very
low. He tendered a letter.
"A thousand pardons for disturbing your Majesty after your particular
instructions. The Baron Salmoros, whom I know well, has just arrived.
I told him you were engaged in important discussions with the biggest
personages in the Empire. He persisted that I should bring his note to
you. I disobeyed your instructions, but, under the circumstances, I
trust you will think that I have not done wrong, that I have exercised
my discretion wisely. The Baron said it was urgent, that, whoever you
were engaged with, you must be disturbed. I know how highly the Baron
stands in your Majesty's favour."
Alexander opened the letter with a frowning brow. True autocrat, he
was incensed that his slightest instructions should have been
disobeyed. But, as he read the letter of the Baron, his brow cleared.
He turned a mild look upon the disturbed young officer. "You have
acted very wisely indeed. I shall hold you in my remembrance. Bring
the Baron to us at once."
He turned to the four other men. "Gentlemen, our good friend,
Salmoros, has taken a journey to us because he has certain information
to impart. I recognise very gratefully that I am well served, but I
think we may well admit the Baron's brains to our important conclave."
He looked towards Golitzine as he spoke.
The adroit Secretary inclined his head. "I think your Majesty can well
admit the Baron to our counsels. We can always learn something from
him."
A few moments later the venerable figure of Salmoros appeared in the
doorway of the private cabinet of the Emperor, ushered in by the no
longer fearful young officer.
He advanced and kissed the Emperor's hand. Alexander, as a mark of his
esteem for the great financier, had risen to greet him. The Baron
shook hands with Golitzine and the two Generals. Then he laid his hand
lightly on Corsini's shoulder.
"Ah, my young friend and protege, I see you have done well. If you had
failed, you would not be in the private cabinet of the Emperor
to-day."
The autocrat interposed. "My dear Baron, your young friend has been of
the most inestimable service to us. You were always a great judge of
men."
The next to speak was Golitzine. "My dear Salmoros, I know full well
that it is your zeal for the Emperor and the great Empire over which
he rules that has led you to take this long and tedious journey. You
have something of importance to communicate."
Salmoros spoke in his slow, grave accents. He looked at the Emperor as
he spoke, but he was really addressing Golitzine. He knew that in that
remarkable man, apart from mere figureheads, lay the destinies of the
great Russian Empire.
He was not oblivious to the fact that the two Generals were persons to
be reckoned with; as a matter of fact, he was counting on their
practical assistance; but Golitzine, the man of brains, the man of
initiative, the true statesman, was his sheet-anchor.
Alexander was, of course, the mere titular head of the state, served
by his subordinates, more or less well.
If Golitzine went, and some inferior person took on his office, then
Alexander would be very badly served. He was not a monarch who could
reign by himself.
The Baron bent his deep, penetrating gaze upon the assembly of notable
persons--the Emperor, the two Generals, the Secretary, the modest and
rather shrinking young Italian, somewhat embarrassed by his recent
projection into matters of high statecraft.
Certain things at once struck his observant eyes. All except the
Emperor were dressed in immaculate costume. The autocrat himself was
attired in a loose dressing-gown. He had had no time to array himself
in conventional garments.
As a matter of fact, Golitzine's letter had reached him shortly before
dawn, requesting his presence at the private counsel which was now
taking place. Alexander, no doubt relying on the efforts of his
faithful servants, had indulged in a little extra slumber, confident
that he would be well looked after.
Salmoros reflected, with a certain contempt, upon the obvious
inferences which were to be drawn from these very apparent facts.
He looked at Golitzine, that astute Secretary, who kept his master in
order, spurred him when he was too sluggish, restrained him when he
was too impetuous.
Cynical thoughts shaped themselves in his active brain, and if
translated into speech, they might have expressed themselves thus:
"Why do we men of intelligence and initiative give our best, the
keenest of our brains, to these mere figureheads whom we flatter, but
at heart despise for their feebleness? It is because we find the
figurehead binds us more closely together, makes our own position more
secure, while we are propping up his."
He answered Golitzine's question, with his slow, grave smile.
