Chapter 3
The Head of the Manchurian SyndicateNo reader can have failed to notice one
remarkable point in the interview between the Princess Y—— and
myself. I refer of course to her invitation to me to dine with her
in the course of a day or two.
Unless the etiquette of the Russian Court differed greatly from
that of most others in Europe, it would be most indecorous for a
lady-in-waiting, during her turn of service, to give entertainments
at her private house.
I felt certain that this invitation concealed some trap, but I
puzzled myself uselessly in trying to guess what it could be.
In the meantime I did not neglect certain other friends of mine
in the city on the Neva, from whom I had some hope of receiving
assistance.
Although I have never gone so far as to enroll myself a
