It was five minutes to seven.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and a manservant rushed in--pale, confused, terror-stricken.

He was a giant footman in the gorgeous livery of the Alexis.
"Excellency," he stammered in Russian, "the castle is surrounded--they will kill us--they will burn us out----" He stopped abashed before Paul's pointing finger and stony face.
"Leave the room!" said Paul.

"You forget yourself." Through the open door-way to which Paul pointed peered the ashen faces of other servants huddled together like sheep.
"Leave the room!" repeated Paul, and the man obeyed him, walking to the door unsteadily with quivering chin.

On the threshold he paused.

Paul stood pointing to the door.