Princess Zara

"There comes the answer to my note," I said, "Watch that britzska."

"I see it," she replied.

It dashed up on a run straight for the point where the other one was

still waiting, and came to a stop with a suddenness that threw the

horses back upon their haunches. At the same instant there dashed from

beneath the covering a half dozen men, and while some seized the horses

of the waiting britzska, and others pulled the man from the driver's

seat, still others jerked open the curtains and sprang inside. From our

post of observation we could see that a severe struggle was taking

place, and twice we heard the reports of pistols; and then the smaller

carriage drove away, while the larger one, that which Tom Coyle had

been driving, dashed straight for the door of the princess' house.

"The other contained the prisoners," I said to my companion.

"This one is coming here. Remember now, Zara, that you promised to

trust me implicitly. No matter what happens, remember that."

"I will remember," she replied.

Then there came the summons at the door, and the voice of Tom Coyle

requesting an audience with the Princess Zara de Echeveria. She looked

at me inquiringly, and I nodded. In a moment more, Tom, followed by two

men, entered the room where we were awaiting them.

"Your name is Dubravnik?" said one of the men, addressing me.

"Yes," I replied.

"And may I ask if this is the Princess d'Echeveria?"

"That is my name," replied Zara.

"I am very sorry to disturb you, but I must request you both to go with

me, in the name of the Czar."

Zara started violently, and turned one distrustful glance upon me; but

I remained calm and unmoved.

"Do you mean that we are arrested?" she inquired indignantly, returning

her gaze to the officer.

"Temporarily, princess. We were forced to make an arrest in the street

near this house just now, and from one of the men taken we learned that

we had to come here. I can say no more. You will come with us without

resistance?"

"Arrested in the name of the czar," murmured Zara blankly. "I did not

anticipate this. Yes, I will go with you. Is my house to be searched?"

"I have no such orders, madame."

Then he turned to me.

"And you, sir?" he inquired.

"I am at your service," I said.

"One moment----" began Zara, who evidently doubted the regularity of it

all, but I interposed.

"Princess," I said. "I do not think that these men mean to treat us

unkindly. It is evidently some official inquiry brought about by the

arrest that he had mentioned. I think it decidedly best to go without

question."

Her face flushed and she said nothing more, but having had her wraps

brought to her, followed me into the street, and we were soon driving

rapidly away. The men were thoughtful enough to give us the interior of

the vehicle to ourselves, and as soon as we were seated Zara turned her

wistful eyes towards me.