But the prefect saw quickly that Rouletabille was not fooling and had no mockery in his manner.

“Monsieur,” he insisted, “since you speak seriously, I certainly wish to understand -”

“It is useless,” said Rouletabille.  “It is very necessary that you should not understand.”

“But at least...”

“No, no, I can’t tell you anything.”

“When, then, will you tell me something to explain your unbelievable conduct?”

Rouletabille stopped in his tracks and declared solemnly: 

“Monsieur Koupriane, recall what Natacha Feodorovna as she raised her lovely eyes to heaven, replied to her father, when he, also, wished to understand:  ‘Never.’”

XI

THE POISON CONTINUES

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.”