"But Ole, here, is a Norwegian," suggested Sanford.
"No matter. Have him put into your passport as your courier or servant."
"All right; we will see him to-morrow," replied the coxswain; and the problem seemed to be solved.
The next day they went to the American legation, but the minister had gone to Upsala for a week, and the secretary declined to issue the passports, because the boys could not prove that they were citizens of the United States. Vexed and discouraged, they wandered about the city till Friday noon, when an English steamer came into port. They stood on the quay, watching the movements of the passengers as they landed. They had almost concluded to take a steamer to Stettin, Lübeck, or some other port in Germany; but Russia was a strange land, and they were not willing to abandon the idea of seeing its sights.
"I wonder whether this steamer goes any farther," said Stockwell.
"Perhaps she goes to St. Petersburg. It may be her officers are not so particular about the confounded passports."
"But you can't stay in Russia over night without one, even if you get there."
"The American minister will fit us out with them. I expect to find a letter of credit in St. Petersburg, and that will prove that I am an American."
"Let us go on board of the steamer and ascertain where she is going," continued Sanford, as he led the way across the plank, which had been extended from the deck to the stone pier.
The boys went upon the hurricane deck, where they had seen an officer who looked as though he might be the captain.
"Do you go to St. Petersburg, captain?" asked the coxswain.
"No; we return to London, touching only at Copenhagen," replied the officer.
"So it is," said a tall man, who had followed the runaways up the steps from the lower deck. "But you are not going to St. Petersburg without the rest of us--are you?"
Sanford was startled, and turning sharp around, saw Peaks, who had come out of the cabin as the boys stepped on board. He had followed them to the hurricane deck, and suspecting that something was wrong, he had waited till the coxswain's question betrayed their intention.
"No, we are not going to St. Petersburg; we are waiting for the ship," replied Sanford, recovering his self-possession in an instant.