A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE Count Preskoff's old steward received his orders with scarce a look of surprise, singular though they must have seemed to him.

A Russian is accustomed to unquestioning obedience to the orders of his superior, and although never before had Count Preskoff issued such strange and unaccountable commands to the steward, the thought never occurred to the latter of questioning them for a moment.
When he had left the room, the Count turned to the midshipmen, and his brow relaxed.

"I cannot tell you," he said, "under what obligation you have placed me and my family.

Little did we think that any little kindness we might show to you, strangers and prisoners here, would be returned by a service of a hundredfold greater value.

The danger which hangs over us may for the time be averted by your discovery.