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 "I have been at work all night," he said; "but I have done good. I have found a place where this woman, Bokara, can be held in absolute safety for ten years if necessary, if once we can get her there."

And he told me that one of our party, named Kroubi, had a large house in the middle of his estate, in a tower of which just such a prison as we sought could be found.

"You are sure of the man?"

"As of myself. And he himself will be her keeper."

"She is a woman of rare fascination."

"Would she fascinate me, think you?" he asked, a smile on his rugged face.

"There are not many men like you, Zoiloff," said I, warmly, for during our intercourse he had won upon me strangely. He was such a staunch, genuine, thorough fellow.

"That is pleasant hearing from you," he answered. "But you need have no fear on Kroubi's account. Every impulse of his strong character which is not devoted to our cause is absorbed by his hatred of women."

"We will trust him, then," I agreed. "And now let us consider how to get her to his place." And when we had threshed this out and made our plans the time for the Countess Bokara's visit was close.

I felt both anxious and excited. The whole future of our plans hung, as I knew, in the balance, while the risks of the interview between her and the Princess seemed to grow as the time approached.

The Princess arrived first, and I went to her immediately.

"Has she come?" was her first question, eagerly asked

"It is not yet time; but I think she will come. Do you know what happened here last night?"