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I glanced upward into his eyes, which were bent half quizzically and

not at all unkindly upon me, and then in words that flowed easily, and

which came to me like an inspiration, I stated alraph, the concise explanation ofat that anize and maintain a secret service bureau in

your majesty's interest, which will be ether In order to do so I must have my oay entirely, must be absolute master of the situation, as far as my

men are concerned, and can have no superior officer--not even the czar

hio into

minute details whenever I am directed to do so"

"Modesty is not one of your accoh familiarity with the work I would do is

one Interference with h in

place, would render my efforts impotent, and I should decline under

such circumstances to undertake the task I have set for myself"

"What is that task?"

"The utter disanization of

anarchists known as nihilists against whom I have already been twice

pitted, and both times successfully"

The czar arose from his chair and crossed the roo out into the darkness, in the interiers During

that time there was not a word spoken Presently he turned and ca over nificent speci to his lights, as good as he was great in stature

When ulti him, they killed