The view of St. Basil closed the labors of the day, and the tired party walked back to the hotel, where dinner was served. Mr. Agneau's first inquiry was for De Forrest and Beckwith, but nothing had been seen or heard of them.
"Can anything have happened to them?" asked the troubled chaplain.
"I think not," replied the surgeon. "Probably they have done as others have--run away for a time."
"Impossible!" exclaimed Mr. Agneau. "They were officers, and well-behaved young gentlemen."
"Very likely; but they have been much dissatisfied since the election. I have feared that De Forrest would make trouble."
"But in a strange land, like Russia, unable to speak a word of the language, they would not be likely to run away."
"We have the fact, which is better than theory."
"Who saw them last?" asked the chaplain, turning to the students.
"They were in the compartment with me," said Vroome, the third master. "Early this morning, when we crossed the river,--I forget the name of the place--"
"Yes, sir; that was it. They took their bags and said they were going to change their seats," added Vroome.
"That makes it all plain. They have taken the steamer down to Nijni Novgorod, and very likely we shall find them there. Give yourself no uneasiness about them, Mr. Agneau. I will warrant that they are safe enough, and will return when their money is gone, if not before. I will look out for them."
Dr. Winstock, who had been in the ship since she was launched, understood the boys better than the meek, gentle-hearted clergyman, and had seen too much running away to be alarmed for the safety of the absentees. The party were somewhat rested in the evening, and, taking carriages, drove to the Petrofski Park and Gardens, where a band played, and where the people of the city in large numbers were to be seen. On the return they visited an immense restaurant, in order to see more of the people. In this place there was a large orchestrion, a musical instrument, which, being wound up, plays a variety of airs with all the effects of a full orchestra, with drums, cymbals, and trumpets. It executed the Russian National Hymn nearly as effectively as a band could do it. The waiters in this establishment were all Tartars, dressed in loose white pants and tunics. The visitors were drinking tea generally, but a few indulged in beer and stronger drinks.