"Briefly, you may learn this. My uncle is my guardian. He has, I
believe, appropriated a large sum of money which is mine by right. Ah!
I know what you would say. But I dare not prosecute or expose him, for
the consequences would be almost beyond conception, and would affect
myself more even than him. I am powerless!"
"But I can help you?"
"I'm afraid you will not consent to what I ask."
"What is it? You know I cannot refuse a behest of yours."
"A further annoyance, in fact a great danger, threatens me now. My dead
mother's jewels--on which I place great store, for they are the only
souvenir remaining of she whom I dearly loved--are now coveted by him.
In vain I have besought him to let me keep them, but he is inexorable.
To place them with a friend in whom I have confidence is the only course
remaining; that friend lives--"
"Yes, where?"
"At St Petersburg."
"St Petersburg!" I exclaimed, in surprise. "Oh! but, of course, it is
your home?"
"It is; or rather was. Had I the opportunity I would convey them there
myself, braving the displeasure of my harsh relative and the punishment
that would follow. Unhappily I am debarred. To trust the jewels to the
post would be too great a risk, and it is only to--to such
a--_confidant_ as you that I can look for assistance."
"And this is all?" I asked. "You merely want me to take them to St
Petersburg?"
"That is all."
"The commission is a slight one, Vera; you know how willingly I would
undertake, for your sake, a thousand such--"
"How can I ever thank you enough?" she interrupted, her face assuming a
brighter expression. "I really thought it too much to ask of you."
"Nothing could be too much, dearest. When shall I start?"
"As soon as possible. By delay all may be lost. It is imperative you
should be in Russia three weeks from to-day."
"Three weeks from to-day," I echoed.
"Yes, within that time, or it will be useless--my friend will have
departed."
"Then I am ready to set out to-morrow. Have you any message? What must
I do?"
"To-morrow morning I will give you the case. Go to the Hotel Michaeli,
on the Galernoi Oulitza, at St Petersburg, and remain there until a
tall, fair gentleman presents my card and asks for them. He will give
his name as Paul Volkhovski."
"Very well," I said, "I shall leave to-morrow night."
Then we retraced our steps, and entering the carriage, drove back to
Genoa in the fading twilight.
Next morning we met alone in the drawing-room, and she placed in my
hands a leather jewel-case about nine inches square and three deep,
securely sealed, saying,--
"I trust to you for their safety. Do not let this out of your sight for
an instant, and on no account allow the seals to be broken, for it will
be easy enough to pass so small a box through the _douane_."
I bade her rest assured the diamonds would be safe in my hands, and that
I would carry out her instructions regarding the preservation of the
seals.
"I trust you implicitly," she repeated. "And now--as to funds?"
producing her purse.
"No," I said firmly, "I should not think of taking your money. This
journey will be a pleasure, and you must allow me to defray its cost."
"Thank you, a thousand times," she replied, her lips quivering with
emotion. "Our movements are very uncertain, but I have your London
address, and will write and inform you of our wanderings from time to
time."
"After I have accomplished this mission, I shall return to you
immediately, when I hope you will be convinced that my love is no mere
passing fancy, but a--"
"Hark!" she interrupted, "my uncle's cough. Go!--Farewell!"
I bent and kissed her, then snatching up the box, hurriedly left the
room.