But before Sistoff could gather his scat tered wits to answer the Czir's stern question, what had he to say for himself, there glided into the room a queer little man with a bald head, at sight of whom a lurking smile flitted over the set faces of the Czar's officers. In fact, the new-comer did make a very comical figure. On his head he wore a high pointed cap, with several small bells on it which tinkled as ho moved, while his long frock was covered with broad stripes of red and blue, and fluttering strips of coloured paper. Altogether, anyone would have thought on seeing him that if he were not actually crazy, he must be some kind of mounte bank. Such, indeed, he was ; for this was the Czar s jester, Balakireff, SistofFs cousin, of whom the old guardsman had just been speaking. Peter guessed at once that the jester had come to plead for his cousin, and turning to the officers, cried : *" Gentlemen, I know what this man U going to ask of me, and I declare before you all that I will not grant his petition." Quick as lightning Balakireff threw himself at the Czar's feet, and said, loud enough for everyone to hear : " I beseech your majesty not to pardon that scamp of a cousin of mine !" The daring and readiness of the trick struck everyone dumb, and the officers exchanged glances of silent astonishment. Peter's dark face glowed like heated iron, and he clenched his strong right hand till the knuckles grew white. Theie was a moment of terrible silence, and every one feared that the brave jestei* 1 was about to pay dearly for his boldness. I Then the Czar spoke : 44 A Russian Czar must not break his work, so you may go free, Sistoff. But as for you, Balakireff, begone from hence, and never show yourself upon Russian soil again !" Poor Balakireff, who evidently had not expected such harshness, looked thunder struck ; but as he turned to leave the room, a sudden twinkle in his email gray eyes showed that he had already hit upon a plan for getting himself out of the scrape. 44 1 'm sorry for him, too !" said one of the sentries at the door, turning to look after the departing jester. 