convinced that my act was not only an invasion of Russia's domain, but
a deliberate insult; therefore the worst results of an inconsiderate
action on my part remain. If I could see the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, or the head of the Admiralty in St. Petersburg face to face
for ten minutes, I'd undertake to remove that impression."

"You have great faith in your persuasive powers," she said demurely.

The Lieutenant began to stammer again.

"No, no, it isn't so much that, but I have great faith in the Russian
as a judge of character. I suppose I am imagined to be a venomous,
brow-beating, truculent Russophobe, who has maliciously violated their
territory, flinging a shell into their ground and an insult into their
face. They are quite sincere in this belief. I want to remove that
impression, and there's nothing like an ocular demonstration. I like
the Russians. One of my best friends is a Russian."

The girl shook her head.

"I shouldn't attempt it," she persisted. "Suppose Russia arrested you,
and said to England, 'We've got this man in spite of you'?"

The Lieutenant laughed heartily.

"That is unthinkable: Russia wouldn't do such a thing. In spite of all
that is said about the Russian Government, its members are gentlemen.
Of course, if such a thing happened, there would be trouble. That is a
point where we're touchy. A very cheap Englishman, wrongfully
detained, may cause a most expensive campaign. Our diplomatists may