“Do it,” whispered Deulin’s voice from behind.

And Cartoner followed Martin up the narrow passage that led to the garden of the Bukaty Palace.

XXI

A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING

Martin led the way without speaking.  He opened the door with a key, and passed through first.  The garden was dark; for the trees in it had grown to a great height, and, protected as they were from the wild winds that sweep across the central plain of Europe, they had not shed their leaves.

A few lights twinkled through the branches from the direction of the house, and the shape of the large conservatory was dimly outlined, as though there were blinds within, partially covering the glass.

“Yes,” said Martin, carefully closing the door behind him.  “You find me in sole possession.  My father and sister have gone to a reception—­a semi-political affair at which they are compelled to put in an appearance.  It only began at half-past nine.  They will not be home till midnight.  Mind those branches, Cartoner!  You will come in, of course.”

And he hurried on again to open the next door.

“Thank you, for a few minutes,” answered Deulin, and seeing a movement of dissent on Cartoner’s part, he laid his hand on his arm.

“It is better,” he said, in an undertone.  “It will put them completely off the scent.  There are sure to be more than two in it.”

So, reluctantly, Cartoner followed Martin into the Bukaty Palace for the first time.

“Come,” said the young prince, “into the drawing-room.  I see they have left the lights on there.”

He pushed open the door of the long, bare room, and stood aside to allow his guests to pass.

“Holloa!” he exclaimed, an instant later, following them into the room.

At the far end of it, where two large folding-doors opened to the conservatory, half turning to see who came, stood Wanda.  She had some flowers in her hand, which she had just taken from her dress.

“Back again already?” asked Martin, in surprise.

“Yes,” answered Wanda.  “There were some people there he did not want to meet, so we came away again at once.”

“But I thought they could not possibly be there.”

“They got there,” answered Wanda, “by some ill chance, from Petersburg, just in time.”

And as she spoke she shook hands with Cartoner.

“It is not such an ill chance, after all,” said Deulin, “since it gives us the opportunity of seeing you.  Where is your father?”

“He is in his study.”

“I rather want to see him,” said Deulin, looking at Martin.

“Come along, then,” was the answer.  “He will be glad to see you.  It will cheer him up.”

And Wanda and Cartoner were left alone.  It had all come about quickly and simply—­so much quicker and simpler than human plans are the plans of Heaven.