imprisonment in a military fortress. After his release, left Russia
without permission, having first secretly transferred his property
into foreign securities. Went to Paris. Issued a scurrilous
pamphlet directed against his Majesty the Emperor. Spent several
years in travel--now in Europe, now in the East, striving wherever
he went to promulgate his revolutionary ideas. More than suspected
of being a member of several secret political societies. Has
resided for the last few years at Bon Repos, on the banks of
Windermere, from which place he communicates constantly with other
characters as desperate as himself. Russia has no more bitter and
determined enemy than Paul Platzoff. He is at once clever and
unscrupulous. While he lives he will not cease to conspire.'

"After this followed a description of Platzoff's personal
appearance, which it is needless to transcribe here.

"I start for Windermere by the first train to-morrow."




CHAPTER XXIII.

MR. MADGIN'S SECRET JOURNEY.


Mr. Madgin left home by an early train on the morning of the day
following that on which Lady Chillington had received a reply from Sir
John Pennythorne. His first intention had been to make the best of his
way to Windermere, and there ascertain the exact locality of Bon Repos.