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 means we managed to escape all interference, and under your fellow Markov's guidance we reached the frontier without let or question. There was plenty of uneasiness after we left you as to whether we should be pursued; but thanks, I suppose, to your ruse, we were not followed, and the only trouble afterwards was in the frontier pass. It was only watched in the loosest manner in the world, and as Markov knew his business thoroughly he had us all past the look-out before they had even a suspicion of our presence. It was only a matter of a quick gallop then for a bit and we got through. I went on to Nish with the Princess, who was much fatigued of course, and it was at her urgent request, when you did not come yesterday, that I returned to see if I could hear any tidings of you. My uniform saved me from any trouble, and I was intending to go to Sofia, when I heard the firing and stopped to see what it meant, I saw you stand out in the sun glare just now, and though I could not definitely recognise you at such a distance I made a guess it was you, and rode up on the chance."

"You left the Princess well?"

"In all save her anxiety for you; and that we may hope to remove in a few hours now. But how have you fared?"

I told him the story, and he listened with many an approving smile and nod, looking stern and serious at the story of the Countess Bokara's suicide, and laughing at the trick I had served old Kolfort.

"After all that, we are not going to be stopped now," he said at the close; "although we shall have need of clear heads and perhaps quick hands before we are through. But we shall know soon. You see that narrow road climbing the hill yonder, with that small