“I will force you to it,” the soldier said, burning with passion.  “I will publicly insult you.  I will strike you,” and he drew a step nearer.

“You will do so at your peril,” the count said, drawing a pistol from his pocket.  “I know your method, sir, and am prepared for it.  If you lay a finger upon me, if you insult me in public, I will shoot you dead where you stand, and take the consequences.”

“You shall repent this,” Count Smerskoff exclaimed.  “There are lives worse than death, and you shall have cause to remember your words of to-day,” and turning round he strode from the room.

Jack was still lounging in the hall as he passed out.  One of the servants had also remained there, and when the governor was seen striding down the staircase, the man hastened to open the door.  Jack saw the officer pause for a moment, “At eight to-night at the cross roads,” he said, and passed out, and flinging himself upon his horse, rode off.  Among the Russian words learned by the midshipmen were all words connected with roads.  They had been specially desirous of asking questions which might enable them to find their way across country, and every word which would be likely to be included in a direction as to route had been learned.  This was the more easy, as on their march there had been but few objects of interest to attract their attention.  The expressions therefore “the road to the right,” “the road to the left,” “the turning by the wood or stream,” “the cross roads,” and other similar expressions had been learned by heart.  Jack’s quick ears, consequently, gathered the purport of the brief order.

“I have found the spy,” he said triumphantly, when he joined his comrade outside.  “Come for a stroll, Dick.  I don’t want to be seen talking here.”

When well away from the house, Jack repeated the words he had overheard, and they determined that they would be present at the interview between the governor and his spy.  They had a long discussion whether it would be better to invite the count himself to be present; but they agreed at last that it would be better not to do so, as he might break in upon the interview, and possibly only bring matters to a climax at once, which they agreed had better be avoided, as even if the men fought then and there, the fact of the governor being killed by the count would only precipitate the danger which already threatened.  Still they agreed that it was absolutely necessary that the conversation should be thoroughly understood, and the few words which they would glean here and there might be insufficient to put them in possession of the full details of the plot.

They therefore resolved to take the coachman into their confidence.  They knew that he was warmly attached to the count, and that he could be relied upon in an emergency.  As they had full permission to take the horses or carriage whenever they pleased, they now went to the stable and told the coachman that they should like to go for a drive in the sledge, as the weather showed signs of breaking, and the snow would probably shortly disappear.