her from the floor and into the great park.
The shaded walks were silent except for the distant music and the play of the waters in the fountains. They walked, arm in arm, under the dark trees. 'Jean, we shall be seeing His Majesty in just a few minutes. When we were changing partners during the last dance I was told to be ready. We are to meet him in a little pavilion built by Peter the Great.' The park was empty of people. Jean moved carefully, not liking the shadows, suspecting danger everywhere.
As they walked up the path to the pavilion a man came down the steps to greet them. He was tall, bearded, and in uniform. He glanced quickly, sharply, at La-Barge. 'Follow me, please.'
They followed him through a small door and Jean found himself in a long room with a large fireplace and several pictures at which he merely glanced. Before him stood Alexander II, Czar of all the Russias. 'So, Captain LaBarge, you celebrate your arrival in my capital by killing one of my officers!'
Jean LaBarge bowed slightly. 'Only, Your Majesty, because he would have prevented my audience with you!'
Chapter 32
Alexander's tone was ironic as he said to Helena, 'We must keep this gentleman with us, Princess. He talks as well as he shoots.' The Czar, a tall man with keen gray eyes, studied Jean thoughtfully for a moment, then said, 'You have visited our Pacific colonies, sir. What do you think of them?'
'I think they are too far from St. Petersburg, Your Majesty.'
'In other words, you agree with the report forwarded to me by Count Rotcheff?' 'I haven't seen the report, Your Majesty, only Russian America. And I believe that when a private company runs a territory for its exclusive profit it will give more thought to the profit than to the welfare of the territory.' Alexander seated himself abruptly. 'Sit down, Captain.' He gestured to a chair, 'Helena?' When they were seated, he said, 'Now, sir, tell us of your experiences in Alaska.'
LaBarge thought quickly. He could lie, and paint Alaska as a territory no one would want; he knew this was the opinion of many of those in important positions in Russia as well as in the United States. Or he could tell the truth, relying upon the Czar's own intelligence to realize that a rich colony in an exposed position invited seizure. He decided that frankness was the best policy. It was likely, anyway, that the Czar knew a great deal about Alaska. He began with his first awareness of Alaska, led his listeners quickly through the buying of furs, his first information in regard to fisheries, lumber and coal. He also mentioned the costs of exploitation, the distance from markets, and his own ventures into the area. The only thing he did not mention was gold. 'You traded in Russia against the orders of the Russian American Company?' demanded the Czar. His features were cold, revealing nothing. 'Yes, Sire.'
Alexander raised an eyebrow and glanced at Helena, who restrained a smile. 'You fired on a Russian warship? You evaded her demands to heave-to?' 'I did, Your Majesty, in the belief that the warship was acting upon Company orders rather than your own. Also,' he added it without more than the merest trace of a smile, 'because I believed I could outsail him.' Alexander laughed. 'You are frank, sir.'
'What's to be gained by lying? I trust to your judgment, Your Majesty, and also to your realization that the captain of a ship is often in the same position as the head of a state. He has to accept the risks of his position, and sometimes he has to act boldly.'
Alexander tapped his fingers on the table. Jean had a feeling that the Czar agreed with him in principle, and might be reasoned with. He decided to speak out.
'Your Majesty, it's said in the United States that you are Europe's most enlightened monarch; it's said you plan to free your serfs. Did you know that the Indians in Alaska, who were free from the beginning of time until the Russian American Company came to Alaska, are greater slaves than your own serfs?'
He paused momentarily. 'I deal in furs. I know the income from those furs. I know that on every trip to Alaska I have made a very substantial profit. Still I understand that the Alaska company has to ask appropriations from the government of Russia to keep operating.'
Alexander's face hardened. 'Are you suggesting that the stockholders are being cheated? That the government is being robbed?'
'I'm only saying that each of my trips was successful. The trips of dozens of other traders whose furs I bought were successful. But the Russian American Company, which is on the ground,.is losing money.' Alexander got to his feet and walked slowly across the room and back. Then he stopped and asked LaBarge about the matter of the wheat. Jean explained in as few words as possible, told of the burning of the wheat but without any suggestions or accusations. Then his own ride north and the delivery of wheat that resulted. The Czar asked many questions about the ride, the terrain crossed, and dangers.
'Obviously, Captain LaBarge,' he said finally, 'you honored your agreement with Count Rotcheff at great personal risk to yourself.' He hesitated. 'You are staying long in St. Petersburg, Captain?'
'No, Your Majesty, I'll return now. My only wish was to see the Princess safely returned to her home, and if possible to speak to you.' 'I see ... and what did you hope to gain by speaking to me?' 'I hoped to suggest, Your Majesty, that Russia sell Alaska to the United States.'
If the Czar was surprised, he gave no evidence of it. Perhaps Helena had mentioned it, perhaps he had seen it coming, or there might have been some such suggestion in the report forwarded by Count Rotcheff. 'And you, a private citizen, are in a position to negotiate?' 'No, Your Majesty. But,' Jean added, 'I have a friend in Washington who might be. His name is Robert J. Walker, and he is former Secretary to the Treasury of the United States, and former Senator from Mississippi. I know he favors such a plan, and is in touch daily with others who do.' Alexander changed the subject and they talked quietly for nearly an hour on conditions in Alaska, the rapid westward expansion of the United States, and of the building of railways.
He arose suddenly. 'Captain, I have taken much of your time. I thank you for coming to see me, and especially for assuring the safe return of the Princess, my niece.'
'Thank you, Your Majesty.'
'As for your suggestion, I shall give it much thought. It remains a possibility.'
Outside in the park it was cool and pleasant. They stood for a long time watching the play of light among the sparkling waters of the fountains, and listening to the cascades as they ran down to the sea. From the palace came the sound of music. The dance continued, still, although it seemed forever that they had been gone.
'And now?'
'San Francisco. But I believe this time I'll cross the Atlantic and see Rob Walker.'
'I shall return to Sitka.'
He turned sharply around. 'Helena, you ...'
'You think I am a fool? But Alexander is there, and my first duty is to him.
Would you think more of me if I remained here?'
'Less, maybe, of your loyalty, more of your judgment. It isn't safe, Helena.'
'No matter, I must go back.'
Chapter 33
Jean LaBarge picked his way across the rutted, muddy street. He had arrived in Washington scarcely an hour before and was shocked by the appearance of the capital. Heavy army wagons had furrowed the streets and plowed the avenues into rivers of mud. Here and there Negroes walked about with planks and for a consideration aided passengers alighting from vehicles to reach the sidewalks, or pedestrians to cross the streets. Hacks were few and hard to find, and often became stalled in the street where their passengers must remain marooned or wade through mud to the sidewalks.
Without waiting for a cab he picked his way through the streets and at last reached the impressive mansion on the tree-bordered square where Robert Walker made his temporary home. He walked up the steps and scraped the mud from his feet on the door scraper, then pulled the bell. The Negro who answered the door was a short, stocky man who recognized the name at once. 'Mistuh LaBarge, suh? Mr. Robert, he's sho' gonna be pleased! He sho'ly is.'
The man who sat behind the desk in the high-ceilinged room was short and slender. He looked up from his desk as the door opened, then came suddenly to his feet. 'Jean!' he said. 'Jean LaBarge!'
'Hello, Rob.'
They gripped hands for an instant, smiling at each other. It had been a long time.
