Princess Zara

"Read," he said, and I read.

My Friend,-In death, qualities of rank cease, hence I address you as I have

always felt towards you--as my friend. Derrington was right; he

told the truth, and I lied. I am not now and have never been a

nihilist in spirit, but it is true that I am one in fact. I joined

them in a moment of folly, to protect a friend whom I knew to be

one. I have never allied myself to them, and have never attended

one meeting of theirs. The friend for whose sake I joined has been

generous, and no demands have been made upon me; nevertheless, I am

guilty. Yet, believe me my friend, when with my last breath I

assure you that I have never harbored one disloyal thought towards

you or yours, and I should unhesitatingly have betrayed the

nihilists had I ever known of a single circumstance inimical to

you. But I can live no longer under this disgrace, so I die. I

beseech you let not the truth of my dishonor be known abroad. I was

unjust to Derrington, and I crave his pardon. I loved him as a

brother, and as brothers quarrel at times, so did we. He is

faithful; trust him. May God lead you in the right; may He preserve

your life and your empire, and may He have mercy upon me.

MICHAEL.

Alexander was true to his friendship for Prince Michael. He mourned him

sincerely, and nobody ever knew the true cause of the prince's death.

The emperor respected that last wish of his dead friend. There was yet

more mischief to be done, however, by that arch villain Durnief, for

while we were still occupied with the care of Prince Michael's remains,

the czar sent for me in haste.

"This is a day of surprising missives," he said. "Here is another

letter for you to read." I took it in my hand and glanced at the

signature.

"Durnief," I said, with a sneer. "Why should I read it? The man cannot

tell the truth."

"Because I desire you to do so."

The note began in the usual form of addresses to the emperor, and was

as follows: You have ere this been informed, and supplied with ample proof,

that I am among the ranks of your enemies, the nihilists. I confess

it, but I became one of them for selfish motives, not for political

ones. Never mind that. It is not my intention to intercede for

mercy, for I know that your heart is a stranger to that quality. It

is to tell you a truth that you should know. It is to tell you that

the one most dangerous of all nihilists, is to go free; is to

remain in Russia; is to have access to your palace; is spared by

your trusted spy, Dubravnik; is upheld by him. This nihilist to

whom I refer, has been, ever since the death of my one time rival,

Stanislaus, the most dangerous of all the extremists. This nihilist

leader is a woman, and her name is Zara de Echeveria. Dubravnik

will spare her; he will spare her brother who is as violent as she

is.