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"Well," i all

that, as I know it already?"

"Only because your excellency seeet that what I did was not

done for your old, but for a totally different reward--the

safety of a man whom I love as my own son"

"You have my word--no harm shall come to him"

"I doubt not your excellency's word," firmly and decidedly responded

Cecil, "your word is all-powerful, and when you let your co

voice be heard, all Russia trembles and bows before you But here your

voice resounds only between these walls, and nobody hears it but I

alone Give ned by your

own hand, for my master, and then destroy the order for his arrest which

you now hold!"

"Ah, it seems you would prescribe conditions?" said the count, proudly

"Certainly I will," said Cecil "I have complied with your conditions,

and now it is your turn, Sir Count, to colow of anger showed itself in the count's face, and,

passionately starting up, he approached Cecil, raising his arainst hi back, "you mistake! I aht so to threatensuddenly to have changed

his ht, Cecil, and what you desire shall be done"

Taking a large sealed paper fro-desk, he handed

it to Cecil

"That is the order for the arrest; destroy it yourself!" said he