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 many interviews of the kind I was then enjoying
(?), and in the next that my destination was Siberia. It was certainly
paradoxical and somewhat threatening, but I still refrained from asking
questions. Presently, as I made no further comment, the emperor resumed
the conversation.
"What brought you to Russia?" he demanded, but in a tone that was not
unkind.
"The desire to obtain an interview with you," I replied, remembering
his caution for me to ignore 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 detrimental to me in
his eyes, and thought that I began to see through the puzzle. The
succeeding few moments convinced me that I was not mistaken.
"Whose was the suggestion that determined your visit to Russia?" he
continued.
"The suggestion came to me a long time ago--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 my question, Mr. Derrington."
"The idea first came to me through an old friend; one whom I used to
know here, in this country; one who afforded me very great assistance
when I was here three years ago on a secret mission for my government."
"What is his name?"
"I have forgotten it."
"You are troubled with a poor memory, sir."
"Yes; concerning the 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?"
"I do."
"Can you tell me where he is now?"
"In New York, I think."
"Did you not have a definite proposition to make to me, in case you
were successful in securing an audience?"
"I did."
"Very well, you have secured the audience. I will hear the
proposition."
I hesitated. Here before me ready at my hand was the very opportunity I
had so eagerly sought and which I had determined to go to many lengths
to obtain. Already I had undertaken great expense to arrive at this
moment and to encounter a circumstance very like the one by which I was
now confronted; and yet I hesitated to take his majesty at his word and
to render up the proposition he required of me, and which I had
travelled so far and gone to such pains to submit. But you will admit
that the circumstance was an unusual one, and that the very manner of
my introduction to the Czar of all the Russias was calculated to be
confounding to me and to place at naught my customary determined poise,
and unswerving self-reliance. The abrupt mention of Alexis Saberevski,
coupled with other insinuations already brought forward in our
conversation, confirmed me in the idea already half formed, that my
apparent arrest at the hotel, my strange and mysterious journey through
the night, and the threat of Siberia, were all in the nature of what we
Americans call a "bluff"; were only intended to conceal the real
purpose of this enforced interview. During that moment of hesitation,
which was so short that it would not have been noticeable to a
disinterested party, I decided that the perfectly frank and open course
would be the best one to adopt with this giant of a man who confronted
me; a giant not only in physique and stature, and in strength of
purpose as well as in muscle, but in the wonderful power he swayed by
the mere exertion of his will.