'"
"So you are determined to do what you think the government should have
done."
"Oh, quite. There will be nothing frigidly official about my
unauthorized mission. I have a cousin in the embassy at St.
Petersburg, but I shan't go near him; neither shall I go to an hotel,
but will get quiet rooms somewhere that I may not run the risk of
meeting any chance acquaintances."
"It seems to me you are about to afford the Russian Government an
excellent opportunity of spiriting you off to Siberia, and nobody
would be the wiser."
Drummond indulged in the free-hearted laugh of a youth to whom life is
still rather a good joke.
"I shouldn't mind studying the Siberian system from the inside if they
allowed me to return before my leave was up. I believe that sort of
thing has been exaggerated by sensational writers. The Russian
Government would not countenance anything of the kind, and if the
minor officials tried to play tricks, there's always my cousin in the
background, and it would be hard luck if I couldn't get a line to him.
Oh, there's no danger in my project!"
Suddenly the girl came to a standstill, and gave expression to a
little cry of dismay.
"What's wrong?" asked the Lieutenant.
"Why, we've walked clear out into the country!"
"Oh, is that all? I hadn't noticed."
"And there are people waiting for me. I must run."
"Nonsense, let them wait."
"I should have been back long since.
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