"A man of my age, Count, would not travel so many miles, at great
personal inconvenience, without some very strong motive. I warned you
some time ago of a slowly maturing conspiracy against the person of
his Majesty." He inclined his leonine head in the direction of the
autocrat, the figurehead, who smiled back graciously in intimation
that he fully appreciated the Baron's services.
"I have, as you know, considerable resources at my command, but these
people are very cunning. It is only quite lately that I have secured
definite information as to day and date. As soon as I received that
information, I cast all other considerations to the winds. I came to
St. Petersburg as fast as special trains would bring me. Of course, I
had no knowledge of what you were doing here, and one cannot express
oneself very fully in telegrams."
Golitzine gave him a glance which said as plainly as the language of
the eyes could speak, "We are both men of the highest intelligence.
Let us disregard the figureheads and the instruments and address
ourselves to each other. The others can follow us at their leisure."
Aloud he said, "Well, Baron, you have been well served, but we, in St.
Petersburg, have not been idle. When do you say that Zouroff and his
fellow conspirators will strike?"
"Within the next three days. That is my information, derived, of
course, from a traitor, who has received a substantial reward," was
the answer of Salmoros. He thought, rather regretfully, that there
were few secrets of this unhappy country, which could not be purchased
for a liberal payment of gold. He was not even sure to what extent the
most trusted adherents of the Emperor might not be bribed, always
excepting Golitzine.
The Emperor broke in, in his rather awkward way, to prove that he was
always master in his own house.
"You have done more than well, Baron, and you have now, as before and
ever, our undying gratitude. But"--he pointed a finger towards the
young Director of the Imperial Opera--"this gentleman is just a little
bit in front of you. You say within three days. Signor Corsini will
tell you that the great _coup_ of Zouroff and his friends is planned
for to-night at the Winter Palace. Speak, Signor, and tell the Baron
something of what you have already told us."
Golitzine's heavy brows expressed displeasure. After his long journey,
doubly trying to a man of his age, Salmoros need not have his own
protege flung in his face as it were. The situation could have been
dealt with in a more diplomatic manner.
But Salmoros, man of the world and philosopher as he was, did not
indicate by a flickering of the eyelid that he took the slightest
notice of these small pinpricks, delivered by a maladroit, but not
hostile hand.
He looked kindly at the young man. "Please repeat what you have
already told to this illustrious assembly. If the pupil has beaten his
master, it will be proof to me that my judgment of men seldom fails."
He paused and bowed profoundly to the Emperor, who was just beginning
to entertain an uneasy idea that he might have employed more
diplomatic language.
"I am an old man, Sire, and perhaps my brain does not work quite so
rapidly as it used. But you will kindly remember that I have several
important interests at stake, besides watching over the destinies of
Empires in a state of disturbance, such as seems afflicting your
kingdom at the present moment. For many years, as you know, I have
lived in free and prosperous England. We don't have any of those
troubles in that well-governed and tranquil country."
The Emperor reddened under the mild rebuke, delivered in the most
passionless tones. Golitzine hastened to pour oil on the troubled
waters. The two Generals, men of action, of no subtlety of thought,
had not noticed that the waters were troubled at all.
The Count addressed himself directly to Corsini.
"You were only embarking upon your narrative which the fortunate
advent of the Baron cut short for a few moments. Will you kindly
proceed? Our good friend will then realise how you have been aided by
a most fortunate conjunction of circumstances."
Nello proceeded with his narrative, but of course, he had to repeat
portions of it, to bring Salmoros into line with the others.
He finished up with the pregnant words: "The attempt is to be made
to-night at the Winter Palace at the big reception, the _bal-masque_."
He turned to the Emperor. "Your Majesty is to be assassinated by one
of the eight chief conspirators."
Corsini had now come to a part of his narrative which he had not yet
disclosed before the arrival of Salmoros.
"His name?" demanded the Emperor, with flashing eyes.
"I grieve very much that I cannot give that information. It was not
settled last night at the meeting. I understood they would draw lots
for it to-day."
The Emperor subsided. For the moment he could not vent his vengeance
on any particular person.
