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 yesterday and have gone then. All this would have been spared us."

"We could not foresee what old Kolfort had planned for last night. I thought the road would have been as open to-day as it was yesterday."

"It is like you to lighten the blame, but it is my fault."

"We are ready, your Honour," called Markov.

"Forward then," I said. "Cautiously out of Liublian, and then press on with all the speed you can make."

I mounted, and was in the act of starting when a horseman was seen riding hard up the road we had come. It was Zoiloff, and I welcomed him gladly.

"I've done it," he said exultantly. "I don't know whether there are any other wires, but I've cut the main ones, and that will probably cause some delay. But how came you to halt here?" he asked anxiously.

I explained the change of vehicles, and we rode on after the Princess.

"You passed Spernow?" I asked.

"Yes, and left my men to follow with his. He tells me he is to join you as soon as he is clear of Liublian; he should be near now;" and he glanced back as I thought with some anxiety.

"We have done well so far. It was a stroke of luck to get rid of that lumbering old carriage," said I.

"True, but we have already been a long time covering very little ground, and must press forward. Our pursuers won't sleep on the road. I'm surprised we haven't heard from them before now."

It was unlike him to meet alarm half way in this fashion, but I made no answer except to urge my horse to greater speed, so as to close up the distance between us and the Princess.