grasping my meaning.

"'Nothing. You have told me all I wanted to know.'

"'But you will breakfast with me before I take the train?' I said.

"'No; that might get you into trouble--serious trouble, if I should be
arrested. On the contrary, I must insist that you remain in this room
until I leave the building.'

"'But you perhaps need money; these disguises are expensive,' glancing at
his perfect appointment.

"'You are right. Perhaps twenty rubles--it will be enough. Give me your
address in Berlin. If I am taken, you will lose your money. If I escape,
it will be returned.'

"I shook his hand, and the door closed. A week later a man wrapped in a
cloak called at my lodgings and handed me an envelope. There was no
address and no message, only twenty rubles."

* * * * *

I looked out over the sea wrinkling below me like a great sheet of gray
satin. The huge life-boat swung above our heads, standing out in strong
relief against the sky. After a long pause,--the story had strangely
thrilled me,--I asked:--

"Pardon me, have you ever seen or heard of the countess since?"