Chapter 11

XI

THE POISON CONTINUE5

At ten o'clock that morning Rouletabille went to the Trebassof
villa, which had its guard of secret agents again, a double guard,
because Koupriane was sure the Nihilists would not delay in avenging
Michael's death. Rouletabille was met by Ermolai, who would not
allow him to enter. The faithful servant uttered some explanation
in Russian, which the young man did not understand, or, rather,
Rouletabille understood perfectly from his manner that henceforth
the door of the villa was closed to him. In vain he insisted on
seeing the general, Matrena Petrovna and Mademoiselle Natacha.
Ermolai made no reply but "Niet, niet, niet." The reporter turned
away without having seen anyone, and walked away deeply depressed.
He went afoot clear into the city, a long promenade, during which
his brain surged with the darkest forebodings. As he passed by the
Department of Police he resolved to see Koupriane again. He went
in, gave his name, and was ushered at once to the Chief of Police,
whom he found bent over a long report that he was reading through
with noticeable agitation.

"Gounsovski has sent me this," he said in a rough voice, pointing
to the report. "Gounsovski, 'to do me a service,' desires me to
know that he is fully aware of all that happened at the Trebassof
datcha last night. He warns me that the revolutionaries have
decided to get through with the general at once, and that two of
them have been given the mission to enter the datcha in any way
possible. They will have bombs upon their bodies and will blow
the bombs and themselves up together as soon as they are beside the
general. Who are the two victims designated for this horrible
vengeance, and who have light-heartedly accepted such a death for
themselves as well as for the general? That is what we don't know.
That is what we would have known, perhaps, if you had not prevented
me from seizing the papers that Prince Galitch has now," Koupriane
finished, turning hostilely toward Rouletabille.

Rouletabille had turned pale.

"Don't regret what happened to the papers," he said. "It is I who
tell you not to. But what you say doesn't surprise me. They must
believe that Natacha has betrayed them."

"Ah, then you admit at last that she really is their accomplice?"

"I haven't said that and I don't admit it. But I know what I mean,
and you, you can't. Only, know this one thing, that at the present
moment I am the only person able to save you in this horrible
situation. To do that I must see Natacha at once. Make her
understand this, while I wait at my hotel for word. I'll not leave
it."

Rouletabille saluted Koupriane and went out.

Two days passed, during which Rouletabille did