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The hackneyed simile of the cat and the mouse seemed to me to be

especially applicable in the present instance In one breath I was told

that there would be

(?), and in the next that my destination was Siberia It was certainly

paradoxical and so

questions Presently, as I made no further coht you to Russia?" he demanded, but in a tone that was not

unkind

"The desire to obtain an intervieith you," I replied, renore his rank

"For what purpose?"

"To enter your service"

"In what capacity?"

"In any capacity for which I seem most fitted"

His majesty smiled broadly as if my replies suited the humor he was in

I knew that I had made an impression that was not detrian to see through the puzzle The

succeeding few moments convinced estion that deterestion cao--more than a year," I

responded "Since then it has been constantly in my mind, and at last I

decided to act upon it"

"That does not answer ton"

"The idea first cah an old friend; one whom I used to

know here, in this country; one who afforded o on a secret overnotten it"

"You are troubled with a poorthe names of friends who have assisted me when they

have been compelled to place their own interests in jeopardy in order

to do so"

"Do you know Alexis Saberevski?"