Corsini proceeded. "At the _bal-masque_, your Majesty is to wear a
pale-blue domino."
"Quite true," answered the autocrat. "That is the costume I have
chosen."
"These men are acquainted with every detail of the reception, and they
have a hundred spies and adherents."
"I see," said the Emperor. "It is well known we are giving a big
reception to-night, to which even this traitor Zouroff himself is
invited. Truly, the conspirators have chosen a very convenient
occasion."
After these words the Czar of all the Russias leant his head upon his
hand, apparently engrossed in deep thought.
Golitzine looked at Salmoros, the Baron flashed back an answering
glance. The same thought had occurred to both. Had the Emperor's
brain, never of a very dominating quality, suddenly given way under
the tragic possibilities of to-night?
The two Generals, admirable machines, but who were pretty well
incapable of moving on their own volition, kept imperturbable faces.
Golitzine at last ventured to touch the shoulder of his Imperial
Master. Even a favourite Secretary paused before taking liberties with
an autocrat, so long as he was in his right mind. But Golitzine was
beginning to doubt if he was, and Salmoros entertained the same
suspicion.
"There is no time to be lost, Sire. They are going to strike to-night.
We must be prepared to counter their blow. What does your Majesty
suggest?"
The Emperor smiled calmly. It was evident that he had not gone out of
his mind, as they had at first feared.
He spoke in measured accents. "I have been thinking very deeply, my
good old friend Golitzine. One of the band is going to assassinate me
to-night. Well, you leave that part of the problem to me."
Golitzine recoiled in consternation. "It is my duty and that of my
colleagues"--he pointed to the two inarticulate Generals--"to guard
the sacred person of your Majesty. With all respect, Sire, I cannot
leave that task to yourself."
He turned to the Baron. "I think, Salmoros, you will agree with me?"
he asked.
Salmoros spoke in very decided tones. "In a question of this
importance, your Majesty must consent to take the advice of your
faithful friends and legal supporters." He had no very great opinion
of the Emperor's ability or capacity to deal with difficult
circumstances.
The Emperor's smile was more pronounced than before, as he tapped
Golitzine on the shoulder and extended a hand to the venerable
Salmoros.
He drew them aside, and spoke in a confidential whisper.
"My dear friends, I appreciate to the full your anxiety about me, and
I shall want your wholehearted assistance, which, I know, will be
given ungrudgingly to me. With regard to this little matter of
assassination, some ideas have come to me. Let me work them out my own
way, if you please."
Both men bowed in assent. There was no more to be said. When an
autocrat has delivered his fiat, argument on the part of even his most
trusted servants is useless.
"May your Majesty never live to regret your decision," murmured the
faithful Golitzine, in a low whisper.
The Emperor again gave him a reassuring pressure on the shoulder.
"My excellent Golitzine, and you, my good Salmoros, you can safely
leave this part of it to me. I have in my mind a little tragedy that
shall later turn into comedy. To-night, at the Winter Palace, you will
appreciate an Emperor's stratagem. You shall also witness, later on,
an Emperor's vengeance."
He paused, then extended a hand to each and spoke in the same
whispering tones. "You, Golitzine and Salmoros, will confer with the
two Generals. They have not the brains of either of you, but they are
good machines. You will take measures to have the soldiery and police
well posted in order to combat the revolution engineered by that
villain, Zouroff, and his friends. Corsini, I daresay, has still a few
more details to impart which will be useful. For the present, _au
revoir_."
Golitzine, after his Imperial Master's departure, spoke to Salmoros.
"What do you think of it all, Baron? Is he sure of himself? Has he got
an idea, of which he is so proud that he will not communicate it even
to us?"
Salmoros shook his white wise head slowly to and fro while he spoke
with his gentle, slightly ironical smile.
"My dear Golitzine, who can prophesy? Wisdom, we know, sometimes
proceeds out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. Perhaps it may, in
occasional moments, emanate from the brains of Kings and Emperors. In
the meantime, you will take all necessary precautions. It would not be
wise to trust too much to the Emperor's inspiration, whatever it may
be."