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diff --git a/old/68123-0.txt b/old/68123-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e23dc42..0000000 --- a/old/68123-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11999 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The chronicles of Michael Danevitch of -the Russian Secret Service, by Dick Donovan - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The chronicles of Michael Danevitch of the Russian Secret Service - -Author: Dick Donovan - -Release Date: May 19, 2022 [eBook #68123] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Sonya Schermann, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF MICHAEL -DANEVITCH OF THE RUSSIAN SECRET SERVICE *** - - - - - -DICK DONOVAN’S DETECTIVE STORIES. - - -Post 8vo., illustrated boards, 2s. each; cloth, 2s. 6d. each. - - THE MAN-HUNTER. - CAUGHT AT LAST! - TRACKED AND TAKEN. - A DETECTIVE’S TRIUMPHS. - WHO POISONED HETTY DUNCAN? - IN THE GRIP OF THE LAW. - WANTED! - LINK BY LINK. - FROM INFORMATION RECEIVED. - SUSPICION AROUSED. - DARK DEEDS. - RIDDLES READ. - -Crown 8vo., cloth extra, 3s. 6d. each; post 8vo., illustrated boards, -2s. each; cloth limp, 2s. 6d. each. - - TRACKED TO DOOM. With 6 illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. - THE MAN FROM MANCHESTER. With 23 illustrations by J. H. RUSSELL. - THE MYSTERY OF JAMAICA TERRACE. - -Crown 8vo., cloth, 3s. 6d. - - CHRONICLES OF MICHAEL DANEVITCH. - - -LONDON: CHATTO & WINDUS, 111 ST. MARTIN’S LANE, W.C. - - - - - THE CHRONICLES - OF - MICHAEL DANEVITCH - - - - - THE CHRONICLES - OF - MICHAEL DANEVITCH - - OF THE RUSSIAN SECRET SERVICE - - BY - DICK DONOVAN - - AUTHOR OF - ‘THE MAN-HUNTER,’ ‘TRACKED AND TAKEN,’ ‘CAUGHT AT LAST,’ - ‘A DETECTIVE’S TRIUMPHS,’ ‘VIDOCQ,’ ETC. - - [Illustration] - - LONDON - CHATTO & WINDUS - 1897 - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - THE CHRONICLES OF MICHAEL DANEVITCH: - - INTRODUCTION 1 - - THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A MILLION ROUBLES 7 - - A MODERN BORGIA 33 - - THE STRANGE STORY OF AN ATTACHÉ 60 - - THE FATE OF VASSILO IVANOFF 91 - - THE MERCHANT OF RIGA 116 - - THE GREAT CONSPIRACY 143 - - THE CROWN JEWELS 166 - - THE STRANGE STORY OF A SECRET TREATY 193 - - HOW PETER TRESKIN WAS LURED TO DOOM 227 - - - THE CLUE OF THE DEAD HAND: - - I. NEW YEAR’S EVE: THE MYSTERY BEGINS 262 - - II. THE MYSTERY DEEPENS--THE NARRATIVE CONTINUED - BY PETER BRODIE, OF THE DETECTIVE SERVICE 276 - - III. THE DEAD HAND SMITES 288 - - - - -MICHAEL DANEVITCH - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -A year or two before the outbreak of the Franco Prussian War a daring -attempt was made upon the life of the Emperor of Russia. He had been -out shooting in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburg, and was returning -at dusk in company with numerous friends and a large suite. As the -Royal carriage passed an isolated house on a country road, which was -bordered on each side by a dense pine forest, a bomb was hurled from an -upper window of the house. Fortunately it did not strike the carriage, -as was intended, but, going over it, fell between the horses of two -of the Royal Guard. The horses were blown to pieces, the riders were -killed on the spot, and several other men were more or less injured. -For some minutes a panic ensued. The Emperor’s driver whipped his -horses into a gallop, and everybody seemed at a loss what to do. The -house, however, was soon surrounded, and a man and woman were seized -as they were in the very act of escaping. It was soon made evident -that this man and woman were mere tools, and the arch-conspirators -had availed themselves of the confusion caused by the bursting bomb -to get off. Darkness favoured the fugitives, and though the forest -was scoured they were not captured. Subsequent investigation brought -to light that the plot for the Emperor’s taking off had been the work -chiefly of a daring and notorious Nihilist, whose capture the Russian -Government had long been trying to effect. His connection with this -dastardly attempt caused a heavy price to be set upon his head, and -every effort was made to arrest him. But, extraordinary as it seems, he -succeeded in evading his pursuers, and, after travelling many hundreds -of miles through the country in various disguises, he managed to get on -board of a vessel bound to Constantinople--so much of his flight was -subsequently learnt when it was too late; but at Constantinople all -trace of him was lost, though there was reason to believe that he had -escaped to either France or England, and a large staff of the most able -Russian and Polish detectives were sent out to scour Europe. - -One winter night of that memorable year, I was on my way from Paris -to London viâ Calais. It had been a wild and stormy day; a high wind, -bitter cold, snow, sleet, hail, rain--such were the atmospheric -conditions. We had had an assortment of the worst samples of weather, -and as night approached it was only too evident we were in for ‘a -buster.’ There were very few passengers by the night train from -Paris. It was not a night when anyone was likely to be travelling for -pleasure. On our reaching Calais Station the wind had attained the -force of a heavy gale, causing a tremendous sea to run in the Channel, -and we who were pressed for time heard with dismay that the boat was -not likely to attempt the crossing before the morning. - -The cramped and starved passengers made a rush for the buffet, but I -had to see the guard of the train, owing to a hand-bag of mine having -gone astray. This bit of business occupied me for quite twenty minutes, -and then, almost frozen to the marrow, I made my way to the buffet. The -large stove in the centre of the room was surrounded by the passengers, -so I seated myself at one of the long tables and called for hot soup. -It was not until I had finished the steaming bouillon, and had begun -to thaw, that I became conscious I had a _vis-à-vis_. On the opposite -side of the table, on the carpeted settee in a corner next the wall, -sat a man with his legs upon the settee, his arms folded on his breast. -The place was lighted by lamps. The light was dim, and the man was in -partial shadow; but I noted that he wore a heavy fur coat, he had a -peakless fur cap on his head, and was puffing away at a long and strong -cigar. At his elbow on the table was a large basin of tea, and floating -in the tea were three or four slices of lemon. - -I really don’t know how it was that I was suddenly attracted to this -stranger. Some people may try to explain it by saying it was animal -magnetism, odic force, or something of the kind. I shall offer no -explanation myself; I merely state the bare fact. My eyes having got -accustomed to the semi-gloom, I was enabled to observe that he had a -clean-shaven face, with a rather prominent nose, a clean-cut mouth, -which, taken in connection with the formation of the chin and jaw -generally, indicated an iron will, a dogged determination. It was -altogether a very striking face, full of character, and with points -that removed it far from the category of the commonplace. - -Having partaken of the rest of my supper, and feeling more comfortable -and cheerful, I lit a cigar, called for coffee and a _petit verre_, -assumed an easier position at the end of the seat, so that I was -enabled to lean my back against the wall, my shoulders being thus -parallel with the stranger’s, the table separating us; then I spoke -to him in French--made some ordinary remarks about the weather, and -expressed a fear that we were doomed to pass the night there in the -buffet. He answered me very affably, and in a rich, well-modulated -voice. Fancying that I detected a foreign accent in his French, I -politely asked him if he was a Frenchman. He smiled pleasantly, and -expressed a wish to know why I doubted his being French. I told him -frankly, whereupon he laughed again, and in perfect English, except -that it betrayed a foreign tongue in its pronunciation, he said: - -‘I guess _you_ are an Englishman.’ - -I admitted that I was, and we chatted away first in French and then -in English for a long time; we exchanged cigars; he drank with me, I -with him. Now, throughout the conversation there was one thing I was -conscious of--the whole drift of his talk was to elicit information. -This was done so delicately and skilfully that the majority of people -would not have been aware of it. But I was. It was part of my business -to know when I was being pumped, to use a vulgar but expressive phrase; -I was also, even as he was, a seeker after knowledge, and I fancy I -framed my questions perhaps not much less skilfully than he. At any -rate, we seemed to become _en rapport_, and it is safe to say we -interested each other. There was a reciprocal attraction between us. -After a time the conversation flagged; tired nature was overcome, and -we slept where we sat. At about seven in the morning a porter with -stentorian lungs came in and aroused us from our uneasy slumber by -bawling out that we were all to get on board the boat, as she was about -to start. Confusion at once reigned; there was a hasty gathering up of -bags, wraps, rugs, and other impedimenta, and a stampede was made for -the steamer, each man trying to be first, in order that he might secure -the best place in view of the stormy passage we were likely to have. -For myself, I went leisurely; I was too case-hardened a traveller by -land and sea to concern myself even about the Channel in its anger. -I had, in the confusion, lost sight of my acquaintance of the night, -and for the moment had forgotten him, when suddenly I heard his voice -behind me. He had caught me up. - -‘You, like me, don’t give yourself much concern,’ he remarked. ‘We -shall have a rough crossing, no doubt, but it doesn’t alarm me; I have -been sodden with salt water too often.’ - -This struck a keynote again; we passed on board. As we reached the -deck, he asked me if I was going below; I said no, I preferred to -remain on deck. So did he. We therefore secured two camp-stools, placed -them so that we sat with our backs to the funnel for the sake of the -warmth, enveloped our knees in rugs, buttoned up our coats, battened -our caps down, and made ourselves as snug as it was possible to do -under the circumstances. - -It was a wild and wicked morning, and still very dark, though in the -far east there was an angry gleam of glary light. The crossing was -a rough one--as rough a one as I ever remember to have experienced. -When we reached Dover we were all bedraggled and weary-looking, and -thankful indeed for the hot coffee that was served out to us at the -refreshment-bar. It was now broad daylight, and for the first time I -was enabled to distinctly see my companion’s face. It was altogether -a remarkable face. A more pliable and mobile one I never saw. It -never seemed to be quite alike for five minutes at a time. His eyes -were small, but with, as it seemed, an almost unnatural brilliancy; -and there was a suggestiveness about them that they were looking you -through and through. His complexion was olive; his eyes were black. -In stature he was about the middle height, with a well-knit frame. I -noted that his hands and wrists indicated great muscular strength. He -trod with a firm step; he walked upright; he was a man whose presence -asserted itself. None but a fool would be likely to overlook him even -in a crowd. There is one other thing I must mention: his manner was -that of an exceedingly well-bred man; he was the pink of politeness. - -The ‘something’--call it by what name you will--that had drawn us -together, kept us together, and we became the sole occupants of a -first-class compartment, in which we journeyed to London. Long before -our destination was reached, I had made up my mind that my _compagnon -de voyage_ was no ordinary man, and from certain things I made a guess -at his profession, and wishing to put my opinion to the test, I alluded -to the attempt that had been made some time before on the Czar’s -life. At this his eyes transfixed me, as it were. Question and answer -followed, and at last, when I was sure that I should not make any -mistake, I led him to understand that my visit to France had indirectly -been in connection with the crime in Russia. When we reached London, -I found he was going to stay at a hotel close to Trafalgar Square. I -gave him my card. He gave me his, which simply bore the name - - MICHAEL DANEVITCH. - -I knew then from the name that I had formed the acquaintance of one -of the foremost detectives in the world--a man who had had more to do -with unravelling political crimes than any living being; and there was -hardly a civilized Government that had not, at some time or other, -availed itself of his services. He was endowed with wonderful gifts, -and having once got on to the track of a criminal the criminal was -to a certainty doomed. Danevitch’s visit to England on this occasion -was in connection with the attempt on the Czar’s life. He ultimately -succeeded in unearthing one of the criminals in London, and though -the English Government would not give the rascal up, Danevitch lured -him to France by a wonderfully clever ruse. There he was arrested; in -due course the French handed him over to Russia, and he expiated his -wickedness on the scaffold. The story of this thrilling capture will -be told in the course of this series. The acquaintance which I struck -up with Danevitch on that ever-to-be-remembered night ripened into a -very warm friendship, which continued for many years. The result was he -promised me that if he predeceased me he would leave me all his notes -and papers that had any reference to his professional career, and give -me full permission to do what I liked with them. Subsequently he was -in a terrible railway accident in Russia: the train by which he was -travelling came into collision with another train, and there was an -awful smash. Poor Danevitch was so injured that both his legs had to be -amputated. For several weeks he seemed to be doing well, but a change -took place, and he realized that his fate was sealed. He sent for me, -and during the fortnight that passed after my arrival he told me his -history to a large extent, and handed me the promised records of the -extraordinary cases in which he had played so important a part. It is -from these records that I now compile this series of stories. - - - - -THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A MILLION ROUBLES. - - -One evening, towards the end of summer, four Government officials left -Moscow for St. Petersburg in charge of an enormous amount of money, -partly in specie, but for the most part in Russian rouble notes. -The money was consigned to the Treasury in St. Petersburg. All the -officials had been in the Government service for a long time, and were -selected for this special duty on account of their trustworthiness -and the confidence reposed in them by the heads of the department -to which they belonged. The oldest man, and the one in command of -the little party, was upwards of seventy years of age. He had been -in the Government service for forty years, and was greatly trusted -and respected. His name was Popoff. The next in seniority was Ivan -Basilovitch, who had been thirty-three years in the service. Then came -Strogonoff, with twenty-eight years’ service, and lastly a young man -named Briazga, with ten years and a half to his credit in the service -of the Government. In addition to these four Government officers, four -gendarmes, fully armed, accompanied the treasure as a guard of safety. -The party travelled by the ordinary train, but had a special saloon -carriage, the packages of money being placed at one end. The only -doors to the carriage were at the opposite end, one on each side, the -off-side door being locked by means of a secret lock, which could not -be opened except with the proper key. - -The bullion was carried in oak boxes fastened with iron bands. The -notes were in small square boxes, sewn up in strong canvas. In addition -they were securely corded with fine but extraordinarily tough cord, -which was made especially for the Government, and could not be used -except for Government purposes. Every package bore the State seal. -Anyone unlawfully breaking the seal was guilty, according to the law -of Russia, of treason, and liable to death or banishment to Siberia. -In due course the train reached St. Petersburg, where the packages of -money were examined, counted in the train, and found correct. They were -then loaded into a covered Government waggon, counted and examined -again, and also found correct; and all being ready, the waggon drove -off, accompanied by the four officials and the gendarmes. At the -Treasury the packages were once again counted, examined, and found -correct, and the deputy of the Minister of Finance himself gave the -necessary receipt to the head-officer. The important duty being thus -completed, the gendarmes were dismissed to their quarters, and the -officers went to their respective homes. In the course of the next -day Danevitch received a sudden command to attend without a moment’s -delay at the bureau of the chief of the police. He found that important -functionary looking very grave and serious, and it was obvious he was -disturbed by something of more than ordinary importance. With official -brevity he told Danevitch about the money having been removed from -Moscow to St. Petersburg the previous night, and added: - -‘This morning, in the presence of the Minister of Finance himself and -the official staff, the various packages were opened. Two of the note -boxes, although intact as regards seals and cords, and which ought to -have contained five hundred thousand rouble notes each, were found to -be stuffed with blank paper. There has been some clever hanky-panky -business, and you are wanted at the Treasury immediately. Now, it -strikes me, Danevitch, that though you’ve cracked some very hard nuts -in your time, this one will prove too much for you.’ - -‘Why do you think so?’ - -‘Why do I think so! Well, because the whole business has been managed -so cleverly that the thieves have calculated every chance, and are -not likely to have left any trail behind them that can be followed -up. However, see what you can do. You may succeed, but I’m afraid you -won’t.’ - -Danevitch made no comment on his chief’s remark, but at once betook -himself to the Treasury, where he found everybody in a state of great -excitement. He was at once conducted into the presence of the Minister -of Finance, with whom he had a long interview, and from whom he learnt -all the details of the transit of the money. Necessarily the detective -sifted these details, examined them one by one, and took such measures -as occurred to him to prove that they were absolutely correct. In the -end he was satisfied that they were. The Minister then showed him a -long telegram he had received from the Treasury Office in Moscow, in -which it was stated that the money was packed in the usual way in the -presence of the cashier-in-chief, six of his subordinates, and a large -staff, all of them proved and tried servants. Every box was numbered, -registered, and sealed, and there was not the shadow of a doubt that -when the boxes left Moscow each contained the full sum marked against -it in the books of the department. Danevitch saw at once that if that -was correct it proved that the robbery must have occurred in transit, -which obviously necessitated a prearranged plan of a very ingenious -nature; moreover, it pointed to the confederacy of every man, including -the gendarmes, engaged in safe-guarding the treasure. It was difficult -to believe in such a conspiracy; but on the first blush it seemed the -only rational conclusion that one could come to, otherwise the officers -and the police must have been culpably negligent of their duty to -have allowed a stranger to have walked off the boxes, leaving dummy -facsimiles in their place. However, Danevitch would express no opinion -then, although the Minister was anxious that he should do so; but it -was the detective’s invariable rule to keep his opinions to himself -until he was in a position to speak with something like certainty. As -he himself was in the habit of saying, he never prophesied until he -knew. It was a safe rule, and it saved him from many an error. - -Having completed his investigations in St. Petersburg so far as he -could at that stage, he proceeded without loss of time to Moscow, where -he satisfied himself, from the evidence laid before him, that the money -really left the Moscow Treasury all right; and it was impossible the -boxes could have been exchanged between the Treasury and the station. -The treasure was conveyed in a closed waggon, which was locked and -barred, and in its passage through the city it was guarded by twelve -mounted soldiers specially told off for the duty. At the station the -waggon was backed right up to the railway-carriage, and was unpacked in -the presence of quite a little army of officials. Again, unless there -had been a huge conspiracy, the boxes could not have been abstracted -there. This narrowed the inquiry somewhat, because it made it clear -that the exchange must have been effected while the train was on its -journey between the two cities. But admitting that to be the case, -it at once suggested that the eight men, that is, the four officers -and four gendarmes, were in league together. To that, however, was -opposed the fact that the gendarmes were only told off for the duty an -hour before they started, and up to that time had had no intimation -they were going. Therefore, assuming the four clerks had prearranged -the matter, they must have corrupted the gendarmes _en route_. That, -however, was such a far-fetched theory that Danevitch would not -entertain it. - -The next phase of inquiry upon which Danevitch entered was that of -ascertaining as much as possible about the four Government officials -who travelled in charge of the treasure. These inquiries elicited the -fact that they bore irreproachable characters, and were held in high -esteem in the department. Popoff was a married man with a family. -He was in receipt of a good salary, and appeared to be free from -financial worries of any kind. The same remarks applied to Basilovitch -and Strogonoff. They were both married and family men, and to all -appearances in comfortable circumstances. Briazga was unmarried, but -he was regarded as a very steady, well-to-do young fellow, and was -known to be the main support of his father, mother, and an only sister, -whose name was Olga. She was younger than her brother, and, owing to an -injury to the spine when she was a child, she had been more or less an -invalid all her life. - -Danevitch realized at this stage, even as the chief of the police -predicted he would, that he was called upon to crack a very hard nut -indeed, and he did not feel confident about being able to crack it at -all. The minutest investigation had failed so far to elicit anything -that would have justified a suspicion of a conspiracy amongst the eight -men. And yet without the connivance of them all it seemed impossible -that the boxes could have been changed. But there was the indisputable -fact that they had been changed; nevertheless, there was not a single -item in the list of circumstances that supported the hypothesis of -a conspiracy. How, then, had the robbery been worked? Of course the -Treasury people, as well as everyone connected with the Finance -Department, to say nothing of the higher authorities themselves, were -in a very perturbed state of mind, for apart from the largeness of the -sum carried off, the robbery proved that, in spite of the safeguards -employed when money was being conveyed from one town to another, -there was a risk which up to that time had not been suspected. It was -decided at last by the head officials to offer a reward of ten thousand -roubles for any information that would lead to the capture of the -thieves and the recovery of the stolen money. Danevitch was opposed -to the offering of a reward, and pointed out the absurdity of it; as -he said, even supposing the whole of the eight men of the escort had -been concerned, they were not likely to betray each other for the sake -of ten thousand roubles, when they had a million to divide amongst -themselves. And if anyone else had come to know who the thieves were, -he would not be blind to the fact that he could blackmail them to the -tune of a much greater sum than ten thousand roubles to induce him -to hold his tongue. Therefore, as Danevitch anticipated, the reward -brought forth no informer. In the meantime he had been working on his -own lines, and had satisfied himself the money had been put into the -train all right at Moscow, and that, unless with the connivance of ever -so many people, the boxes could not have been changed between the St. -Petersburg station and the Treasury Office; consequently, the business -must have been done while the money was in transit between the two -towns. Further than that, it was as clear as daylight that the robbery -had been prearranged, because the facsimile boxes had been prepared -beforehand; the cord used to bind the false boxes was Government cord, -and the Government seal was so cleverly imitated that the forgery could -only be detected after close inspection. All this proved unmistakably -that there was a traitor in the camp. - -In one of many interviews that Danevitch had with the Minister of -Finance, that gentleman said: - -‘Danevitch, you must bring the thief to light. It is absolutely -necessary that an example should be made of him as a deterrent. -Although the loss of the money would be a serious one, we would rather -lose it than let the thief escape.’ - -‘I think, sir, that the thief will not escape; and it is possible, even -probable, that the money may be recovered.’ - -‘Have you any clue?’ asked the Minister quickly. - -‘None whatever.’ - -‘Then, why do you speak so hopefully?’ - -‘Because it seems to me that sooner or later I am sure to find a clue, -and then--well, then I shall succeed in bringing the criminal to -justice.’ - -His belief that sooner or later he was sure to find a clue was quite -justified, although he had been doubtful at first. It was pretty clear -now, however, that the thief had an accomplice, otherwise it would -have been impossible for him to have carried out the robbery. Now, -Danevitch knew too much of human nature to suppose that two or three -men and more than likely a woman, as he shrewdly suspected, would be -able for all time to conceal the fact that they had suddenly acquired -wealth. A something would leak out--a something that would betray them -to the keen eyes that were watching for the sign. Danevitch had learnt -the great lesson of patience. He did not aim at accomplishing the -impossible, but he knew where it was a case of human ingenuity he had -the best chance, inasmuch as he was an expert in the ways of criminals. -From the moment that he had gathered up all the details of the robbery, -he had set a watch upon the movements of every one of the eight men -who had travelled with the treasure from Moscow to St. Petersburg. The -gendarmes belonged to Moscow, and had returned, but they were watched, -nevertheless; though not a movement of theirs was calculated to arouse -suspicion. The four Government officials were also watched, but no -sign came from them. But of course they knew they were being watched; -they would have been dolts indeed if they had remained in ignorance of -what everyone else knew; for Government treasure to the tune of one -million roubles could not be abstracted without causing a sensation and -setting the populace on the tip-toe of expectation and the tenter-hooks -of curiosity. The theory by which Danevitch was guided was this, that -one or more of the eight men who travelled that night when the money -was stolen between Moscow and St. Petersburg must certainly be in a -position to throw some light on the robbery. On the other hand, every -one of the eight knew for a fact, or by instinct, that he was suspected -of some complicity, consequently he would take particular care not to -do anything calculated to give emphasis to that suspicion, and justify -active legal measures being taken against him. - -Although Danevitch, by reason of the eminence he had attained in his -calling and the originality of mind he had displayed in dealing with -some of the most notorious crimes of his day, was allowed more latitude -than his confrères, he was nevertheless subordinate at this time to -the chief of the police, and that functionary, having an eye to a -decoration or promotion if the mystery should be cleared up, strongly -advocated the wholesale arrest of the eight men, and flinging them into -a dungeon in the infamous fortress of Peter and Paul, or the still -more infamous Schlusselburgh in Lake Ladoga, there to remain until -misery and madness loosened their tongues. Against this inartistic and -brutal measure Danevitch set his face, and he asked to be allowed to -work out the problem in his own way. The Minister of Finance, and it -was said even the Czar himself, supported Danevitch, so that he was not -hampered with the red-tapeism of the bureau. - -A month passed; no arrest had been made, and apparently not a trace of -the criminal discovered. The Treasury officers were in despair, and the -chief of the police showed a tendency to lower Danevitch from the high -standard of estimation to which he had previously elevated him. It is -true that Danevitch had many big successes credited to his score, but -even a successful man cannot afford to make a big failure. The chief -told him this, and Danevitch replied quietly: - -‘I have not yet made a failure.’ - -‘But you have not recovered the money; you’ve brought nobody to book.’ - -‘No, not yet.’ - -‘Not yet! Are you still sanguine, then?’ - -‘Certainly.’ - -The chief laughed a little bitterly as he replied: - -‘Well, perhaps it is good to be sanguine, even in a hopeless cause. It -keeps a man’s spirits up, doesn’t it?’ - -The chief was comparatively new to his office; that is, he had only -held it two years. He had received very rapid promotion owing to strong -influence at Court, and influence in Russia often counts a good deal -more than merit; indeed, it does in most countries. It was said that -the chief had certain friends of his own he was anxious to move into -the front rank, hence he was not averse to see Danevitch go down a bit. - -About a week after this conversation between the chief and Danevitch, -an old peasant woman left St. Petersburg by the Moscow train. She did -not book to Moscow, however, but to a place called Vishni Volotchok, -about midway between the two cities. She was an uncouth, clumsy, -burly-looking woman, wearing the big mob frilled cap, the heavy -woollen wrap crossed over the breast, the short homespun linsey-woolsey -gray skirt, coarse gray stockings, and big shoes of her class. She bore -with her a ponderous basket, containing a stock of slippers, boots, -shoes and sabots, and, being a travelling pedlar, she was furnished -with an official license, a formidable-looking document, stamped and -viséd. In due course she reached her destination. Vishni Volotchok -is a small town of some importance. The station is the principal -refreshment place between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and a long wait is -generally made by the trains going and coming. The old woman’s license -having been duly examined and viséd, she was allowed to go her ways, -and soon after she proceeded to a fairly large house situated close -to the railway, and facing a road that crossed the track. It was a -detached house, built for the most part of wood. There were numerous -outbuildings--a large barn, stables, cowsheds, and similar places. It -was the residence of a landed proprietor named Ivan Golovnin. It was -almost dark when the old woman reached the house; she tried to sell -some of her wares to the servants, but was not successful. Then she -pleaded illness, and begged, as she was a stranger in the town, to be -allowed to pass the night in the barn. With true Russian hospitality, -the servants took her into the great kitchen, and made her up a bed -by the stove. As she had not recovered her health the next day, she -was allowed to remain, and, in fact, finding herself in comfortable -quarters, she stayed for three days; then she took her departure, -before doing so presenting the three principal servants with a pair of -shoes each. Being market-day, she went into the market, disposed of the -rest of her stock-in-trade, and returned at once to St. Petersburg. - -It chanced that a couple of days after the old woman’s return to the -capital, Danevitch was at the Bureau of Police, having some business -to transact with the chief, who was excessively busy and excessively -bad-tempered. - -‘By the way,’ said Danevitch, as he was on the point of leaving, when -he had transacted his affairs, ‘concerning the robbery of the Treasury -notes, I shall _succeed_ in bringing the criminals to justice.’ - -The chief glanced at the detective and smiled. It was not a smile of -satisfaction, but of doubt; and yet he knew that Danevitch had the -reputation of never speaking with anything like certainty unless he -felt absolutely sure. But the chief was somewhat sceptical; it was even -possible he was not altogether free from jealousy, knowing as he did -that Danevitch was looked upon with great favour in high quarters. - -‘There’s a cocksureness in your statement,’ said the chief brusquely. -‘I suppose you’ve discovered something?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘What?’ - -‘You must pardon me, but I am not justified in disclosing even to you -at present what I know.’ - -The chief’s face darkened. He was aware that, though Danevitch -was nominally his subordinate, he had but little control over -him. Nevertheless, it galled him to think that he, the chief of -his department--in Russia it is a very influential and important -position--should not be considered worthy of the confidence of -Danevitch the detective, high as he was in his calling. He was weak -enough to display his chagrin, and remarked with some warmth: - -‘Well, you have your own way of working, of course; and perhaps you are -right, though on the other hand you may be wrong. But since you do not -choose to take me into your confidence, and as the authorities expect -that my department will unravel the mystery, I must now inform you that -unless you produce evidence within the next twenty-four hours that you -really are on the track of the criminal or criminals, I shall take the -business out of your hands, and put it into the hands of others.’ - -Danevitch was not the man to be affected by any such empty threat as -this. Conscious of his own strength, and firm in the resolve to pursue -his own undeviating course, as he had done for years, uninfluenced by -jealousy, criticism, or the opinions of others, he bowed to the chief -and merely remarked: - -‘If in the course of the next twenty-four hours I am in a position to -reveal anything, I will do so. If I am not you are at liberty to act -according to your own views. Permit me also to remark that, though you -are pleased to doubt my abilities, people in high quarters do not.’ - -This galled the chief, though he had sufficient tact to refrain from -provoking further argument, which would not only be profitless, but -beget ill-feeling, so he allowed Danevitch to withdraw. - -A fortnight later a wedding was celebrated at the Church of St. Sophia. -It was rather a stylish wedding, and a good many minor Government -officials were present, principally from the Treasury office. During -that intervening fortnight Danevitch had not given any sign to the -chief that he was making progress; nor had the chief taken any steps -to put his threat into execution. Nevertheless, he had displayed some -impatience, and one day, during an interview with the Minister of -Finance, he said: - -‘I am sorry, your Excellency, that we have made no progress in the -Treasury robbery business; but the fact is, Danevitch’s self-assurance -and enthusiasm somewhat misled him. He speaks confidently where he -ought to doubt, and is hopeful where other men would despair.’ - -‘Hopefulness is rather a good trait in his character, isn’t it? You -know the old saying, “He who despairs never succeeds.”’ - -‘True, your Excellency,’ answered the chief, somewhat crestfallen. ‘But -light-heartedness does not always command success.’ - -‘No, perhaps not; but it deserves it.’ - -‘Well, the fact is this, your Excellency, I am of opinion myself that -more active steps should be taken to bring the culprits to justice. -Now, we have to deal with facts, not fancies. A very ingenious robbery -has been committed, and the Treasury of the State is a heavy loser. The -thieves must still be in existence, and, being in existence, it ought -not to be beyond the ingenuity of a trained mind used to working out -criminal problems to discover where they are.’ - -‘I admit the force of your argument,’ answered the Minister sedately. - -The chief bowed. He was pleased with himself. He believed he had made -an impression. - -‘Of course,’ he went on, ‘it is most desirable that the culprits should -be brought to book, and punished in such an exemplary manner that it -would stand out as a warning for all time, and deter others who might -feel tempted to tamper with the coffers of the State. But desirable -as this is, it is even more desirable that the whole of the stolen -money should be recovered. Your Excellency, however, will readily see -that every day that passes lessens the chances of that, because the -rascals will be revelling in their ill-gotten gains, and squandering -them with the recklessness peculiar to criminals who enrich themselves -dishonestly.’ - -‘That is not Danevitch’s opinion,’ answered the Minister. - -‘Possibly; but presumably he has no warrant for his opinion. It is a -mere expression of opinion, after all--nothing more.’ - -‘Let us grant that. Now, what do you suggest?’ - -What the chief wanted was to have all the credit for unravelling the -mystery. It meant to him promotion, and strengthening his influence in -high quarters. As matters then stood, there was no confidence between -him and Danevitch, who had so consolidated his position as to be -independent. The chief therefore suggested that Danevitch should be put -upon a case of secondary importance then occupying the attention of the -authorities, and another man of the chief’s choosing should be selected -for Danevitch’s work. This other man was a creature of the chief, -though he kept that little fact strictly to himself. - -The Minister was not deceived by the specious arguments of his visitor; -nor was he so obtuse as to fail to see the jealousy and ill-will -underlying those arguments. - -‘Personally, I should object to anyone else taking up the matter at -this stage,’ he said, ‘and as far as my influence goes I should use -it to prevent any change being made. For myself, I have confidence in -Danevitch. He is an able man, and until I find that my confidence is -misplaced I shall continue to believe in him.’ - -The chief was nonplussed, and he felt that it would be imprudent to -pursue the subject any further. He therefore took his leave. But just -as he was in the act of bowing himself out, the Minister exclaimed: - -‘Oh, by the way, on Thursday next there is to be a marriage in the -Church of St. Sophia. A daughter of one of my subordinates is to wed -one Peter Golovnin, the son, as I understand, of a wealthy landed -proprietor. Curiously enough, I met Danevitch last night by chance, and -he asked me if I was going to the wedding. I told him no, I had had no -invitation; whereupon he expressed surprise that my subordinate had -not paid me the compliment of inviting me. At the moment there did not -seem to me anything out of the way in the remark, but subsequently, -on pondering over it, I could not help feeling that it was full of -significance. Danevitch had a deep motive in what he said. Have you any -idea what the motive was?’ - -The chief was not only utterly amazed, but deeply annoyed. He tried, -however, to conceal his annoyance, though it was very hard to do so. In -his own mind he was perfectly sure that Danevitch had a motive, though -what that motive was he could not possibly guess, and his annoyance was -occasioned by having to confess his ignorance. - -‘And does your Excellency intend to go?’ he asked. - -‘Well, yes, I think I shall. I fancy developments may take place.’ - -As the chief went away, he resolved that he, too, would be present at -St. Sophia, for he knew Danevitch too well to suppose for a moment that -his remark to the Minister of Finance was a meaningless one. - -The marriage was rather a grand affair. The bridegroom was a -good-looking young man, about six or seven and twenty; but he had the -appearance of one who had led a reckless and dissipated life. There -were incipient lines in his face, and a want of brightness about the -eyes that was not good in one so young. The bride was, perhaps, two -years younger, with rather pretty features and an abundance of dark -hair. Some affection of the spine, however, had cruelly distorted -her figure, and she was twisted out of shape. Her name was Olga, -and she was the only sister of Briazga, the Government clerk in the -Finance Department, who was present during the ceremony. The Minister -of Finance was also present, thinking from Danevitch’s remark that -something was to happen. The wedding went off all right, however, and -the whole party seemed very jolly and happy, until Briazga, suddenly -espying the Minister, went up to him and, looking very confused and a -little excited, said: - -‘You do us an honour, sir, by gracing the ceremony with your delightful -presence. I scarcely expected you would have been here.’ - -‘I suppose not,’ answered the Minister dryly; ‘but as you did not -honour me with an invitation, nor even condescend to mention that your -sister was to be married, I thought I would be a witness on my own -account.’ - -Briazga grew more confused, and stammered out a lame apology, adding: - -‘The fact is, sir, I have endeavoured to keep the matter secret from -all except my most intimate friends, for the simple reason that, as -we are comparatively poor people, we could not afford to have much -ceremony, and I felt it was too humble an affair to ask you to come to -it. But since you have come, may I venture to hope that you will now do -us the supreme honour of joining the luncheon-party at my house?’ - -The Minister excused himself on the score of business engagements; but -five minutes later, when Briazga had left him, and he was going out of -the church, Danevitch came up to him. - -‘I saw you talking to Briazga,’ the detective remarked. - -‘Did you? Where were you? I didn’t notice you in the church.’ - -‘Perhaps not; but I haven’t been far off. Briazga has invited you to -the luncheon?’ - -‘How do you know?’ asked the Minister, in surprise. - -‘I guess it.’ - -‘Then, you must have the power of a seer.’ - -‘Not at all, your Excellency. Nothing could be simpler. You being here, -your subordinate would have been guilty of an unpardonable rudeness and -affront if he had not paid you the compliment to invite you. But, of -course, it was a mere formality. He doesn’t wish and does not intend -you to go if he can prevent it.’ - -‘I suppose not; nor do I wish to go.’ - -‘But I should like you to go,’ answered Danevitch. ‘Indeed, I consider -it of some importance that you should go. A little drama may be enacted -in which you can play a part.’ - -The Minister looked hard at Danevitch, as if trying to read his -thoughts, and asked pointedly: - -‘Do you suspect Briazga of having stolen the Treasury notes?’ - -‘Will you pardon me for simply saying at this moment that it would be -imprudent for me to answer your question?’ - -‘Will you be there?’ - -‘Again I must respectfully decline to answer the question.’ - -‘But you have an object in wishing me to be present.’ - -‘Undoubtedly.’ - -‘Then I will go.’ - -Whereupon the Minister hastily pencilled a note on a slip of paper -torn from his note-book, and sent it by one of the church attendants -to Briazga. In the note he simply said he had changed his mind, and -would do himself the pleasure of being present at the wedding-feast, as -he found he had a couple of spare hours on his hands. Danevitch moved -off, and had not got far away, when he was accosted by the chief of the -police, who remarked sarcastically: - -‘I understood there were to be some developments at this wedding.’ - -‘From whom did you understand that?’ asked Danevitch, without any -attempt to conceal the annoyance he felt. - -‘It is not necessary to mention names. I heard that you were to be -here, and the Minister of Finance was to be here. The information -was significant, so I came too. You suspect somebody amongst this -marriage-party?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Who is it?’ - -‘Pardon me, I decline to state at the present moment.’ - -‘Why?’ - -‘Because I have no proof.’ - -‘You are seeking a proof, then?’ - -‘I am.’ - -‘Do you expect to find it?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Where and when?’ - -‘I cannot say. It’s problematical. A few hours will decide. As soon as -I am sure of my ground I will report to you.’ - -The chief recognised the uselessness of further questioning, and left, -while Danevitch withdrew into the background as the wedding-party -left the church and drove to Briazga’s house. He lived in what was -known as the English quarter, near the English quay. There were no -English living there then. Bad times and oppressive restrictions had -ruined most of them, and they had gone away. The house inhabited by -Briazga had been formerly occupied by an English merchant; it had many -conveniences and improvements not usually found in the average Russian -house. Here the Government clerk had lived very comfortably with his -father, mother, and sister Olga. The father and mother were well -advanced in years. They had a small income of their own to live upon. - -Soon after the wedding-party had arrived at the house, an old woman, -a professional fortune-teller, presented herself and begged to -be admitted. There was nothing unusual in this. Vagrants of both -sexes make a good living in Russia by attending wedding-parties and -forecasting the future of the bride and bridegroom. As the Russians -are a superstitious people, they encourage these fortune-tellers, who -are feasted, and generally add to the entertainment by story and -jest. Having been treated well in the servants’ quarter, the woman was -introduced to the company. The bridegroom, who was hilarious and full -of vodka and wine, immediately presented himself to have his fortune -told; but when the woman had looked at his hand and peered into his -eyes, while the company waited in breathless expectancy, she said: - -‘I cannot tell you your fortune.’ - -At this there was considerable laughing and jeering, and on all sides -arose the question, ‘Why, why?’ - -‘Oh, ladies and gentlemen,’ exclaimed the seer, ‘pray don’t laugh. I -can read all your fortunes--better, perhaps, than you would like me to -do.’ - -‘Then, why don’t you begin with the bridegroom?’ was asked by several. -‘He is anxious to know what is before him.’ - -‘Good; it shall be told,’ answered the woman sharply. ‘Give me a pack -of cards.’ - -The pack of cards was brought. She spread the cards on the table in -several rows. Next she shifted them about, and placed them in squares -and circles, and all the time the company gathered round and waited in -eager expectancy for what was coming. Presently the woman jumbled the -cards up together, then repacked them and told the bridegroom to cut -them four times, and the bride three. That done, the fortune-teller -seemed absorbed in some abstruse calculation as she slowly sorted the -cards out in four rows. - -‘You are a precious long time,’ exclaimed the bridegroom irritably. ‘It -strikes me you are a humbug.’ - -‘Patience, patience,’ murmured the woman. ‘There is something wrong -about the cards. They won’t come right.’ - -‘Because you don’t understand them,’ suggested somebody. - -‘Possibly; but patience, patience; I shall understand them directly. -Ah! I see something now. It’s strange, very strange!’ - -The curiosity and interest of the company were fully aroused by the -mysterious manner of the old woman, who seemed deeply absorbed in what -she was doing; but Briazga was annoyed, and he called out: - -‘Ladies and gentlemen, let us stop this nonsense. The woman is an -impostor, and is only wasting our time, which can be more joyfully and -pleasurably employed. It is an auspicious occasion, this, and we don’t -want it marred by any unpleasant incident. Let us banish the woman to -the kitchen.’ - -At these words the old fortune-teller drew herself up with a certain -dignity, and remarked: - -‘It is customary for my people to be kindly and hospitably entertained -at these festive gatherings; and I myself have the reputation of being -a most successful fortune-teller; it is not my fault now that the cards -will not come right. But I read certain things about the bridegroom -which I am sure he would like to know. Say, shall I proceed?’ - -The bridegroom himself answered. - -‘Certainly,’ he exclaimed, and there was a curious look on his -wine-flushed face. ‘I want to know my future; let the woman go on.’ - -Briazga appeared to be very greatly irritated, but as there arose -a murmured assent from the assembly he yielded to the evident -desire of his guests, who now crowded round the table and urged the -fortune-teller to rearrange the cards. This she did, and having laid -them out again in five rows, she uttered an ejaculatory ‘Ah!’ and after -a pause added: - -‘It is better; but still there is a block somewhere. Can you, -sir’--this to the bridegroom--‘place on the table five thousand rouble -notes? That will perhaps break the spell.’ - -It was a common thing for these fortune-tellers to request that small -sums of money might be produced; but five thousand roubles was a large -sum, and there was a general murmur of surprise, while Briazga appeared -to be particularly uneasy and troubled. He was trying to push his way -through the crowd to get at his brother-in-law, for there was such a -hubbub and din of voices that he could not make himself heard; but -before he succeeded in accomplishing his purpose, Peter Golovnin, with -a boastful air and a drunken leer on his red face, pulled from his -pocket a leather wallet, which, on opening, was found to be stuffed -full of notes. With an unsteady hand he proceeded to count out five -notes of the value of one thousand roubles each. Having done so, he -laid the notes upon the table, and once more there was breathless -silence as the company craned their necks in their eagerness to see -what the old woman would now do. The bridegroom himself seemed the -least concerned of anyone, and, with a coarse, drunken laugh, remarked: - -‘I suppose the old fool thought I did not possess so much money. It -shows what an impostor she is, otherwise she would have been able to -tell you exactly how much I have in my wallet. However, let her go on, -and if she fails this time I will kick her out.’ - -The fortune-teller seemed in no ways affected by the threat, but busied -herself in rearranging the cards. She spread out the five bank-notes. -On each of four she placed a knave from the pack, and on the fifth she -put a queen. Suspicious eyes watched her every movement, as more than -one person present was of opinion that she wanted to purloin the money -by some hanky-panky business. - -‘There is a lot of knavery here,’ she remarked thoughtfully. ‘The -queen, as you will see, is the victim of knaves, and I am afraid will -come to grief.’ - -‘Who does the queen represent?’ asked someone. - -‘The bride,’ answered the fortune-teller. - -At this there was a strong murmur of disapproval, and the bridegroom, -with an angry cry, put out his hand to sweep up the notes, but the -woman, quicker than he, gathered them in a heap, and said sternly: - -‘Do not touch them for a moment, or you will break the spell.’ Then -suddenly she snatched them up, and exclaimed: ‘These notes are forged -ones. That accounts for my difficulty.’ - -This was the signal for a general uproar, and the company, believing -that the woman wished to steal the money, seized her, and she would -have been roughly handled had she not shaken herself free, and -energetically forced her way to the Minister of Finance, who was -present, and, thrusting the notes into his hand, said: - -‘Sir, I know you; you are the Minister of Finance. Look at those -notes. They are forged! I give them into your keeping. No man has a -right to have false notes in his possession. You, sir, as an officer -of the State, have it in your power to demand an explanation. Ask the -bridegroom, your Excellency, why he carries forged notes in his purse.’ - -The Minister took the notes, though he seemed distressed and puzzled. - -‘The wretched hag lies!’ thundered the bridegroom. ‘The notes are -perfectly good. My brother-in-law, if he respects me and the good name -of his family, and loves his sister, my wife, will order his servants -to whip this lying fortune-teller, who has broken up our party and -destroyed our pleasure.’ - -There was a disposition on the part of some of those present to act on -the suggestion made, and subject the old woman to rough treatment; but -the Minister, holding up his hand in a deprecatory manner, said: - -‘Ladies and gentlemen, control yourselves, please. Keep quiet. The -woman is quite right. These notes are not genuine ones. But no doubt -Mr. Golovnin can offer some explanation as to how they came into his -possession.’ - -‘Yes,’ cried Golovnin excitedly. ‘They were given to me by my father, -and I cannot believe they are false. If they are, then he himself has -been cheated, and it will break his heart.’ - -‘That the notes are not genuine, there can be no possible doubt,’ -said the Minister gravely; ‘and that you or your father should -be in possession of forged notes representing so large a sum is -extraordinary.’ - -‘I pray you return them to me,’ wailed the bridegroom, looking very -sorrowful and sad, while his trembling bride stood beside him the -picture of puzzled distress. She seemed scarcely able to realize -the situation, and her tearful eyes wandered from her husband to -her brother, and from him to the Minister of Finance, as if in dumb -entreaty to clear the mystery up, and not mar the pleasure of her -wedding-day. But the Minister, although not there in any judicial -position, clearly recognised that, as a servant of the State, he had a -duty to perform, and, despite the painfulness of the situation in which -he thus found himself, he felt forced to that duty. - -‘I cannot return the notes,’ he said gravely, ‘and I must ask you to -let me examine the other notes in your wallet.’ - -At this request, Golovnin pulled out his pocket-book without the -slightest hesitation, and, producing a packet of notes, handed -them--with the air of a man conscious of his own rectitude--to the -Minister, who, having subjected them to a close scrutiny, pronounced -them to be forgeries also. - -The company were startled by this into a united cry of astonishment and -alarm, while the unhappy bride, with a low moan, fell to the floor in a -swoon. - -‘Surely, sir, there is some mistake,’ suggested Briazga, pallid and -pale as a corpse. - -‘Of course it’s a mistake,’ shouted the bridegroom; ‘his Excellency is -wrong--entirely wrong. It is impossible the notes can be forged. I am -sure they are genuine.’ - -‘Briazga,’ said the Minister sternly, ‘you have been handling notes -long enough in the Treasury to be able to tell a genuine one from a -false one. Look at these, and give me your honest opinion.’ - -The Minister placed the notes on the table. Briazga took them up with -a trembling hand one by one, and examined them, holding them to the -light, and subjecting them to other tests, while the amazed guests -held their breath in anxious suspense, as they waited for his verdict. -Slowly and deliberately, notwithstanding that he was suffering from -intense nervous emotion, Briazga went through the notes one by one, -while his superior watched him intently and curiously. At last, when he -had finished his task, he said: - -‘Sir, I am forced to confess that every note there is nothing more than -a clever imitation. But my brother-in-law must surely be the dupe of a -knavish trick. The matter is capable of explanation.’ - -‘It must certainly be investigated,’ answered the Minister. ‘It is far -too serious to be lightly passed over. I shall have to carry the notes -away, and consult with the authorities as to the steps to be taken.’ - -‘Stay,’ exclaimed the bridegroom, with a pitiful wail of despair; ‘this -may mean for me utter and irretrievable ruin. Remember, sir, it is my -wedding-day, and my ruin involves also the ruin, and perhaps the death, -of my wife, who has been my wife not yet a day; to say nothing of the -ruin, dishonour, disgrace of those near and dear to me. Let me beseech -of you, therefore, to delay taking any action until I myself have made -inquiries. I am convinced--absolutely convinced--there is some hideous -mistake somewhere. I am the victim of a cowardly trick. I will swear -on oath that when I left home the notes I put into my pocket were good -ones. Is it not possible that the hag of a fortune-teller has brought -this about by her devilish art?’ - -At this everybody looked to see where the ‘hag’ was, but she had made -herself invisible. In the hubbub and confusion consequent on the -discovery that the notes were forged, she had managed to slip away -unperceived, and had left the house. - -‘I regret very much indeed,’ answered the Minister, ‘that such an -unhappy affair as this should have occurred on your wedding-day; but it -is far too grave a circumstance for me to adopt the course you suggest. -In fact, I should not be justified in doing so. I repeat, I have a duty -to perform, and I must do it, however unpleasant the consequences may -be. Of course, as you say, the matter is capable of explanation, and -any explanation you may offer will receive due attention; but a very -serious official inquiry will have to be made, and the origin of these -notes must be traced.’ - -With a dignified bow to the dumfounded company, the Minister passed -out of the room and left the house, carrying the notes with him. On -reaching his official residence, he found a letter waiting for him. It -was from Danevitch, and read as follows: - - ‘YOUR EXCELLENCY, - - ‘I am suddenly called away from St. Petersburg, but shall be back in - three days’ time. I am happy to say I can restore the whole of the - stolen notes to the Treasury. I hope your Excellency enjoyed yourself - at the house of Briazga on the occasion of the wedding-feast.’ - -The Minister was a little mystified by this letter; and though he -knew that Danevitch was not the man to make a rash statement, he sent -for the chief of the police and questioned him. But that worthy had -to confess that he himself was no less mystified. He said some harsh -things about Danevitch, and even went so far as to express some doubt -whether Danevitch was capable of fulfilling his undertaking to restore -the whole of the stolen money. - -‘I’ve faith in Danevitch,’ said the Minister. ‘What he says he means; -and though he puzzles me very much, I feel certain that all will come -right in the end.’ - -The chief had no answer to this, so he simply bowed and took his leave. - -True to his promise, Danevitch returned to St. Petersburg in three -days’ time, and, to the amazement of the officials and all concerned, -he duly delivered to the Treasury the whole of the missing million -roubles, and was enabled to lay such information before the authorities -that Briazga and Ivan and Peter Golovnin were immediately arrested. - -Ivan Golovnin lived at Vishni Volotchok, where he owned some property. -He was an old man, and had been married twice. By his first wife he had -had a large family, and they were nearly all scattered. By his second -wife he had one son, Peter. This young fellow had been a managing clerk -in a fur store in St. Petersburg, and had known Briazga’s family some -years. Olga Briazga had fallen desperately in love with him, but her -deformity prevented him reciprocating her passion. Between Olga and -her brother an extraordinary affection existed--an affection unusual -even between brother and sister. He idolized her; and when he saw she -was breaking her heart about Peter, and that her life was in danger, -he told Peter he would enrich him if he would marry her. From this a -conspiracy was hatched, in which Briazga, Peter and Peter’s father -joined interests. The old man was induced to enter into it for his -son’s sake. It was prearranged that when Briazga was next engaged -in the duty of conveying treasure from Moscow to St. Petersburg, an -attempt should be made to purloin some of it; but from the first he -gave his co-conspirators distinctly to understand that, while he would -do all he possibly could to assist them, he would not keep a single -rouble himself. The opportunity came at last with the removal of -treasure from Moscow. Briazga knew a week beforehand that he would be -employed upon the duty, and he also knew what money would be removed. -Everything, therefore, seemed to favour him, and he lost no time in -communicating the intelligence to the Golovnins. Peter at once set to -work to prepare two facsimile boxes, and to fill them with paper, the -whole being the exact weight of the Government boxes when filled with -a million’s worth of rouble notes. The Government cord and the forged -seal were supplied by Briazga. The train conveying the treasure stopped -for a long time at Vishni Volotchok, that being a buffet station where -passengers usually dined or supped. The night of the robbery happened -to be very dark and very hot. On arriving at Vishni Volotchok, the -treasure escort went four at a time to the buffet to eat and drink. -Briazga was included in the first four. When they had finished they -relieved the other four; but the night being sultry, Briazga’s party -sauntered about the platform smoking, the door of the treasure waggon -being locked. On the plea of getting some tobacco, Briazga returned to -the waggon; he was not absent more than ten minutes--indeed, not so -long; but during the time he was enabled to open the off-side door with -a secret key, and to hand out the two boxes to Peter, who was lying -in wait with the dummies. Thus was the robbery cleverly committed, -as proved by the evidence twisted and wormed out of the culprits -themselves by the inquisitorial nature of the Russian law. - -The sequel of the remarkable story has yet to be told. When Danevitch -took the matter up, he came to the conclusion after a time that the -robbery had taken place at Vishni Volotchok. There were numerous and -obvious reasons for that conclusion. It was no less obvious that -one or more of the eight persons composing the escort must have had -some hand in the robbery. He soon determined in his own mind that -the gendarmes were guiltless. This reduced the suspects to the four -Government officials. Now, assuming that the deduction was a correct -one, it was no less clear that there must have been a confederate at -Vishni Volotchok; so Danevitch set to work to find out which of the -officials had any connection with that place, and he soon ascertained -that the Briazgas and the Golovnins were acquainted. That stage of the -inquiry reached, he began to feel that he would ultimately succeed in -unravelling the mystery. The means that he employed to track down his -quarry Danevitch was careful never to make public, for very obvious -reasons, but he had a habit of setting them forth fully in his diary, -and from that source I am able to give them here. - -It was known almost throughout Russia that this remarkable man had a -protean-like faculty for changing his appearance. He could so alter his -voice and features that, in combination with change of dress, he could -defy detection even by those who were well acquainted with him. His -most favourite disguise was that of an old woman, whom he could imitate -to the life. In the character of a female, therefore, he penetrated -into the Golovnins’ home. He found, by close watching, that Peter made -frequent journeys backwards and forwards between the house and a small -plantation of firs, about a quarter of a mile away. As there was no -apparent reason why the young man should go to the plantation so often, -Danevitch was induced to search it, with the result that he found -the two stolen boxes artfully concealed in an old quarry, which was -almost entirely hidden by creepers and brambles. The boxes had been -opened, but the contents were intact. This find was a great triumph for -Danevitch, but his work was far from complete. It was necessary that he -should spread a net that would capture all the culprits, and he carried -this out with singular ingenuity. That one or both of the Golovnins -had had a hand in the robbery was pretty evident, but others must also -have been concerned, and they might escape if caution was not observed. -When he ascertained that Peter Golovnin and Olga Briazga were on the -eve of marriage, the plot seemed to make itself clear to him, and when -he gained entrance to the marriage-feast in the rôle of fortune-teller, -his triumph was complete. In the boxes hidden in the wood at Vishni -Volotchok he had placed a large number of cleverly imitated notes, -taking the genuine ones away. The imitations had been lying at one of -the police bureaus for a very long time. They had been seized on the -premises of a notorious note-forger. Danevitch was sure that Peter -Golovnin, the bridegroom, would liberally supply himself with money -from the boxes for his marriage, and if the forged notes were found in -his possession, the evidence would be overwhelming. - -It remains to say that the guilt was brought home to all concerned. -They were condemned to death, as they had committed a crime against the -State, but the sentence was commuted to banishment for life to Siberia. -Poor Olga Briazga, whose love for Peter Golovnin had been the cause of -the crime, accompanied her unhappy husband to Northern Siberia, where -he was doomed to pass the first ten years of his sentence. - - - - -A MODERN BORGIA. - - -During his long and remarkable career, Danevitch was called upon to -solve problems of a very varied nature, and, while his efforts were not -always crowned with success--and he never hesitates in his journals to -confess his failures--the percentage of his triumphs was very large. -Necessarily, of course, his work lay amongst the by-ways and alleys of -life, so to speak; for so long as there are crimes and criminals--and -that will be as long as the world lasts--men must be found who will -endeavour to lessen the one and bring the other to book. In his own -particular way, Danevitch was a genius; and it almost seemed sometimes -as if Nature had endowed him with an eighth sense, for he saw and -grasped points which no one else could see. Although a born detective, -there are many other callings in which he might have risen to eminence, -notably that of the stage. He was a perfect actor, and his powers of -mimicry and of changing his expression and personal appearance were -little short of marvellous. He could with ease assume the rôle of an -ambassador or a peasant market woman, and he possessed to a remarkable -degree the faculty of patience, which is indispensable to anyone who -wishes to distinguish himself in the detective’s art. Moreover, he was -well educated, and a fluent linguist, and these accomplishments helped -him immensely. In referring to the case which I am now about to relate, -he himself speaks of it as ‘a remarkable and complicated one,’ which -all but baffled him; and he cites it as an example of the depths of -depravity to which human nature is capable of descending. - -It appeared that one summer night Colonel Ignatof, who was in command -of an infantry regiment of the line, temporarily stationed in Moscow, -returned to his barracks after being out all the evening, and, -complaining of being very ill, ordered that the regimental doctor -should be immediately sent for. From the time that the order was given -to the arrival of the doctor in the commanding officer’s room not more -than ten minutes elapsed. But during that short space the Colonel had -vomited violently, and the doctor found him lying on the bed, cold, -pallid, and collapsed. The soldier-servant who was with him said that -his master had suffered awfully, and had described his feelings as if -a fire was raging in his inside. The doctor administered remedies, -which so far had a good effect that the patient rallied, and on being -asked if he could account for his sudden illness--he had always been -an exceedingly robust and healthy man--he faintly murmured that he -believed it was attributable to some iced fish soup (a favourite -Russian dish), of which he had partaken freely. He thought it probable -that the fish from which the soup had been concocted were not quite -fresh. It seemed a natural supposition, for the intense heat of the -short Russian summer makes it very difficult to keep meat and fish -fresh for many hours. - -He was next asked where he had partaken of the soup, but before he -could give an answer he was again seized with violent retching. When -the spasm had passed, he collapsed once more, and all the remedies that -were tried failed to restore him. He continued, however, to breathe for -two hours, and then died. As the symptoms from which the unfortunate -man had suffered were identical with those set up by irritant poison, -an order was received that a post-mortem examination was to be made. In -due course this order was carried out, and resulted in the discovery -that death was due to an irritant poison that had set up violent -inflammation of the stomach. This seemed to be quite consistent -with the unfortunate man’s own theory that his illness was due to -unwholesome soup. - -The fish soup is a very common dish in Russia. It is made from various -kinds of fish boiled to a pulp. It is then highly seasoned, thickened -with rich, luscious cream; a quantity of olive-oil is next added, -and the mess is iced until it is nearly frozen. It is a singularly -seductive dish, but only those who have strong stomachs can stand it. -As it is only partaken of in the summer, great care has to be exercised -that the fish is quite fresh. Any carelessness in this respect is apt -to produce serious illness. The peasantry, who cannot afford cream, -and enrich the soup with large quantities of inferior oil, often -suffer severely, and not infrequently die, after a hearty meal of this -national soup, for as often as not the fish used is stale, and, as most -people know, decaying fish is a virulent poison. - -It was a knowledge of these facts which no doubt led the medical men -to jump to the conclusion that the Colonel’s death was entirely due to -the soup, a conclusion that seemed quite justified by what the dying -man himself had said. Some attempt was made to discover where he had -dined, but as this was not successful, the doctors certified that the -deceased had died from internal inflammation after partaking of soup -which was probably not fresh. Here the matter ended. The dead man was -buried with military pomp and ceremony, and many eulogies were uttered -over his grave. It was known amongst his intimate friends that he was -a married man, but owing to ‘incompatibility’ he and his wife had long -lived apart. All his effects he left by will to a nephew named Peter -Baranoff, who was a Captain in an artillery regiment, which was also -stationed in Moscow. - -It was generally supposed that Colonel Ignatof was well off, if not -wealthy, but it became known after his death that he died worth very -little. This gave rise to much gossip, and it was more than hinted that -he had squandered his means and substance on a certain lady to whom he -had been greatly attached. However, these little incidents were not so -rare as to cause any great surprise, and the Colonel and his affairs -were soon forgotten, and the world went on as usual. Colonel Ignatof -had been in his grave about twelve months, when Moscow was furnished -with another sensation. Although he had died poor, relatively, his -nephew had got something like three thousand pounds, besides a fair -amount of jewellery, some plate, books, and other odds and ends. The -young fellow had never been very steady, and after his uncle’s death -launched out into excesses which brought him under the notice of his -superiors; and he was warned that he would have to regulate his conduct -a little better or he might be called upon to resign his commission, -as his name was mixed up with a good many scandals, and there had been -much talk about certain gambling debts he had incurred and was unable -to meet. However, an unexpected and effective stop was put to his -‘goings on,’ and set everybody talking again. - -Late one night a man was picked up near one of the gates of the Kremlin -wall in a state of unconsciousness, and was conveyed by a police patrol -to the nearest station-house, as the natural inference was that he was -intoxicated. He was speedily identified as Captain Peter Baranoff, from -cards and letters found in his pockets. Within half an hour of his -admission his symptoms had become so serious as to cause alarm, and -it was deemed advisable to communicate with the military authorities. -No time was lost in doing this, but before any instructions could be -received Baranoff collapsed, and within an hour of his admission he was -dead, in spite of all the efforts made to restore him to consciousness -and prolong his life. - -The case, as may be supposed, surrounded with mystery as it was, -caused an immense sensation. The deceased man’s social position, his -connection with the army, and the financial difficulties in which it -was thought he was involved, removed the matter out of the sphere of -an ordinary affair, and it was the ‘talk of the town.’ As no reason -could be assigned for his premature decease, an autopsy was made, and -it was then found that, as in his uncle’s case, there was violent -inflammation of the coats of the stomach and the intestinal track. -In the stomach itself were the remains of some half-digested morsels -of fish; and it was also made evident that a little while before -his death the deceased had partaken freely of vodka. This led to -the supposition--which was probably correct--that intoxication was -accountable for the unconscious condition in which he was found; but -intoxication would not account for his death. He was a young fellow of -splendid physique, and none of the organs were diseased. His death, -therefore, was not due to any natural cause; and after some discussion -amongst the medical men, it was decided to certify that he had died -from eating impure food, which, by its poisonous action, had set up -inflammation, which had been much aggravated by the vodka. Of course, -there was a good deal of curiosity to know where he had spent the -evening, and how it was he should have been wandering alone outside -of the Kremlin until he fell unconscious. The inference was that -he had been revelling with friends at one or other of the numerous -haunts which abound in Moscow, and which often lure young men to their -destruction. Some attempt was made to trace his movements on the -evening of his death; but all the attempt resulted in was that it was -proved he left his quarters between six and seven. He was in private -clothes, and he incidentally mentioned to a friend that he was going to -the opera, and afterwards intended to sup with a lady acquaintance. He -did go to the opera, but left early--that is, before ten o’clock. From -that time until he was picked up unconscious later there was a blank -that could not be filled in. - -Strangely enough, at this time there was no suspicion of foul play. -That he should die in a similar manner to his uncle was considered -rather remarkable, but there the surprise ended. But within a week -of the burial a sharp-eyed and thoughtful medical student, who was -pursuing his studies in the great college at Moscow, addressed a few -lines to the _Moscow Gazette_, in which he ventured to suggest that the -doctors who examined Baranoff’s body had failed in their duty in not -causing a chemical analysis to be made of the contents of the deceased -man’s stomach; and he advanced the opinion that both Baranoff and his -uncle had been wilfully done to death. - -At first this idea was laughed at. It was spoken of as being -‘ridiculous,’ and the suspicion of foul play utterly unjustified. In a -few hours, however, public opinion changed. It would be difficult to -tell why, unless on the hypothesis that a new sensation was wanted. -A clamour arose, and grave doubts were thrown upon the doctors’ -judgment. Now, in Russia public opinion has not the weight that it has -in England, and the popular voice is often stifled whenever it begins -to grow a little too loud. But in this case there were certain details -which lent a good deal of weight to the suspicion of foul play; and in -official quarters, after much discussion, it was considered advisable -that some notice should be taken of it. Probably it would have been -otherwise but for the seeming fact that the medical men had done their -duty in a very perfunctory way, and had not been at sufficient pains to -establish the accuracy of the conclusion they came to from what they -saw during their scientific investigations. It was pointed out that -all the symptoms exhibited by the two men were quite compatible with -the suggestions of drug-poisoning; that the theory that both met their -end through inadvertently partaking of stale fish was so remarkable a -coincidence that it could not be regarded as a commonplace matter; and -that in the interest of justice, no less than of science, some further -investigation should be permitted. - -In the end an official order was issued that Baranoff’s body should -be exhumed, and the usual means taken to test, by the aid of chemical -knowledge, whether or not the deceased man came by death through an -accident, through natural causes, or as the victim of foul play. -In order to leave nothing to be desired in the way of research, a -Professor of Chemistry, who stood at the very top of the profession, -was instructed to make the analysis. This he did, with the result that -he came to the conclusion that the deceased had met his death from -a strong dose of black hellebore. As soon as the authorities were -informed of the result of the analysis, they had Colonel Ignatof’s body -taken up and subjected to chemical examination. And in this instance -also the Professor declared that death had been brought about by black -hellebore. - -At this period black hellebore was by no means a well-known poison -outside the medical profession, and the average doctor was perhaps -quite ignorant of the morbid symptoms it set up in the human subject -when a fatal dose was administered. It is classed amongst what is -known as the true narcotico-acrids, and bears the botanical name -of _Helleborus niger_, and is familiar to the general public as -the Christmas rose. Few people, however, who admire the beautiful -rose-tinted flowers of the Christmas rose, which serve to enliven the -house in the gloomy winter months, have any idea how deadly a poison -can be extracted from its roots and leaves. Its active principle, -according to chemists, is an oily matter containing an acid. Its -effects on the human being are violent retching and vomiting, delirium, -convulsions, and intense internal pains. These symptoms generally -appear in from an hour to two hours after the fatal dose is swallowed, -and death usually results in about six hours. If administered in -alcohol or food of any kind, no suspicion is aroused on the part of -the person who takes it, as the taste is quite disguised. The morbid -appearances produced in the human body are inflammation of the stomach, -the digestive canal, and particularly the great intestines. Poisonous -fish or food of any kind almost will produce these symptoms. Therefore -the medical men who certified that Colonel Ignatof and his nephew, -Captain Baranoff, both died from the effects of impure fish used for -soup were misled, and jumped to too hasty a conclusion. Some excuse -would be found for them, however, in the fact that the effects of -hellebore were not as well known then as now; at any rate, not in -Russia. And as the Colonel’s own dying opinion was that his illness -was due to the iced fish soup he had partaken of, it was perhaps -pardonable, all the other circumstances considered, that the doctors -should have been put upon a false scent, and it is pretty certain that -but for the medical student’s letter to the _Moscow Gazette_, which -sounded the alarm, no suspicion of foul play would have been aroused. - -Like most vegetable poisons, hellebore is difficult to detect, and it -can only be discovered in the dead body by means of the most delicate -tests. The chemical Professor who was charged with the important duty -of examining the remains of Ignatof and Baranoff had made toxicology -an especial study, and he had given particular attention to the very -large class of vegetable poisons, having travelled for this purpose in -various countries. He stood at the head of his profession in Russia, -and it was owing to his skill and care, and the technical knowledge he -brought to bear, that he was enabled, beyond all doubt, to establish -the fact that the two subjects he was charged to examine were the -victims of poison. - -So much having been determined, the question was mooted whether or -not the poison had been administered wilfully or accidentally. The -theory of accident was at once negatived. It was like an outrage on -common-sense to ask anyone to believe that two men, related to each -other, should each die within a year from precisely the same cause. The -coincidence was too remarkable to be admitted as probable; therefore -the matter resolved itself into murder--it was an ugly word, and all -the incidents suggested a tragedy of no ordinary kind. The case was -placed in the hands of the chief of police, who was instructed to use -every means possible to unravel the mystery. An attempt was at once -made to trace the movements of the two men for some hours before their -death. In the Colonel’s case this was not an easy matter, as he had -been dead for a year; but it was discovered that Captain Baranoff -called on a friend of his--a civilian named Alexander Vlassovsky, who -lived in a villa just on the fringe of the town--and they went together -to a café-restaurant, where they dined. After dinner they played -billiards for a short time, when they separated, as Vlassovsky had an -assignation with a lady. He did not know where Baranoff was going to. -He did not ask him, and the Captain volunteered no information. It was -proved, however, that he went to the opera, and left about ten. It was -stated most positively that when Baranoff quitted the café he was in -the pink of health, and in most excellent spirits. Some hours later he -was found in a state of unconsciousness outside of the Kremlin walls. -It followed, therefore, if the story about the café was correct--and -there was no reason to doubt it--that Baranoff must have partaken of -the fatal dose a short time before he was discovered, for the action -of the poison is very rapid. From the time, however, of his leaving to -the time he was discovered unconscious all remained a blank. Nothing -could be ascertained of his movements. It was obvious that wherever -he had been to, or whoever were the people he had been with, somebody -had an interest in keeping his movements dark, as the efforts of the -police quite failed to elicit any information. It was the same in the -Colonel’s case, and no one could discover where he had been to on the -fatal night. Moscow is a large city, honeycombed with evil haunts; -crime flourishes there to a greater extent than in any other town or -city in the whole of Russia. It has been the scene of very many deeds -of violence, for blackguardism is rampant, and numerous are the traps -for the unwary. Its population is perhaps more varied than that of any -other city of the world. Here may be seen cut-throats from the Levant; -fishermen and sailors from the Baltic; Circassians, Cossacks, Tartars, -Persians, Bokharians, Georgians, Greeks, and Jews of almost every -nationality. It may be imagined that in such a place, and amongst such -a heterogeneous collection of humanity, wickedness of every description -finds a congenial soil. Notwithstanding that, Moscow is known to all -Russians as ‘The Holy City,’ and a devout Russian, who pins his faith -to the Russo-Greek Church, regards Moscow with the same veneration that -a Mohammedan looks upon Mecca. - -After several weeks of fruitless effort to solve the mystery in which -the deaths of Colonel Ignatof and his nephew was involved, the police -had to confess themselves baffled. It seemed pretty evident that both -men had been cruelly done to death by the hand of an assassin. But -whose was the hand that committed the deed, and the motive for it, -could not be ascertained. - -It was at this stage of the proceedings that a request was made to -Michael Danevitch--who was then in St. Petersburg--to come through -to Moscow, and endeavour to solve the mystery. He complied with the -request, and at once waited upon General Govemykin, the military -governor of the city, by the General’s special desire. - -‘I want you,’ said the General, ‘to use every means that your skill -can suggest to clear up the mystery surrounding the deaths of Colonel -Ignatof and Captain Baranoff. Both these gentlemen were murdered; of -that there seems to be no doubt; and the murderers must be brought to -book. During the last few years a good many soldiers have lost their -lives in this city by foul play, and in several instances justice has -gone unsatisfied. Now two officers, men of unblemished reputation and -good social position, are killed by the same means, and yet the police -are unable to bring the crime home to anyone. It seems to me that it is -little short of disgraceful that the police supervision of a city like -this is so deficient.’ - -‘Is it deficient?’ asked Danevitch. - -‘Yes; otherwise, how is it officers and gentlemen can be brutally done -to death and the murderers escape?’ - -‘As far as I gather, this is no ordinary crime,’ remarked Danevitch. - -‘Well, perhaps not; but it shows a weakness in the organization when -our police fail to get the slightest clue to the perpetrator of the -crime. Now, what are you going to do?’ - -‘I don’t know,’ Danevitch answered, as brusquely as the General asked -the question. - -‘If you don’t know, what is the use of your taking the matter in hand?’ - -‘Pardon me, General, but I am not a prophet, therefore I cannot -foretell what I am going to do.’ - -‘Well, no, perhaps not; but you must have some idea of the lines you -intend to proceed upon.’ - -‘I shall simply try to succeed where the police have failed.’ - -‘And you may fail, too,’ exclaimed the General, who was a little piqued -by Danevitch’s brusqueness. - -‘Oh, that is very likely,’ was the answer. - -‘If you do, I’ll take some other and more drastic means to solve the -problem. Officers and men under my control shall not be done to death -with impunity.’ - -Danevitch was not affected by this display of temper, and when the -subject had been exhausted he withdrew. He recognised that the case was -a difficult one, and, in view of the fact that the police had exhausted -all their efforts, he was by no means sanguine, although he was of -the opinion that the ordinary methods of the Russian police were very -clumsy, and, in their eagerness to lay their hands on somebody, and -their fossilized belief that the whole populace was ever engaged in -some deep and dark conspiracy against constituted authority, they often -committed the most ludicrous errors. He never hesitated to condemn -the police methods of his country. He described them as inartistic, -unscientific, and brutal. His outspokenness on this score made him very -unpopular with the police, and they did not like him to have anything -to do with cases in which they had failed. It is needless to say this -did not disturb him. He had an independent mind; he worked by his own -methods, and he never allowed himself to be influenced by jealousy or -ill-will. - -His first step in connection with Colonel Ignatof’s death was to try -and get hold of his private letters and papers, as he was of opinion -that they might furnish him with a keynote; but he was informed that -private documents of all kinds belonging to the Colonel had passed into -the possession of his nephew, and when the nephew died all his papers -were secured by his executor, who declined to allow them to be seen by -anyone until he himself had gone through them; for, though he did not -give it as his reason, he was afraid of anything becoming known that -might cause a family scandal. Danevitch next sought an interview with -Alexander Vlassovsky, with whom Captain Baranoff had dined on the night -he met his death. - -Vlassovsky was a fashionable young man, and lived in what was known -as the Slobodi quarter, where most of the wealthy merchants had -their villas. The business he carried on in the city was that of a -stockbroker, and, judging from his surroundings and the style he kept -up, he was in a flourishing way. He was a bachelor, and made no secret -about it that he was fond of gaiety. - -According to the account he gave, he had been acquainted with Baranoff -for a long time, and had lent him considerable sums of money to enable -him to keep up his extravagances; for though Baranoff’s people were -people of note, and exceedingly proud, they were not rich. At any rate, -the young man was not able to get much from them, and his pay as a -Captain was too small to enable him to uphold the position he aspired -to. Of course, his financial transactions with Vlassovsky had been kept -very secret, for had they become known to the military authorities, he -would have got into serious trouble. - -It will thus be seen that the relations between the young men were -those of borrower and lender. They were not friends in the ordinary -sense. Indeed, Vlassovsky remarked to Danevitch with some bitterness: - -‘You know, like most young officers, he was as proud as Lucifer, and -seemed to think I was not his equal; though he was never averse to dine -with me and drink wine at my expense.’ - -‘Why did he come to you on the night of his death?’ - -‘To borrow money.’ - -‘Did you lend him any?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘How much?’ - -‘Two hundred roubles.’ - -‘What security did he give you for the various sums you lent him?’ - -‘Nothing beyond his acknowledgment.’ - -‘And you were satisfied with that?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Why?’ - -‘Because, if he had failed me at any time, I could have reported him to -the military authorities, and that would have been his ruin.’ - -‘But you never had occasion to do that?’ - -‘No, certainly not.’ - -‘Did he ever pay you back any of the money he borrowed?’ - -‘Oh yes.’ - -‘Where did he get the money from to pay his debts?’ - -‘How can I tell you that? He did not make me his confidant.’ - -‘Did he owe you much at the time of his death?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘How much?’ - -‘Nearly ten thousand roubles.’ - -‘That is a large sum! I suppose you will lose it?’ - -‘Oh dear no!’ - -‘Why? Did he die worth money?’ - -‘His life was insured for ten thousand. I hold the policy and a letter -from him to the effect that, should he die before paying me my due, I -was to receive the policy money.’ - -‘Have you any idea where he spent his last evening, after leaving you?’ - -‘It is known that he went to the opera, because some acquaintances saw -him there.’ - -‘But after that?’ - -‘I haven’t the remotest idea.’ - -‘Do you know nothing of his affairs of gallantry?’ - -‘Absolutely nothing.’ - -‘You think, however, that he had lady acquaintances?’ - -‘I should say there isn’t a doubt about it. He was wild.’ - -‘And possibly his death was due to jealousy on the part of a rival?’ - -‘Very possibly.’ - -‘Did you know his uncle?’ - -‘I did.’ - -‘Did you accommodate him with money?’ - -‘Yes, occasionally.’ - -‘Was he in your debt when he died?’ - -‘No; he paid me all he owed me a little while before his death.’ - -‘Have you any theory to suggest with reference to the deaths of these -two gentlemen?’ - -‘None whatever.’ - -‘Were you very much surprised when you heard of the strange way in -which they both died?’ - -‘I can’t say that I was.’ - -‘Why were you not?’ asked Danevitch quickly. - -‘In the first place, I didn’t know they had been murdered.’ - -‘But when you did?’ - -‘Then I thought they had made themselves obnoxious to somebody, and the -somebody had put them out of the way.’ - -‘And yet you have no idea who that somebody is?’ - -‘No.’ - -Danevitch stopped his questioning at this point. As he left the house -of Alexander Vlassovsky he was of opinion he had ‘struck a trail’--to -quote his own words--and he began to think out the ways and means of -proving whether he was right or wrong. - -In a semi-fashionable quarter of St. Petersburg lived a lady known -generally as Madame Julie St. Joseph. She was of French origin, but had -been a great many years in Russia. Her husband had carried on business -in Moscow as an engraver and chromo-lithographer. He had been dead, -however, a very long time, and seemed to have passed from the public -mind; but it was vaguely remembered that he was almost old enough at -the time of his death to have been his wife’s grandfather. - -Julie St. Joseph was exceedingly handsome, and at this period was about -forty years of age. She might have passed, however, for being even -younger, as she was remarkably well preserved, fresh-looking, bright -of eye, and with an abundance of animal spirits, which seemed rather -to indicate the girl than the matured woman. Much wonder was very -naturally expressed that the pretty widow had remained a widow so long, -for, as was well known, she had had offers of marriage innumerable, and -might, had she been so disposed, have made an excellent match. But the -pretty Julie was fond of gaiety and freedom. As a wealthy widow--it -was universally believed that she was wealthy--she could do as she -liked, and attract around her men of all sorts and conditions, and of -all ages. They paid her homage. She held them, so to speak, in her -hand; she could twist them round her fingers. Quarrels about her were -innumerable, and more than one jealous and hot-blooded fellow had lost -his life in a duel of which the bewitching Julie was the cause. - -The style she elected to live in was compatible with the possession of -riches. She kept up a splendid establishment; her house was sumptuously -furnished; she had numerous servants, many horses. Her winter sledges -were renowned for their luxurious appointments; her summer carriages -were almost unique. She was a woman of the most sybaritic tastes; and -every taste was pandered to and pampered. Among her servants was a -Creole; he was a man of medium height, though of powerful build, and -with a sullen, morose expression. He was always called Roko, but of his -origin and history nothing was known. He seemed to be very strongly -attached to his mistress, and always attended her wherever she went; -but no man endowed with the faculty of speech could have been more -silent than he was. He rarely spoke, except when compelled to answer -some question; and it was rumoured that, like a faithful hound, he -slept at his mistress’s door, and kept watch and ward over her during -the hours of night, while during the day he obeyed her slightest beck -or call. - -It was the beginning of the Russian New Year, and Madame Julie St. -Joseph gave a ball. It was a very grand ball; everything was done -on a lavish scale, and the pomp and magnificence was almost on a -par with a State function. The people, however, who attended the -widow’s festive gathering could not lay claim to any high social -position--at any rate, not so far as the ladies were concerned. -The ladies who were in the habit of frequenting the pretty Julie’s -salons were of questionable reputations. Julie was not recognised as -a person of social distinction, and in the female world some rather -cruel things were said about her. The men, however, represented many -grades of life: the Army, Navy, Law; the Diplomatic Service; Art, -Literature, the Drama--intellectual Bohemia generally, though not a -few of these men were at considerable pains to conceal the fact that -they visited the charming widow, for, had it been generally known, -their own women-folk might have protested in a way that would have -been anything but pleasant, and they would have found themselves -ostracised in those higher circles in which many of them moved. -Probably Madame St. Joseph was indifferent to the opinions of her own -sex, so long as she could exact homage from men; and there could be no -two opinions about the power which she wielded over the sterner sex. -It was, therefore, scarcely matter for wonder that the ladies of St. -Petersburg should feel embittered against her. When a man is jealous, -he takes a rough-and-ready means of showing his jealousy; if he has a -rival, he generally ‘goes for him,’ and the best man wins. A woman’s -jealousy, on the other hand, finds expression in a different way. In -her bitterness she would sully the reputation of a spotless angel, and -her mother-tongue has no words strong enough wherewith to express her -hatred. No wonder that the old painters, in depicting jealousy, always -took a female as a model. Of course Madame Julie St. Joseph’s beauty, -and the power it enabled her to wield, made the women very jealous -indeed; but if her female guests lacked quality, the deficiency was -amply compensated for by the high standing of many of the men. She -knew, and was proud of the fact, that there was hardly a man in Russia, -no matter how exalted his position, that she could not have brought to -her footstool had she desired to do so. Such a woman was necessarily -bound to become notorious and have numberless enemies. But the widow -was beautiful, she was rich, she gave grand receptions, she spent money -liberally; therefore she had no difficulty in rallying around her a -powerful body of adherents; and, while half St. Petersburg spoke ill of -her, the other half lauded her. - -Amongst the guests who attended the ball in question was a -dark-skinned, somewhat peculiar-looking man, said to be a Polish -Count, named Prebenski. He had a heavy moustache and beard, and wore -spectacles. As he appeared to be an entire stranger to the company, -the hostess took him for a time under her wing; but, as he could not -or would not dance, and seemed to find irresistible attraction in -the buffet, where there were unlimited supplies of vodka, as well as -wines of all kinds, she left him to his own devices, and bestowed the -favour of her smiles on more congenial guests. At length the Count, -from the effects, apparently, of too great a consumption of strong -drinks, sought a quiet nook in an anteroom, and ensconcing himself -in a large chair, sank into a heavy sleep. Some time later, when the -night was growing very old and the grayness of the winter dawn was -beginning to assert itself, and the guests had dwindled down to a mere -handful, Roko, the Creole, entered the room. Seeing the Count sleeping -there, he paused for a moment as if surprised; then he shook the guest -roughly, but getting no response, save a grunt, he went away, returning -in a few minutes with another man. That man was Alexander Vlassovsky, -who approached the Count, shook him, called him, and being no more -successful in his efforts to arouse him than Roko had been, he told -Roko to carry him upstairs to a bedroom. That was done, and the Count -was tossed upon a bed and left there; but before half an hour had -passed Vlassovsky came into the room carrying a small shaded lamp, for -though it was fully daylight heavy curtains were drawn at the window. - -He passed the light of the lamp over the sleeping man’s eyes, shook -him, called him, but as the Count remained unconscious of these -efforts, the intruder placed the lamp on a small table and, seating -himself in a chair by the bedside, began to search the pockets of -the guest. The search resulted in the production of a miscellaneous -collection of articles, which were duly returned; but at last a -pocket-book was drawn forth; it was opened, and found to contain a -considerable number of bank-notes, representing in the aggregate -a large sum of money. These notes Vlassovsky took the liberty -of transferring to his own pocket, and replacing the lightened -pocket-book, withdrew. - -Some hours later Count Prebenski rang the bell in his room, and in -response to the summons Roko appeared, bearing a lamp. The Count eyed -him for some moments in apparent astonishment, and then asked: - -‘Where am I?’ - -‘In the house of Madame Julie St. Joseph.’ - -‘What is the hour?’ - -‘It is three o’clock.’ - -‘In the morning?’ - -‘No. The afternoon.’ Roko drew the curtains, and revealed the bright, -steel-coloured winter sky, tinged a little towards the horizon with a -flush of red. - -The Count seemed puzzled. He stared first at the sky, then at the -Creole. - -‘How is it I am here?’ he asked. - -Roko revealed all his gleaming teeth as he grinned in reply. - -‘How is it I am here?’ repeated the Count, peremptorily and hotly. - -‘Your Excellency indulged too freely in liquor, and we had to put you -to bed.’ - -‘Umph!’ mused the Count; ‘it was kind; now, tell me, did your mistress, -Madame St. Joseph, know of my condition?’ - -‘She did.’ - -‘Was she angry?’ - -‘Well, Excellency, she certainly wasn’t pleased.’ - -‘Ah! I fear I have made a bea---- a fool of myself. Give me the -wherewith to put myself in a presentable condition, and I will see -madam. By the way, has she risen yet?’ - -‘Oh yes.’ - -‘Good; as soon as I have performed my toilet, return here and conduct -me to your mistress.’ - -Roko bowed and withdrew. In half an hour he came back again, and, -followed by the Count, led the way to Madame St. Joseph’s boudoir, a -very comfortable little retreat, daintily furnished, cosy and bright -with knick-knacks, cushions, curtains, luxurious rugs, and warmed to -the high temperature beloved of Russians by means of a polished metal -radiating stove. Dressed in a most elegant fur-trimmed dressing-gown, -madame was stretched upon a divan. Beside her was a Moorish table, -on which stood coffee and cigarettes. She was smoking as the Count -entered. Without rising, she extended her delicate white hand to him, -and, smiling sweetly, said: - -‘Pray be seated, Count. Roko, pour out some coffee. Will you take vodka -or cognac with it, Count?’ - -The Count chose vodka, and his wants having been supplied, the lady -bade Roko retire. - -‘I owe you an apology, madame,’ began the Count. ‘I forgot myself last -night. It was good of you to take care of me. I am deeply indebted to -you for your hospitality.’ - -‘Oh, a mere trifle,’ smiled the lady. ‘My faithful slave found you -asleep in a chair, and as his efforts failed to awaken you, he carried -you upstairs by my orders.’ - -At this point in the conversation the door opened, and Vlassovsky -appeared on the threshold; but seeing that madame had a visitor, he -quickly withdrew. - -‘I am sorry to say I am the victim of a strange weakness,’ answered the -Count. ‘I am a temperate man, but should I be tempted to indulge beyond -my ordinary allowance it throws me into a sort of coma, from which I -only recover after many hours of death-like sleep.’ - -‘You are to be pitied, Count.’ - -‘Your pity is worth having,’ he answered. ‘Now, tell me, madame, what -penalty am I to pay for having so far forgotten myself?’ - -‘Penalty, Count!’ - -‘Yes. I am wealthy. Money is no object to me. I have notes. I am almost -alone in the world.’ - -‘Indeed!’ exclaimed the lady, with animation, and regarding her guest -with new-born interest; ‘you are fortunate. I presume you are staying -here temporarily?’ - -‘Yes. I am travelling for my pleasure. When our mutual friend Trepoff -was good enough to ask you to extend your courtesy to me, and sent me -an invitation to your ball, I accepted it with pleasure, and was glad -to leave the loneliness of my hotel; but it grieves me sorely to think -that I so forgot myself.’ - -‘Pray, Count, do not let the matter give you any concern,’ said the -charming widow, as she sat up and again extended her soft hand to him -to kiss. ‘Are you likely to remain in St. Petersburg long?’ - -‘My stay will be regulated by the amount of pleasure I experience here. -But a hotel is not the most comfortable place in the winter, and I -confess I feel dull and lonely.’ - -The lady fixed her keen eyes upon him as she remarked: - -‘Indeed, I can well understand that, Count. Now, if I might venture to -ask you to make my poor abode your residence during your stay in the -city, it would afford me great pleasure to play the hostess. Will you -accept of my hospitality?’ - -‘Really, Madame St. Joseph, I, I----’ - -‘Pray, no thanks or excuses, Count; the pleasure is mine, and I will -endeavour at least to prevent your suffering from ennui.’ - -The Count rose, and warmly pressing her hand, said he was overwhelmed -by her goodness, and no less enchanted with her beauty. He accepted her -invitation in the spirit, in which it was given, and without losing any -time would hasten to his hotel, pay his bill, and remove his things at -once to madame’s house. An hour later he drove up in a drosky with his -luggage, and was conducted to the handsomest of the guest-chambers. -That night he dined _tête-à-tête_ with madame, and in the course of the -dinner he told her that the previous night he managed to lose, or had -been relieved of, in some way, a large sum of money. When she uttered -exclamations of regret, and expressed her sympathy with him, he laughed -carelessly, made light of his loss, and said that, large though the sum -was, it gave him no real concern, and he would regard it as a fine he -had paid for his rudeness. - -The widow sighed and told him he was a fortunate man in being able to -bear such a loss without feeling it. - -A fortnight passed, and the Count found himself in comfortable -quarters. As if desirous of monopolizing his company, the widow -invited nobody to the house, and those who paid the ordinary courtesy -calls she speedily dismissed; while gentlemen who had been in the habit -of dropping in of an evening to play cards and sup with pretty Julie -were told by Roko that she was suffering so much from the fatigues of -the ball that she could see no one. One caller, Peter Trepoff, who came -specially to inquire about the Count, was told that though he had been -there he had departed, without saying where he was going to. All that -fortnight she remained very secluded. She would not accompany the Count -when he invited her to go out, and she so strongly persuaded him not -to go that he yielded and remained indoors. Every fascination, every -talent she possessed, she put forth and exerted to amuse and entertain -him, until he was as pliable as clay in her hands. One night he had -retired to rest, and had been in his room about an hour, when he heard -the handle of his door move. The door was not locked; indeed, there was -no key wherewith to lock it, and he had not concerned himself about -it in any way. Very gently, and almost without a sound, the latch was -raised and the door pushed open. Presently Roko entered on his hands -and knees. He paused and listened. Certain nasal sounds seemed to -indicate that the Count was sleeping very soundly. Roko carried a tiny -little lantern, and he flashed a ray across the sleeper’s face. Having -satisfied himself that the Count was asleep, he drew from his pocket a -phial containing a colourless liquid, and, approaching a night-table, -on which stood a jug of barley-tea, which the Count had in his room -every night, as he said it had been his custom for years always to -drink barley-tea in the night-time, the Creole poured the contents of -the phial into the jug, and having done that, he withdrew as stealthily -as he had entered. Soon afterwards the Count rose, procured a light, -and took from his portmanteau a large flask, into which he emptied the -barley-tea. Then he addressed himself to sleep again, and slept the -sleep of the just. - -At the usual morning meal he did not put in an appearance; but he sent -a request to madame, asking her to be good enough to come and see him. -The request was speedily complied with. When she appeared she looked -as charming and as radiant as ever. He was profuse in his apologies -for having troubled her to come to his room, but pleaded as an excuse -a feeling of extreme illness. She displayed great anxiety and concern, -and wanted to send for a doctor; but he told her it was nothing. He -thought something had disagreed with him; that was all. It would pass -off. A doctor was not needed. She declared, however, that if he felt no -better in an hour’s time she would insist on his seeing a doctor. An -hour slipped by, and he was still in the same condition, so a messenger -was despatched for a doctor, who speedily put in an appearance. - -To the doctor’s inquiries, the patient said he believed he had eaten -or drunk something which had upset him. The doctor was of the same -opinion, and prescribed accordingly. In the course of the afternoon -the Count said he felt somewhat better, and though the hostess tried -to dissuade him from doing so, he announced his intention of going out -to get a breath of fresh air. He wanted her to accompany him. That she -stoutly refused to do; and when she saw he was determined to go she -withdrew her opposition, and expressed a hope that he would speedily -return. He assured her that he would do so. He said he was going to -have a drive in a sledge on the Neva for two or three hours. Having put -on his Shuba, his fur gloves, fur-lined boots, and fur cap, he took his -departure. - -After an absence of about three hours, he returned, and declared that -he felt much better. He spent about an hour with the lady in her -boudoir, then retired. She was very anxious that Roko should sit up -with him, but he resolutely set his face against that, saying that -there was not the least necessity for it. He was an exceedingly sound -sleeper, and he was sure he would sleep as soundly as usual. About -midnight his door was opened silently, as on the previous night, and -once again Roko crept stealthily to the bed-table, and emptied the -contents of a phial into the barley-tea. Soon after he had withdrawn -the Count jumped up, poured the tea into another flask, which he -produced from his portmanteau, and then lay down in the bed again -until a neighbouring church clock solemnly and slowly tolled out two -o’clock. Almost immediately the Count rose, and dressed himself. That -done, he took from his portmanteau a revolver, and having examined it -to ascertain if it was properly loaded, he lighted a lantern provided -with a shutter, to shut off the light when required. Going to the -door, he opened it gently, and listened. All was silent. There wasn’t -a sound, save that made by the wind, which whistled mournfully through -the corridor. Having satisfied himself that nothing human was stirring, -the Count proceeded cautiously along the corridor, descended a short -flight of stairs to another corridor, along which he passed, and gained -the main door that gave access to the street. He opened this door, -though not without some difficulty, as there were bolts and chains to -be undone, and he worked cautiously for fear of making a noise. - -At last all obstacles were removed, and the heavy door swung on its -hinges, letting in a blast of icy air, and revealing the brilliant -stars that burned like jewels in the cloudless black sky. In a few -minutes eight men filed into the house noiselessly, and the door was -closed, but chains and bolts were left undone. The men exchanged a few -sentences in whispers. Then, following the Count, they proceeded to the -sleeping apartment of Madame Julie St. Joseph. In an anteroom, through -which it was necessary to pass to reach her room, Roko, enveloped in -furs, lay on a couch, locked in sleep. A shaded lamp stood on a bracket -against the wall. - -Four men remained in this room; the other four and the Count entered -the lady’s chamber. Here, again, a shaded lamp burned on a bracket, -and close to it an ikon--or sacred picture--hung. The pretty widow -was also sleeping. By this time the Count had undergone a strange -transformation. His beard and moustache had disappeared, revealing -the smooth-shaved, mobile face of Michael Danevitch, the detective. -He shook the lady. With a start she awoke. The four policemen had -concealed themselves; Danevitch alone was visible. It was some moments -before madame realized the situation; then, seeing a strange man by -her bedside, she uttered a cry, and called for Roko. He sprang up, and -instantly found himself in the grip of two stalwart men, while the -revolver under his pillow, which he tried to get, was seized. - -‘Madame Julie St. Joseph,’ said Danevitch, ‘get up and dress yourself.’ - -‘What does this mean?’ she asked, with a look of alarm on her pretty -face, as she thrust her hand under the pillow, where she likewise had a -revolver concealed. But in an instant Danevitch had seized her wrist in -his powerful grasp, and one of his colleagues removed the weapon. - -‘It means,’ he answered, ‘that your career of infamy has come to an -end. You are under arrest.’ - -A look of terror and horror swept across her face as she asked in a -choked sort of voice: - -‘On what grounds am I arrested?’ - -‘That you will learn later on. Sufficient for you to know that you are -a prisoner. Come, rise and dress yourself.’ - -She recognised the hopelessness of resistance, and, of course, she -understood that her faithful watch-hound Roko had been rendered -powerless. She was trapped; that she knew. But it did not dawn upon her -then that the Count and Danevitch were one and the same. Consequently -she was puzzled to understand how her downfall had been brought about. - -With a despairing sigh she rose and put on her clothes. Half an hour -later she was being conveyed to the gaol with Roko, accompanied by -Danevitch and three of his colleagues. The other five had been left in -charge of the house. When madame had somewhat recovered her presence of -mind, she assumed a bravado which she was far from feeling, and asked -Danevitch airily if he knew how her guest the Count was. - -‘Oh yes,’ answered Danevitch. ‘He is perfectly well, as you may -judge for yourself; for I it was who played the part of the Count so -effectively.’ - -With an absolute scream madame bit her lip with passion, until the -blood flowed, and dug her nails into the palms of her hands. - -‘What a fool, a dolt, an idiot I’ve been! But tell me, how was it Peter -Trepoff asked me to invite you to the ball?’ - -‘Peter Trepoff is my agent, madame.’ - -With a suppressed cry of maddening rage, the wretched woman covered her -face with her hands and groaned, as she realized how thoroughly she had -been outwitted. - -That same night, or, rather, some hours before the widow and Roko -were swept into the net which had been so cleverly prepared for them, -Alexander Vlassovsky was arrested in Moscow. Danevitch learned that -fact by telegraph when he went out in the afternoon. He had first -begun to suspect Vlassovsky after that interview when he was making -inquiries about the death of Captain Baranoff. The result was that he -intercepted letters from Madame Julie St. Joseph, who had returned to -St. Petersburg. She had a small house in Moscow, which she occasionally -visited in order to secure victims. In Moscow, where he was well known, -the wily Vlassovsky did not go near her, but he helped her as far as -he could in her fiendish work. He had been very cleverly trapped by -the notes which he relieved the supposed Count of. Those notes were -not genuine, and when he attempted to pass them he was arrested, for -Danevitch had notified the Moscow police. - -Subsequent revelations brought to light that the wretched woman had -been in the habit of luring men to their doom by means of her fatal -beauty. She bled them of their money, her plan being to cajole them -into giving her a lien on any property they might possess. This was -most artfully worked by the aid of Vlassovsky, and when the victim had -been securely caught, he was poisoned. The poisons were concocted by -Madame St. Joseph herself, and when she could not do it herself, Roko -administered the fatal dose or doses. She had picked up this man in -Spanish America, where she had been for some time, and, weaving her -spell about him, had made him absolutely her slave. - -Vlassovsky, who, up to the time that he made her acquaintance, had been -an honest, industrious man, fell under the magic of her influence, as -most men did, and became her all-too-willing tool. His nature once -corrupted, all scruples were thrown to the winds, and he hastened to -try and enrich himself. It seemed that the miserable woman really -loved him, and though he was fatally fascinated with her, he was -afraid of her; and, as he confessed, his aim was to accumulate money -as quickly as possible, and then flee from her and the country for -ever. But unfortunately for himself, during that memorable interview -following Captain Baranoff’s death, he had aroused the suspicions of -Danevitch, whose marvellous perceptive faculties had enabled him to -detect something or another in Vlassovsky’s manner, or answers to the -questions put to him, which made him suspicious. For Danevitch to -become suspicious meant that he would never rest until he had proved -his suspicions justified or unfounded. - -It need scarcely be said that with her arrest in St. Petersburg -Madame St. Joseph’s career came to an end. From the moment that -Danevitch entered her house her doom was sealed. Believing him to be -the person he represented himself to be, she begged of him to help -her financially; and, seeming to yield to her entreaties, he drew up -a document which purported to make over to her at his death certain -estates in Poland. Of course, these estates had no existence. Having -secured him, as she thought, her next step was to poison him by small -doses of black hellebore, so that he might gradually sicken and die. -Her devilish cunning was evidenced in every step she took. She would -not appear in public with him, nor did she allow any of the visitors -to her house to see him. Consequently it would not be generally known -that she had associated with him. As his illness developed by means of -repeated doses, she would have had him removed to a hotel, and she knew -pretty well that, as in Colonel Ignatof’s case, he would shrink from -letting it be known that he had been intimate with her. Her cunning, -however, overreached itself; she was defeated with her own weapons; -Danevitch had been too much for her. The poisoned barley-tea he -submitted to analysis, and the evidence against her was overwhelming. -But when she found that there was no hope, she was determined to defeat -justice, and one morning she was found dead in her cell: she had -poisoned herself with prussic acid. The acid was conveyed to her by a -warder, who was heavily bribed by one of her friends to do it. It cost -him his liberty, however, for he was sent to Northern Siberia for the -term of his natural life. - -Roko died very soon afterwards from typhoid fever contracted in the -prison, but he was faithful to the last, for never a word could be -wrung from his lips calculated to incriminate the strange woman who had -thrown such a spell around him. Vlassovsky was deported to Northern -Siberia in company with the treacherous warder. He very soon succumbed, -however, to the awful hardships he was called upon to endure and the -rigours of the Arctic climate. - -The number of Madame St. Joseph’s victims was never determined. That -they were numerous there was not the slightest doubt; and had it not -been for the cleverness of Danevitch she would probably have continued -to pursue her infamous career for years longer, and ultimately have -passed away in the odour of sanctity. Her downfall, it need scarcely be -said, caused great satisfaction in St. Petersburg and Moscow, where she -had destroyed so many of her victims. - - - - -THE STRANGE STORY OF AN ATTACHÉ. - - -It can readily be understood that Danevitch led not only an active -life, but a varied one; and the cases he was called upon to deal with -revealed many remarkable phases of human nature. He never attempted -to pose as a moralist, but he frequently deplored the fact that -wickedness and evil should so largely predominate over goodness. He -was also apt to wax indignant against the vogue to decry anything in -the nature of sensation. He was in the habit of saying that life from -the cradle to the grave is full of sensations, and that the inventions -of the fictionist are poor, flat, and stale, when compared with the -realities of existence. But this is undoubtedly the experience of -everyone who knows the world and his kind. It is only the cheap critic, -the bigot, or the fool, who has the boldness to deny the existence of -sensation in real life, and to sneer at what he is pleased to term -melodramatic improbabilities. There is no such thing as a melodramatic -improbability. The only charge that can legitimately be levelled -at the so-called sensational writer is his tendency to grotesque -treatment of subjects which should simply be faithful reproductions -from life. The curious story of young Count Dashkoff, the Russian -attaché, with whom this narrative is concerned, illustrates in a very -forcible way the views advanced in the foregoing lines. Indeed, as -Danevitch himself says, if anyone had invented the story and put it -into print, he would have raised the ire of the army of critics--the -self-constituted high-priests of purity, who, being unable to improve -or even equal that which they condemn, are all the more violent in -their condemnation. - -Count Dashkoff was a young man, a member of a very old Russian family, -who had in their day wielded great power, and before the abolition -of serfdom took place, had held sway over more serfs than any other -family in the whole of the empire. The Count had distinguished himself -in many ways. His career, up to the time of the extraordinary events -about to be recorded, had been marked by brilliancy and shade. As a -student and a scholar he had attracted the attention of many notable -men, more particularly by his well-known and remarkable work, entitled -‘The Theory of Creation,’ which is conspicuous for its erudition, -its deep research, and its wide grasp and clever treatment of a -tremendous subject. The book is, and will ever remain, a standard, -and consequently an enduring monument to the Count’s ability and -industry. On the other hand, he had made himself notorious by certain -excesses, and a recklessness of conduct which had shocked the -proprieties and outraged the feelings of those who were interested in -him and hoped that he would ultimately rise to power and position. -Of course, excuses were forthcoming on the grounds of his youth, -and, as if trying to establish a right by two wrongs, it was urged -that he had simply done what most Russian youths do who are born to -high estate and have control of wealth. As a stepping-stone to the -future greatness predicted for him by his friends, the Count, after -a probationary course in the diplomatic service at home, was sent as -an attaché to the Russian Embassy in Paris. As might be supposed, he -took kindly to Parisian life. He was what is usually termed an elegant -young man, with æsthetic tastes. When he first went to Paris he was -about eight-and-twenty, and, apart from the advantages of youth, he -had wealth, good looks, sound health, and a cheerful disposition. He -enjoyed life, and showed no disposition to mortify the flesh by an -austere or monastic régime. His private residence in the Champs Élysées -was conspicuous for the magnificence of its appointments, and was the -rendezvous of the élite of Paris society--that frivolous section -which lives for no higher purpose than to live, and is attracted to -wealth and luxury as bees are attracted to sugar. It seemed that this -apparently fortunate young man, who could be serious enough when -occasion required, was fond of attention and homage. He loved to be -surrounded with a crowd of admirers, who flattered him, praised his -bric-à-brac, and gorged themselves with the good things he invariably -set before them. He knew, no doubt, that they were all fawners and -sycophants, but, still, they made up a little world over which he -ruled, and wherever he led the noodles would follow. - -Two years of this sort of life passed, and then Danevitch was -instructed to proceed with all haste from Russia to try and discover -what had become of the Count, for he had suddenly and mysteriously -disappeared, and all efforts of the Paris police and the boasted -skill of the Parisian detectives had failed to reveal a trace of him. -The facts of the case were as follows: In the course of the month of -January the Count gave a grand ball and reception at his elegant hotel, -and the event drew together the gilded youth of both sexes. These -functions at the Count’s residence were always marked by a magnificence -of splendour and a lavish expenditure which seemed hardly consonant -with his position as a mere attaché. But it must not be forgotten that -he was the heir to great wealth, and represented a noble family who had -ever been distinguished for the almost regal style in which they lived. - -About two o’clock in the morning the Count drew an intimate friend of -his--a Monsieur Eugène Peon--on one side, and told him he wanted to -slip away for an hour, but he did not wish it to be known that he had -gone out. He would be sure to be back in about an hour, he added. A few -minutes later the concierge saw him leave the hall. He was attired in -a very handsome and costly fur coat, with a cap to match; and though -the weather was bitterly cold and the ground covered with snow, he wore -patent-leather shoes. The concierge, who was much surprised at the fact -of his master leaving the house in the midst of the revels, asked him -if he wanted a carriage. To this question the Count answered curtly, -and, according to the porter, angrily, ‘No.’ The night wore itself out. -The dancers danced themselves into limpness and prostration, and began -to depart. Some surprise had been expressed at the Count’s absence, and -various inquiries had been made about him; but it was suggested that -the seductive influences of the wine-cup had proved too much for him, -and he had retired. This hint or suggestion appeared to satisfy the -light-headed revellers, who gave no further thought to the matter. His -friend, Eugène Peon, considered it very strange that the Count should -go away and remain away in such a manner, to the neglect of his guests, -for he was the most punctilious host. But Peon set it down to an -assignation, and thought that he had found the society of some fair one -more attractive than the glitter and glare of the ballroom. The day had -very well advanced before there was anything like real surprise felt at -the Count’s prolonged absence. - -It appeared that Eugène Peon called at his friend’s hotel soon after -three o’clock in the afternoon, and, ascertaining that he was not at -home, went down to the Embassy to inquire for him there, but to his -astonishment was informed that the Count had not been there for two -days. Although astonished, Peon was not uneasy. He stated that he -saw no cause to be uneasy, although he had never known his friend do -such a thing before, and was aware that he was most attentive to his -duties. When he called again on the following morning, however, and -was informed that the Count was still absent, he began then to fear -that something was wrong, and he at once communicated his fears to some -of the Count’s close personal friends; he had no relations in Paris -at all. A consultation was held, but there seem to have been divided -counsels, and no steps were taken to ascertain the Count’s whereabouts, -though some inquiries were made of the members of the household, but -all that could be elicited was that the concierge saw his master go out -about two o’clock, and that he was dressed in patent-leather boots, a -heavy fur coat, and a fur cap. From the tone in which he said ‘No,’ -when asked if he wanted a carriage, he appeared to be angry; but there -was no indication in his gait or speech that he was under the influence -of wine. It was not until another whole day had passed that anything -like real alarm had set in. The alarm by this time had reached the -Embassy, and it was decided that the police should be communicated -with. Strangely enough, the police did not at first attach any serious -importance to the matter. They made certain inquiries in a perfunctory -manner, and for some inscrutable reason--unless it was sheer, downright -pig-headedness, a quality often enough conspicuous in the French -police--they came to the conclusion that ‘Monsieur le Comte’ had been -guilty of some little escapade, and would turn up very shortly. As this -prediction had not been fulfilled when another twenty-four hours had -elapsed, a much more serious view was taken of the young man’s absence, -and dark hints were let drop that he had been inveigled into one of the -haunts of vice which abound in the gay city, and had been murdered. The -murder theory was at once taken up; detectives were communicated with, -and the theory of murder found general acceptance. - -As may be imagined, a gentleman, who by reason of his position and his -riches had cut a conspicuous figure in society, disappearing suddenly -in this way was bound to cause a sensation, and as the Parisians dearly -love a sensation and a scandal, the matter was a fruitful topic of -conversation for several days, while much ink was expended over it by -the journalists. But notwithstanding the publicity given to the matter, -and the efforts of police and detectives, another week passed, and not -a trace or sign of the missing man had been obtained. - -Up to this point the Count’s relatives in Russia had not been -communicated with, from a desire to avoid alarm, for there were those -who still hoped he would turn up again all right; but now his Russian -friends in Paris regarded the affair as too serious to be longer -withheld. As a preliminary, a message was at once sent asking if the -Count had returned home, and almost simultaneously with the despatch -of that message a courier set out for Russia with the tidings and -details. - -As the Count--as far as was known--had not returned to Russia, great -consternation was caused amongst his friends by the report that reached -them, and no time was lost in securing the services of Danevitch, -who was instructed to leave for Paris without a moment’s delay, and -institute independent inquiries. - -‘I found, on arriving in the French capital,’ says Danevitch, ‘that by -order of the Russian Ambassador all the Count’s things had been sealed -up and his house temporarily closed. My preliminary investigations -were directed to trying to discover if there were any grounds for -believing that the missing man had committed suicide. This inquiry was -necessarily forced upon one--at any rate upon me, although I learnt -that the possibilities of suicide had never entered the heads of the -French police. And though at first they had suggested murder, they -soon abandoned that idea, for no other reason, as it appeared, than -that they had not been able to find his body. And in consequence of -this they insisted that he had taken himself off to some other country -in order to avoid the results of conduct unbecoming a gentleman and -a member of the Embassy. When they were asked to give a name to his -conduct, they declined, but darkly hinted at something very dreadful. I -myself could find no grounds for the theory of suicide, while everyone -at the Embassy, as well as all who knew him, indignantly repudiated the -slur which was sought to be cast upon the young gentleman’s character. -I could find no one who had a word to say against his honour. That he -might have had _affaires d’amour_, as the French call them, was readily -admitted; but as all is considered fair in love, as in war, these -matters were not supposed to reflect on the honour of a man. - -‘As Monsieur Eugène Peon had been very intimate with the Count, -I questioned that gentleman very closely concerning his friend’s -movements, and elicited that he had been a pretty general lover, but, -so far as he knew, the Count had formed no serious attachment to -anybody. Peon could suggest no reason why the Count should have left -his guests so abruptly, unless it was to keep an assignation. - -‘Now, it must be remembered that when he left his house it was about -two o’clock on a winter morning, and, according to the concierge, he -seemed angry when he went out. This seemed to me to point to two things -as absolutely certain. Firstly, the Count’s going out at such an hour -was not premeditated. Secondly, whatever appointment he went to keep, -it was not an agreeable one to him, and, being annoyed, he displayed -his irritation in the sharp answer he gave the concierge. These points -seemed to me of great importance, and naturally led me to an inquiry -directed to finding out if one of his servants had delivered any -message to him, or conveyed any letter during the evening. - -‘The servants had been dismissed, and it was not an easy matter to -reach them all; but by persevering I succeeded in doing so, and found -at last that the Count’s body-servant, a Frenchman, named Auguste -Chauzy, had been out all the evening, after having dressed his master, -and knowing that he would not be wanted again until the morning. He -returned, however, soon after midnight, and just as he was about to -enter the house, a man stepped up to him hurriedly, and, putting a -sealed envelope into his hand, said, “Give that immediately to your -master, Count Dashkoff. Fail not to do so, as it is a matter of life -and death.” - -‘When Chauzy got into the hall, he glanced at the envelope, and saw -that it simply bore the Count’s name--no address; but in the left-hand -corner was the French word _Pressant_ (Urgent) underlined. The valet -could not get near his master for some time after this, but as soon as -an opportunity occurred to do so, he handed him the note. The moment -the Count’s eye caught the superscription, a frown settled on his face, -and, with a gesture of annoyance, he thrust the letter unopened in his -pocket. About half an hour later, however, the valet was informed by -another servant that the Count required his fur coat and cap. They -were to be placed in his dressing-room ready for him. - -‘I questioned Chauzy about the man who had handed him the letter in -the street; but the only description he could give of him was that he -seemed to be well dressed, was of medium height, and had a dark beard -and moustache.’ - -Having brought to light the fact about the letter, Danevitch struck a -keynote, as it were--and one which had not been touched upon by the -French police. If that letter could have been found, it might have -revealed much; but it was almost certain that if the Count did not -destroy it before leaving the house he had it in his pocket when he -went out. Danevitch’s deduction from the letter incident was this: The -Count went out owing to some communication made to him in that letter. -He did not go willingly; consequently his errand was a disagreeable -one, and could hardly have been to keep a love tryst. Whoever the -writer of the letter was, he or she must have had some powerful hold -on the Count to induce him to leave his friends and guests, and go -out at two o’clock on a bitter winter morning. This line of reasoning -was one which Danevitch could not avoid, for it was his wont to argue -his subject from a given set of premises, and a strict regard for -probabilities. He was led--and it was but natural he should be--to the -conclusion that the Count’s disappearance was due to conduct which had -brought him in contact with unscrupulous people, into whose power he -had fallen. It was clear that if he was still living he was forcibly -detained somewhere or other, and was in such a position that he could -not communicate with those who were so anxious about him. If this was -not the case, it was hard to understand why he should have remained -silent, knowing well enough the anxiety and distress his prolonged -absence would cause. The other hypothesis was--the idea of suicide not -being entertained--that he had been murdered. If that was the case, the -motive for the murder was either revenge or robbery. It seemed almost -absurd to think of robbery, for this reason: it was hardly likely -that anyone would have chosen such an inopportune moment; for, at two -o’clock in the morning, and entertaining a house full of guests, he -would scarcely have much valuable property on his person. If he had -been murdered, the crime had been prompted by feelings of revenge, and -committed by someone who believed he had a deadly grievance against -the young man--a grievance that could only be compensated for by the -shedding of the Count’s blood. - -It was impossible to ignore what, on the face of it, seemed to be a -fact--that the writer of the letter was personally acquainted with -the Count, and possessed knowledge which placed a weapon in his hand. -Of course, the Count’s friends wouldn’t listen for a moment to any -suggestion that he had been guilty of conduct unbecoming a gentleman, -and, having discovered that, Danevitch kept his views to himself; -though he closely questioned Eugène Peon, who, while admitting that -he had had numerous little adventures with the Count, declared that -these adventures were only those which a young, handsome, and rich -man would engage in, and while they might be described as foolish and -reckless, they were never of a nature to reflect upon his honour. They -were, in short, simply the follies and venial sins of youth, such as -were common, in a greater or lesser degree, to all young men. Nothing -further than this could be elicited from Peon, who appeared to be a -reserved and reticent person, giving Danevitch the impression that -he always had something in reserve--that he had an _arrière pensée_, -and would not tell more than it suited him to tell. At any rate, he -declined to suggest any theory that would account for his friend’s -sudden and mysterious disappearance. - -‘Do you not know if he had any serious love affair?’ asked Danevitch -with some sharpness, as he came to the conclusion that Peon was not as -candid as he ought to be. - -‘I don’t,’ answered Peon emphatically. - -‘But surely, intimate as you were with him, you must know something of -your friend’s little gallantries?’ - -‘I do not, beyond what I have told you.’ - -Peon gave this answer with a sharpness and decisiveness which made it -clear that he would not submit to pumping, and would not be drawn on -the subject of his friend’s amours. - -During the time that Danevitch was searching for a clue--without -avail up to this stage--the Count’s friends did not remain inactive. -Necessarily, they were impatient, and grew more restless as the weeks -sped by without bringing any tidings of the missing man. The police -confessed themselves baffled, and seemed to be at a loss to suggest -a feasible theory, and they urged the friends to offer a substantial -reward for information that would lead to the discovery of the Count -if living, and a lesser reward for his body if dead. The friends -yielded, and intimated that they would pay ten thousand francs for the -Count’s recovery living, or five thousand for his body. The police -quite believed this reward would have the desired effect, and that they -would be relieved from an embarrassing situation. Of course, the human -water-rats who haunt the Seine kept a very sharp look-out indeed, and -every corpse that they dragged from the foul and reeking waters of the -sluggish river was eagerly scrutinized in the hope that it would turn -out to be the body of the missing Count. But though it was reported -several times that the dead Count had been fished out of the river, the -report, on investigation, proved to be false. Nor did the offer of the -ten thousand francs prove more potent. Not a trace of the missing man -was discovered. - -This failure of the substantial reward to bring forth any tidings -confirmed Danevitch in the opinion he had formed that the Count’s -disappearance was the result of some plot, and those engaged in it -were in a position which rendered them indifferent to the reward. This -did not imply that the detective considered it a certainty that the -Count was living. On the contrary, he inclined to the belief that he -had been murdered, but, necessarily, the murderers could not produce -his body for fear of betraying themselves. In his own way, Danevitch -worked away quietly and unostentatiously. He was perfectly convinced -that the clue to the mystery would be found in the habits of the -Count, or among some of his possessions. But the friends in Paris -opposed strong objections to any exhaustive search of his effects -being made, influenced thereby, no doubt, by a fear of anything being -made public calculated to reflect on the missing man’s honour. This -supersensitiveness was annoying, and at last Danevitch applied to the -relatives in Russia, and asked them to give a peremptory order for -him to be allowed to go through the Count’s papers. In response to -this application, the Count’s father came at once to Paris, and took -possession of everything belonging to his son, and he and Danevitch -went through the papers together. There was a mass of official -correspondence and business letters, but very few private letters, -except those from his parents and his near relatives, and love letters -from a young lady residing in Russia. She was of high family, and -well known to the Count’s people, who hoped that he would ultimately -make her his wife, as in every way the match was a desirable one. The -letters evinced a very strong attachment on the lady’s part, and were -in many instances couched in warm, even extravagant, phrases of love. -But there was nothing in them calculated to throw light on the mystery. -She knew of her lover’s disappearance, and was prostrated with grief -and anxiety, so the Count’s father asserted. - -The result of the examination of the papers so far was very -disappointing, but a small diary was found in which were some rather -remarkable passages. It was not a diary of doings and events from day -to day, but seemed to be the outpourings of the writer’s feelings and -emotions, written in a fitful and irregular manner. Those which struck -Danevitch the most were as follows: - - * * * * * - -‘I often wonder whether we are really free and responsible beings; -whether the evil we do is the result of deliberate sinning, or whether -it is due to some inward promptings which we are absolutely powerless -to resist. If the latter, to what extent can we be held liable for -our sins? I am sorely troubled at times with this thought, and yearn -for someone to whom I could appeal with a hope of receiving such an -answer as would seem to me satisfactory. The teachings of my Church -do not satisfy me. The Church says that to do evil is to incur the -wrath of Heaven; but if I cannot resist doing evil, is it right that I -should be held responsible? Of course, the world would say that this is -sophistry, but when I find myself on the one hand trying with all my -might to avoid doing anything which, according to the laws of ethics -and the canons of the Church, could be construed into wrong-doing, and, -on the other, being drawn by some vaguely defined power, which I am too -weak to resist, into doing that which I am conscious it is not right to -do, I ask myself if I can really be held responsible. It seems to me -that I have two distinct characters, clearly separated, and entirely -antagonistic to each other. The one leads me into paths that I would -fain avoid; the other causes me to weep for my frailty. I wonder if all -men are constituted like this? Perhaps they are, but are less sensitive -than I am. - - * * * * * - -‘If a man entangles himself in a net, he may exhaust himself in his -struggles to get free again, and it may even be that the more he -struggles the more tightly he may enmesh himself, until he realizes -the horror that he is doomed to remain powerless until death itself -releases him. This is figurative language, but it is by such language -that we can best convey our true meaning. It is but speaking in -parables, and parables better than anything else often enable us to -understand and grasp what would otherwise be obscure. Unhappily, I am -entangled in a net, and I have struggled in vain to free myself. If I -could undo the past, I might know true happiness once more; but that -which is done is done, and though we weep tears of blood, we can never -obliterate the record which is written on the tablets of memory. I -wonder what the pure being in Russia, to whom I gave my heart, would -say if she knew how I had wronged her. Can I ever look into her clear -honest eyes again with the frank, unflinching gaze of the happy -days past and gone? I fear not. Indeed, I feel that I dare not meet -her again. I have dug a gulf between us, and that gulf can never be -bridged. But I suffer agony of mind when I think how she will suffer -when she knows my baseness, as know she must, sooner or later. It is -hard to have to live two lives, as I am doing. To my friends I appear -all they would believe me to be; but in the solitude of my chamber my -heart bleeds as I realize how false I am. - - * * * * * - -‘I have been weak, but am growing strong again. Desperation is lending -me strength, in fact; and I shall burst these accursed bonds asunder. -I have still youth and energy, and must make an effort to climb to -higher heights. I have been walking blindly hitherto, and have missed -my way, but I see it clear enough now; and a resolute and determined -man, who finds himself surrounded by obstacles, should sweep them away. -He who hesitates is lost; I have hesitated, but will do so no longer. -Great things are expected from me, and I must not disappoint those who -have placed their hopes upon me. Marie must not be allowed to keep me -bound down in the gutter. It is not my place. I was destined to walk -on higher heights; and since it is impossible for me to raise her, -she must be cut adrift. It may seem cowardly; it may be cruel for me -to do this; but it must be done, for I cannot endure the double life -any longer. Is a man to suffer all his life for one false step? Am I -justified in breaking the hearts of parents and betrothed? No. It must -not be--shall not be. In a few weeks I shall send in my resignation, -and quit Paris for ever. It will cause a nine days’ wonder, but what -of that? People will say I am a fool, but it won’t affect me. I shall -plead that I know my own affairs best, and that circumstances of a -private and pressing nature necessitate my hasty return to Russia. This -I am determined to do, cost what it may. I have taken Eugène Peon into -my confidence. He will help me, and satisfy the curious when I am gone.’ - - * * * * * - -There was a significance in the foregoing passages which was not -lost upon Danevitch. The Count gave himself away, though, of course, -he never expected that any eyes but his own would read what he had -written. It will be said, of course, that it was foolish for him to -have committed his thoughts to paper; though it must be remembered that -there are some men who seem to derive a strange pleasure in recording -their evil deeds. It is a well-known fact that some of the greatest -criminals have kept diaries, in which they have written the most -damning evidence of their guilt. The Count’s diary proved conclusively -that there were certain ugly passages in his life, and two points were -made clear--there was a woman in the case, and Eugène Peon knew more of -the Count’s affairs than he cared to own to, and confirmed Danevitch -in his belief that Peon was a crafty man, and by no means carried his -heart upon his sleeve. - -As may be imagined, the Count’s father was much cut up, as he realized -that his son had been guilty of evil which was calculated to reflect -upon the honour of the family, that honour of which the old man was so -proud, and which he would gladly have died to shield. - -Of course it became necessary now to find out who the ‘Marie’ referred -to in the diary was; for it was obvious that she was directly or -indirectly responsible for the Count’s disappearance. No letters -could be discovered which were calculated to throw any light on the -subject, but in a small drawer of the Count’s desk there was found the -photograph of a young woman, and on the back, in a scrawling hand, was -the following: - - ‘For ever and ever thine. - MARIE.’ - -The likeness was that of a singularly handsome girl of about -two-and-twenty; but the handwriting was so bad it suggested that the -writer was not educated. - -Danevitch felt now that he was in possession of a clue--a vague one, it -was true, but it was possible it might lead to very important results. -Marie must be found, though he did not know at the moment how he was -going to find her. Paris was a big place; Marie was a very common name. -Danevitch, however, having once got on the scent, was not likely to go -very far astray, and he generally found some means of bringing down his -quarry at last. He was not indifferent to the self-evident fact that -in this case there were no ordinary difficulties to contend against; -this was proved by the large reward having failed to bring forth any -information. It showed that those who were responsible for the Count’s -disappearance had very powerful motives for keeping their secret; and -whether few or many were interested in that secret, ten thousand francs -was not strong enough to tempt one of them; and it seemed as if it -was not the Count’s money that was responsible for his disappearance. -He kept a banking account in Paris, but this had not been drawn upon -since the week before he went away, when he cashed a cheque for three -thousand francs. But at this stage a curious incident was brought to -light, which put a new complexion on the matter altogether. - -The incident was this: It appeared that the Count also kept a -considerable account at the Moscow branch of the Bank of Russia. He -owned a good deal of property in and about Moscow, part of it being a -flourishing flax-mill, which turned over a princely revenue. His Moscow -affairs were managed by an agent who had been connected with the family -for nearly half a century. It was his duty to pay all money that he -received into the bank without delay. Consequently, there was generally -a large balance standing to the Count’s credit. One day a three -months’ bill of exchange, purporting to be drawn on the Count by Paul -Pavlovitch and Co., flax merchants, at Riga, for one hundred thousand -francs, and accepted by the Count and payable at the bank in Moscow, -was duly presented by an individual, who stated that he was a member of -the firm. As all seemed right, the bill was paid, and a receipt given -in the name of Peter Pavlovitch, who represented himself as the son -of Paul. A week later the cancelled bill passed into the hands of the -Count’s agent, and he at once declared it to be a forgery. Pavlovitch -and Co., of Riga, were immediately communicated with, and they denied -all knowledge of the Count, had never had any business transactions -with him, had never drawn a bill upon him, and knew nothing of Peter -Pavlovitch. This was a revelation indeed, and pointed conclusively to a -conspiracy. It seemed to Danevitch pretty evident that the person who -forged the bill knew a good deal about the Count, and if that person -could be laid hold of the plot might be unmasked. There was another -thing, too, that appeared to be no less clear: the forger of the bill -was acquainted with the Count’s affairs, and also with Russia. The firm -of Paul Pavlovitch and Co., of Riga, was an old-established firm, and -there was nothing to strike a stranger as peculiar in their holding a -bill of the Count’s; for the Count was the owner of a flax-mill, and -did business with a good many flax merchants. Nevertheless, the bank -in Moscow was blamed for having been somewhat lax in paying the bill -without having taken steps to satisfy themselves that the person who -presented it was the person he represented himself to be. Moreover, -in the business world bills of that nature were usually collected by -a bank. However, the Moscow bank people defended themselves by saying -that, though a little out of course, there was nothing extraordinary in -a bill being presented by a member of a firm holding it. - -As soon as Danevitch heard of the incident of the forged bill, he -returned at once to Moscow, deeming it probable that he might there -pick up some thread which would lead him to a clue. The man calling -himself Peter Pavlovitch, to whom the money was paid, was described as -of medium height, of muscular build, dark-complexioned, black hair, -beard, and moustache, in age about thirty. He was well dressed, and the -receipt he gave was written in a bold, clerkly hand. Of course, there -was nothing in this description to distinguish him from thousands of -others, and Moscow was a large place; but Danevitch went to work on -the assumption that the man, whoever he might be, was well acquainted -with the Count, and he knew a good deal of his business; that, to some -extent, narrowed the inquiry, which was necessarily directed to trying -to discover a person upon whom suspicion could justifiably fasten. - -The Count’s agent was a Pole named Padrewski. He was a man of high -repute, and one in whom his employer placed the greatest confidence. He -could not even vaguely identify the self-styled ‘Peter Pavlovitch’ from -the description given, and was of opinion that he was not a resident -in Moscow, though probably not a stranger. If he was not a resident -in the city, it was likely enough that he sojourned there long enough -to enable him to transact his business, and having possessed himself -of the money, he would depart without delay. Danevitch ascertained -that the bill was presented for payment about half-past ten in the -morning. That argued that the person who drew the money and gave the -receipt had slept in the city, and probably lodged at some café or -hotel. So the detective set to work at once to make inquiries at the -various hotels and lodging-houses. In Russia, as in France and Germany, -every lodging-house-keeper and hotel proprietor is compelled by law to -keep a register of his guests. It is therefore far easier to discover -anyone who occupies temporary lodgings than it is in this country. -Now, it struck Danevitch that, if the presenter of the forged bill had -come to Moscow for the sole purpose of drawing the money, he would in -all probability select a place near the railway-station. There were -several hotels and cafés in the vicinity of the station. At all of -these inquiries were made, and, at a third-rate café-restaurant, called -in Russian The Traveller’s Joy, it was found that a man answering -the description of the one required had stayed in the house for four -days, and had taken his departure by train on the same day that the -bill was presented; and on that very day he had paid his account with -a brand-new five hundred rouble note, receiving the change in small -money. As the restaurant-keeper could not cash the note himself, he got -it done at a money-changer’s in the neighbourhood. The money-changer -made an entry of the number of the note, and by that Danevitch was -able to prove that it was one of the notes paid by the bank to -‘Peter Pavlovitch.’ This, of course, was an important discovery, -as it conclusively proved that the man who handed the note to the -landlord was the one who got the money for the forged bill. This was an -important link, and another was soon discovered. - -‘From information received,’ to quote the common police-court -expression, Danevitch learnt that during the time the pseudo Peter -Pavlovitch was staying at The Traveller’s Joy he was visited daily by a -pretty young woman, who, from her manner, style of dress, and general -get-up, was supposed to be connected with the theatrical profession. -Every evening Peter went out with her, then both returned together -and supped, and after that went out again, and some time later Peter -returned alone. The deduction from this was, assuming she belonged to -the theatrical profession, that Peter took her to the theatre at night, -brought her back to supper after she had done her work, and then saw -her home to her lodgings. Fortunately, a very minute description of the -woman was forthcoming, and from this Danevitch ultimately identified -her as a Fräulein Holzstein, supposed to be of Austrian or German -nationality. She was a music-hall singer, and had been fulfilling -an engagement at a hall in Moscow, but had then left and gone to a -place of entertainment in St. Petersburg, whither Danevitch journeyed -without delay. He soon discovered the lady he was seeking, but was -very cautious not to let her know that she was under surveillance. He -had no difficulty in making her acquaintance, in the capacity of a man -about town who enjoyed the privilege of being allowed on the stage; -and on one or two occasions she deigned to accept an invitation to sup -with him. He learnt from her that when her engagement terminated in -St. Petersburg, as it would do in a few days, she was going to Vienna -for a week, thence to Berlin for a fortnight, and after that to Paris -to perform in a sensational drama at the Châtelet. Danevitch was now -instinctively certain that he was on the trail, and he resolved not to -lose it. Therefore, when Fräulein Holzstein took her departure from -the Russian capital, he left by the same train, though she was not -aware of it. He followed her to Vienna, from Vienna to Berlin, from -Berlin to Paris. When she arrived at Paris she was met by a man who was -at once identified from the description Danevitch had received as the -man who had presented the forged bill for payment at the Moscow bank. -The scent was now getting warm, but at this stage it would have been -premature to have taken any steps calculated to frighten the quarry -which was being so patiently shadowed. This man and woman were not the -only actors in the drama, if, as was thought probable, they were in any -way connected with the Count’s disappearance; and Danevitch had yet -to prove that there was any connection between that incident and the -forged bill. - -The man who had passed himself off as Peter Pavlovitch in Moscow was -known in Paris as Henri Charcot, and by calling he was a theatrical -and music-hall agent. He rented a small office not very far from the -Châtelet Theatre; but, judging from appearances, he was not in a very -flourishing way of business, although Danevitch gathered that at one -time he had had an extensive connection. He had lost it, however, by -inattention and shady practices. Fräulein Holzstein was, or at any rate -represented herself to be, the wife of Charcot. - -Another discovery was now made by the patient and watchful Danevitch. -A man was in the habit of visiting the Charcots. He occupied a much -higher social position than they did; but it was made evident he did -not care for his visits being known to other people, for he always went -at night, and invariably wore a cloak of such ample proportions that -his figure was practically disguised, while a broad-brimmed, soft hat -served to conceal his features. The Charcots lived in rather a poor -quarter of Paris, not far from the Gare de l’Est. In this region was a -very popular and much-frequented restaurant, largely patronized by the -inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The Charcots invariably went there -to dine. And when the strange man visited them, he generally went with -them to dine or sup, as the case might be, on those occasions. They -indulged in the privacy of a _cabinet particulière_, as it is called in -France--that is to say, a private room. - -One night the three went to the restaurant for dinner, and were shown -into a snug cabinet, where a small stove dispensed a comforting warmth, -for the night was excessively cold, and to protect the occupants from -draught a heavy screen was drawn between the table and the window. When -the coffee and cognac were placed on the table, and Madame Charcot and -the two men had lighted their cigarettes, the waiter was dismissed and -the door closed. Then the lady and her two companions, feeling under no -restraint, freely indulged in conversation. - -‘Do you people intend to remain in Paris?’ asked the stranger. - -‘Yes, I think so,’ replied Charcot. ‘I don’t see that there is much -to fear. No one suspects us, and it is not worth while giving up our -business, such as it is.’ - -‘You feel sure that your visit to Russia in connection with the bill is -not known?’ - -‘Perfectly sure. My wife and I managed the business too cleverly for -suspicion to be directed against us.’ - -‘But you mustn’t forget that Michael Danevitch has got the matter in -hand.’ - -Madame Charcot broke into a mocking laugh, as she exclaimed: - -‘Pooh! There is nothing to fear from Danevitch. He is a very much -overrated man. All the wonderful stories that one hears about him are, -I believe, invented by himself; any way, I am not afraid of him. It -seems to me that it was impossible for anyone to get a clue in Russia. -No, mon frère; the business has been managed too cleverly, and unless -we give ourselves away we are perfectly safe.’ - -‘I am not so sure of that,’ answered the stranger musingly. - -‘But you’ve not heard or seen anything to cause you alarm, have you?’ -asked Charcot. - -‘No, no, not at all,’ said the stranger, pulling his moustache and -looking grave; ‘but one never knows.’ - -‘You are surely in a despondent mood, cher frère. The dinner must have -disagreed with you,’ madame remarked banteringly. - -‘The dinner was all right; but I haven’t been easy in my mind for some -time.’ - -‘It’s the liver, the liver, my dear boy,’ Charcot remarked. - -‘What’s the use of troubling yourself about shadows?’ put in the lady. -‘Haven’t the Paris police used some of their best men, and yet failed -to get a scent?’ - -‘That’s true,’ said the stranger; ‘but the affair must come to light -sooner or later.’ - -‘And what if it does?’ asked madame. ‘How are we to be identified with -the case?’ - -‘Not easily, if he is dead,’ answered the stranger. ‘The dead tell no -tales.’ - -‘Then, why in the name of common-sense should he live?’ asked Madame -Charcot, blowing a stream of smoke from her nostrils, and speaking with -energy. - -The stranger shuddered, and said: - -‘I’ll have nothing whatever to do with his death.’ - -‘You are chicken-hearted, man,’ Charcot remarked. ‘One word and an -extra hundred francs to old Pierre, and every danger would be removed.’ - -‘It might, or might not. Any way, I would rather not speak the word. -The business has been bungled as it is, and instead of its proving -a source of wealth to us, we only made a miserable hundred thousand -francs between us, and it’s hopeless to expect that we can get any -more.’ - -‘You should have played your cards better,’ remarked Charcot. - -‘But who in the name of Satan thought that he was going to peg out as -he has done.’ - -‘Well, there is one thing we mustn’t forget,’ said madame; ‘unless -Pierre’s palms are kept well greased, he’ll let the cat out of the bag.’ - -‘No, I don’t think he will do that. He has already been well paid; and -before I gave him the last thousand francs I made the old rascal sign -a document, in which he confesses his share in the business, so that -if he turns traitor I’ve got him on the hip. But, any way, it strikes -me this is not a safe place, and I shall go abroad. No living soul -suspects me, but one never knows what may happen; it’s best to be on -the safe side.’ - -‘Well, you are a soldier of fortune,’ said Charcot, ‘and can march -at an hour’s notice; but we’ve got interests here, and unless danger -really menaces, it would be folly for us to sacrifice those interests. -What do you say?’ turning to his wife. - -‘Oh, I think it’s all right. If we have reason to believe there is -any danger, we can clear out; but my own impression is that there is -not much chance of our being suspected. Besides, we must have more -money yet. Fate has been against us in that respect. We bungled in the -beginning, and are paying the penalty of the error. By-and-by, however, -we may be rewarded.’ - -‘If you think so, you are much more of an optimist than I am,’ the -stranger remarked. - -‘You’ve always been disposed to look on the gloomy side of things,’ -said madame sharply. ‘What is the use of meeting trouble half-way? -We’ve played our cards, and must abide by the game. At any rate, you’ve -done fairly well, and fortune has favoured you throughout your life. -You’ve no just cause to grumble.’ - -‘But suppose the game goes against us?’ now asked the stranger. - -‘What is the use of supposing? It hasn’t done so up to the present, and -we’ve netted a fair stake.’ - -‘But nothing nearly as much as we ought to have done.’ - -‘That can’t be helped. We’ve not lost, any way. But, for goodness’ -sake, don’t mope like that. You make me miserable. We’ve bled our -victim pretty freely, and though he has plenty more blood in him, if we -cannot get it, we had better be satisfied.’ - -‘It’s tantalizing, nevertheless. Don’t you think we might risk another -bill here?’ - -‘No; it would be too dangerous,’ said madame. - -‘I would have nothing to do with it,’ added her husband, ‘Any attempt -of that kind would betray us as sure as fate. No, no, mon cher; it -can’t be done.’ - -The stranger sighed, and resigned himself to the situation, for he was -forced to admit that the arguments used against him were unanswerable. - -In a little while the party broke up. The stranger embraced the woman -warmly, and, shaking hands with the man, hurried away. - -Charcot and his wife lingered for a while to smoke another cigarette, -and for the man to consume an absinthe. - -‘Eugène is melancholy,’ the woman remarked; ‘but it’s folly to weep -over the milk that is lost. If matters hadn’t turned out as they have -done, we might all have raked in a snug little fortune. But, as it is, -we haven’t done so badly, and we’re safe.’ - -‘But not as safe as we should be if the Count were dead,’ the husband -remarked. - -‘That’s true,’ said the woman thoughtfully, while her pretty face -took on a very wicked expression. ‘But you know Eugène is far too -sentimental. It doesn’t do to be sentimental in a case of this -kind. We’ve got ourselves to consider, and, having gone so far, it -is downright folly to hesitate to take the final step, which would -complete the work. What do you think?’ - -‘I agree with you.’ - -‘Then, you go and see Pierre, and give him a quiet hint.’ - -‘I’ve a good mind to,’ mused the husband. - -‘Don’t spoil a good mind, dear.’ - -‘But, you know, we should have to give the old rascal two or three -hundred francs more.’ - -‘And it’s worth it; we can afford it. Better to pay that than allow a -risk to remain that we can remove.’ - -‘You are right--you are right, dear,’ said the husband. - -‘And you will go and see Pierre?’ - -‘I must consider the matter.’ - -‘Tut, man! What does it want consideration for? We are agreed on the -subject. Vacillation shows weakness. Hesitation may cost us dear. Make -up your mind at once.’ - -‘It’s made up,’ said the husband, after some reflection. - -‘And you will go?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘When?’ - -‘To-morrow morning.’ - -‘Good. That’s a point settled, and my mind is easier.’ - -The man and woman now took their departure; but little did they dream -that every word of the conversation which they and the stranger--who -was none other than Eugène Peon--had uttered had been most carefully -taken down in shorthand. Behind the screen a young man had patiently -sat the whole evening, with note-book and pencil in hand. He was -a trusted agent of Danevitch, who had made arrangements with the -landlord of the restaurant. And thus the conspirators had been neatly -trapped. Nevertheless, the story was not all learnt yet, and Danevitch -considered it would have been premature to make any move or show his -hand until he found out where the Count was concealed. Of course, a -close watch was set on Eugène Peon’s movements, so that no chance -should be afforded him of slipping through the meshes of the net which -was so cleverly being drawn around him and his companions in guilt. -Charcot was also closely shadowed, and the next day was followed to -an old house situated in the western part of Paris, outside of the -barrier. It was a curious, ramshackle, tumble-down-looking building, -mournful and melancholy in its ruin, and mournful and melancholy in its -surroundings. At one time it had probably been the country residence -of some rich person, standing in pleasant gardens, on the banks of a -stream, and commanding a fine panoramic view. But that was in the long -ago. The grounds were now a howling wilderness; the stream was a foul -and stagnant strip of slimy water, from which protruded the decaying -ribs of a half-sunk barge. - -Within twenty or thirty yards were the grim and blackened ruins of -a burnt-out mill that at one period had been a flourishing concern. -The stream communicated with a canal a quarter of a mile away, and -time was when barges came and went. The house had been the private -residence of the owner of the mill, and he lived there for many years -in contentment and comfort with his wife and son and daughter. Then -misfortune overtook him. His daughter was accidentally drowned in the -stream. Some time afterwards the son died of consumption. Then the -unfortunate father gave way to dissipation, and neglected his business, -with the usual result. At length the mill was destroyed by fire, and -when the owner went to the insurance offices to claim the amount for -which he had insured, the people refused to pay it, alleging that -the fire was due to incendiarism, and a charge was laid against the -unfortunate man; but he rendered it useless by drowning himself in the -stream. And his widow did not long survive him; grief killed her. Then -litigation ensued about the property, and as a legal heir could not be -found, it fell into ruin and neglect. For many years a man named Pierre -Mousson had been allowed to occupy the place, subject to the payment of -a nominal rental. He was a rag-picker by calling, and a reputed miser: -a low-browed, villainous-looking rascal, who had once served a term of -imprisonment for nearly beating a companion to death during a quarrel -about a franc, which he accused his companion of stealing from him. -With that exception, there had been no charge against him. He was a -big, muscular old fellow, with a suggestiveness in his appearance that -he could be very dangerous in defence of himself or his belongings. His -mother lived with him. She was an old woman, upwards of eighty years of -age, and half imbecile. - -To this place Charcot was followed by Danevitch and three French police -officers, all heavily armed; and while Charcot and old Pierre were -conferring together, the Russian and his companions entered, to the -utter amazement of the two rascals, who were made prisoners before -they could recover from their surprise. To both of them this _coup_ -must have been like a thunderbolt, but perhaps more particularly so to -Charcot, who only the night before seemed to think he was in little or -no danger. In a cellar or vault, below the level of the putrid stream, -a man was discovered in a state of idiocy. He was lying on a low -truckle bed, close to the damp, slimy wall, to which he was fastened by -a chain and staple, and a broad leather belt round his waist. The vault -was fœtid, and inconceivably horrible with filth and noisomeness, and -the wretched man’s feet and hands had been partly gnawed by rats. That -man was Count Dashkoff, the once brilliant and handsome attaché, but -now a pitiable and unrecognisable wreck. His hair was matted with slime -and dirt, his beard unkempt, his eyes sunken, his face awful in its -corpse-like appearance. His body was so emaciated that he was simply an -animated skeleton, while the few rags that clung to his vermin-covered -body scarcely sufficed to hide his nakedness. - -As soon as possible, the poor fellow was removed in an ambulance to -a hospital, the imbecile old woman was conveyed to an asylum, while -Charcot and Pierre were hurried to prison. An hour later Eugène Peon -and Madame Charcot were arrested, and before the day was out--thanks -to certain letters found in Madame Charcot’s possession--another man -was being searched for. His name was Buhler, and he had recently acted -as secretary to the Count, replacing a young man who had died. Buhler -was a Russian, but had long resided in Paris. He was recommended to -the Count by Eugène Peon. As was subsequently proved, Buhler had once -before fulfilled the position of a secretary, but been dismissed for -dishonesty. Since then he had got his living as a waiter, until he -became a creature of Peon’s. The strangest part of the tale has now to -be told. - -As most people know, the mode of procedure in France in connection -with criminal cases is very different to that adopted in England. -In a certain sense it partakes somewhat of the nature of the -Inquisition. A functionary, who is known as a Judge of Instruction -(_Juge d’Instruction_), with his assistants and clerks, subjects a -suspected person to an ordeal of examination which few can pass through -unscathed, unless they be absolutely innocent. The Judge is a legal -man of wide experience, and generally with a very intimate knowledge -of human nature. He is an adept in the art of cross-examination, and -the ‘suspect’ must be clever indeed if he can outwit this examining -Judge. Where several persons are under suspicion of complicity, they -are confronted with each other, and very rarely do they fail to condemn -themselves, and betray their guilt, if they are guilty, under the -pitiless fire of questioning to which they are subjected. In this way -the truth is brought to light, and piece by piece a story is built up. -The story that was partly wrung from the prisoners in this case, and -partly learnt from other sources, was as follows: - -Years before the events already narrated, an Austrian named Schumacher -took up his residence in Paris, with his wife and two daughters, -named respectively Rosine and Anna, and a son, Fritz. The girls were -at that time quite children. Schumacher, who was a cabinet-maker by -trade, and his family ultimately became naturalized French subjects. -As the girls grew up, they developed remarkable beauty; but this was -allied to vulgar tastes and loose habits, well calculated to bring -them to trouble sooner or later. At quite an early age they showed -talent for the stage, and began life at a café-chantant. In the -course of time Anna married a theatrical and music-hall agent named -Charcot; and Rosine, who seems to have had numerous lovers, joined a -theatrical company, and travelled for some time, but ultimately secured -a permanent engagement at a Paris theatre. Soon after that, when she -was only one-and-twenty years of age, and noted for her good looks, -she made the acquaintance of Count Dashkoff. The Count was young, -impressionable, foolish; the girl artful, cunning, clever. And there -is no doubt she resolved to play her cards with a view to gaining a -powerful influence over the Count. In this matter she was aided and -abetted by her brother Fritz, though that gentleman was no longer known -as Fritz. - -At quite an early age Fritz had come under the notice of an old -and rather eccentric lady, who sent him to school, fostered in him -expensive tastes, luxurious habits, and led him to dream of future -greatness. He received a good education, and spent four years--from -sixteen to twenty--at the Lyceum. Unfortunately for him, his patroness -died. It was then found that, though she had made a will leaving a -million and a half francs to the young man, she was not worth a million -sous. She had simply enjoyed a life interest in a property which -produced her a handsome income, though she expended it to the last sou -every year. Fritz had also taken her name of Peon, and had substituted -Eugène for that of Fritz. - -To find himself penniless was a great blow to his hopes and pride. His -natural talents and the education he had received should have enabled -him to have done well, but he hated work; he lacked energy, and so he -set himself to live by his wits. He was a fascinating young fellow, -with the power of attracting both men and women. When he made the -acquaintance of the Count, the Count at once took to him, and Peon was -far too clever to lose such an opportunity of benefiting himself; for -clever as the Count was, he was rash and weak-minded in many respects, -and no match for an unscrupulous adventurer like Peon, who arranged -with his sister Rosine that they were to keep their relationship -secret, and use every endeavour to trap the Count into a marriage. -Rosine was quite equal to playing her part in this nefarious little -scheme. Her fascinations proved too much for the Count, and when he -found that she was deaf to all his entreaties, and proof against his -costly presents, he came to the conclusion that she was a model woman, -a paragon of virtue, a credit to her sex, and in an evil hour he -married her. After that it did not take him long to discover what a -terrible error he had made. The wife’s rapacity for money, jewellery, -dress, was insatiable, and her brother Eugène took good care to share -her purse. - -For a considerable time the Count yielded to the bleeding process -tamely; and his secretary, Buhler, working in connection with Peon -and Rosine, succeeded in drawing from him large sums of money. Of -course, all this time the unhappy Count believed that his friend -Eugène Peon was true and reliable, that Buhler was the most faithful -of secretaries, and he began to yearn for some means of breaking the -matrimonial bond with which he had bound himself. He found that Rosine -had developed a taste for drink; he encouraged this in every possible -way, and induced her particularly to consume large quantities of -absinthe. The result was, she soon became a confirmed dipsomaniac; and -one night, to the horror of the band of conspirators, she either threw -herself into the Seine or fell in accidentally; at any rate, she was -drowned. That was at a little village about twenty miles from Paris, -where the Count had installed her, and where, under an arrangement with -him, she lived as a single woman. - -Peon, Buhler, and Anna Charcot and her husband managed to keep the news -of his wife’s death from the Count, and he was given to understand -that she had taken herself off somewhere. A few months passed, and the -conspirators felt the loss of their supplies severely. Then, in their -desperation, they concocted a scheme which, for daring and wickedness, -had not been surpassed for a long time. The scheme was nothing more nor -less than the abduction of the Count, who was to be kept a prisoner -until he secured his release by the payment of a large ransom. - -The night of the ball was chosen as a fitting opportunity to put the -plan into execution. Buhler wrote a letter closely imitating Rosine’s -handwriting. The letter stated that she had been away from Paris, but -had come back seriously ill, and was then unable to leave her bed. She -craved him to go and see her immediately, and promised that, if he -would give her a sum of money down, she would go away and he should -never hear of her again. If not, she would proclaim the following -morning to all Paris that she was his lawful wife, and would also send -an intimation to that effect to the Embassy. The note wound up by -saying that a carriage would be in waiting not far from his house to -convey him to her lodgings, and that he could easily get back again in -an hour or an hour and a half. - -This letter was delivered to the Count in the way that we have seen, -and, unhappily for himself, he was influenced by it. He found the -carriage at the spot indicated, and was driven out to the barrier to -Pierre’s house. Two powerful ruffians, who were to be well paid for -their part of the work, had ridden on the box beside the coachman. -When the destination was reached, the Count alighted, and then the -lonely spot seems to have caused him to suspect that he had been -brought there for some villainous purpose. He at once stepped into the -carriage again, and ordered the coachman to drive him back to Paris. -The two ruffians, however, seized him and dragged him out on to the -road, where a desperate struggle took place. To put an end to it, one -of the rascals struck the unhappy Count a violent blow over the head -with a heavy stick, rendering him unconscious. He was then carried into -Pierre’s den. - -For two days he remained insensible, and when he recovered it was -found, to the horror of all the wretches concerned, that he was -imbecile, but it was hoped that he would be all right in a few days. -These hopes, however, were doomed to disappointment, and, being pressed -for money, Buhler undertook to forge a bill, and Madame Charcot, -who was then fulfilling an engagement in Moscow, was instructed to -find out something of the Count’s business transactions there; while -Charcot went to Moscow, and, representing himself as Peter Pavlovitch, -presented the forged bill at the bank and received payment for it. The -money was, of course, shared by all concerned. Buhler, who seems to -have been shrewder than the rest of them, having got his share, and -possessed himself of such portable property of the Count’s as he could -lay his hands upon, took himself off somewhere, and managed to elude -justice, though every effort was made to capture him. - -As already stated, all this terrible story of fiendish wickedness was -gradually brought to light by the Juge d’Instruction, and there was -little doubt that, had Danevitch not succeeded in unravelling the plot, -the unfortunate Count, who was becoming an expensive burden, and a -menace to the safety of the plotters, would have been placed in a sack -with a quantity of scrap iron, and deposited at the bottom of the foul -and stagnant water opposite Pierre’s hovel. Peon showed considerable -reluctance to resort to this extreme measure, but Madame Charcot, -who was less sentimental and more callous, had no scruples. She saw -clearly enough that as long as the poor Count remained alive there -was an ever-present danger, for if Pierre should get into trouble or -die a revelation was certain. She influenced her husband to take her -view of the case, and had Danevitch not stepped in when he did, murder -would have been added to the other infamy. As it was, the careers of -the wretches were brought to a close, and exemplary punishment was -meted out to all of them. The extradition of both Charcot and his wife -was demanded by the Russian Government, to answer in Russia for the -affair of the forged bill--the man for having presented it and drawn -the money, the woman for aiding and abetting him. But, of course, -this demand was not complied with, as they had first of all to suffer -punishment in France for their deeds there. After that they would -be handed to the tender mercies of the Russian Government, and were -destined to end their days in exile in Siberia. - -For a long time Count Dashkoff remained in a pitiable state, but under -tender care and treatment his health was gradually restored, though his -mind was shattered beyond repair. Of course, he could not be altogether -exonerated from blame for the part he had played with regard to his -unhappy wife. But if he had sinned, he had also suffered, and everyone -must admit that it was a terrible ending to a brilliant and what -seemed a most promising career. Unhappily, neither his position, his -wealth, nor his associations could save him from yielding to the fatal -fascinations of vulgar beauty; and the disastrous results that followed -doomed him to social extinction and a living death. - - - - -THE FATE OF VASSILO IVANOFF. - - -Possibly very few readers of these chronicles know anything of the -peculiarity--I had almost said iniquity--of the Russian law. The -freeborn Briton, who in his own country may spout and write treason -as long as it pleases him, and do anything that is not regarded as -a legally punishable offence--and the law is very tolerant in this -respect--is apt to open his eyes in astonishment when he goes on the -Continent and finds himself haled to a prison-house simply because he -has been jotting down some memoranda in a note-book, or mayhap has -taken a snap-shot with a Kodak at a picturesque fortification which he -thinks will look well in his album when he gets home. This arbitrary -and high-handed proceeding is common to all parts of Europe outside -of Great Britain. But though the liberty of the subject and of the -foreigner is ever menaced on the Continent, and a simple indiscreet -act may serve to bring the might of the law down on the luckless -offender, this state of things is nothing as compared with that which -prevails in Russia. It is a plain statement of fact to say that, of all -the countries which boast of their civilization, Russia is the least -civilized. The Russians themselves are a most hospitable people, they -are clever, they make good friends and good neighbours; but their laws -are antiquated, the method of government is barbarous, while the system -of espionage which is in force all over the country would irritate a -Briton into madness. And there is another aspect of the law, which, -though it has been denied, still obtains in Russia, and that is the -power of the law to keep an untried man whose guilt is not proved in -prison indefinitely, and to subject him to such mental or physical -torture that, to escape from it, the victim either confesses to a -crime of which he is innocent or goes raving mad. To understand this, -one must bear in mind that, while in our country a man is considered -innocent until he is proved guilty, in Russia, as soon as ever he -falls under suspicion, he is regarded as a criminal. He can then be -thrown into a dungeon and kept there. If he persists in asserting his -innocence, the law, if it can procure no proof one way or the other, -will persist in regarding him as guilty, and will exhaust every means -to overcome him, and if compelled to let him go will do so with the -greatest reluctance. - -This is really no exaggerated statement. A thousand and one proofs -can be furnished in support of it. Danevitch, who was Russian to the -backbone, was nevertheless sufficiently broad-minded to frankly admit -that the laws of his native country left much to be desired. The case -dealt with in this story will illustrate very forcibly what I have -stated in the foregoing lines. - -Vassilo Ivanoff was by profession an architect, with, as was supposed, -a large and profitable connection. He was also an artist of some -repute, and two or three of his pictures had found a place on the -walls of the St. Petersburg Salon. His friends sometimes rated him for -devoting too much time to painting pictures that did not pay, and too -little to his profession, which did pay. Ivanoff, however, was young, -ardent, enthusiastic; a dreamer somewhat. He believed in himself, -in his future. The world was beautiful, life was good, all men were -brothers. Such in effect were his principles; but he forgot the maxim -of science, which insists that theory and practice should go together. -Ivanoff was a theorist, but he found it difficult to be practical. He -had long been engaged to Maria Alexeyevina, who had the reputation of -being one of the most beautiful young women in St. Petersburg. She was -a member of an exceedingly good family, who, though poor, boasted -of their noble descent. The marriage of the young couple had been -delayed from time to time on the grounds that, until his financial -position improved, he could not afford to keep a wife. It was a great -disappointment to him, but he set to work with a will, and so far -increased his business that he felt justified at last in appealing to -Maria and her relatives that the marriage should be no longer delayed. - -Among Ivanoff’s most intimate friends was one Riskoff by name, who was -said to be wealthy, and also exceedingly practical. He and Ivanoff -had been to school together, and had studied at college together; -but Riskoff, being considerably older than his friend, completed his -studies some years before the other. - -Ivanoff was in the habit of consulting Riskoff about many things, -and he took him into his confidence with regard to the marriage; but -Riskoff, knowing that Ivan was improvident, as well as impractical, -strongly counselled him to delay the marriage. Ivanoff, however, was -head-strong, Riskoff was persistent, with the result that the lifelong -friends virtually quarrelled, and in the circles which they frequented -it was a matter of comment that these two men, who had been like -brothers, now passed each other by as if they were strangers. - -Unable at last to control his feelings, Ivanoff pleaded so pathetically -to Maria to consent to the marriage that she yielded, and they became -man and wife. The marriage ceremony was one of those semi-grand -affairs peculiar to the middle classes in Russia, and the festivities -that followed were conspicuous by their magnificence and the lavish -expenditure incurred. It was noted with much surprise at the time that -Riskoff was not present at the wedding or the feast. It was known that -there had been strained relations between the two men; nevertheless, -everyone expected that Riskoff would have been invited. But, in spite -of his friend’s absence, Ivanoff was supremely happy; the beautiful -woman for whom he would have laid down his life willingly, had she -desired it, was his at last. What more could mortal man wish for? Life -henceforth would know no pang. The doting couple would exist on each -other’s love, and not the tiniest of clouds should ever obscure the -matrimonial sky. It was all very pretty. Others had thought the same -thing over and over again, only to find, when the first transports of -joy were past, that the married state is not quite the Elysium they -believed it to be when they hastened to exchange single blessedness -for wedded bliss. The blessedness is at least a known quantity, but -the bliss is as often as not found to be little better than a delusive -mirage. Ivanoff, however, did not concern himself about the future. -With him, sufficient for the day was the evil thereof. Why think of the -morrow when the to-day was so full of joy? That was his theory, and he -lived up to it. - -The first year of his married life, so far as was known, was a very -happy one; the young couple revelled in each other’s society. Their -social functions were attended by people from far and near, for Maria’s -beauty was the talk of the town, and her husband was very happy and -very proud. He believed that no such woman as his wife had ever walked -the fair earth before. Romance, however, cannot last for ever, and -joy must ever be evanescent in this wicked world. Vassilo Ivanoff was -soon to prove the truth of this. Necessity compelled him at last to -look into his affairs, and he found to his horror that he was on the -verge of bankruptcy. Bills were pouring in upon him, but there was -nothing in the exchequer to meet them with. It was a terrible state -of matters, and to a sensitive man with a poetical temperament little -short of maddening. From his ideal world he had suddenly to descend -to the vulgar commonplace one, where the butcher, the baker, and -candlestick-maker clamour for their little accounts; where summonses -and writs run; and where brokers’ men and sheriffs’ officers have no -bowels of compunction. It was a revelation, and a very terrible one, -to Vassilo, and he had to face the fact that he was heavily in debt, -with no means to meet his engagements. He could not apply to his wife’s -relations for assistance, for they were poor and proud, and, while -unable to help him, they would not have hesitated to rate him for the -disgrace he would bring upon them if his affairs should be made public, -and there was every probability that such would be the case. - -It was subsequently brought to light that in his distress he applied -to various friends for temporary assistance; but, because they either -could not or would not render it, his appeals met with no response. -There is no doubt that his affairs at this stage of his career were -in a very complicated state, and he realized for the first time that -he was practically ruined; and to such an extent did it affect him, -that one night he was seen at one of the fashionable and best-known -cafés in a state of intoxication. Probably a good deal was due to -his mental excitement rather than to the amount of stimulant he had -imbibed, for he was a most temperate man, and rarely went to excess. -Some acquaintances tried to persuade him to go home, but his excitement -only increased, and he was heard to exclaim: ‘It’s a burning shame that -I should be poor when there are thousands less worthy than I am rolling -in wealth. I feel as if I could do murder on those who hoard their gold -when so many are suffering for the want of common necessaries.’ - -This little outburst of passion and ill-will was no doubt due entirely -to his condition; but it was a dangerous sentiment to give expression -to in a Russian café, though, but for subsequent events, no importance -would have been attached to it. - -With some difficulty the unfortunate man was taken to his home, and it -would appear that on the following day, when no doubt he, figuratively -speaking, sat on the stool of repentance, he resolved, in his -extremity, to appeal to his whilom friend Riskoff. With that intention -he went to Riskoff’s house, but found that he was out; and, as it was -uncertain when he would return, Vassilo asked for pen and paper, and -wrote a letter, in which he confessed that he had been living in a -fools’ paradise. But he had come to his senses, and intended to be more -business-like in future. He wound up with begging Riskoff to lend him -two thousand roubles, promising faithfully to repay the loan in six -months’ time. The following day he received this reply: - - ‘DEAR IVANOFF, - - ‘I confess to feeling some surprise, after the coolness there has - been between us of late, that you should apply to me in your monetary - difficulties for assistance. It is true I have the reputation of - being a rich man, and it is highly probable that under different - circumstances I would have accommodated you with this loan. But - I flatly refuse to do so now. I do not consider you have treated - me well. I was your warm friend at one time, and would have done - anything for you; but you thought proper to trifle with that - friendship, so there’s an end of it. As you have made your bed, so - you must lie upon it. I don’t know that I am an unkindly man--indeed, - I am sure I am not; but I feel angry now, and my heart hardens - against you. I am truly sorry for your beautiful wife, and consider - that you have done her a gross wrong in bringing her to this state of - poverty. It is no use your writing to me or calling here again, as - to-morrow morning I set off on my journey to visit my estates, and - shall not be back for a month. I hope in the meantime you will pull - through your difficulties, and that the lesson which poverty teaches - will not be lost upon you. - - ‘RISKOFF.’ - -It is easy to understand the effect a letter of this kind would have -upon a sensitive and proud man. The refusal of his friend to help him -must have been a stinging and bitter blow to Ivanoff. It appeared that -for a long time he sat in moody and gloomy silence. Then he showed the -letter to his wife, and it was a shock to her. Up to that moment she -had not quite realized that things were as bad as they were. Allowing -her feelings to get the better of her, she reproached her husband, and -he made an angry retort, with the inevitable result that other harsh -things were said on both sides, until the young wife, in a fit of -petulance and wounded pride, hastily put on her cloak and bonnet and -went off to her parents. Soon afterwards the unhappy husband also went -out, and was absent for some hours. In the evening his wife returned, -accompanied by her brother. She had repented her hastiness, and her -people had told her that her place was at her husband’s side. In the -meantime he also had come back. He seemed in a much happier frame of -mind, and Maria’s brother witnessed a very pleasant reunion. He spent -the evening with her. They had supper, and were happy. Before retiring, -Vassilo told his wife that he was in funds again, and all would be -well. He said the little cloud that had over-shadowed them had passed, -and that henceforth they would live in clover. She asked him how he -had managed to so suddenly bring about the change, but he laughingly -replied that he couldn’t explain just then, but would do so later on. - -The next day Ivanoff rose betimes. He attended to some business -matters, paid several of the most pressing claims against him, and at -mid-day he and his wife lunched at a café, and in the evening they -dined at their own house in company with some friends who had been -invited. In the midst of the dinner the company were suddenly startled -by the violent ringing of the large bell which hung at the gate. It -was by no means an ordinary ringing, but suggestive of impatience and -anger. The servant whose duty it was to attend to the door had not -time to get down before the bell was rung a second time still more -violently. The servant hurried to the door, and, flinging it open, -was confronted by an important-looking official known as a Judge of -Instruction, accompanied by his two legal satellites and two armed -policemen. - -‘Is your master in?’ demanded the Judge angrily. - -‘Do you mean Mr. Vassilo Ivanoff?’ - -‘Of course I do. Why have you kept me so long at the door?’ - -‘I came immediately, sir,’ answered the frightened servant. - -‘Very well. Now, is your master in?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Take me to him, then.’ - -‘He is dining with some friends.’ - -‘Blazes and thunder!’ roared the official; ‘what do I care whether he -is dining with friends or whether he isn’t? Conduct me to him. Men, -follow me.’ - -The now speechless servant led the way to the dining-room, and close -at her heels were the Judge and his men. As the intruders thus -unceremoniously entered, Vassilo jumped to his feet, and his wife -uttered a little cry of alarm, while the visitors looked aghast, for -the presence of the Judge and the police with drawn swords was ominous. - -‘Sorry to disturb you,’ growled the Judge gruffly. - -‘What do you want here?’ asked Ivanoff sharply. - -‘I’ve come on business.’ - -‘What business?’ - -‘Very unpleasant business. I am empowered to search your house. Here is -my authority.’ He displayed a blue document bearing the Government seal. - -Vassilo’s wife had recovered her presence of mind by this time, and, -going to her husband’s side, she remarked: - -‘Oh, I suppose this is some absurd denunciation on the part of an -enemy, for I am afraid that even I and my husband have enemies. But, -happily for us, we never interfere in politics; we are content to lead -peaceful lives.’ - -‘It is not a question of politics,’ answered the Judge, his gruff -manner somewhat softening as he gazed upon the beautiful young wife and -felt sympathy for her. - -‘Not politics!’ she exclaimed, in new alarm, as she glanced at her -husband’s face, which had become very pale. - -‘No; my visit has nothing to do with politics.’ - -‘Why are you here, then?’ demanded Mrs. Ivanoff anxiously. - -‘I am here on very serious business indeed. Your husband is accused -of--well, that is, he is suspected of murder.’ - -‘Murder!’ broke like an echo from the wife’s lips, and all present -started to their feet in deadly alarm, as if a bombshell had been -exploded in the room. - -‘I am accused of murder?’ gasped Ivanoff, looking dazed, as if he had -received a blow on the head that had half stunned him. - -‘Yes, murder,’ answered the Judge solemnly. - -‘The murder of whom?’ asked the wife, a half-incredulous smile on her -face. - -‘Mr. Riskoff.’ - -‘Riskoff!’ echoed the poor lady, as the smile gave place to a look of -terror, and she fixed her eyes on her husband as if every hope she had -on earth hung on the words he would next utter. - -‘Is he dead?’ Ivanoff gasped, the dazed expression strengthening. - -‘Yes,’ said the Judge, ‘and you are charged with having murdered him.’ - -Ivanoff broke into a strange laugh as he exclaimed: - -‘This is positively absurd. Why, I was with him yesterday.’ - -‘Yes, that fact is well known. You went to his house to see him?’ - -‘I did.’ - -‘No one was with him after you left him?’ - -‘That I have no knowledge of,’ moaned Ivanoff, as he passed his hand -distressfully over his head from his forehead backward. - -‘Soon after you had taken your departure from his house he was found -dead in his library.’ - -Poor Mrs. Ivanoff was now almost in a state of collapse, and would have -fallen had not one of the ladies present caught and supported her. - -The Judge had become stern and hard again. His assistants had out their -note-books, and while one wrote the questions and replies in shorthand, -the other took them down in longhand. - -‘You possessed a revolver?’ asked the Judge. - -‘I did,’ muttered Ivanoff. - -‘Where is it?’ - -‘I--I lent it to--to my friend Riskoff.’ - -‘You lent it to him!’ exclaimed the Judge ironically. - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Why did you lend it to him?’ - -‘Because he asked for it.’ - -‘Ah! very likely,’ remarked the Judge, still more ironically. ‘Why did -he ask you for it?’ - -‘He told me he was starting at once to visit his estates, and as he was -without a revolver mine would be useful to him.’ - -‘Why did you take your revolver to his house?’ - -The Judge glanced at his assistants as he asked this question, then -fixed a searching glance on the suspected man’s ghastly white face. -Mrs. Ivanoff also gazed at her husband with staring eyes, and waited -breathlessly for his answer. She had been led to a chair, and her -friends were crowding round her; but with outstretched arms she kept -them back, so that they might not obstruct her view of her husband, who -stood motionless as a statue, save for the rapid rising and falling of -his chest; and he was white as a statue, while his hands were clenched -firmly together. - -‘Give me an answer, sir,’ exclaimed the Judge angrily, as the suspected -man remained dumb. ‘Why did you take your revolver with you to your -friend’s house?’ - -Ivanoff was still silent. The assistants were busy writing. The Judge -became more peremptory. - -‘Again I ask you: Why did you take your revolver to Riskoff’s house?’ - -Ivanoff glanced nervously round the room now, and his eyes fell upon -his wife. The pitiable sight she presented broke him down, and, -covering his face with his hands, he burst into tears, and stammered -forth, in a broken, emotional voice, the following reply: - -‘I went to my friend to ask him to lend me some money. I took the -revolver with me, determining to shoot myself if he refused.’ - -‘Or shoot him,’ said the Judge, with a sneer. - -‘No, no--on my soul and before my God, no!’ cried Ivanoff, raising his -hands to heaven. - -‘Well, your friend was killed with a bullet fired from this revolver.’ -He produced a revolver as he spoke. ‘Do you recognise it?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Your name is engraved upon it. It was picked up on the floor of his -room. Riskoff had been shot in the back of the head. The murderer, -therefore, was behind him.’ - -A shudder ran through all present as this announcement was made. There -was an exception, however. It was Mrs. Ivanoff; she sat motionless, as -if she had been petrified. Her eyes were still fixed on her husband. - -‘Have you any money?’ asked the Judge. - -‘Yes,’ answered the wretched man. - -‘In notes?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Let me see them.’ - -Ivanoff put his hands into his pocket, and produced a well-filled -pocket-book. The Judge took it, opened it, and disclosed a packet of -new notes. He examined them carefully, and consulted certain memoranda -he had made in his note-book. - -‘Ah, this is very damning evidence!’ he said at last. ‘Riskoff drew -from his bankers yesterday a large sum of money in notes. These notes -are part of those he drew from the bank.’ - -Mrs. Ivanoff started to her feet now, and uttered a low moan of -agony. Somebody wanted to support her, but she pushed them back, and, -steadying herself with a tremendous effort, she said: - -‘Vassilo, what does this mean?’ - -‘Some hideous mistake,’ he murmured. - -‘I hope so. God grant it is so,’ sobbed the unhappy lady. ‘But I -remember Riskoff’s answer to your application for a loan. And now -Riskoff is dead, your revolver is found in his house, and you are in -possession of notes which he drew from his bank. Oh, my God, it’s -awful! It’s too, too horrible! I am going mad!’ - -She uttered a suppressed scream, pressed her hands to her head, reeled -and staggered, and fell fainting into the arms of some of her friends. - -Apparently unmoved by this sad and pathetic scene, the Judge preserved -his sternness and stolidity. - -‘So Riskoff wrote to you?’ he asked. - -‘Yes,’ answered Ivanoff in a mechanical way. - -‘Where is the letter?’ - -‘I will give it to you. Come with me.’ - -The Judge motioned to the armed men, and they placed themselves one -on either side of the suspect, while the Judge himself brought up the -rear. In this order they proceeded to Ivanoff’s studio, where, opening -a bureau with a key he took from his pocket, he produced the letter he -had received from Riskoff, wherein he point-blank refused to lend the -money, and handed it to the Judge, who, having perused it, remarked: - -‘This is a fatal piece of evidence against you. You had better make a -clean breast of the whole affair.’ - -By this time Ivanoff had somewhat recovered himself, and said firmly: - -‘I have nothing to confess. I am innocent before God.’ - -‘Most criminals declare themselves innocent at first,’ answered the -Judge coldly. ‘However, I have no doubt you will tell another tale -before we have done with you. I charge you now with being the murderer -of Mr. Riskoff, and make you my prisoner. Secure him and bring him -along.’ - -The policemen seized the wretched man, and fastened his wrists together -with a pair of handcuffs. He begged to be allowed to write two or -three letters, but this request was refused, and he was taken from the -house, still protesting his innocence, and without being able to take -a final leave of his wife, who remained unconscious. In accordance -with the mode of procedure peculiar to Russia, the suspected man was -conducted to the office of the criminal prison, where he was subjected -to another cross-examination, and the Judge of Instruction handed in -his procès-verbal, as the French call it. The Judge, having finished -his part of the affair so far, received an official receipt for his -prisoner’s body and left, while the prisoner himself, having been -stripped of his clothing, and a prison suit allotted to him, was -consigned to a secret cell, which meant that he would be kept isolated -from everyone until the police had worked up sufficient evidence to -secure his conviction. But in the event of their failing to do that, -the prisoner himself would in all probability ultimately confess in -order to be relieved from the awful horror of solitary confinement in a -secret dungeon. - -The case against Ivanoff seemed perfectly clear. The public condemned -him from the first, for the evidence was so strong. There was the -letter which Riskoff had written declining to lend the money Ivanoff -had applied to him for. Yet within thirty-six hours of that letter -being received, Riskoff was discovered dead in his own house. He had -that very morning drawn from his bank a large sum of money. A portion -of the money was found in Ivanoff’s possession. Riskoff had been shot -from behind. A bullet had entered the back part of the head, traversing -the brain and producing instant death. The deed was done with a -revolver, which was left in the room, no doubt by an oversight on the -part of the slayer. The revolver was the property of Ivanoff, as proved -by a little silver plate let into the butt, on which his name was -engraved. On his own confession, Ivanoff had visited Riskoff. He knew -that he was about to set out on a journey. He knew also that he would -draw money from the bank for the purposes of his journey. Therefore, -having been refused the loan he had asked for, he went to the house -with the deliberate intention of killing his erstwhile friend and -robbing him of his money. - -Such was the construction put upon the case, and it seemed as if no -one but an idiot could doubt for a moment that Ivanoff had committed -the crime. And as a piece of strengthening evidence the words he had -uttered in the café were raked up against him. ‘It’s a burning shame,’ -he had said, ‘that I should be poor when there are thousands less -worthy than I am rolling in wealth. I feel as if I could do murder on -those who hoard their gold when so many are suffering for the want of -common necessaries.’ - -All these things taken into consideration left no room to doubt that -Ivanoff was a murderer. He had committed a clumsy crime, and left such -tracks behind him that in a very short time the outraged law had him in -its grip. - -The tragedy aroused more than the usual amount of interest, as both -Ivanoff and Riskoff were well known, while the prisoner’s story was not -without a certain romance which added to the interest. His poetical -tendencies; his essays in art; his struggles; his wooing of the -beautiful Maria in opposition to the sage counsels and earnest advice -of his school-fellow and friend, Riskoff; his marriage; his monetary -difficulties; his appeal for help to the man whose advice he had -scouted--all these things afforded the general public subject-matter -for discussion; they were so many chapters in an exciting tale, the end -of which was murder. - -As may be imagined, Mrs. Ivanoff’s friends were furious, for, though -poor, they were as proud as Lucifer, and felt strongly embittered -against the man who had brought such disgrace into the family. Poor -Maria came in for a fair amount of blame. She was told very bluntly -that she had no business ever to have married such a man. These -reproaches made her dreadful position still harder to bear; but when -the first shock of the disclosure and the arrest had passed, she rose -equal to the occasion, and startled everyone she knew by declaring her -unalterable belief in her husband’s innocence. This seemed to most -people like flying in the very face of Providence. The accused man’s -guilt was so obvious that it was an outrage on intelligence to argue -otherwise. But Maria Ivanoff was a young and newly-married woman. She -had married for love. Her husband had always treated her with the -greatest tenderness and consideration. Over and over again he had -told her he worshipped the very ground she walked upon, and had done -everything in his power to prove that he did not speak mere words. She -believed in him; she believed in his assertion that he was innocent; -and though all the world condemned him she would not. She was his wife, -his loving wife, and she would try to save him. The poor woman saw -clearly enough that she stood alone, and that she could expect neither -sympathy nor help from anyone. Nevertheless, she was not daunted, nor -was she deterred, and her first step was to seek an interview with -the Minister of the Interior, or, as we should call him, the Home -Secretary. It was not easy to obtain this interview, but thanks to the -influence of a gentleman holding a high official position, with whom -she was acquainted, she succeeded at last, and found herself face to -face with the proud and pompous personage who was invested with such -tremendous power that he could snatch a person from his doom even at -the eleventh hour. To the Minister she pleaded, literally on her knees, -for an order to visit her husband. At first the official was obdurate; -but her tears, her eloquence, her distress, and perhaps, more than all, -her beauty, softened him; and she left his bureau with a Government -order which granted her a twenty minutes’ interview with the prisoner. -She flew to the gloomy prison, presented the order, and in a little -while, in the presence of numerous officials, husband and wife met -again; but it was in a dismal corridor, and they were separated from -each other by an iron grill. - -Although only little more than a week had elapsed since that cruel -night when he was torn from her side, a wonderful change had taken -place in him. He looked ten years older. He was haggard and ghastly, -and no wonder, for he had suddenly changed the sunshine and brightness -of the world for a pestiferous dungeon, far below the ground, where -every movement of the prisoner was watched, where the walls were lined -with felt to deaden all sound; where miasma rose up from the ground, -and ooze and slime dropped from the roof; where no human voice was -heard, for the stern warders were prohibited from opening their lips to -a prisoner; where the food was horrible, and even the common decencies -of life were not observed. No wonder that in such a place men went mad; -no wonder that even in a few weeks youth and vigour were changed to -tottering age. - -Maria was startled and horrified. She would have thrown her arms about -her wretched husband’s neck, but cruel bars kept them asunder. Ivanoff -iterated and reiterated again and again that he was innocent. He -swore it by all that a Russian holds most sacred, and he begged with -streaming eyes that his wife would use every means possible to prove -his innocence and secure his release, otherwise he would in a very -short time be raving mad. - -When Maria Ivanoff left that awful place and got into the light again, -she felt like one who had come up out of a tomb, where she had looked -upon death. She knew that there was but little hope for her husband -unless his innocence was made clear as day. She thoroughly believed -his assertions; and she made a mental resolve that she would rest -neither night nor day until she had exhausted every possible means to -release him. Her friends were angry with her; everybody said it was an -impossible task to prove a guilty man innocent. Her distress of mind -may be imagined, not described; she told her friends she herself would -go mad if somebody did not come to her assistance. Then it was that her -brother, with what he intended to be the most pointed irony, said: - -‘You are seeking to do that which is impossible. Now, if there is a man -in all Russia who can perform seemingly impossible deeds, that man is -Michael Danevitch, the Government detective. Why don’t you go to him? -He might perform a miracle, who knows?’ - -Maria Ivanoff jumped at the suggestion, though it was never intended -she should take it seriously. But she sought out Danevitch. She laid -all the facts of the case before him. It was the first he had heard of -the matter. It was the first time he had ever set his eyes on Maria. -But her moving tale stirred him; her beauty won him; her tears found -their way to his heart. He consoled her in a measure by a pledge that -he would examine the case from every possible point of view, and -communicate with her later on. Nearly a fortnight passed before she saw -him again. - -‘There is one point, and a very curious point it is,’ he said, ‘that -makes the evidence against the accused weak, and yet nobody seems to -have noticed it.’ - -‘What is it?’ cried Maria, breathless with new hope. - -‘On the day that Riskoff was murdered, he drew from the bank three -thousand roubles. Your husband had one thousand of this sum, according -to his own statement, and the most critical investigation has failed -to prove this statement false; not a rouble over and above the one -thousand has been traced to his possession.’ - -‘Yes, yes; go on,’ moaned Maria, as she clasped her hands together with -the emotion the detective’s words begot. ‘What has become of the other -two thousand?’ - -‘Ah, that is what I want to know. If your husband murdered Riskoff for -the sake of the money, why did he only take one thousand roubles and -leave two thousand? And if he left two thousand behind, what has become -of them?’ - -Maria was holding her breath with that intensity of nervous emotion -which one experiences when it seems as if some revelation is about to -be made which means life or death to the listener. Danevitch remained -thoughtful and silent. His eyes were fixed on vacancy; his lips were -closely compressed; he looked absorbed and dreamy, as was his wont when -he was unusually thoughtful. At last Maria could endure her pent-up -feelings no longer, and in a husky voice she asked: - -‘What inference do you draw?’ - -‘An inference which on the face of it seems to corroborate your -husband’s assertion of his innocence. Mark you, I only say it seems to -do so. I do not say it does.’ - -Maria covered her face with her hands and wept passionately, but her -tears were rather the result of hope than of despair. Her over-strained -nerves were in that state when they were as liable to give way under -the effects of joy as they were under the effects of sorrow. She fell -on her knees at Danevitch’s feet, and, clasping her hands in passionate -appeal, implored him to save her husband. He raised her up, and said -softly: - -‘I will do what I can.’ - -It was really remarkable that it should have been left for Danevitch to -bring out that curious point about the money. All the police officials -had overlooked it. They were cock-sure, for they believed that the case -was so clear against the prisoner that it would not admit of a doubt. -For some days after the interview with Maria, Danevitch concerned -himself with endeavouring to prove if Ivanoff had had more than the -one thousand roubles, but the most exhaustive inquiries, and the most -rigorous search of his house, failed to get a trace of a single rouble -beyond the one thousand which he had declared Riskoff had lent him, -a portion of which he had paid away to his creditors. When it became -known that Danevitch was engaged on the case, and that he was trying to -find out what had become of the two thousand roubles out of the three -thousand drawn from the bank, not only was public curiosity aroused, -but to some extent opinion swung round, and sympathy was expressed for -the prisoner. The police, however, were not moved, unless it was to -become still more prejudiced against Ivanoff. They knew the power of -Danevitch, and the influence he had in high quarters, and they were -determined not to lose their prey. They therefore resorted to all the -forms and pressure allowed by the Russian law to exact from the unhappy -man a confession of his guilt. Beyond the facts they had already got -together, they could obtain no other evidence. They knew that it was -just possible those facts might fail to secure a conviction, whereas a -confession wrung from the suspected man, no matter under what torture -it was obtained, would be accepted without question. Such was the law -in Russia. - -Weeks passed, and it leaked out that the prisoner’s obstinacy had at -last been overcome. All that remained, therefore, to be done was to -bring him up for trial, which would be a mere perfunctory business, -and fix the date for his transportation. At last he appeared before -the judges. The interest the case had aroused caused the court to be -crowded to suffocation. When the prisoner appeared at the bar, those -who had known Ivanoff previous to his arrest were shocked. They saw -now an old white-haired man, with a haggard, hunted expression of -face, and a wild stare in the restless eyes, as if he had suffered -some tremendous mental shock. He seemed stunned, and as if he did not -recognise anyone, and could not realize his position. Truly it is -said of him who is sent to a Russian dungeon: ‘He shall return no -more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.’ The -prisoner had been chained, tortured, and punished until he had become -imbecile. But what of that? Was he not the slayer of a fellow-man--a -scarlet-handed murderer who for the sake of a comparatively small sum -of money had ruthlessly taken the life of his best friend? He himself -had confessed to it, so that no one could raise up a doubt. The counsel -for the prosecution seemed to have an easy task of it. He went over -all the evidence that was known. Ivanoff had applied to his friend for -a loan; the loan was refused, and the letter of refusal was read in -court with a great flourish. Nevertheless, the prisoner went to his -friend’s house, taking a revolver engraved with his own name with him. -What passed between them would never be known until the secrets of -all hearts were revealed; but a little later Riskoff was found dead. -Some distance from him was Ivanoff’s revolver. The dead man had been -shot with a bullet from that revolver. The bullet had gone through -his brain. By an inconceivable act of folly, the prisoner left his -revolver behind. It must have fallen from his hand when he was rifling -the victim’s pockets for the money, and he had forgotten to pick it -up. Subsequently the money was found in his possession. Was ever there -clearer circumstantial evidence in the world? But to make assurance -doubly sure, there was the prisoner’s confession, taken down from his -own lips in his cell, by the Judge of Instruction; there it was for the -jury to inspect, duly witnessed and attested and legalized by the great -seal of the Minister of the Interior. - -The prosecuting counsel sat down with the air of one who had performed -a noble deed and scored a great triumph. The prisoner was silent, -motionless, his eyes staring blankly into space, and his white face -without any expression. Amidst a hush that was painful, the counsel -for the defence--one of the ablest men in Russia--rose to his feet, -and, adjusting his gown with professional gravity, said: ‘I claim one -of two things: either an immediate acquittal of the prisoner on the -grounds of lack of condemnatory evidence, or an adjournment of the -trial for a few days, when I shall be able to prove his innocence. As -everyone knows, Riskoff, the murdered man, drew three thousand roubles -from his bankers on the morning of his death. One thousand roubles -only was traced to the prisoner. All the money was in small notes. I -have here one thousand five hundred of the missing two thousand. There -are witnesses present from the bank who will identify every note. We -hope to regain the other five hundred shortly. These notes were not in -possession of the prisoner, but of another man, the man who committed -the murder, and who will yet be brought to justice. The prisoner at the -bar is innocent.’ - -The effect of this announcement was startling and dramatic in the -highest degree. Everybody seemed affected except the prisoner--he -was unmoved; he continued to stare into space. There was a hasty -consultation among the jury, and a hurried whispering with the Judge, -who asked if it was true that Michael Danevitch had the case in hand. -He was answered in the affirmative, and in the end he announced that no -verdict would be given that day, but the prisoner would be put back for -a fortnight. - -Mrs. Ivanoff had not been present at her husband’s trial. She was -prostrated with illness, the result of long mental strain and intense -anxiety; but a day or two before the case came on Danevitch called -upon her and bade her be of good cheer, for her husband was innocent. -Although she knew that Danevitch was not likely to make such a definite -statement as that without warrant, she exclaimed: - -‘But it is rumoured that my husband has confessed the crime.’ - -‘I have heard the same rumour,’ Danevitch answered; ‘but a confession -that is wrung from a prisoner is not always reliable. But come, now, -take heart. I told you, in the first instance, that I was much struck -by the fact that only one thousand roubles could be traced to your -husband. If he murdered his friend for his money, why did he not -take the lot? It seemed absurd that, having committed the crime, he -contented himself with one-third only of the amount he could have had. -His story was that he visited Riskoff, who repented of his hastiness, -and said he had written the letter of refusal when he was in a bad -temper, and that had your husband not called, he was going to write -an apology to him and enclose him one thousand roubles. As it was, -he handed him the money, for which your husband gave a receipt as an -acknowledgment that he was indebted to Riskoff to the extent of a -thousand roubles. Subsequently, on Riskoff saying he was going to a -gunsmith’s to buy a gun and a revolver to take with him on his journey, -your husband pulled his own revolver out and offered the loan of it to -his friend. The offer was accepted, and soon afterwards the two men -parted. On the first blush this story had the appearance of being very -far-fetched, and calculated to tax one’s credulity; but when I came -to examine it in connection with all the circumstances, it presented -itself to me as a statement of fact. Now I have no hesitation in saying -that in the main, if not in actual detail, it is true.’ - -Mrs. Ivanoff heard this in silent thankfulness. She felt that her -prayers had been heard, for night and day the poor woman had prayed -that her husband might be proved innocent. Like most Russian women, -she had an intense faith in the rites of her Church and the efficacy -of prayer. Needless to say that after Danevitch’s statement her faith -was strengthened, for she knew he was not the man to express such a -pronounced opinion without he had a very good foundation for it. - -As he himself had said, when he came to look into the matter the -case presented itself to him in a very different aspect, and the -prisoner’s story appeared probable. If that story was true, it -necessarily followed that a third person must have been aware of the -monetary transaction between the two men, and, taking advantage of -the circumstances, had himself committed the crime for the sake of -the two thousand roubles. It was upon that theory that Danevitch set -to work. Riskoff led a bachelor life. His household consisted of two -female servants and a man servant. On the morning of the crime the -man had gone to the market. One of the females was an old woman who -had been in the service of the family for upwards of fifty years, and -had nursed Riskoff when he was a baby; the other was a young girl of -about eighteen. The old woman at the time was in bed suffering from -an ulcerated foot, the result of a cut with a piece of glass on which -she had inadvertently stepped. Consequently the girl--Olga was her -name--was in charge of the house. She admitted Ivanoff, and very soon -afterwards her master and the visitor went out, and were absent nearly -an hour. Her master told her that he was going to the bank to draw some -money for his journey on the morrow. The two men returned together. -In about half an hour afterwards she opened the door for Ivanoff -to depart. The murder was not discovered until the return of the -man-servant. Then Olga went to her master’s room to inquire whether he -intended to dine alone that evening or whether there would be guests. -On opening the door, she was horrified to find her master lying dead on -the floor. - -Such was Olga’s story, and it seemed probable enough, but Danevitch -was not satisfied. The missing two thousand roubles set him pondering -deeply, and he had a private interview with the old housekeeper, and -questioned her about Olga. - -‘Was Olga a steady girl?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Had she a lover?’ - -The old woman thought not; at any rate, no one who came to the house. -But did nobody visit her? Well, yes, a brother had been to see her the -previous day. Her brother was called Andrey. He was a soldier stationed -at Cronstadt, but was on furlough, and passed through St. Petersburg on -his way to visit his parents, who resided at a place called Ladeinoe -Pole, a little village lying to the north of St. Petersburg and the -east of Lake Ladoga. - -‘Was the brother at the house on the day of the murder?’ - -The housekeeper did not know. She thought not. But, still, he might -have been without her knowing it. - -Pursuing his inquiries, Danevitch found that this soldier brother had -left St. Petersburg on the night of the murder for his home. Danevitch -followed him there, but found on his arrival that, his furlough being -up, he had returned to Cronstadt. The parents were peasants, and, -like most Russian peasants, living a miserable sort of life; but -Danevitch learnt this fact, that quite recently they had been to a -neighbouring market-town and purchased a horse and two cows, which -made the neighbours quite envious; and, of course, such an event in -so small a village was a nine days’ wonder, and was much commented -upon. The soldier son, who was so good to his parents, had no doubt -provided them with the money. Danevitch, however, was well aware that, -however dutiful and affectionate the son was, he could not save from -his miserable pay a sum sufficiently large for the purchase of two cows -and a horse. The pay of the Russian private is about one halfpenny a -day. It is therefore impossible for him to save money. Having regard -to these facts, the detective deemed some explanation imperatively -necessary. But before he took his departure from the little village, -it came to his knowledge that Andreyvitch, the father of Andrey, the -soldier, was carrying on negotiations with a Jew--Weissmann by name--a -nationalized German, for the purchase of a little plot of land in the -village. Weissmann had had a mortgage on the land, had foreclosed, and -was anxious to sell. At last a bargain was struck, and Andreyvitch paid -one hundred roubles as earnest money. The hundred roubles was paid in -notes. They formed part of the amount Riskoff had drawn from the bank. -Thereupon Danevitch confronted old Andreyvitch with two armed officers -of the law, and demanded to know where he got those notes from. The -simple and ignorant old peasant at once answered that he had received -them from his son. - -‘Where did the son get them from?’ - -The father understood that his son had found a roll of notes, and -though he ought to have delivered them at the bureau of police, his -strong affection for his poor old parents prompted him to commit a -breach of the law by retaining the money and giving it to his father. - -‘Had the father any more notes?’ - -Yes, he had a roll of them. He produced them from a hole in the thatch -of his house. They were carefully wrapped up in a piece of sheepskin -to keep them from the damp. There were notes to the value of one -thousand five hundred roubles. The old people had already spent about -five hundred roubles in the purchase of the cows and the horse, and in -clearing off certain debts. To the astonishment and terror of the old -people, the notes were retained, and steps were taken to recover those -that had already been paid away. - -With the money in his possession, Danevitch returned to St. Petersburg, -and handed it over to the defending counsel in time for him to make -that dramatic _coup_ in court. The next step was the arrest of Olga -and Andrey. They were arrested simultaneously, though one was in St. -Petersburg, the other in Cronstadt. The woman was terrified at first, -but when she was confronted with the Judge of Instruction, she became -sullen, and refused to answer any questions. Not so Andrey; he at once -confessed that he had stolen the money, but vowed that he did not -commit the murder. - -‘Who did commit the murder, then?’ - -He believed that Ivanoff did. All that he knew about it was what his -sweetheart had told him; she said she had found her master shot. He was -lying on the floor with a bullet-wound in the head, and on the table -was a pile of bank-notes. She asked him to go to the room and take the -notes, which he did. - -Danevitch saw at once the discrepancies in this story. It was not at -all likely that Ivanoff would have gone off leaving a large number of -bank-notes on the table. So Olga and Andrey were each consigned to a -secret dungeon. In the course of a week the discipline of the dungeon -life had worked its effects on Olga, and with blanched lips she related -the following story to the Judge of Instruction. - -Her soldier lover had come to see her two days before the crime, and, -unknown to her master, she had kept him in the house during those -two days. On the morning of the crime, when her master and Ivanoff -returned from the bank, she had to go into the room to take in some -refreshments. She saw a great heap of notes on the table; she heard -the conversation about the revolver, and saw Ivanoff hand his to her -master. When the visitor had departed and she had closed the door upon -him, she thought how easy it would be to murder the master, take his -money, and let it seem as if Ivanoff had done it. Her fellow-servant -was ill in bed; the man-servant was out. Her lover was at hand, and -nobody knew that he was there. She hurried to him. She told him all. He -was entirely under her influence. She went to her master’s room again. -The notes were still on the table, so was the revolver. He was busy -making up his books, and did not seem to notice her. As she removed -a tray containing glasses and biscuits, she secretly took away the -revolver also. Then she flew to Andrey, gave him the weapon, and they -returned to the room. She opened the door gently; Riskoff was sitting -at the table, still writing. Andrey crept in on his hands and knees -and shot him. He took the notes and the receipt given by Ivanoff to -his friend for the thousand roubles, and immediately left the house. -In six months’ time he would be drafted into the reserve; then he and -Olga would be married, and go to live with his people. Nobody would -suspect them of the crime. The case was clear against Ivanoff; he would -probably die, and there would be an end of it, for dead men tell no -tales. - -All would no doubt have turned out just as the wretches desired, had -Danevitch not been brought upon the scene. The horrible story as -told by Olga was corroborated in every detail, and the receipt given -to Riskoff by Ivanoff was recovered. Andrey expiated his crime in -the mines. Olga was sent to Northern Siberia for life. Ivanoff was -released, but he was a mental wreck, and his loving and devoted wife -had to place him in a lunatic asylum. Danevitch had saved him from -Siberia, but could not save him from the living death to which a cruel -fate had doomed him. - - - - -THE MERCHANT OF RIGA. - - -Ferguson, Tauchnitz and Co. were the largest firm of exporters in Riga. -Their trade consisted of tallow, timber, corn, flax, hemp, flax-seed, -quills, furs, etc. They had agents all over the great Russian Empire, -including the far eastern and far northern parts of Siberia. The trade -was principally with Great Britain, and it was said the firm employed -a fleet of upwards of a hundred steam and sailing vessels, besides -numerous small craft for the navigation of the Russian rivers. - -Donald Ferguson, the head of the firm, was a Scotchman, naturalized in -Russia, where he had lived for nearly forty years. He had married a -Russian lady, by whom he had several children. - -Ferguson enjoyed the distinction of being reputed one of the wealthiest -merchants in Russia, and he was no less conspicuous as a prominent -citizen, who had done an immense deal for his adopted country. For many -years he had taken a very active part in all philanthropic movements. -He had spent large sums of money in the improvement of Riga and its -harbour; he had built and endowed a national hospital; had founded -schools, and done much for the improvement of the lower classes, whose -cause he espoused with great warmth and enthusiasm. He had earned for -himself, from one end of Russia to the other, a name for fair dealing, -probity, and honourable conduct. In the mercantile world he and his -firm were held in the highest repute. - -One night at the beginning of spring he was found lying dead in his -private office at his warehouse on the quay at Riga. It was thought at -first that he had died a natural death, that he had had an apoplectic -seizure; but when the body came to be examined, there was conclusive -evidence of his having been strangled. On each side of the throat were -unmistakable signs of thumb pressure, and a post-mortem examination -made it clear that strangulation had caused death. Such a prominent -and well-known man could not have died in an ordinary way without his -fellow-citizens experiencing a shock and being deeply affected, but -when the news spread that he had been murdered it caused a profound -sensation. Then there was a universal expression of regret, followed -by a cry of indignation and horror, and a demand for vengeance, swift -and pitiless, on the slayer of this good man. Naturally enough, the -first thought was that he had been killed in order that some of his -property might be carried off, but a little investigation soon put a -very different complexion on the affair, and proved that the crime was -mysterious, inexplicable, and remarkable. When many hours had passed, -and no trace of the murderer could be got, Michael Danevitch was -communicated with. - -The warehouse of Ferguson, Tauchnitz and Co. was an immense block of -buildings on the Grand Quay at Riga. The counting-house was in the very -centre of the block, and faced the quay and the harbour. Adjoining, -but at the back of the counting-house, was Mr. Ferguson’s private -room. This room was lighted by a large window overlooking a covered-in -courtyard. On three sides of this yard were platforms provided with -cranes and communicating with different floors, and it was here that -carts and waggons were loaded and unloaded. - -Frequently when business was very brisk, work was carried on all -night at the warehouse; but the murder was committed in the early -spring, when the export trade was only beginning, and the usual hour -for closing up was six o’clock, and three o’clock on Saturdays. Mr. -Ferguson met his death on Saturday, March 3, about seven o’clock. He -was the last to leave the office, as he remained behind to close -up some business he was engaged upon. It was then four o’clock, or -thereabouts. He proceeded to his home on foot, being greeted on the way -by many people who knew him. - -His private residence was in the suburbs of Riga. His family at home -consisted of his wife, two grown-up sons, and two daughters. He had two -other sons, one being established in Hull as the English agent of the -firm. The other travelled all over Russia, and was absent at the time -of his father’s death. On arriving at his home, Mr. Ferguson partook of -some refreshment. He then told his wife that he had suddenly remembered -something of importance he neglected to do at the office, and he would -go back. He did not say what this something was. - -Mrs. Ferguson asked her husband how long he was likely to be, and he -answered that he would return in an hour, or an hour and a half at -the outside. When he left his house it was a few minutes past five. -At this time his sons were out. They arrived a little after seven, -and as their father had not returned, they set off, expecting to meet -him. Failing to do that, they went on to the warehouse. On arriving -there they were surprised to find the main entrance door slightly ajar. -They pushed it open and entered. The place was in pitch darkness, and -there was unbroken silence. They naturally thought there was something -wrong, otherwise the door would not have been open, but did not feel -any alarm. They groped their way to their father’s room. Darkness and -silence there. In moving about, Donald, the elder of the two, struck -his feet against something soft and yielding; he started back with a -cry of horror. - -‘What’s the matter?’ asked James, the younger one. - -‘I don’t know,’ answered Donald; ‘but I believe there is a body lying -on the floor.’ - -The young man procured a light as speedily as possible. Then was -revealed to them sure enough the sight of their father lying on his -back, with his left leg up, and his right arm bent under his body. At -first the sons thought he had fainted, but the peculiar and ghastly -appearance of his face soon undeceived them, and when they touched him -they had painful evidence that their worst fears were well founded. -Terribly alarmed, they rushed out and sought assistance, which was soon -forthcoming. The police were informed and a doctor was procured. The -latter at once said that Mr. Ferguson was dead, that he had been dead -about an hour. The time then was a little after eight o’clock. - -‘What has my father died of?’ asked Donald. - -‘I am not prepared to say right off,’ said the doctor, ‘but I suggest -apoplexy.’ - -Ferguson was a fine man. He was above medium height, well proportioned, -muscular, and looked much younger than his years. His age was -sixty-eight. He had gray hair, and a long flowing beard turning gray. - -It was now noted by all present that the place was in great disorder. -Ledgers, cash-books, and other books were lying in a confused jumble -on the floor; papers and documents were scattered about in a very -unbusiness-like way on the desk. A large safe was open, and its -contents of papers and books had been hastily dragged out. These -signs were suggestive of robbery, and the doctor was induced thereby -to make a more thorough examination of Mr. Ferguson’s body. For this -purpose the dead man was carried into a packing-room and placed on a -counter. Then the medical man noticed the marks on the neck, and having -satisfied himself that he was correct, he said it was a case of murder; -Ferguson had been strangled, and there were indications of great force -and strength having been used. Several scratches were noticeable on -the dead man’s hands, and abrasions on his head, from which a little -blood had flowed. These things had escaped the doctor’s notice in the -uncertain light, but were revealed on closer inspection. They were -suggestive of a struggle, a fight for life, and this was corroborated -by the way things were scattered about the room. - -Other policemen were now brought in, and means were taken to ascertain -to what extent robbery had been committed; but, strangely enough, on -the desk was a cash-box. It was open, and contained a considerable -sum of money. In the safe, so conspicuous that it could not have been -overlooked by the eager eyes of a thief who had committed murder -in order to rob, was a leather bag full of money. Apparently the -bag had not been touched; the mouth was still tied up with tape. -On Mr. Ferguson’s person were many valuables, including money. It -was difficult to understand how all this money should have remained -untouched, if the deed of violence was the result of greed for gain. -Why did the criminal, having committed murder, not avail himself of the -hoard that lay to his hand? The investigators were naturally puzzled in -the face of such an inexplicable state of matters. - -In the meantime Ferguson’s partners had been communicated with, and -arrived on the scene as speedily as possible. When they had made an -examination, they expressed an opinion that nothing had been taken -away. That the deceased had been murdered was evident; that no robbery -had been committed was scarcely less evident. Here was a problem at -once. - -Did the murderer enter the premises to rob, and, finding the master -there, slay him, and having done this fearful deed, did he become so -indifferent to his first intent as to go off without the blood-money, -which was there for the taking? Having realized the extent of his -crime, was he so appalled that in his eagerness to escape from the -awful scene he forgot the gold? Such a thing might be possible, but it -didn’t seem probable. At any rate, it was hardly in accordance with the -principles of debased human nature. - -Mr. Tauchnitz, the second partner, who was intimately acquainted with -the working of the business, and had been with Ferguson most of that -day, could suggest no reason why the deceased should have gone back to -the warehouse. He had never been known to do such a thing before. - -As may be imagined, it was a dreadful night for the friends -and relatives of the deceased; and the hour being so late when -the discovery was made, the police were placed at a tremendous -disadvantage. Riga is a large place. It is a populous and busy -seaport, doing an enormous trade with other parts of Europe. An immense -number of ships of various nationalities were lying in the harbour. As -in all maritime places, there was a very rough element always prominent -in the town, and after dark many shameful and brutal scenes took place. -In addition to the sailors who came and went, there was always a large -garrison, for the town is strongly fortified. So what with sailors and -soldiers, and the nondescript hangers-on who are always to be found in -their wake, law and order were not so well observed as in some other -towns; and it will be understood that in the low quarters of such a -place a criminal might find safe refuge from pursuing justice. In the -instance we are dealing with, all the police could do was to notify -the facts to their agents and spies as speedily as possible; but, -necessarily, this was the work of hours; and through the long, dreary -winter night--for, though nominally spring, the winter still lingered, -though the ice had broken up--not much could be done. This, of course, -was all in favour of the criminal. He had a big start, and unless he -was absolutely a fool he would avail himself of his advantages. - -The murder was supposed to have been committed about seven. The -discovery was made a little after eight, but it was after nine--in -fact, close upon ten--before the police really began to bestir -themselves. During the time from half-past six to ten, several -trains had left the town, vessels had left the harbour, and vehicles -innumerable were driven forth in all directions. It will thus be seen -that the murderer had many roads of escape open to him, and it could -not be doubted that, if he was really desirous of saving his neck, he -would avail himself of the chance he had to get clear. - -That the murder was brutal could not be gainsaid; but on the face -of it the crime was not one of the ordinary type. Danevitch’s -preliminary investigations led him to the conclusion that the motive -which had prompted the deed was not robbery. That admitted--and there -was evidence of it--the case was invested with a certain mystery -suggestive of many things. Tauchnitz and the other partners were -questioned by Danevitch as to why Mr. Ferguson had remained behind -at the office on that fatal Saturday afternoon, when everybody else -had gone. No satisfactory answer could be given to this question. -Tauchnitz, who had been with Ferguson all the morning, declared that -there was no reason whatever, as far as the business was concerned, why -the ill-fated man should have stayed at the office. - -‘Was he in the habit of staying?’ - -‘No.’ - -‘Was he a methodical man?’ - -‘Most methodical.’ - -‘Was he given to making confidants?’ - -‘No. He was very reticent.’ - -‘But he bore the reputation of being straightforward, honest, upright, -and just?’ - -‘Unquestionably. He won the respect of all men. His character, so far -as one knew, was without blemish.’ - -The members of the dead man’s family spoke of him with profound sorrow -and regret. He had proved himself a model husband, a kind, indulgent -father, and though he was not communicative, either to his family or -anyone else, no importance was attached to that. It was his nature to -be somewhat silent and reserved. - -Furnished with these meagre particulars, Danevitch began his work. -From the first he formed the opinion that there was a deep and -underlying motive for the crime, which, however, he did not consider -was premeditated. And his reason for so thinking was this: A man -who deliberately sets forth to slay another in cold blood generally -provides himself with some lethal weapon. In this case the slayer would -hardly have trusted entirely to his hands, unless he was a man of -gigantic strength; for though Ferguson was well advanced in years, he -was not only unusually vigorous, but unusually powerful. He was known -also to be determined, resolute, fearless. Such a person was not likely -to yield up his life easily. Consequently, anyone who was acquainted -with him would surely have hesitated before engaging in a personal -encounter. Of course it may be suggested that the murderer was an utter -stranger, and knew nothing of his victim. But that was not the opinion -of Danevitch, whose deductions were as follows: - -Firstly, the murder was unpremeditated. - -Secondly, the murderer met his victim by appointment. There were -several reasons for thinking this. It was Saturday afternoon, and -Ferguson had never been known to go back to the office after it was -closed on Saturday afternoon before. His partners were emphatic in -saying that there was nothing in connection with the business which -required his personal attention at that time. No valuables having been -carried off, so far as could be ascertained, and the confusion in which -the papers were found, pointed to the motive being a desire on the part -of the murderer to obtain possession of some document which certain -circumstances and conditions, not definable at that stage, gave a -greater importance to than money. - -Thirdly, the victim and the murderer having failed to agree upon some -point, and the former, perhaps, proving stubborn and immovable, the -latter, in a sudden frenzy of passion, fell upon him, and got so much -advantage in the very initial stage of the struggle that he was enabled -to conquer with comparative ease, although the victim had made an -effort to free himself from the death-grip. - -Fourthly, the crime having been thus accomplished, and without -forethought, the criminal, agitated and filled with fear and alarm, -frantically turned over papers and books, and rummaged the contents of -the safe, in his eager desire to find what he wanted. Finally, without -discovering what he wanted to discover probably, he fled, and in his -hurry and confusion forgot to close the door after him. - -The foregoing was the line of reasoning that Danevitch pursued, but he -kept it to himself. It was absolutely and entirely opposed to public -opinion, and to the theories set forth by the police. - -As is invariably the case at such times, some very wild suggestions -were made; but there was a general tendency to believe that robbery -was responsible for the crime, notwithstanding that nothing appeared -to be missing. But public opinion did not influence Danevitch. He saw -with his own eyes and thought with his own brains, and he came to the -conclusion that he would probably find the key to the puzzle if he knew -more of Mr. Ferguson’s private life. There, of course, he was at once -confronted with great difficulty. Everyone spoke well of the victim. -His family believed him perfect. For Danevitch, therefore, to have -breathed a word calculated to tarnish, even by suggestion, the fair -fame of this merchant prince and good citizen would have been to incur -odium and ill-will. But he knew human nature too well to run any such -risk for the sake of a mere hypothesis. The problem, however, had to be -solved if possible, and he proceeded upon his own lines to search for a -tangible clue. - -In taking up a case of this kind, one must ever feel in the initial -stage that he is groping in the dark; but the trained mind at once -begins to reason the matter out, and the very first thing sought for -is a feasible and probable motive. Motive is the very keynote in all -detective work, and when the motive has been more or less accurately -guessed, the next stage is to try and determine who was likely to -have been actuated by that motive. These remarks necessarily apply -to complicated cases, where the mystery surrounding them seems -impenetrable. When a man is found murdered in his house, and his -valuables have been carried off, the motive is apparent enough. That -is a crime of mere vulgar sordidness, and the motive is writ large. -All crime is, of course, more or less vulgar, but sordidness is not -always the actuating influence. Whether sordidness was or was not at -the bottom of this Riga crime, it was difficult at that stage to say; -but the inquirer was confronted with the remarkable fact that nothing -seemed to have been stolen. - -In spite of the many rumours of this, that, and the other, and the -various opinions expressed, all of which were counter to his own views, -Danevitch remained uninfluenced by them, and adhered to the opinion he -had formed, which, as I have endeavoured to show, was based on sound -reasoning. The many documents scattered about the office where the -murder took place, although carefully examined by Danevitch, did not -help the inquiry, as they were all business papers, and obviously had -been discarded by the murderer as of no value to him. They had been -dragged rudely out of the large safe, and scattered broadcast on the -ground. Now, that was either the act of a madman, or of someone who was -searching hurriedly for something he knew or believed to exist, and -which he expected to find in the safe. - -Danevitch’s next step was to examine the contents of a large -waste-paper basket that stood in the office. The basket was full of -paper, torn and otherwise. He records that this proceeding of his was -regarded as an absolutely useless one; but those who condemned it -did not know what he was looking for. I have already said that, in -weighing all the particulars he had gathered up so far, he formed an -opinion that Mr. Ferguson had returned to his office to meet somebody -by appointment. The reasons for this opinion have been set forth. One -of his strong points was, having formed an opinion, which he never did -until after much reflection, and a very careful examination of all -details, so far as he could gather them up, he would not swerve from -that opinion until he had proved it wrong; and as soon as ever he was -convinced that he was in error, he was always ready to admit it. - -It is strong testimony to the wonderful perseverance and patience of -the man that every scrap of paper in the basket was carefully examined. -Amongst the great mass he found some fragments which attracted his -attention. One scrap bore the following words: ‘Door at five.’ It was -a coarse, common enough paper, of Russian make, and the formation of -the letters indicated that the writer was an uneducated person. With -infinite trouble and pains he searched for the corresponding morsels -of paper. And if anyone wants to know what a difficult task it was, -let him fill a basket with fragments and shreds of paper, shake them -well up, and then endeavour to pick out certain pieces and fit them -together. No Chinese puzzle, complicated and ingenious as most of them -are, was ever harder to do. But human ingenuity, coupled with exemplary -patience, will accomplish much, and Danevitch at last succeeded in -getting all the scraps together. Then he pasted them in their proper -order on a sheet of foolscap, and was thus enabled to read the -following: - - ‘This is the last chance I shall give you. You must see me. I will be - opposite your warehouse door at five on Saturday. We can then discuss - the matter alone and undisturbed. You need not try to shuffle me off. - If you fail to do justice to those you have wronged, I will make the - whole affair public. So stay away at your peril.’ - -The importance of this discovery could not be overrated; and it not -only gave Danevitch a clue, but proved him right in his surmises. -The letter was clearly a laboured one. It was a man’s handwriting, -and the writer showed that he was not a practised correspondent. -There were smudges and smears, and words wrongly spelt, although in -the translation given above it has been deemed advisable to give the -correct spelling, because in rendering it from the original into -English, if the inaccuracies were retained, all sense would be lost to -the reader. - -It was very evident now to Danevitch that Ferguson had had a -secret--the secret of some dark transaction, which placed him so far in -the power of an uneducated person that he had obeyed the command to go -to the office, after all was closed up for the day, in order to hold an -interview with the writer, who neither dated his missive nor signed his -name. - -Of course Danevitch kept this discovery to himself; and he set to work -with all the caution and skill for which he was famed to get some -accurate and reliable information of Ferguson’s disposition and his -peculiarities of temperament. Everyone spoke highly of him--indeed, -there seemed a general desire to belaud him, even beyond his merits, -perhaps. In common phraseology, his word was considered as good as his -bond. His acts were above suspicion; he was eminently respectable; he -was charitable, though there was a feeling that there was a tendency to -ostentation in his giving. In other words, he could hardly be ranked -amongst that class of men who will not let their right hand know what -their left hand gives. His marked peculiarities were an obstinately -strong will, and his refusal to budge from a position he had once taken -up. In this Danevitch saw a probable cause of the crime, when it was -taken in consideration with the letter. The writer had not premeditated -the crime, but had been exasperated into madness by Ferguson’s -obstinacy. This was the detective’s first deduction, and as he advanced -step by step it seemed to receive remarkable confirmation. Finally, as -an estimate of Ferguson’s character, he was regarded as a faithful and -honourable husband, an affectionate father, a loyal friend. Amongst -his workpeople he was looked up to with respect, if not with actual -affection. He was, however, thought an exacting master, requiring the -full measure of labour he bargained for; but that rendered, he could be -considerate enough, and, in fact, did much for the physical and moral -welfare of those who served him. - -Danevitch had now reached a stage in his investigation when he could -congratulate himself on having obtained a clue. It is true it was a -slender one, but to such a man it was of great value. He found himself -handicapped, however, by the very obvious disadvantage he would be -placed in if he had ventured to suggest that there was a flaw in -Ferguson’s character--that he had done something or other which had -placed him in the power of a person who was far below him in the -social scale. Whatever the error was he had committed, it was clearly -serious enough to draw him back to his warehouse after business hours, -in order to have a clandestine interview with that person. As showing -Danevitch’s difficulty, it is worth while recording a conversation -he had with Mr. Tauchnitz, who, as his name implies, was a German--a -very shrewd, long-headed fellow, who held his partner in the highest -estimation. Tauchnitz had been associated with Ferguson in business for -a great many years, and he claimed to know and understand him better -than anyone else outside his own family. - -‘Do you think, Mr. Tauchnitz,’ Danevitch asked--‘do you think that your -late lamented partner had by some rash act compromised himself to such -an extent with an inferior as to be completely in the power of that -inferior?’ - -Tauchnitz looked as though a thunderbolt had suddenly fallen at his -feet, and Danevitch had to repeat his question. The answer was an -emphatic, ‘No. Certainly not. I believe that Ferguson was absolutely -incapable of anything of the kind.’ - -‘You had the most perfect faith in him as a business man?’ - -‘Indeed I had.’ - -‘His business integrity was above suspicion?’ - -‘Undoubtedly.’ - -‘He concealed nothing from you you were entitled to know?’ - -‘I have no hesitation in saying he did not.’ - -‘Nevertheless, he was regarded as a reticent man.’ - -‘About his own affairs he certainly was reticent.’ - -‘Now, if I were to suggest he had been guilty of some dishonourable -action, what would you say?’ - -‘I should say you were doing the man a gross injustice,’ replied -Tauchnitz warmly. - -‘Had you free access to all the books and papers relating to the -business?’ - -‘Undoubtedly.’ - -‘But is it possible that Mr. Ferguson had transactions in his office of -which you knew nothing?’ - -‘I won’t admit the possibility at all,’ answered Tauchnitz, waxing -wroth. - -‘You must remember, sir,’ said Danevitch severely, ‘I have been -instructed to try and unravel the mystery surrounding your late -partner’s death----’ - -‘But I don’t think you are going the right way to work,’ interrupted -Tauchnitz. - -‘That is a matter of opinion,’ was the quiet rejoinder. ‘But be good -enough to tell me if Mr. Ferguson kept any private papers in his -office?’ - -‘Oh yes; I believe he did.’ - -‘Ah! That is a point gained.’ - -‘He had a large tin box,’ proceeded Tauchnitz, in explanation, ‘in -his own room, in which he kept documents which did not relate to the -business.’ - -‘You don’t know what was in that box, I suppose?’ - -‘I haven’t the remotest idea.’ - -‘Could I have access to the box, do you think?’ - -‘No; I am sure you could not. I have sent it away to his family.’ - -The opinion expressed by Mr. Tauchnitz of his partner’s probity -and honour was but a reflex of that which was held throughout the -town--indeed, it is not too much to say throughout the greater part -of Russia; for Ferguson belonged to that class of men who understand -the art of getting themselves talked about. He had been wonderfully -successful as a merchant, and his name was associated with so -many public acts, and he had shown so much public spirit, so much -enterprise, and had advocated so many measures calculated to benefit -the working classes, that he had come to be regarded as a benefactor, a -philanthropist. - -It is interesting to dwell upon these points, because the sequel will -be in the nature of a surprise. Danevitch’s next step was to seek -an interview with Donald, Mr. Ferguson’s eldest son, who was also a -partner in the business--as, in fact, all the sons were. Danevitch -displayed great caution in dealing with Donald. His experience with -Tauchnitz impressed him with the necessity of exercising all the -diplomacy he was capable of exercising. Donald was much distressed -by his father’s sad end, and expressed a desire that no stone should -be left unturned to bring his murderer to justice; but he evidently -inherited his father’s reticence, and displayed in a very marked manner -the Scotch characteristic of so-called caution. - -‘Can you make any suggestion as to the motive for the murder?’ asked -Danevitch. - -‘It isn’t for me to do that,’ was the answer. - -‘We know that it wasn’t robbery,’ Danevitch said. - -‘I’m not so sure about that.’ - -‘But nothing is missing.’ - -‘As far as we know at present, nothing is.’ - -‘Then, do you think something may have been stolen?’ - -‘I won’t express an opinion one way or the other.’ - -‘Still, as far as one can judge, nothing was carried off.’ - -‘So far as we can judge, that is so,’ answered Donald; ‘but the ways of -thieves are incomprehensible.’ - -‘Then, you think that the man who strangled your father was also a -common thief?’ - -‘I cannot say he was, and I cannot say he wasn’t. We have the broad -fact before us that my father was murdered. It is for you to try and -find out why he was murdered.’ - -‘I understand, Mr. Donald, that your father kept a box of private -papers in his office.’ - -‘He did.’ - -‘Where is that box now?’ - -‘We have it here.’ - -‘Would you allow me to examine the papers?’ - -‘Why?’ asked Donald, evincing some surprise. - -‘Because it is possible--I only say it is possible--that I might find -something amongst them that will help me in my inquiry.’ - -Something like an ironical smile flitted across Donald’s face as he -said: - -‘I don’t think that is at all likely.’ - -‘And yet, in the interest of all concerned, I should like to put it to -the test. May I do so?’ - -‘You may,’ answered Donald, after a pause, ‘if my mother and brother -have no objections to your taking that course.’ - -The mother and brother being consulted, they gave their consent, -subject to the two sons being present at the time of the examination. -That being agreed to, the box was brought forth and opened. It was not -unlike the tin boxes seen in lawyers’ offices, but it was furnished -with a peculiar and unusually strong lock, and as the key to fit it -could not be found, the services of a blacksmith were secured, and -after a great deal of trouble he got the lid open. The very first thing -that Danevitch’s eye fell upon was a packet, tied round with red tape, -and marked in the corner very legibly, ‘In the event of my death burn -this packet unopened.’ - -By an adroit movement he seized that packet unseen by the others and -slipped it into his pocket. He had a feeling that it contained the -solution of the mystery, and he considered that, in the interests of -justice, he was perfectly entitled to appropriate it and examine it. - -It was the law of Russia, at any rate, that any papers or documents, -however private, could be seized if justice was to be aided thereby. -If he was mistaken in his surmise, then he would certainly carry out -the dead man’s request and burn the packet, and any secrets it might -reveal to him would never be breathed to a living soul, and the packet -once burnt, no one would be any wiser. The other papers in the box -were looked through, but there was nothing found that could be of any -use--nothing of a compromising character, and the sons seemed gratified -and pleased. - -An hour or two later, locked in his room at the hotel where he was -staying, Danevitch opened the packet, and its contents revealed to him -in a very short time an astounding story, and put him on the track of -the murderer. - -He found, as he had all along suspected, that Donald Ferguson, the -upright merchant, the man of unimpeachable honour, the philanthropist, -the public-spirited citizen, the defender of the weak, the faithful -husband, the good father, had been very human, very weak. From the -particulars furnished by the secret packet of papers, Danevitch -gradually learnt the following story. - -A woman named Blok had come some years before Ferguson’s murder to -reside in Riga. She had spent the greater part of her life in a small -town in the far interior of Russia. Her husband had followed the -occupation of a boatman on the Volga, being assisted by his two sons, -Alex and Peter. He had two daughters, Catherine and Anna. The Blok -family were held in high estimation by all who knew them. Although -occupying but a comparatively humble position in the social scale, -they were eminently respectable, and were regarded as hard-working, -honest people. Of course, they were very poor, and were not able to -make much, if any, provision for old age or accident. One day Blok and -his son Alex were drowned. A steamer laden with convicts on their way -to Siberia ran their boat down during a dense fog. At certain seasons -of the year fogs are very prevalent on the Volga River. The breadwinner -of the family being thus suddenly taken away, the Bloks found -themselves without means of support. The youngest son, Peter, was then -but eighteen, and unable to earn more than would suffice for his own -wants. Under these circumstances, and acting on the advice of a married -sister, who resided in Riga with her husband, who was a shipwright, -Mrs. Blok removed to Riga with her two daughters, hoping that in the -busy seaport they would all be able to find some employment. - -Catherine, the younger of the two girls, was noted for her good looks. -They were both pretty girls, in fact, but Catherine was exceptionally -attractive. Moreover, she was bright, intelligent, and in a certain way -clever. They had not been in Riga very long before they both obtained -work in the firm of Ferguson, Tauchnitz, and Co. It appears that they -very soon attracted the notice of Mr. Ferguson, who displayed great -interest in them and improved their position very much. Six months -later Anna fell seriously ill through blood-poisoning, caused by -pricking her finger at the warehouse, and, in spite of the best medical -advice provided for her by Mr. Ferguson, she died. - -It was well known that Mr. Ferguson showed the greatest kindness to -the family during their trouble, and all the expenses of the funeral -were defrayed by him. Peter Blok, the only surviving son, came to Riga -at this time to attend his sister’s funeral, and it seemed that Mr. -Ferguson took a fancy to him, and gave him employment in the warehouse, -where he remained for about three months. At the end of that time he -was sent on board a vessel belonging to the firm, and made several -voyages, and finally he was placed in command of a river-boat employed -in the Astrakhan trade. - -About two years after Anna’s death the Blok family, to the surprise -of everyone, suddenly left Riga. The reason of their going, and the -place where they were going to, were alike kept secret. For a few weeks -before they went, Catherine remained at home on the plea of ill-health. -She did not seem ill, and nobody thought she was ill, consequently -the astonishment of her companions was great, as may be imagined. It -would appear that Catherine Blok was a somewhat remarkable girl in -this way. She was exceptionally good-looking. She was far above the -average peasant in intelligence. Had the opportunity been afforded, -her intellectual powers would probably have enabled her to take a -superior position in life--that is to say, superior to vast numbers -of people occupying the same plane as herself. What is meant by this -will be better understood if it is borne in mind that, as a rule, the -Russian peasantry are more ignorant and more stupid, probably, than -any other peasantry in the world. There are two main causes for this. -The primary one is climatic; the secondary the powerful influence -of the Church. The climatic conditions are a very long and terribly -severe winter, which for a period ranging from seven to eight months -prevents the peasant from labouring out of doors; in consequence of -this he is reduced to much the same condition as hibernating animals. -His winter life, in fact, is one of enforced indolence and inactivity. -His house is insanitary, comfortless, and more or less filthy. His -whole surroundings are calculated to debase and brutalize him. He has -no intellectual enjoyments because he has no intellectual yearnings. -He is content to live as his father and grandfather before him lived. -What was good enough for them is good enough for him, he says. As -regards the influence of his Church, that makes itself felt from his -earliest years. He is taught to believe that he has no right to reason -or question. Everything must be accepted in blind, implicit faith. -Such education as he receives is of the most elementary character; -and having inherited from his forefathers dulness of perception and -a lethargic temperament, he does not concern himself about anything -beyond gratifying his animal wants. - -Of course, there are exceptions to all this. Among the teeming millions -of Russia this must obviously be the case. The Blok family were a very -notable example indeed, and Catherine was the head of them. - -It presents a most interesting study in psychology--though it cannot -be touched upon here except in a passing way--that Ferguson, the -rich merchant, the broad-minded citizen, the respected husband and -affectionate father, should have been irresistibly attracted to -Catherine Blok, the very humble-born and ignorant peasant. Yet so -it was, and when Catherine left Riga, she was influenced thereto by -Ferguson, and her object in going was to conceal, as far as could be -concealed, the fact that the merchant prince and the peasant girl -had met on a common ground; and as is invariably the result under -such circumstances, and in such a case, the meeting was fraught with -terrible consequences to both of them. - -When Mrs. Blok and Catherine left Riga, they retired to Valdai, in -the Valdai Hills, in the province of Novgorod, to the south of St. -Petersburg. Valdai was a very quiet, out-of-the-way place. Here the -mother and daughter took up their quarters in a stone-built house, and -enjoyed comfort, convenience, and luxury, which must have been very -novel to them. They knew no one, and were utterly unknown; nor did they -seek to be known or to know. At regular intervals, about once a month, -a man visited them. He was in the habit of going to St. Petersburg. -There he posted to Valdai, a distance of nearly a hundred miles. He -could have gone quite close to the place by train, but he preferred the -round-about way for reasons of his own. He invariably arrived at Valdai -at night, and when he left he always went away early in the morning. - -This sort of thing went on for something like three years. Then the -visits of the man ceased, but correspondence passed between him and -Catherine, who was the mother of a son about two and a half years old. -The man had looked after her and her offspring, but not as liberally -as he might and ought to have done. At last differences arose between -them. These differences were traceable to Mrs. Blok. She thought, -probably not without some justification, that her daughter had not been -treated well. In the end the man exacted from Catherine a document, -which was signed by herself and counter-signed by her mother. In this -document, which was very artfully drawn up, and was not, it is needless -to say, Catherine’s composition, the man was represented as having been -the victim of extortion and blackmailing, and the girl stated that it -was impossible for her to fix the parentage of her son. It need hardly -be said that the man who was in the habit of visiting Catherine at -Valdai, and who took such extraordinary precautions to prevent his -visits being known to anyone else, was Donald Ferguson, the merchant of -Riga. - -By means of the papers found in the packet which he took from -Ferguson’s private box, aided and supplemented by many and patient -inquiries, Danevitch was enabled to work out the foregoing pitiable -little story. During the time he was so engaged--it extended over -several weeks--there was an outcry against him. He was expected to -do so much; and those who ought to have known better thought he was -doing so little. Of course the general public did not know that he -was engaged in the business at all, and, with the pig-headedness and -stupidity peculiar to a mob, they railed against the authorities, -saying it was shameful that so popular, upright, and true a man as Mr. -Ferguson should be strangled to death in a place considered to be so -well policed and watched as Riga; and yet all the vigilance and all the -cleverness of the police were powerless alike to stay the crime and to -bring the criminal to justice when the crime had been committed. - -‘Our lives and property are not safe,’ exclaimed the rabble. ‘The -police are supine; they are useless; they are in league with the knaves -who prey upon honest citizens. If this is not so, how is it they have -not brought Mr. Ferguson’s murderer to book?’ - -This was the tone adopted by a low Radical anti-Government paper, which -styled itself the organ and the mouthpiece of the people. Although as -a rule it was opposed to the moneyed and privileged classes, it was -pleased in this instance--because it gave it a _raison d’être_ for -hurling abuse at the heads of the authorities--to place Mr. Ferguson -upon a pinnacle of greatness, and to speak of him almost as if he were -a martyred saint. The rulers in Russia are peculiarly sensitive to, and -intolerant of, criticism, and the authorities in Riga, stung by the -lashings of the local organ, lunged out, so to speak, and grabbed the -first person they could lay their hands on. The Russian police have a -habit of doing this when driven to desperation. - -In the Riga case the arrests were made so indiscriminately and -fatuously that the unfortunate suspects, after enduring much misery -and indignity, were set at liberty with a growl that was not unlike a -curse, and the local paper hurled more thunderbolts at the heads of the -police, and showed a disposition to canonize the murdered man at the -expense of the authorities. During all the time that this agitation -was going on, Danevitch was working slowly but surely at his task of -drawing aside the curtain and revealing the mystery. But those in -authority above him, in spite of his record, considered that he was -fumbling in the dark, and looking for clues in impossible places. But -having learnt something about Mr. Ferguson’s skeleton from that packet -of private papers, which was to be destroyed unopened in the event of -Mr. Ferguson’s death, he proceeded on his own lines. It would not be -easy to give a reason that would satisfy all minds why Mr. Ferguson -kept those incriminating documents; but no doubt he thought that as -long as he lived the confession--if it could be so called--which he -had exacted from Catherine Blok would effectually protect him against -any further claims she might be inclined to make against him; because -he could confront her with that document, and say, ‘Look here, you -acknowledge certain things. Here is your confession in black and white -signed with your name. Therefore, if you don’t leave me alone I will -charge you with blackmailing me.’ - -This, of course, was the weapon of a cunning and artful man which he -used to menace and subdue the ignorant, the weak and wronged woman. He -knew well enough in his own mind that he dare not make that document -public; for though part of the girl’s statement might be believed, he -would not come off scot-free, for would not people say, ‘If you had -nothing to fear, why did you get that confession from her?’ - -The first step which Danevitch took after reading the contents of the -sealed packet was to learn something of the Blok family; and to that -end, in the character of an old vagrant man, he visited the mother -and the daughter in their retreat at Valdai. It took him some time to -gather the materials for the little family history already narrated. -Necessarily, before he could do that, he had to worm himself into their -confidence, and he would not have succeeded in doing that had he not -laid a pretended claim to occult powers, which enabled him to read the -past and divine the future. With such people as the Bloks this went -a long way. They, in common with their class, had a fixed belief in -charms, fortune-telling and spells. - -When Danevitch saw the infant son of Catherine, he exclaimed: - -‘Ah, that is a fine child! but alas for his future!’ - -‘How so? What mean you?’ asked the young mother in alarm. - -‘The child that knows not his father is ill-starred.’ - -‘Knows not his father!’ echoed Catherine, with flashing eyes, and a -voice tremulous with indignation. ‘How dare you say that?’ she added -menacingly, as she stamped her foot. - -‘Think you,’ asked the pseudo-seer, ‘that I can be deceived? I see with -eyes different to yours. That child knows not his father, and never -will know him, for he is dead.’ - -Here Catherine burst into tears, and between her sobs she exclaimed: - -‘It’s true, it’s true, it’s true!’ - -‘Of course it is,’ said Danevitch, with an air of triumph. - -Catherine recovered herself, and in an irascible tone said: - -‘No doubt you are very clever; but I doubt if you can tell me how his -father died.’ - -Danevitch closed his eyes for some moments, and drew his hand down his -face like one deeply immersed in thought. Then, suddenly starting up, -he answered solemnly: - -‘He was done to death foully. He was strangled.’ - -Catherine was terribly distressed, and, sinking into a chair, she -covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly. - -Mrs. Blok, who was present, was indignant, and said angrily to -Danevitch: - -‘Get you out of the house. You distress my daughter. She is an honest -woman, and we do not want to hear anything more from you.’ - -‘Be not angry, good mother,’ said Danevitch. ‘Your daughter questioned, -and I answered.’ Then, with sudden and startling abruptness, he asked, -‘Where is your son?’ - -The mother’s face grew pale, and, with evident distress and emotion, -she said: - -‘He is dead.’ - -‘Yes, one is; he moulders at the bottom of the Volga; but the living -one, the living one, where is he?’ - -Mrs. Blok looked appalled, and drew back from this strange old man from -whom nothing seemed hidden, and before she could answer, Catherine -started up, passionate and flushed, and cried excitedly: - -‘Leave us, leave us! in the name of the Great Father, go! My brother is -far away; hundreds of versts of sea divide him from his native land, -and mayhap he will come back no more.’ - -‘It were well for him if he stayed away,’ remarked Danevitch with -solemnity. ‘But why grow angry with me, my child? I have sorrow for -you; I have tears for you. You have been ensnared, deluded, cheated; -and he who ensnared you and cheated you stood high in the estimation of -men. The penalty of his folly was his life. He has paid it. For your -weakness blood lies at your door, and nothing can ever wash it away.’ - -At these words Catherine uttered a smothered cry, and fell into her -mother’s arms, and Mrs. Blok, excited and enraged, screamed at him: - -‘Out of the house, I tell you, out of the house! You lay murder to our -charge, and you lie. Go away! I command you in God’s name to go.’ She -crossed herself as she spoke, and with her finger drew an imaginary -cross between herself and the prophet of evil, murmuring as she did so: -‘We are defenceless women; God shield us!’ - -The painful and dramatic scene affected Danevitch, and he silently -withdrew; but he felt that he had got confirmation of his surmises, for -as soon as he learnt the story of the family, he came to the conclusion -in his own mind that the man who had deprived Ferguson of his life -was Catherine’s unhappy brother. The young fellow, proud-spirited and -honest, flamed up at his sister’s wrong, and, taking the matter in his -own hands, had penned that letter to Ferguson demanding an interview. -It was obvious there had been other letters written, because the writer -said, ‘This is the last chance I shall give you.’ Who could have -written that letter--which Danevitch so patiently pieced together from -the shreds picked out of the waste-paper basket--if it had not been -the broken-hearted brother? He knew Ferguson, he had been employed in -the warehouse; and the great wrong his sister had suffered made him -desperate--made him forget the social division which separated him from -his sister’s wronger. He went to him, not with robbery in his heart--he -was too proud for that--not with murder in his heart, but to demand -that the false statement which had been wrung from poor Catherine -should be given up to him, and that Ferguson should recognise the -claims the girl and the child had upon him. - -It was easy to work out the sequel. Peter went to the office; he wanted -the paper his sister had signed. He probably grew angry, and threatened -his employer. The employer was obstinate, stubborn, perhaps insulting, -until, stung into frenzy, the unhappy youth flew at him, and, blinded -by his passion, Peter had crushed the life out of the man before -he knew it. Youthful strength and fury made Peter Blok a murderer, -although he may have had no wish to slay his victim. Finding, to his -dismay, that death had silenced for ever the lips of his sister’s -betrayer, he made a frantic effort to discover the paper which he knew -was in Ferguson’s possession. But his search proving fruitless, he fled -with remorse, no doubt, gnawing at his heart. - -Danevitch says that never throughout his career did he start to hunt -down a man with greater reluctance than he did in the case of Peter -Blok. With the exception of Danevitch himself, no one suspected Peter, -and as it had taken him some weeks to learn what he had learnt, the -young fellow had got a start which would probably save him from the -law’s vengeance. - -Danevitch, proceeding with great caution and tact, found out that Peter -had been second in command of a river-boat engaged in bringing furs -down from Astrakhan. The boat was one of the river fleet belonging to -Ferguson, Tauchnitz, and Co. Three weeks before the crime in Riga, -Peter obtained leave of absence in order to visit his mother, who was -sick. As it was a long journey to where his mother was living, his -lengthened absence did not arouse any suspicion. After the commission -of the crime, there was every reason to believe he quitted Riga at -once, and Danevitch satisfied himself that Peter had not gone to Valdai -again. As he had already spent several days there with his mother and -sister, had he returned he must have been noticed, for it was a small -place, and a stranger was spotted immediately. - -From what Danevitch had gathered during his interview, in the character -of a gipsy, with Catherine and her mother, he inferred that Catherine, -at any rate, if not Mrs. Blok, knew that Peter was going to see -Ferguson. And from what Catherine said during the interview--‘My -brother is far away; hundreds of versts of sea divide him from his -native land, and maybe he will come back no more’--the deduction was -Peter had gone to sea. Being a sailor, he would probably experience no -difficulty in obtaining a ship. And it was equally feasible to suppose -that before going he wrote to his sister, telling her he was going far -beyond the seas. - -The most diligent and careful inquiries in Riga failed to elicit any -sign that Peter had sailed from that port, and it was likely enough -that he had made his way to some other port on the Baltic Sea, or else -to Cronstadt. Anyway, he could not be found; and as Danevitch could not -entertain a doubt that Peter had killed Ferguson, he felt bound, as a -matter of duty, to circulate a description of him. This description, -however, was not made public, but placed in the hands of the police -and their thousand and one spies. A whole year passed, however, and -no trace of Peter was obtained. The crime had died out of the public -memory, though not out of that of the police. They have long memories, -and thus it came to pass that one day it was announced that the -supposed murderer of Donald Ferguson, the merchant of Riga, had been -arrested in St. Petersburg. Although he had grown a beard and whiskers, -he was soon identified as Peter Blok, and a ship’s discharge upon him -showed that he had come from New York to Cronstadt in an American ship. - -Up to this point Danevitch had kept his knowledge of Ferguson’s -wrong-doing to himself, but now that Peter Blok was under lock and key -he was bound to make the matter public. To the people of Riga it was -like a bombshell suddenly dropped in their midst. Everywhere where -Ferguson’s name was known, it was a shock. At first doubts were thrown -upon it; then there were open and loud expressions of disbelief; but -the damning documents were produced, and could not be gainsaid. Then -many sympathizers with Peter came forward when the reaction set in, -and he was provided with funds for his defence; and, of course, at the -trial the whole miserable story was pitilessly unfolded, until everyone -knew it. It was a bitter, terrible blow to the Ferguson family. It -redounds to their credit, however, that they unostentatiously made the -most ample provision for Catherine and her mother, and the boy was -provided for in such a way that it was not likely he would ever want, -and it was stated that he was to be well educated and well brought up. - -The trial of young Blok clearly proved that nearly all Danevitch’s -surmises and deductions were correct. The lad had heard through his -mother of his sister’s wrong, and from his sister herself he learnt how -Ferguson, in order to save himself, had wrung from the unhappy girl -that false confession, which, when she signed, she knew very little -about. It was not until later that she realized how she had belied -herself. Naturally that incensed her, and her brother--smarting with -shame and broken pride--placed himself in communication with Ferguson, -who at first tried to ignore him, until at last, threatened with -exposure, he granted that interview which proved fatal to him. - -When the story was all told, a revulsion of feeling in the prisoner’s -favour took place, and he received the mild sentence of seven years’ -banishment in Siberia. - - - - -THE GREAT CONSPIRACY. - - -Count Obolensk had resided in London for a good many years. He occupied -a magnificent house in the neighbourhood of Hyde Park, where he lived -in almost regal style. He kept a retinue of servants. The furnishings -and appointments of his princely abode were said to be unique; and he -dispensed hospitality with a lavish hand. He was known to be wealthy, -to be a member of a very old and influential Russian family, and at one -time to have held a high political position in his own country. Here -the general knowledge of his affairs ended; but there were vague and -ill-defined impressions in the public mind that he had been expelled -or had fled from Russia owing to some of those political causes which -in Russia count for so much, but which in most other countries, or -at any rate in England, would be treated with contempt. But whatever -the reasons were which had induced the Count to take up his residence -in London, those who enjoyed his acquaintance and hospitality did -not allow themselves to be troubled by them. In his own country he -might have been regarded as little short of Satanic in his iniquity -for aught that the throngs of people who attended his receptions, -his at-homes and parties, knew or cared. The majority of mankind, in -its concrete selfishness and gluttony, thinks little and cares less -about the personal qualities of those who minister to its sensuous -gratifications; what most concerns it is the quality and nature of -the giver’s gifts. Let these be liberal and lavish, and nothing more -is asked. In Count Obolensk’s case it was universally admitted that -he excelled as a host, that his benevolence knew no bounds, and he -dispensed charity with a cosmopolitan open-handedness which was worthy -of all praise. Personally he was a handsome man, with the tact and -refinement of a courtier, and the delicacy and deference of a true-bred -gentleman. He was a widower, with two grown-up daughters--Catherine -and Nathalia--both handsome young women; while at the head of his -household, as general manageress, was an English lady, known as Mrs. -Sherard Wilson, who, it was generally understood, had lived in Russia -for a good many years. She was a fine-looking woman, of commanding -presence and strong personality. She invariably presided at the -Count’s social functions, and acted as chaperon to his daughters. Of -her history no one knew anything, and nobody seemed concerned about -it. She was a power in the Count’s household; and while she proved -herself to be a woman of exceeding great tact, and one who had made the -art of finesse a study, there was a tacit understanding that anyone -who offended her ever so slightly could never hope to enjoy again -the hospitality of the house over which she presided. Her general -characteristics could be summed up thus: she was clever beyond the -ordinary, well educated, a good linguist, a tasteful and excellent -hostess; she was well informed, had more than a passing taste for -politics, and appeared to have been acquainted with many of the leading -statesmen of her time. Of them she would talk freely; about herself -she was silent, and he would have been a bold man indeed who would -have made the attempt to ‘draw her out’; he would most certainly have -come to grief. She was frequently absent from London; sometimes for a -few days, at others for weeks. But where she went to, why she went, -and what she did, were mysteries, and the eye of vulgar curiosity was -unable to penetrate them. One thing was noted as peculiar: the Count’s -daughters never accompanied her. - -One night at the end of January, a night that, according to Russian -reckoning, was New Year’s Eve, and usually celebrated with great -ceremony in Russia, there was a reception at the Count’s house. It -was one of the few occasions when every nationality save Russian was -excluded. It had been one of those trying and maddening days, peculiar -to the English climate in January. A leaden sky, a choking, foggy -atmosphere, a general gloominess, and a sense of that awful depression -which seems to justify all the hard things said about our climate by -foreigners. - -However, the weather notwithstanding, there was a large gathering at -the Count’s house. Russians had come from France, from Germany, from -Switzerland, in order to be present, and they made up a brilliant -assembly. According to Russian custom, there was a religious ceremony -first of all. Then followed a sumptuous repast, which included almost -every known Russian dish. After that the Count and his guests retired -to a large, heavily-curtained room, which, compared with other -apartments in the house, was plainly furnished. It was lighted by -three long windows on the east side, but each of these windows was -screened by massive velvet curtains, which completely shut out the -fog and the gloom, while a very handsome twelve-light gaselier, with -tinted, rose-coloured shades, diffused a soft and agreeable light -throughout the apartment. The floor was covered with an unusually thick -carpet laid on very stout felt. Not only was this most comfortable to -the feet, but it deadened sound, and the footfalls of the heaviest -person walking across the room could not be heard. At one end of the -room was a deep angle or recess, and placed diagonally in this recess -was a large carved oak bureau or writing-desk. The entrance to the -chamber was by a panelled doorway, closed by an ordinary door, masked -by a second door lined with thick red felt or baize. This excluded -draught as well as sound. And assuming that anyone had been prompted -by curiosity or other cause to play eavesdropper, he would have -needed an abnormally acute sense of hearing to have gathered any of -the conversation carried on in the room. At the opposite end of the -apartment--which was oblong--was another door, giving access to a small -anteroom, the walls of which were lined with shelves filled with books. - -On the evening in question, when the Count and his guests retired to -the large chamber described, they made it evident that they wished to -be free from any possibility of interruption, for the baize-covered -door was locked inside, and so was its companion door. The curtains -at the windows were so closely drawn that human eye could not by any -possible means have discerned from the outside what was going on in the -inside. - -In this room the Count and his visitors remained for over two hours. -They talked much, but not loudly nor excitedly. Nearly everyone smoked, -until the atmosphere became heavy and thick, in spite of a large -ventilator in the ceiling. But nobody seemed to mind the heat or the -fœtidness. Every man appeared to be very earnest and absorbed with what -was going on, and when he rolled a new cigarette, he generally did it -in a preoccupied and automatic sort of way. Occasionally the host, who -sat at the large desk in the recess, made notes, and read them out to -the company. Sometimes what had been written was approved of; at others -dissent was expressed, and discussion ensued. Then the writing would -either be altered or allowed to remain as first written, according to -the wishes of the majority. - -It was two o’clock in the morning when the meeting broke up. Then the -Count carefully locked his desk, and placed the keys in his pocket. He -unlocked the doors, and led his guests to the spacious dining-room, -where light refreshments were provided. A quarter of an hour or twenty -minutes later a man very cautiously rose up in the recess in the room -where the meeting had been held, and where he had been concealed behind -the bureau or writing-desk, and, stretching his cramped limbs, he got -out, crept towards the door, listened intently, and, having assured -himself that the coast was clear, hurried out. At three o’clock such -of the guests as were not staying in the house began to take their -departure, a few in broughams, the majority in cabs, which had been -waiting through the bitter night. - -As most people know, the Russian New Year time is kept up with great -festivity; and, hospitable though he was at all times, the Count, -if possible, excelled himself on this occasion, and those who were -privileged to be present went away with a feeling that they might -have travelled the wide world over without meeting with such princely -entertainment so delicately and gracefully dispensed. Host, hostess, -and the host’s daughters were always voted perfect, and very lavish -praise was uttered when Mrs. Sherard Wilson was referred to, the -English people particularly, who had the _entrée_ to the Count’s rooms -during the festive gatherings, expressing their admiration in no -measured terms. - -At last the series of New Year receptions and entertainments came to an -end, and there was a lull, which was taken advantage of by the Misses -Obolensk to make their arrangements for a forthcoming ball, which they -intended to give on a grand scale. The organizing of this ball was left -entirely to the young ladies, as Mrs. Sherard Wilson was on the eve -of departure on a journey to the Continent. The Count never concerned -himself about his domestic or social arrangements; he left everything -to the ladies. He was a great reader, and he wrote a good deal. Such -exercise as he took he got either in his carriage or on horseback. He -did not visit much, but was passionately fond of music, and went to all -the principal concerts, and occasionally attended the theatres. His was -a routine life; he was very regular in his habits, and one day was much -like another with him. His position in every way seemed an enviable -one, and apparently he lived in amity with all men. All those who knew -him respected and honoured him. - -About a fortnight after the gathering of Russians at his house to -celebrate the New Year’s Eve, Miss Nathalia Obolensk was descending -the main stairway in a white satin evening dress, with a magnificent -red camellia in her hair, for she was going to a grand concert with -her father, and the carriage was waiting at the door. Coming after her -was a liveried man-servant bearing a large tray full of tea-things, -including a kettle of hot water, a silver teapot with the remains of -the tea in it, a large jug of cream, and other things, that he had just -brought from the drawing-room. He was a stolid, stupid-looking man, -and suddenly he justified his looks by stumbling and scattering the -contents of the tray over the young lady, tea, hot water, jelly, being -poured over her splendid dress, to its ruin. She uttered a shrill cry -of alarm, which quickly brought her father, Mrs. Wilson, and some of -the other servants into the hall, and a very dramatic scene ensued. The -shock to her nerves, and the realization that the mishap had not only -spoilt her pretty frock, but would prevent her going to the concert, -had such an effect upon Nathalia that she flew down the few remaining -stairs, flung her arms about her father’s neck, and fainted. - -In the meantime the author of the mischief presented a very sorry -spectacle. He seemed thoroughly ashamed of himself, and undecided -whether to bolt at once or gather up the wreckage. Nor was his -confusion and distress lessened by the torrent of abuse and passionate -scolding which fell from Mrs. Sherard Wilson’s lips. In the choicest of -Russian she told him he was a ‘dolt,’ an ‘idiot,’ a ‘fool,’ a ‘brute -beast.’ - -‘Leave the things, you stupid!’ she exclaimed fierily. ‘Ever since you -entered the house, you have done nothing but make mistakes and smash -things up. But it’s the last chance you’ll have of doing mischief here. -In ten minutes you’ll be out. Do you mark what I say? Ten minutes only, -and if you are not out of the house, then the other servants shall kick -you out.’ - -‘If you please, my lady,’ whined the man, ‘I am entitled to a month’s -notice or a month’s wages.’ - -‘You will get neither, you blockhead!’ replied the lady. ‘Why, your -month’s wages won’t pay for the things you’ve broken. And what business -had you coming down the main staircase. It was your place to use the -servants’ staircase.’ - -‘I’m very sorry,’ moaned Andrey, ‘and beg your pardon----’ - -‘Sorry, you wretch! well you may be!’ exclaimed the irate lady, -unappeased by the culprit’s penitence; ‘but get out of my sight, and -in ten minutes you must have left the house. Paul’--this to the -head-butler--‘Paul, I charge you to see the fellow is off the premises -in ten minutes.’ - -With this peremptory command, she hastened to the reception-room, -whither the Count had had his daughter conveyed. He was much annoyed, -but did not allow his annoyance to find expression, as Mrs. Wilson did. - -Nathalia had by this time recovered from her faint, and was bewailing -her woe-begone condition, and the blighted prospects of an evening’s -enjoyment. Her father was urging her to go upstairs and change her -dress, saying that they could still be in time for the concert, but she -said it was impossible; she was too much upset, and had neither energy -nor inclination to perform her toilet over again, notwithstanding that -she had two maids to wait upon her. Finding that she was inflexible on -this point, her father expressed a hope that she would soon regain her -composure, and that he would see her at supper-time, and leaving her to -the care of Mrs. Wilson, he retired to his study. In a little more than -ten minutes the butler came to Mrs. Wilson and announced that Andrey -had gone. - -‘Thank goodness!’ exclaimed the lady. ‘I am sure I never had such a -stupid person in my service before. Whatever were you doing to engage -such a dolt?’ - -‘He came to me very well recommended, madame.’ - -‘Then, those who recommended him ought to be ashamed of themselves; -that’s all that I’ve got to say. It’s really shameful that people who -call themselves honest should recommend incompetent servants in order -to get them off their hands.’ - -‘I am afraid it’s frequently done, madame,’ the butler remarked. - -‘That is no excuse.’ - -‘I do not offer it as an excuse, madame. I agree with you that it is -shameful.’ - -‘But surely when you engaged Andrey you might have seen that he was a -fool.’ - -‘No, madame, I did not,’ answered the butler with some show of wounded -dignity. ‘He seemed sharp enough at first. His stupidity set in -afterwards. I fancy he is a little given to drink, though I’ve never -missed anything, and have never seen him really the worse for liquor.’ - -‘How long is it since he came here?’ demanded the lady warmly. - -‘Just six weeks, I think.’ - -‘That’s six weeks too long. Take good care that the next man you engage -knows his business.’ The butler bowed and was retiring, when Mrs. -Wilson called him back. ‘Stay a minute. You are aware that I am leaving -London to-morrow, and may be absent three or four weeks. You had better -not engage anyone else until I return.’ - -‘But, madame, we shall be short-handed, and----’ - -‘I don’t care whether you are short-handed or not. You will do as I -tell you.’ - -Paul knew that it would be fatal to his interests to attempt to argue -with his mistress when she was in a bad temper, so he made his bow and -discreetly withdrew. - -‘Now, Nathalia,’ said Mrs. Wilson, when the man had left them, ‘away -you go upstairs, change your dress and take your father to the concert. -You know how disappointed he will be if he doesn’t go, and as I am -leaving to-morrow, I don’t wish to see him miserable and unhappy. You -know what a sensitive man he is, and though he doesn’t say much, he -feels the more.’ - -This appeal had its effect. Nathalia’s ruffled feelings had smoothed -down. - -‘Very well, I will go,’ she said; ‘but it’s an awful nuisance having to -change my things in a hurry.’ - -She rang for her maids, and while Mrs. Wilson gave orders that the -carriage was to be kept at the door, Nathalia hurried to her room, -reappearing in about twenty minutes, looking, as far as personal -appearance was concerned, as if nothing had happened, though there -was still an expression of worry and concern on her handsome face. -Mrs. Wilson had already warned the Count not to settle himself to -his reading, as he would still be able to go to the concert. He was -delighted at this, for he did not like to have his plans changed, and -he was waiting in the hall when his daughter came downstairs. - -‘Well, my dear,’ he said to her in complimentary strains, ‘you look -charming in spite of the little contretemps. It’s an ill wind that -blows nobody any good, and I suppose the spoilt dress means a fresh -order to your dressmaker, and a further lightening of my purse.’ - -He laughed pleasantly, and, following his daughter into the carriage, -they drove off, and after all were in time to hear the best part of the -concert. - -When Mrs. Wilson and Nathalia appeared at the breakfast-table the next -morning, they had both recovered from the previous evening’s little -annoyance. Mrs. Wilson was somewhat hasty-tempered, but she very soon -got over her small outbursts, and her usual condition was a very -pleasant geniality. During the breakfast, Andrey’s gross stupidity -was discussed and laughed at; and when the Count, with his usual -generosity, said he thought that the fellow’s wages should be sent to -him, for, in spite of his stupidity, it was after all an accident, -the lady acquiesced, and a little later she put up the amount in a -packet, and instructed Paul to see that Andrey got it. Then she busied -herself during the rest of the day in seeing that everything was in -‘apple-pie order’ previous to her departure, for whenever she was away -the management of the household devolved almost entirely upon the -servants. It was true there was an excellent housekeeper, and Catherine -was exceedingly domesticated; besides this, she took an interest in the -house. Nevertheless Mrs. Wilson was always under the impression that -her absence meant disruption, and that it was impossible for things -to flow smoothly while she was away. It was a pleasant little bit of -conceit and did no harm, for while it gratified her it amused the -others. - -Dinner was unusually early that evening, for Mrs. Wilson had to catch -the night mail to Dover. Her luggage--she never travelled without a -considerable quantity--had previously been conveyed to the station, -and, dinner over, she arrayed herself in a costly and handsome Russian -fur cloak, and, in company with her maid, was driven in her brougham -to Holborn Viaduct, and a first-class compartment was specially -reserved for herself and her companion. - -The weather was still atrocious. It was bitterly cold. There had been a -drizzling rain all day long. The mud in the streets was of inky colour, -and of glutinous consistency. People flitted by in the foggy atmosphere -like ghosts, and not all the lights of London could relieve the gloom -and depressing atmospheric effects. There were very few passengers that -night; but amongst them was a man of medium height, attired in a long -ulster and a seal-skin cap, the flaps of which were turned down until -his face was all but hidden. He had taken a second-class ticket, and -he and a young German, a commercial traveller, were the only occupants -of the compartment. When Dover was reached, the rain was pouring down, -the sea roared, and Channelward all was dark as Erebus. The man in the -ulster, whose only luggage consisted of a hand-bag, hurried on board -the small steamer, which was grinding away at the pier as the water -tossed her up and down. Ensconcing himself in the shadow of the funnel, -he watched the passengers as they descended the unsteady gangway; and -having seen Mrs. Wilson and her maid come on board and retire to the -cabin reserved for them, he dived down into the saloon and ordered -supper, for he was hungry. - -The crossing was an exceedingly rough one. The wretched cockleshell of -a steamer which the railway company considered good enough to carry -their passengers from one shore to the other was tossed about in a -manner well calculated to alarm any but hardened travellers. The man in -the ulster, however, was not affected. Having enjoyed a good supper, -and washed it down with a pint of champagne, he produced from his case -a very big and very strong-looking cigar, and lighting it, he battened -his seal-skin cap down on his head and went on deck, where he remained -until the steamer glided into Calais Harbour from the storm-tossed -waters of the Channel. He remained until Mrs. Wilson and her maid had -gone on shore. Then he followed, carrying his hand-bag. He went into -the douane, had his bag examined, saw a porter deposit the lady’s -wraps and rugs in the first-class compartment of the carriage labelled -‘Through carriage to Geneva,’ and, that done, placed his own bag in an -adjoining compartment, and as his second-class ticket had only been -from London to Calais, he secured a first-class for Geneva, and was one -of the very few passengers who travelled that dark and stormy night to -the French capital of Switzerland on the shores of Lake Leman. - -At the period of this story Alexander II. sat upon the throne of All -the Russias. It is a matter of history now that he was one of the -best-threatened monarchs who ever ruled over a so-called civilized -people. His life had been attempted so many times that he lived in -constant fear and dread, and the most extraordinary measures were taken -for his preservation. He changed his bedroom every night; his palace -was filled with soldiers; his food was cooked by special cooks, who -were solemnly sworn in in accordance with the rites of their Church -to protect him; nevertheless, their _chef_ had to appear in the royal -presence at every meal and taste all the dishes before they were served -to his august master. But even then dozens of eyes watched the man’s -every movement, lest he might adroitly slip poison into the food. It -was a terrible penalty for an Emperor to have to pay for his greatness, -but, unhappily, it was a condition of things that had been familiar, -more or less, to Russian rulers for a long time. Michael Danevitch -was held high in the esteem of the Czar, who regarded him as one of -his strongest safeguards. The famous detective’s restoration to the -Treasury of the stolen million roubles was a thing of the past, and was -almost forgotten; but that exploit had made his reputation, and gave -him an absolutely independent position as well as power. Since then he -had displayed remarkable zeal and acumen. He had unearthed numerous -dastardly plots, and had sent to the fortress of Peter and Paul, the -prison of Schlusselburgh, and to Siberia, many desperate men, who -believed that the way to freedom and reform was by the destruction of -human life and the shedding of innocent blood. - -It was well known throughout Russia at this time that a secret Nihilist -organization existed of vast proportions, and that one of the main -objects of the association was to bring about the death of the Czar. -It is difficult to understand how men and women, claiming to be -intelligent and reasoning beings, could come to believe that by slaying -their monarch they would redress their own wrongs, real or imaginary. -Everyone was aware that the moment the breath was out of the body of -one Czar, another would step into his place. The cry of ‘Le Roi est -mort!’ would be echoed back by ‘Vive le Roi!’ - -There could be no interregnum for a single hour, unless a tremendous -social upheaval took place and a republic was proclaimed. But while -that is the easiest thing imaginable in France, it never has been -possible in Russia; firstly, on account of the enormous extent of the -country; secondly, by reason of the varied nationalities represented; -and thirdly, owing to the want of anything like homogeneousness among -the vast masses of people swayed by the Imperial rule. Nevertheless, to -kill the Czar was the constant aim of thousands and tens of thousands -of his subjects. It thus became necessary for his Imperial Majesty -to take the most extreme measures for the preservation of his life. -It was like a game of check and counter-check. The Nihilists watched -with a thousand eyes; they plotted and planned with busy brains. But -they in turn were watched; and the forces of the law were constantly -at work against them. The Nihilists, however, had the best of it. They -played the cleverer game. For in the army, the navy, in the law, the -civil service, in all classes and ranks of society, even in the Church -itself, they had their spies and agents, and those who were on the -side of the Czar found all their energies, all their vigilance, taxed -to avoid the mines which the others were ever ready to spring. Amongst -the Czar’s most devoted adherents and trusted followers was Colonel -Vlassovski, who was in command of the military guard which night and -day did duty at the Winter Palace, where the Emperor was then residing. - -The Winter Palace of St. Petersburg is the largest residential palace -in the world, with the exception of Versailles and the Vatican. Its -length is four hundred and fifty-five feet, and its breadth three -hundred and fifty. So spacious is its interior that as many as six -thousand persons can be easily accommodated there at one time. It -will be readily understood that to effectually guard a place of these -stupendous dimensions from a crafty, cunning, and silent enemy, who -gave no sign of his presence until he had struck his blow, was not an -easy task; and the tremendous responsibility and ceaseless strain on -the nerves which were inseparable from Colonel Vlassovski’s position, -transformed him in a few months from a comparatively young man to an -old and haggard one. One day in the month of December the Colonel sent -an urgent message by special courier to Danevitch, in whom he had the -utmost confidence. The message was to the effect that he wished to see -Danevitch immediately. The detective hurried at once to the palace, -and was immediately ushered into the Colonel’s private cabinet, where -there were numerous telegraphic machines that placed the chief in -communication with all parts of the city, and nearly every part of -Russia. The Colonel temporarily dismissed his clerks and attendants -when Danevitch arrived, and bolted the door so that they might be alone -and free from interruption. - -‘I have sent for you,’ he began, ‘to make an investigation. Last night -one of the guard in the interior of the palace, a young soldier named -Vladimir, who was on duty near the Czar’s apartments, was surprised by -the corporal in the act of making drawings and plans of that part of -the palace. He was immediately arrested, but made the most desperate -efforts to destroy his papers. He was prevented, however, from doing -this, and an examination proved them to be drawings to scale of certain -portions of the interior of the palace. Vladimir, before he joined the -army, was in an architect’s office. On being questioned he grew sullen, -and resolutely declined to say anything.’ - -‘And what inference do you draw from the man’s act, Colonel?’ - -‘What inference! Why, can there be any doubt that he is a Nihilist spy?’ - -‘Where is he now?’ - -‘In the fortress of Peter and Paul.’ - -‘What will be his punishment?’ - -‘As a soldier on duty he has been guilty of treason--for it has -been declared treason for any unauthorized person to make drawings -or tracings of any part of a royal residence--he will therefore be -summarily tried, and, if proved guilty, will be instantly shot.’ - -‘And you think he will be proved guilty?’ - -‘There is not a doubt about it. He was discovered making drawings of -the palace without orders. When questioned, he declined to give any -explanation, and his endeavours to destroy the plans showed that his -motives were not innocent ones. Of course we shall try, before he is -executed, to get information from him.’ - -‘Which you will fail to do.’ - -‘Why?’ - -‘Because these Nihilists’ agents will not betray their comrades.’ - -‘But he will be tortured into a confession.’ - -‘You may torture him, but he will not confess. The Nihilists are -pitiless. A traitor to their cause not only destroys himself, but all -those belonging to him, for the vengeance falls also on his family and -connections, however innocent they may be. Vladimir knows that, and you -may depend upon it that, punish him as you will, you will never wring -from him a word of confession.’ - -‘What’s to be done, then?’ asked the Colonel, in distress. - -‘Let the fellow go free. Reinstate him.’ - -The Colonel stared in blank amazement; then he broke into a mocking -laugh, as he asked caustically: - -‘Have you taken leave of your senses, Danevitch, or become a fool?’ - -‘Neither.’ - -‘Explain, then. What do you mean?’ - -‘A dead man cannot speak; a live one can. Put Vladimir back into his -place again, and leave the rest to me. He is a key, as it were. With -him you may open many doors. Kill him, and the doors will remain closed -against you.’ - -A new light broke on the Colonel. He looked thoughtful, and for some -moments remained silent; then he remarked: - -‘But there are a thousand difficulties now in the way of setting him -free.’ - -‘Under ordinary circumstances, yes. But in this case a stroke of the -Czar’s pen can do it. You are in the Emperor’s confidence. Explain to -him what is required, and in two hours’ time Vladimir can be back in -the palace again. Then he will betray himself by some act, some sign; -on the other hand, all the resources of Peter and Paul will fail to -wring from him a word that will be of use to us.’ - -The Colonel saw the force of the argument, and said that he would -lose no time in procuring an interview with the Czar. That was done; -result, in the course of the day Vladimir was reinstated. He had been -told that on investigation the authorities were not disposed to take a -serious view of his offence. He was a young soldier, and of value to -the State, and another chance would be given to him. So he was severely -reprimanded, and brought back to the palace, much to his own amazement. -He had considered himself doomed, and his restoration to liberty -puzzled him; but he was too obtuse to divine the real cause, and he did -not dream how every movement of his was being watched. Some days later -he justified Danevitch’s prediction. Being off duty, he went into the -city, and, making his way to one of the quays on the Neva, now frozen -over, he met a young woman, and was seen to hand her a paper. They did -not confer together long, and when they separated, the young woman -was followed to her home by Danevitch. Had he been a mere subordinate -of the chief of police, he would have been compelled to have reported -this incident, with the result that a domiciliary visit would have -been paid to the house, and as a natural corollary of that action, -assuming that, as was suspected, she was in conspiracy with others, -her co-conspirators would be warned, and justice might be defeated. -Danevitch was aware of all this, and, like a well-trained sleuth-hound, -he did not attempt to strike his quarry until he was absolutely sure of -it. He knew that at the most Vladimir could be but a humble instrument; -behind him and influencing him were more powerful foes to the State. -These were the people he wanted to lay his hands upon. It was no use -casting his net for the little fish only; it was the big ones he fished -for. After witnessing the meeting between Vladimir and the young woman, -Danevitch had another interview with Colonel Vlassovski, during which -he informed him that Vladimir was dangerous, and should be closely -watched, though care was to be taken not to allow him to suspect that -he was being watched. A few days later Danevitch again went to the -Colonel, and said: - -‘I believe I am in the way of bringing to light a great conspiracy, and -I am going to leave Russia for a time.’ - -‘But how in the world can you bring the conspiracy to light if you are -out of Russia?’ asked the Colonel in alarm. ‘Your presence is required -here if there is danger.’ - -‘No. I can do better elsewhere. There is danger, but it does not -threaten immediately. The head of the movement is not in Russia. If the -head is destroyed, the tail is sure to perish. I am going to seek the -head. The tail, which is here, can be trampled on afterwards.’ - -‘Where is the head, do you think?’ - -‘I don’t exactly know. In Berlin, perhaps; in Geneva, Paris, London.’ - -‘Ah, Geneva and London!’ exclaimed the Colonel angrily. ‘Those two -places are responsible for much. They offer refuge to the vilest of -wretches so long as they claim to be merely political offenders. Like -charity, that term covers a multitude of sins, and under its protecting -influence some of the most desperate and bloodthirsty scoundrels who -ever walked the earth have found sanctuary.’ - -‘True,’ answered Danevitch; ‘but we cannot help that. There are ways -and means, however, of dragging rascals of that kind from their -sanctuary. I am going to see what can be done.’ - -‘You will keep in touch with me,’ the Colonel remarked. - -‘Certainly I will. In the meantime, draw a closer cordon round the -palace, and let no one sleep. You must not forget, Colonel, that the -plots we are called upon to checkmate are hatched not in Russia, but -in some of the European capitals. The poor fools who execute the work -here are mere tools. We want to lay hands on the principals, the people -who from a safe retreat supply the money. Stop the money, and the tools -will cease to work.’ - -All that Danevitch urged was undeniable. The Colonel knew it. Those -in power knew it. The Czar himself knew it. But hitherto the great -difficulty had been to secure the principals. The prisons were full -of the hirelings; hundreds and hundreds of them dragged out their -miserable lives in Siberia; but still the danger was not lessened, for -as long as ever money was forthcoming men and women could always be -found ready and willing to pit their liberties and lives against the -forces of the Government. It cannot be denied that amongst them were -some, many perhaps, who were not mere hirelings, but were prompted by -mistaken notions of patriotism; they were generally young people led -away by false sentiments and misplaced enthusiasm. It had been found, -too, that young women, for the sake of men they loved, were willing to -risk all they held sacred on earth at the bidding of their lovers. They -were the most pliant, the most willing tools; but they were also the -weak links in the chain. They acted with less caution than men. They -went to work blindly, and with a stupid recklessness which was bound -sooner or later to betray them. Danevitch had a favourite theory, or -saying, to the effect that, given a plot with a woman in it, all you -had to do was to find out the woman, and you would discover the plot. -In this case he had found out the woman. The one who met Vladimir on -the quay by the Neva was a book-keeper in a general store. She shared -apartments with another young woman in a poor part of the town. At -night, when her duties for the day were over, she was in the habit of -attending secret meetings, mostly of women, with a sprinkling of men -amongst them. One of these women was a Madame Petrarna. She was an -organizer and a leader. Vladimir’s sweetheart was in high favour with -her. Petrarna was the wife of a man who was in exile as ‘a danger to -the State.’ He had been arrested as a suspicious personage, and though -nothing was actually proved against him, he was sent to Siberia. - -Having learnt so much about Vladimir’s sweetheart, Danevitch devoted -his attention to Petrarna. He had made the ways of Nihilists a study, -and though they had their spies everywhere, he was often able to outwit -them, and he succeeded in getting around him a little band of devoted -agents who were ready to go anywhere and do anything at his bidding. -Amongst these agents was a clever little woman, and she succeeded -one night in gaining admission to a meeting over which Petrarna was -presiding. The president spoke of the arrest and release of Vladimir, -and how he had been able, after all, to hand to his sweetheart and -their colleague certain drawings of the palace, which would be -invaluable to them in their work. - -This and many other things the agent learnt, and conveyed the -intelligence to her employer Danevitch, whereby he was induced to go -abroad to search for the head, as he had told Colonel Vlassovsky. - -Weeks passed, and Danevitch was in Geneva. The weather was bitter. The -winter had set in very early, and so far had been unusually severe. At -this period there were something like five thousand Russians living in -Geneva and its environs. The majority of these Russians were Nihilists. -One night, although a black _bise_ was blowing, filling the air with -spiculæ of ice, and freezing to the marrow all those who ventured into -the streets, various individuals--singly, in twos and threes--wended -their way to an old building in a lonely side-street not far from the -Gare. It was a short street, and devoted principally to warehouses, -which were closed at night; consequently it was badly lighted, and -after business hours practically deserted. The entrance to one of -these buildings was by an arched gateway, closed with massive wooden -gates, in one side of which was a small door to allow the workpeople to -pass in and out when the gates were closed. On the night in question, -this little door opened and shut many times; each time it opened, -somebody entered after having been asked for a sign, a counter-sign, -and a password. Without these none could enter. At length there were -nearly fifty persons present. Then the gate was barred and guarded. -In a long back upper room, the windows of which were so screened that -not a ray of light could escape, a meeting was held. It was a Nihilist -meeting, and the chief thing discussed was the destruction of the Czar -of Russia. Reports were also read from many ‘Centres,’ detailing the -progress that was made in what was called ‘The Revolutionary Movement.’ -One man brought with him a great quantity of seditious literature in -Russian. It had been printed by a secret press in the town. The meeting -was presided over by a lady; that lady was Mrs. Sherard Wilson. She -distributed a considerable amount of money among those present, and -talked the most violent of language. She was a fluent and eloquent -speaker, and swayed the meeting as reeds are swayed by the wind. - -A long discussion followed, and many things were settled. Amongst -others, the date of the ‘Czar’s execution’ was fixed; and Mrs. Sherard -announced that she would leave for St. Petersburg in a very few days to -hasten the ‘good cause.’ - -The meeting was orderly, business-like, and quiet. Every person -present--man and woman--seemed terribly in earnest, and there was -a grim severity in their tone and speech which argued unrelenting -bitterness and hatred against the ruler of Russia and many prominent -members of his council, all of whom were marked for swift and sudden -death. It was midnight when the meeting broke up. Silently the people -came, silently they departed; and when the last one had gone, and the -door in the gate had been locked, a death-like stillness reigned in -the deserted warehouse. Outside, the black _bise_ roared, bringing from -the lake and the surrounding hills fierce storms of hail. - -A little later the door of the gate opened noiselessly, and a man, -having glanced carefully up and down to see that no one was in sight, -passed out, locked the door after him, and disappeared in the darkness -of the night. - -That man was Michael Danevitch. He had heard all that had passed at -the meeting, for he had been concealed behind a pile of packing-cases, -and his note-book was filled with the names, so far as he could gather -them, of all those who had taken part in the proceedings. - -Three days after the meeting had been held, Mrs. Sherard Wilson took -her departure for Berlin, where she rested for a day and a night, and -had interviews with several influential people, and at a certain bank -and money-changer’s in Berlin she converted an English cheque for a -large amount into Russian money. She was known to the money-changer; -he had cashed similar cheques before. Having completed her business, -she pursued her way to Russia. At the frontier her luggage and passport -were examined. There was nothing liable to duty in the former; the -latter was all in order and duly viséd. The examiners at the frontier, -however, failed to discover in one of her trunks a very artfully -and cleverly contrived false bottom, where lay concealed not only a -mass of inflammatory literature, but documents of the most damaging -description. So she passed on her journey, distributing largess freely, -and regarded by the officials as a lady of distinction, travelling no -doubt on important business, for no one travelled for pleasure in the -winter weather. Mrs. Wilson spoke French, German, Russian, and many -dialects, so that she had no difficulty with regard to tongues. In the -same train with her travelled a man, who was ostensibly a fur merchant, -in reality her shadower--Danevitch the detective. - -In due course they reached St. Petersburg, and the lady was driven to -one of the principal hotels, where she engaged a suite of rooms; and -when three or four days had elapsed, during which she was very active -and went about much, she attended a secret meeting, held in the house -of one Alexeyeff, who was a bookseller in a small way of business. In -that house over sixty persons assembled, including the indefatigable -Mrs. Sherard Wilson. When the last person had entered, there gradually -closed around the place a cordon of heavily-armed policemen. They, -again, were reinforced by a body of soldiers with loaded guns and fixed -bayonets. At a given signal, when all was ready, the door of the house -was burst in and the meeting, which had just got to business, was -broken up in wild confusion. The people saw that they had been betrayed -and were trapped. For a moment a panic seized them. Some made a bid -for liberty, and rushed off, but could not get far; the cordon was too -strong to be broken through. Others, with a wild despair, prepared -to sell their lives and liberties dearly. But, as is well known, -Continental police, and particularly the Russian police, stand on no -ceremony when resistance to their authority is offered. The maudlin -sentiment which we in England so often display, even when the most -desperate ruffians are concerned, is quite unknown abroad. Resistance -to the law generally means injury, and often death, to the resister. -On the occasion in question, the police and the soldiers were all -heavily armed, for they were aware that the work they were called upon -to perform could not be undertaken with kid gloves on; the glittering -swords and bayonets which menaced the trapped people had an effect, -and what threatened to be a scene of bloodshed and death ended in a -despairing surrender to the forces that were irresistible. From the -moment that the police broke in upon the meeting Mrs. Sherard Wilson -felt that hope had gone, and she made no attempt either to save her own -liberty or arouse her followers to action. - -Under a very strong escort the misguided people were conveyed to -prison, and very soon it was made evident that Danevitch had brought -to light one of the most desperate and gigantic conspiracies of modern -times. Not only had plans been drawn up and arrangements made for -killing the Czar, but many noblemen and high officials were to be -killed. The conspirators were chosen from all ranks of society, and -they had followers in the army and the navy, as well as in the police. -That they would have succeeded in their nefarious designs there is -little doubt, had it not been for the vigilance and cleverness of -Danevitch. He found out that Count Obolensk, who resided in London, -was supplying large sums of money to aid the work of the conspiracy. -The detective therefore decided upon the bold step of taking service -in the Count’s household for a time. This he succeeded in doing, -and on the night of the meeting recorded in the early part of this -story, which was held at the Count’s house, he hid himself behind the -writing-desk and heard all that took place. In order to get away from -the house without raising suspicion, he let the tray of china fall on -the stairs as Miss Obolensk was descending. He followed Mrs. Sherard -Wilson to Geneva, and was present at that other meeting, when he gained -most important information, and subsequently, all unknown to her, -accompanied the lady to Russia. - -Investigation brought to light the fact that Mrs. Wilson was the wife -of a Russian of high social position, but he had been sent to Siberia -for life as a political offender. From that moment his wife became the -sworn enemy of the Government and the Czar. She had previously been -acquainted with Count Obolensk, and was able to exert great influence -over him, and, as he was very wealthy, he proved a valuable ally. The -plot failed, however, at the eleventh hour, thanks to Danevitch. How -narrow had been the escape of the Emperor from a violent death was -revealed at the trial of the prisoners, when it was proved that a -considerable number of the officials of the palace, as well as soldiers -and servants, had been corrupted, and on a given date a man was to be -admitted to the palace at night, and he was to throw a bomb into the -Czar’s bedroom. - -Simultaneously an attempt was to be made on the lives of several -influential people residing outside of the palace. Desperate and -terrible as all this seems, there is no doubt it would have been -attempted, for the men and women who were mixed up in the plot were -reckless of their lives, and terribly in earnest. - -No mercy was shown to the prisoners, and the majority of them were -sent to some of the most inhospitable regions of Northern Siberia, -including Mrs. Sherard Wilson. To her it must have been infinitely -worse than death, and it may be doubted if she ever survived to reach -her destination. - - - - -THE CROWN JEWELS. - - -Moscow--or, as the natives call it, Maskva--might almost be described -as a city within a city; that is to say, there is the Kremlin, and -a town outside of that again. The word Kremlin is derived from the -Slavonic word Krim, which signifies a fort. It is built on a hill, -and is surrounded by a high turreted wall from twelve to sixteen -feet thick. This wall varies from thirty to sixty feet high, and -is furnished with battlements, embrasures, and gates. Within the -Kremlin are most of the Government offices: the Treasury; the renowned -Cathedral of St. Michael, where the monarchs of Russia were formerly -interred; and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, long -used as a place of coronation of the Emperors. - -In the Treasury are preserved the State jewels, which, in the -aggregate, are probably of greater value than any other State jewels -in the civilized world. There are something like twenty crowns of -such a size, splendour, and intrinsic value that each in itself is -a fortune. Tradition says that one of these crowns was given by the -Greek Emperor Comnenus to the great Vladimir. Some are covered with -the most magnificent diamonds; others with turquoises of immense size; -others, again, with rubies and pearls; the groundwork of all is solid -gold, and the workmanship exquisite. Then there are sceptres of massive -gold, powdered with priceless gems. There are diamond tiaras, diamond -cinctures, services of gold and jewelled plate, jewelled swords. These -costly treasures are preserved in a large well-lighted room of noble -proportions, and to this room the public are freely admitted. It need -scarcely be said that the State jewel-room of the Treasury is a source -of great attraction to foreigners, and no one visiting Moscow for -the first time would think of leaving the city without having paid a -visit to the Treasury jewel-room. One morning, on opening the Museum -for the day, there was tremendous consternation amongst the officials -and attendants, when one of the guardians of the treasure-house made -the discovery that no less than three crowns, two sceptres, a diamond -belt and a diamond tiara were missing. The circumstance was at once -reported to the keeper of the jewels--General Kuntzler. The office -was generally held by a retired military officer, and was much sought -after, as it was a life appointment and the salary was good. The keeper -had many subordinates under him, and while they were responsible to -him, he himself was held entirely responsible by the Government for the -safe-guarding of the jewels. General Kuntzler had occupied the position -for about two years, after long and important military service. When he -heard of the robbery, he was so affected that his mind gave way, and -before the day was out he shot himself. - -Investigation soon made it evident that a crime of unparalleled -audacity had been committed under the very noses of the Government -officials, and property intrinsically valued at many thousands of -pounds had disappeared. As the affair was a very serious one for -all concerned, no time was lost in summoning Michael Danevitch and -enlisting his services. As can readily be understood, quite apart from -the monetary value of the lost baubles, the associations surrounding -them made it highly desirable that every effort should be put forth -to recover them; and it was impressed upon Danevitch how imperatively -necessary it was to take the most active measures to get on the track -of the thieves immediately, because, as everyone knew, the gold would -be melted down as soon as possible, and the precious relics be thus -destroyed. Amongst the crowns carried off was the one worn by the -last King of Poland. It was a magnificent bauble, and was so thickly -encrusted with gems that in round figures it was worth in English -money something like fifty thousand pounds. It will be seen, therefore, -that the loss in mere value to the State was enormous. It was, of -course, as Danevitch saw clearly enough, no ordinary robbery. It must -have been planned deliberately, and carried out with great ingenuity. -Nor was it less obvious that more than one person had been concerned in -the daring crime. - -There was a prevailing impression at first that General Kuntzler must -have had a share in the robbery, but Danevitch did not take that -view. The unfortunate General had an untarnished record, and though -his suicide was calculated to arouse suspicion, it was established by -Danevitch that the poor man--fully realizing the great responsibility -that rested on his shoulders--was unable to face the blame that would -attach to him. It would be said that he had not exercised sufficient -care, and had been careless of the safety of the priceless treasures -committed to his charge. This was more than he could bear, and he ended -the whole business as far as he was concerned by laying violent hands -upon himself. - -‘I saw from the first,’ Danevitch writes, ‘that the guilty parties -must be sought for among the ranks of those who make robbery a fine -art, if one may be allowed to so express himself. Mere commonplace, -vulgar minds would have been incapable of conceiving, let alone of -carrying out, so daring a deed as that of robbing the State of its -priceless historical baubles. It was no less self-evident to me that -the affair must have been very carefully planned, and arrangements -made for conveying the articles out of the country immediately, or of -effectually destroying their identity. In their original condition they -would practically be worth nothing to the illegal possessors, inasmuch -as no man dare offer them for sale; but by taking out the gems and -melting the gold the materials could thus be converted into cash. I -ascertained that when the Museum was closed in the evening previous to -the robbery being discovered, everything was safe.’ - -It appeared that it was the duty of the chief subordinate, one -Maximoff, to go round the hall the last thing, after it had been closed -to the public for the day, and see that everything was safe. He then -reported to General Kuntzler. This had been done with great regularity. -It so happened, however, that the day preceding the discovery that -the jewels had been stolen was an official holiday. At stated periods -in Russia there is an official holiday, when all public Government -departments are closed. This holiday had favoured the work of the -thieves, and some time during the forty hours that elapsed between -the closing of the hall in the evening before the holiday, and the -discovery of the robbery on the morning after the holiday, the jewels -had been carried off. - -The holiday was on a Wednesday; on Tuesday evening Maximoff made his -round of inspection as usual, and duly presented his official report -to his chief, General Kuntzler. According to that report, everything -was safe; the place was carefully locked up, and all the keys deposited -in the custody of the General, who kept them in an iron safe in his -office. It was pretty conclusively proved that those keys never left -the safe from the time they were deposited there on Tuesday night -until Maximoff went for them on Thursday morning. During the whole of -Wednesday Maximoff and the attendants were away. Maximoff was a married -man, with three children, and he had taken his family into the country. -Kuntzler remained, and there was the usual military guard at the -Treasury. The guard consisted of six sentinels, who did duty night and -day, being relieved every four hours. - -‘The whole affair was very complicated,’ proceeds Danevitch, ‘and I -found myself confronted with a problem of no ordinary difficulty. I -was satisfied, however, that General Kuntzler was entirely innocent of -any complicity in the affair; and, so far as I could determine then, -there was not the slightest ground for suspecting Maximoff. There were -twelve other subordinates. They were charged with the duty of dusting -the various glass cases in which the jewels were deposited, and of -keeping the people in order on public days, and I set to work in my -own way to endeavour to find out what likelihood there was of any of -these men being confederates. It seemed to me that one or more of them -had been corrupted, and proved false to his charge. Without an enemy in -the camp it was difficult to understand how the thieves had effected an -entrance.’ - -The Treasury was a large white stone building, with an inner courtyard, -around which were grouped numerous Government offices. The entrance to -this yard was by a noble archway, closed by a massive and ornamental -iron gate. In this gateway a sentry was constantly posted. The Museum -was situated in about the centre of the left wing of the main block of -buildings. The entrance was from the courtyard, and the hall, being -in an upper story, was reached by a flight of marble steps. To gain -admission to the hall, the public were necessarily compelled to pass -under the archway, and so into the courtyard. Of course there were -other ways of reaching the hall of jewels, but they were only used by -the employés and officials. General Kuntzler, his lieutenant, Maximoff, -and four of the subordinates, resided on the premises. They had rooms -in various parts of the building. - -A careful study of the building, its approaches and its exits, led -Danevitch to the conclusion that the thief or thieves must have -reached the hall from one of the numerous Government offices on -the ground-floor of the block, or from the direction of Kuntzler’s -apartments, and he set to work to try and determine that point. He -found that one of the offices referred to was used as a depository -for documents relating to Treasury business, and beneath it, in the -basement, was an arched cellar, also used for storing documents. -This cellar was one of many others, all connected with a concreted -subway, which in turn was connected with the upper stories by a narrow -staircase, considered strictly private, and used, or supposed to be -used, by the employés only. The office was officially known as Bureau -7. Exit from it could be had by a door, which opened into a cul-de-sac, -and was not a public thoroughfare. It was, in fact, a narrow alley, -formed by the Treasury buildings and a church. - -Danevitch was not slow to perceive that Bureau 7 and the cul-de-sac -offered the best, if not the only, means of egress to anyone who, -being on the premises illegally, wished to escape without being seen. -It was true that one of the sentries always on duty patrolled the -cul-de-sac at intervals; but that, to the mind of Danevitch, was not -an insuperable obstacle to the escape of anyone from the building. Of -course, up to this point it was all conjecture, all theory; but the -astute detective brought all his faculties to bear to prove that his -theory was a reasonable one. - -He ascertained that the door into the cul-de-sac was very rarely used -indeed, and had not been opened for a long time, as the office itself -was only a store-room for documents, and days often passed without -anyone going into it. Critical examination, however, revealed to -Danevitch that the outer door had been very recently opened. This was -determined by many minute signs, which revealed themselves to the quick -and practised eyes of the detective. But something more was forthcoming -to confirm him in his theory. On the floor of Bureau 7 he found two or -three diamonds, and in the passage of the cul-de-sac he picked up some -more. Here, then, at once was fairly positive proof that the thief or -thieves had made their exit that way. Owing to rough handling, or to -the jarring together of the stolen things, some of the precious stones -had become detached, and by some carelessness or other a number of them -had fallen unperceived to the ground; these as surely pointed the way -taken by the robbers as the lion in the desert betrays his track by the -spoor. This important discovery Danevitch kept to himself. He was fond -of likening his profession to a game at whist, and he used to say that -the cautious and skilful player should never allow his opponent to know -what cards he holds. - -Having determined so much, his next step was to discover, if possible, -the guilty persons. It was tolerably certain that, whoever they were, -they must have been well acquainted with the premises. Of course it -went without saying that no one could have undertaken and carried -out such an extraordinary robbery without first of all making a -very careful study of every detail, as well as of every means of -reaching the booty, and of conveying it away when secured. The fact -of the robbery having been committed on the Wednesday, which was a -Government holiday, showed that it had been well planned, and it was -equally evident that somebody concerned in it was intimately acquainted -with the premises and all their ramifications. The importance of -the discovery of the way by which the criminals had effected their -escape could not be overrated, and yet it was of still greater -importance that the way by which they entered should be determined. -To do that, however, was not an easy matter. The probability--a -strong probability--was that those concerned had lain perdu in the -building from the closing-time on Tuesday night until the business -was completed, which must have been during the hours of darkness from -Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, or Wednesday night and Thursday -morning. In the latter case, however, the enterprising ‘exploiters’ -must have remained on the premises the whole of Wednesday, and that -was hardly likely. They certainly could not have entered on Wednesday, -because as it was a non-business day a stranger or strangers seeking -admission would have been challenged by the sentries, and not allowed -to pass without a special permit. At night a password was always sent -round to the people residing in the building, and if they went out -they could not gain entrance again without giving the password. These -precautions were, in an ordinary way, no doubt, effective enough; but -the fact that on this occasion they had proved of no avail pointed to -one thing certain, which was that the intruders had gained admission -on the Tuesday with the general public, but did not leave when the -Museum was closed for the night, and to another thing, not so certain, -but probable, that they had been assisted by somebody living on the -premises. - -Altogether something like sixty persons had lodgings in the Treasury -buildings, but only fourteen of these persons, including Kuntzler -himself, were attached to the Museum portion. The General’s apartments -were just above the hall in which the Crown jewels were kept. He had a -suite of six rooms, including a kitchen and a servant’s sleeping-place. -He was a widower, but his sister lived with him as his housekeeper. -She was a widow; her name was Anna Ivanorna. The General also had an -adopted daughter, a pretty girl, about twenty years of age: she was -called Lydia. It appeared she was the natural child of one of the -General’s comrades, who had been killed during an _émeute_ in Siberia, -where he was stationed on duty. On the death of his friend, and being -childless himself, Kuntzler took the girl, then between six and seven -years of age, and brought her up. For obvious reasons, of course, -Danevitch made a study of the General’s household, and so learned the -foregoing particulars. - -As may be imagined, the General’s death was a terrible blow to his -family, and Lydia suffered such anguish that she fell very ill. -Necessarily it became the duty of Danevitch to endeavour to ascertain -by every means in his power if Kuntzler’s suicide had resulted from -any guilty knowledge of the robbery. But not a scrap of evidence was -forthcoming to justify suspicion, though the outside public suspected -him. That, perhaps, was only natural. As a matter of fact, however, -he bore a very high reputation. He had held many important positions -of trust, and had been elected to the post of Crown Jewel Keeper, on -the death of his predecessor, on account of the confidence reposed in -him by the Government, and during the time he had held the office he -had given the utmost satisfaction. An examination of his books--he -had to keep an account of all the expenses in connection with his -department--his papers and private letters, did not bring to light a -single item that was calculated to arouse suspicion, and not a soul in -the Government service breathed a word against him, while he was highly -respected and esteemed by a very large circle of friends. - -It was admitted on all sides that General Kuntzler was a very -conscientious and sensitive man. The knowledge of the robbery came -upon him with a suddenness that overwhelmed him, and, half stunned by -the shock, his mind gave way, and he adopted the weak man’s method to -relieve himself of a terrible responsibility. That was the worst that -anyone who knew him ventured to say; he was accorded a public and a -military funeral, and was carried to his last resting-place amidst the -genuine sorrow of great numbers of people. - -‘I confess that at this stage of the proceedings,’ writes Danevitch in -his notes of the case, ‘I did not feel very sanguine of success in the -task imposed upon me; and when Colonel Andreyeff, Chief of the Moscow -Police, sent for me, and asked my views, I frankly told him what I -thought, keeping back, however, for the time being, the discovery I -had made, that the culprits had departed from the building by Bureau -7, and had scattered some diamonds on the way. The Colonel became very -grave when he learnt my opinion, and paid me the compliment of saying -that great hopes had been placed on me, that the reputation of his -department was at stake, and if the jewels were not recovered, and the -culprits brought to justice, it might cost him his position. I pointed -out that I was quite incapable of performing miracles; that while I -could modestly claim to have been more successful in my career than any -other man following the same calling, it was not within my power to see -through stone walls, or divine the innermost secrets of men’s hearts. - -‘“But you are capable of reading signs which other men have no eyes -for,” exclaimed the Colonel. - -‘“Possibly,” I answered, as I bowed my thanks for the good opinion he -held of me; “but in this instance I see no sign.” - -‘“But you are searching for one?” said the Colonel anxiously. - -‘“Oh, certainly I am,” I responded. - -‘The anxious expression faded from the Colonel’s face, and he smiled -as, fixing his keen gray eyes on me, he remarked: - -‘“As long as you are still searching for a sign, Danevitch, there is -hope. There must be a sign somewhere, and unless you have grown blind -and mentally dull, it will not escape you for long.” - -‘This was very flattering to my _amour propre_, and I admit that it had -a tendency to stimulate me to renewed exertion, if stimulus was really -needed. But, as a matter of fact, I was not just then very hopeful. -Nevertheless, as I took my leave, I said that, if the problem was -solvable by mortal man, I would solve it. This was pledging myself to a -good deal; but I was vain enough to think that, if I failed by methods -which I had made a lifelong study, to say nothing of a natural gift for -my work, no one else was likely to succeed, except by some accident -which would give him the advantage.’ - -Like most men of exceptional ability, Danevitch was conscious of his -strength, but he rarely allowed this self-consciousness to assert -itself, and when he did he was justified. His methods were certainly -his own, and he never liked to own defeat. That meant that where he -failed it was hardly likely anyone else would have succeeded. Not only -had he a tongue cunning to question, an eye quick to observe, but, as -I have said elsewhere, a sort of eighth sense, which enabled him to -discern what other men could not discern. - -After that interview with Colonel Andreyeff, he fell to pondering on -the case, and bringing all the logic he was capable of to bear. He saw -no reason whatever to change his first opinion, that there had been an -enemy in the camp. By that is meant that the robbery could never have -been effected unless with the aid of someone connected with the place, -and knowing it well. Following his course of reasoning, he came to the -decision that the stolen property was still within the Kremlin. His -reason for this was, as he states: - -‘The thieves could not have passed out during the night, as they would -have been questioned by the guards at the gates. Nor could they have -conveyed out such a bulky packet on Wednesday, as they would have been -called upon for a permit. On the other hand, if the property had been -divided up into small parcels, the risk would have been great, and -suspicion aroused. But assuming that the thieves had been stupid enough -to carry off the things in bulk, they must have known that they were -not likely to get far before attracting attention, while any attempt -to dispose of the articles as they were would have been fatal. To have -been blind to these tremendous risks was to argue a denseness on the -part of the culprits hardly conceivable of men who had been clever -enough to abstract from a sentry-guarded Government building property -of such enormous value. They would know well enough that melted gold -and loose gems could always find a market; but, having regard to the -hue and cry, that market was hardly likely to be sought for in any part -of Russia. Therefore, when reduced to an unrecognisable state, and when -vigilance had been relaxed, the gold and the jewels would be carried -abroad to some of the centres of Europe, where the infamous receiver -flourishes and waxes fat on the sins of his fellow-men. - -‘In accordance with my custom in such cases,’ continues Danevitch in -his notes, ‘I lost not a moment when I took up the case in telegraphing -to every outlet from Russia, including the frontier posts. I knew, -therefore, that at every frontier station and every outlet luggage -would be subjected to very critical examination, and the thieves would -experience great difficulty indeed in getting clear. But there was -another aspect of the case that could not be overlooked, and it caused -me considerable anxiety; it was this--the gems could be carried away a -few at a time. A woman, for instance, could conceal about her person -small packets of them, and excite no suspicion. To examine everyone -personally at the frontiers was next to impossible. There was another -side, however, to this view, and it afforded me some consolation. To -get the gems out of the country in the way suggested would necessitate -a good many journeys on the part of the culprits, and one person making -the same journey several times would excite suspicion. If several -people were employed in the work, they would be certain to get at -loggerheads sooner or later, and the whole business would be exposed. -I always made it a sort of axiom that “when thieves fall out honest -men come by their due,” and experience had taught me that thieves -invariably fall out when it comes to a division of plunder. Of course, -I was perfectly alive to the fact that it would not do to rely upon -that; something more was wanted: it was of the highest importance to -prevent the stolen property being carried far away, and all my energies -were concentrated to that end. - -‘I have already given my reasons for thinking that at this stage the -stolen jewels had not been removed from the Kremlin. Although there are -no regular streets, as understood, in the Kremlin, there are numerous -shops and private residences, the latter being inhabited for the most -part by the officials and other employés of the numerous Government -establishments. The result is that within the Kremlin itself there is a -very large population.’ - -It will be seen from these particulars that the whole affair bristled -with difficulties, and, given that the thieves were sharp, shrewd, -and cautious, they might succeed in defeating Danevitch’s efforts. -One of the first things he did was to request that every sentry at -the Kremlin gates should be extra vigilant, and subject passers to -and fro to more than ordinary observation, while if they had reason -to suspect any particular person, that person should be instantly -arrested. The precautions which were thus taken reduced the matter to a -game of chance. If the thieves betrayed themselves by an incautious or -careless act they would lose. On the other hand, if they were skilful -and vigilant the detective would be defeated; and as the stakes were -very large, and to lose meant death to them (that being the penalty in -Russia for such a crime), it was presumable that they would not easily -sacrifice themselves. At this stage Danevitch himself confessed that he -would not have ventured to give an opinion as to which of the two sides -would win. - -The more Danevitch studied the subject, the more he became convinced -that the thieves must have been in league with someone connected with -the Treasury Department. In face of the fact that false keys had been -used, the theory of collusion could not be ignored; the difficulty was -to determine who was the most likely person to have proved traitor -to his trust. Maximoff bore a high character; General Kuntzler had -reposed full confidence in him. The subordinates were also men of good -repute. That, however, was not a guarantee that they were proof against -temptation. Nevertheless, Danevitch could not get hold of anything -that was calculated to arouse his suspicion against any particular -individual. If there was a guilty man amongst them, he would, of -course, be particularly careful not to commit any act, or utter any -word, calculated to betray him, knowing as he did that Danevitch was on -the alert. - -When several days had passed, and General Kuntzler had been consigned -to his tomb, Danevitch had an interview with his sister, Anna -Ivanorna. She was in a state of great mental excitement and nervous -prostration; and Lydia, the General’s adopted daughter, was also very -ill. Anna was a somewhat remarkable woman. She was a tall, big-boned, -determined-looking individual, with a soured expression of face and -restless gray eyes. Her manner of speaking, her expression of face, and -a certain cynicism, which made itself apparent in her talk, gave one -the notion that she was a disappointed woman. - -‘This is a sad business,’ began Danevitch, after some preliminary -remarks. - -‘Very sad,’ she answered. ‘It has cost my brother his life.’ - -‘He evidently felt it very keenly,’ said Danevitch. - -‘A man must feel a thing keenly to commit suicide, unless he is a -weak-brained fool, incapable of any endurance,’ she replied with a -warmth that amounted almost to fierceness. After a pause, she added: -‘My brother was far from being a fool. He was a strong man--a clever -man.’ - -‘So I understand. Did he make any observation to you before he -committed the rash act?’ - -‘No.’ - -‘Yes, he did, Anna,’ cried out Lydia from the couch on which she was -lying, wrapped in rugs. - -Anna turned upon her angrily, and exclaimed: - -‘How do you know? Hold your tongue. He made no observation, I say.’ - -Lydia was evidently annoyed at being spoken to in such a manner, and -she replied with spirit, as she raised herself on her elbow: - -‘Don’t snap at me like that, Anna. I know perfectly well. My poor -father said over and over again that he had been betrayed, that there -had been a traitor in the house. It was that that distracted him. He -couldn’t bear the thought of it.’ - -‘And who do you suppose the traitor was?’ Anna asked angrily. ‘You are -always thinking wrong of people.’ - -Lydia did not take any notice of this. She lay still, and seemed to be -suffering; keen mental anguish. - -‘Have you any opinion how the robbery was committed?’ asked Danevitch -of Anna. - -‘No.’ - -‘But surely you must have some idea.’ - -‘No, I haven’t.’ - -‘Do you think it possible, now, that such a crime could have been -committed without a confederate in the camp?’ - -‘What do you mean?’ demanded the woman sternly, as though she resented -the bare suspicion which the question implied. - -‘My meaning is plain, surely. An utter stranger to the place could not -have done this deed.’ - -‘I suppose he couldn’t. But whoever did it couldn’t have been an utter -stranger.’ - -‘Do I understand from that that you suggest the culprit or culprits are -people who were employed here?’ - -‘No, I don’t suggest that. But it stands to reason that anyone -undertaking a deed of this kind would be careful to make himself -acquainted with the building.’ - -‘And how do you think he did that?’ - -‘You know as well as I do that the place is open to the public. What is -there to prevent anyone studying the place?’ - -‘Nothing whatever, so far as the public part of it goes. But, unless -with the aid of a confederate, I do not quite see how anyone could -become acquainted with those parts where the public are not admitted.’ - -‘Well, Mr. Danevitch,’ said Anna, with a decisiveness which was meant -to clinch the argument, ‘I am not an expert like you, nor do I know -anything at all about the matter, therefore don’t bother me with any -more questions. I am troubled enough, and have enough on my mind -without this affair. I want to forget it.’ - -‘I make every allowance for you,’ replied Danevitch. ‘I quite -understand that your feelings are lacerated, but I thought it was -within the bounds of possibility that you might be able to throw some -light on the matter. However, I will not disturb you further, but take -my leave.’ - -Anna showed him out with a sigh of relief, and she shut the door with -a bang that indicated too plainly how glad she was to get rid of him. -At this stage, Danevitch writes, he felt in a quandary. There were -certain signs that suggested probabilities, but it was not easy to -determine just then whether or not the signs were anything more than -shadows, by which he might be misled. Speculation and theory were all -he had to guide him, and he was only too well aware that the most -astute of reasoners is apt to be misled. What necessarily concerned -him was the danger of being led out of the true track by a false sign. -He was not indifferent, of course, to the fact that he had made some -progress--that is to say, he had determined pretty conclusively how -the thieves had left the Treasury buildings when once they had secured -their booty. But what was of still greater importance was to discover -how they got in. Could he solve that part of the problem, he felt sure -it would give him many points. - -It was remarkable about Danevitch that, while he was often mistrustful -about his own instincts, he seldom erred. He had made human nature -so close a study that the person who, as the saying is, could have -thrown dust in his eyes would have had to have been preternaturally -clever. He maintained, and proved it over and over again, that the face -was so certain an index to what was passing in the mind that every -thought of the brain was communicated instantly to the features, which -indicated it as unmistakably as a delicately-balanced needle notes -the slightest current of electricity. Of course, it was necessary to -understand these face-signs. That in itself is a science. Indeed, the -power to understand it is a gift, and he who fully possesses it is what -is termed to-day ‘a thought-reader.’ Danevitch did not call himself -that, but he possessed the power in a marked degree, nevertheless; -and no one could be indifferent to the extraordinary strength and -power of his eyes. When he looked at you, you felt somehow as if he -was looking right into your brain. Mr. Gladstone is said to have that -peculiar eye, and it can readily be understood that anyone with guilty -knowledge having to meet the piercing gaze of such an eye is almost -sure to betray himself by face-signs, which to the expert are full of -meaning. Danevitch had brought this study to such perfection that it -proved invaluable to him, and often afforded him a clue which otherwise -he would never have got. Another strong trait in his character was the -persistency with which he stuck to an idea when once he had thought it -out. That, again, was largely responsible for the success that attended -his efforts in the art of solving criminal problems. Of course, -his ideas were generally very sound ones, and the result of much -cogitation. He never jumped to hasty conclusions. - -The foregoing little disquisition is not out of place in view of what -follows, and will certainly add to the reader’s interest. - -About three weeks after that interview between Danevitch and Anna -Ivanorna, three men were seated in a restaurant situated in what is -known as the Zemlidnoi-gorod, which, being interpreted, means ‘earthen -town,’ and it is so called because at one time it was surrounded -by an earthen rampart. This part of Moscow contains a number of -drinking-places, spirit-stores, shops, cafés and restaurants. The -one in which the three men were seated was a very typical Russian -fifth-rate house. The ceiling was black with smoke. Flimsy and frouzy -curtains hung at the windows; the floor was sanded; long, rough, -wooden tables, forms, and common chairs constituted the furniture. At -one end of the room was a small counter, covered with lead, on which -stood sundry bottles, glasses, and plates of caviare and sandwiches; at -the other end was the indispensable stove--a huge affair with a massive -convoluted iron flue, that was suggestive of a boa constrictor. - -The night being very cold, the three men were crowded round the stove, -engaged in deep and earnest conversation. Two of the men were young; -one about two or three and twenty, the other a year or two older. -They were well dressed, and apparently belonged to a class not given -to frequenting drinking-places of that kind. The third man was of a -somewhat striking appearance. He was swarthy as a gipsy--a black beard -and moustache, black eyes, black hair, cropped close to the skull. In -his ears he wore small gold rings, and his style, manner, and dress -proclaimed him unmistakably a seafaring man. - -Presently the glazed door of the shop swung open, and a Jew tumbled in. -He was heavily bearded; on his head was a small black, tightly-fitting -skull-cap. He wore long boots, with his trousers, which were very -baggy, tucked into the tops, and a fur-lined coat, which must have been -in existence for a generation at least. He divested himself of this -coat and hung it on a peg, and then ordered vodka and caviare. - -The three men ceased their conversation when the stranger entered; and -he, when he had finished his repast, rose, and with somewhat unsteady -gait, as if he had been drinking, walked to the stove and asked if he -might be allowed a seat there. The other three, with by no means good -grace, made room for him. The seafaring man was smoking a very black, -very strong cigar. The Jew produced from his pocket a huge pipe, and, -filling it with coarse tobacco, asked the seafarer for a light, which -was given. When his pipe was fairly in swing, he said to the man with -the cigar: - -‘Unless I’m mistaken, you reek of the salt sea.’ - -‘I suppose I do,’ answered the other brusquely. ‘Any way, I’ve been -soaked with it often enough. Where are you from?’ - -‘Constantinople.’ - -‘So. A trader, I suppose?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘What do you trade in?’ - -‘Anything on earth, so long as it will turn me in money.’ - -‘Bah!’ sneered one of the young men--‘just like you Jew dogs. It’s -always money with you--money, money. It’s your only prayer.’ - -‘In that respect I’m not sure that there is much difference between the -Jew dog and the grasping Christian. But I don’t want to quarrel with -you. I’m a stranger in the town. Will you drink at my expense?’ - -‘Yes,’ answered the three as one man. - -So drink was ordered, and for a time the conversation was friendly and -general, and when it flagged a little the Jew said: - -‘That’s a curious robbery that has taken place lately.’ - -‘What robbery?’ asked one of the young men, eyeing the Jew keenly. - -‘The robbery of the Crown jewels.’ - -‘Oh yes; very curious.’ - -‘By Father Abraham!’ exclaimed the Jew, with a great puffing out of his -breath, ‘but I should like to call some of the precious stones mine. -The God of Jacob! I wonder what has become of them. They haven’t caught -the thieves yet, I suppose?’ - -‘No,’ was the curt answer. - -‘Ah! they are clever fellows; must be wonderfully clever to do such a -deed. But I expect they’ll be laid by the heels yet.’ - -‘No fear,’ answered one of the youngsters. ‘You can depend upon it they -know what they are about.’ - -‘Ah! just so, just so,’ mused the Jew--‘just so. It’s a clever bit of -business--clever, clever; by God it is! I wonder, now, what has become -of those jewels. They are worth risking body and soul for.’ - -‘I say, stranger,’ remarked the seafarer, ‘you had better be careful -what you say, or you may land yourself in trouble.’ - -‘True, true, true!’ moaned the Jew. ‘But, God in heaven, only to think -of all those precious gems! It almost turns one’s brain.’ - -He sank into a moody silence, and stared fixedly at the stove, as -though he was dreaming dreams about the gems. The other three men -conversed in low tones for a little time, until the two younger ones -rose up, said ‘Good-night,’ and left, for the hour was getting late. -Then the Jew seemed suddenly to wake up from his reverie, and he asked -the seafarer if he was going. - -‘No; I am lodging here,’ was the answer. - -‘So. That reminds me. Landlord, can I have a bed?’ - -He was told he could. There was some haggling about the price to be -paid, but the matter was amicably settled in the end, and the Jew -invited the seafarer to have some more vodka. True to the traditions of -his kind the world over, the sailor man accepted the invitation, and -the two sat drinking until the landlord came to remind them it was time -they retired. - -The sailor was pretty far gone in his cups, and the Jew offered to -assist him up the stairs to bed. With some difficulty the pair managed -to mount the greasy, rickety stairs to where the sleeping chambers -were, and the Jew accompanied the sailor man to his room, and then from -his capacious pocket he produced a bottle of vodka, and they set to -work to discuss it. Presently the Jew murmured in a maudlin way, as his -thoughts still ran upon the gems: - -‘By Father Abraham, but it was a big haul! Why, there must have been a -million roubles’ worth of them.’ - -‘Of what?’ asked the skipper, who, though pretty well soaked, seemed to -have his wits about him. - -‘The stolen jewels,’ mumbled the Jew. ‘I would buy every one of them at -a price; I would, so help me God!’ - -‘Now, what price would you give?’ - -‘How could I tell--how could I tell, unless I saw them?’ - -The sailor man became thoughtful and silent, and the Jew sank down in a -corner like a sack, mumbling incoherently guttural sentences, in which -the words ‘gems, jewels, gold,’ predominated. Presently the sailor was -overcome by his potations, and stretching himself on the bed, boots and -all, was soon snoring in drunken sleep. A couple of hours later the Jew -crept from the room, sought his own chamber, and was speedily sound -asleep in the bed. - -The next morning the two men drank their tea together, and having -lighted one of his long black cigars, the sailor invited the Jew forth -into the city. - -‘You say you are from Constantinople?’ asked the sailor, as they walked -together. - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Do you reside there?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘In what part?’ - -‘The Jews’ quarter.’ - -‘And, I suppose, like all your tribe, you don’t know your own wealth?’ - -The Jew sighed dolefully. - -‘Alas, alas!’ he exclaimed; ‘by Abraham in heaven, I swear I am very -poor.’ - -‘Ah! you all say that.’ - -‘It’s true, it’s true. But why do you ask?’ - -‘Oh, nothing; only, if you had been rich, I might have put something in -your way by which you could have doubled your riches.’ - -‘What is it? What is it?’ cried the Jew eagerly. ‘Tell me; I can get -money. Thousands, tens of thousands, millions of roubles, if needs be. -But tell me what it is. I want to grow rich; I want money--want it by -sackfuls. It is my dream; I worship it.’ - -‘Ah,’ grunted the sailor, with a smack of his lips, ‘you are all alike. -Have you any friends in Moscow?’ - -‘No; I am a stranger. I have come to trade. I will lend money at -interest on good security, or I will buy anything that I can sell -again.’ - -The sailor became very thoughtful. He puffed away at his rank cigar -like a man who was deeply absorbed, and the Jew ambled on by his side, -mumbling to himself. Presently the sailor addressed him: - -‘Do you stay in the same lodgings to-night?’ - -‘I do.’ - -‘Good. I’ll meet you at nine o’clock, and may be able to put something -in your way. I must leave you now.’ - -‘Count on me,’ said the Jew. ‘If we can do a deal together, I’ll put -money in your purse.’ - -‘You bet you will! You don’t suppose I’m going to serve you without -serving myself. I don’t love your race enough for that. It’s a matter -of convenience. But till to-night, adieu.’ - -‘By the way, how are you called?’ - -‘I am known as Captain Blok. I command a small trader doing business in -the Black Sea.’ - -‘Where is she now?’ - -‘She is being overhauled at Azov.’ - -‘Will you be alone to-night?’ - -‘No. The two friends you saw last night may be with me.’ - -‘Good. This looks like business. I will meet you without fail.’ - -The sailor went off, and the Jew continued his jaunt through the -town. When nine o’clock came, it found him by the big stove in the -restaurant. There were several other customers there, but he held aloof -from them, for one had a little before called him ‘a dog of a Jew,’ -saying he had no business to be there amongst Christians, and tried to -pick a quarrel with him. As a quarter-past nine struck, Captain Blok -entered. He was alone. He addressed a few preliminary remarks to the -Jew, then requested that he would follow him to his bedroom. - -‘What is your name, Jew?’ asked Blok, as he shut the door. - -‘Nikolai--Israel Nikolai.’ - -‘Are you a Russian?’ - -‘I was born in Poland, but have been trading in Constantinople and the -Levant for many years.’ - -‘You are good for a deal in a big way?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘And can be secret?’ - -‘As the grave.’ - -At this point the door opened, and Blok’s companions of the previous -night entered. They looked at Blok inquiringly, then at the Jew -suspiciously. - -‘He’s right,’ said Blok. Then turning to the Jew, he continued: ‘Now -look here, Israel Nikolai, you say you can command money?’ - -‘Yes, to any extent.’ - -‘Very well; now, we’ve got some stuff to sell, and we are going to take -you to see it. The stuff is contraband, therefore you must be careful. -And if you play us false, just as sure as God Almighty is up in heaven, -your throat will be cut, and your dirty carcase will be flung into the -river Maskva.’ - -The Jew smote his breast, and wailed out with passionate eagerness: - -‘Trust me--trust me! To those whom I serve, I am as stanch as steel.’ - -‘That’s right. Now, then, come with us.’ - -The four men descended the greasy staircase, and went forth into the -street. It was an intensely dark night. A few hazy stars were alone -visible in the black sky. The street-lamps in that part were very poor -affairs, and gave but little light. The four proceeded for a short -distance; then Blok said: - -‘Nikolai, before we go any further, you must let us blindfold you.’ - -The Jew protested, but at last yielded, and a thick scarf was bound -about his eyes. Then one of the men took his hand and led him. They -walked along in silence for quite half an hour, until, by the sound of -flowing water, the Jew knew he was near the river. A halt was made. -There was the grating of keys in a lock, a door was opened, and Israel -was led forward into a passage, while the door was locked and barred. -He was then taken down a flight of stairs, where the bandage was -removed from his eyes, and a light was procured. He found himself in -a cellar, with an arched brick roof, from which water dripped, while -the floor of red brick was slimy and foul. The place was furnished with -a single trestle table and a stool or two. In one corner was a large -trunk, bound with cowhide. This was opened, and some bundles lifted -out, placed on the table, and untied, and there were revealed to the -wondering Jew heaps of precious stones, including diamonds, rubies, -amethysts, pearls, sapphires, turquoises. At the sight of the gems -the Jew rubbed his hands together, and his eyes glistened with almost -unnatural brilliancy. - -‘Father Abraham!’ he exclaimed. ‘What wealth! what a fortune! Are they -all real? Let me feel them; let me examine them.’ - -Blok so held the lamp that its rays were thrown full on to the heaps of -gems, and the three men watched the Jew’s every movement. He examined -the stones carefully, picked out some of the finest, weighing them in -his hands, holding them close to the light so as to see them better, -then placing them in little heaps. - -A full hour was spent in this way. But few remarks were made, though -every now and again the Jew broke into an exclamation of delight. At -length Blok asked Nikolai what he thought of them. - -‘Splendid! wonderful! magnificent!’ was the gasped answer. - -‘Now, then, are you open to trade?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘Will you buy the lot?’ - -‘At what figure?’ - -‘A million roubles.’ - -The Jew started back with a look of disgust on his face. - -‘It is too much--too much!’ he almost screamed. ‘They are not worth it.’ - -‘You lie, you dog!’ put in one of the young men. ‘You know they are -worth a good deal more. But we want to sell them quickly, and you shall -have them as a bargain for a million roubles.’ - -Nikolai groaned, swore, protested, declared by all the fathers that the -price was outrageous, and at last, when he had exhausted himself, he -wound up by offering seventy-five thousand roubles for the lot. After -much haggling, the three men agreed to take the price, and Nikolai said -he would go next day to the Bank of Moscow, to which he had letters, -and draw the money, and it was arranged that the four men were to meet -the following night outside of the restaurant, and proceed again to the -cellar, where the money would be exchanged for the jewels. And Blok -added: - -‘As soon as the bargain’s completed, you had better clear out. You can -travel with me to Azov, if you like, and I’ll give you a cheap passage -to Constantinople.’ - -The Jew turned to Blok, with a glance full of meaning, and replied: - -‘I may sail with you, but I’ll send my jewels a safer way.’ - -The business, so far, being concluded, Nikolai was once more -blindfolded. The lamp was extinguished, and they all left the house -together. After going some distance, the bandage was removed from the -Jew’s eyes. The two young men went away, and Blok and Israel continued -their walk to their lodgings. - -The following morning Nikolai told Blok that he was going to the bank -to arrange about the money, but that the deal would have to take place -that evening in their bedroom at the café, as he would not trust -himself with them in the cellar with so much money about him. To this -Blok answered that the transaction would have to be arranged in the -cellar, that everything would be perfectly square and fair. - -Reluctantly the Jew yielded, and went away. He met the captain again in -the evening at the restaurant, and Blok anxiously inquired if he had -got the money, whereupon the Jew pulled from a deep pocket inside his -vest a bundle of notes, the sight of which caused the captain’s eyes to -sparkle. - -A little later they set off, being met on the route by the two young -men. Nikolai resolutely declined to be blindfolded again. He said there -was no necessity for it. He also warned his companions that he was well -armed, and was prepared to resent any treachery. They laughed, and -said he was a fool not to see that they were anxious to trade, and not -likely to offer violence, which would imperil their own safety. - -The house by the river was at last reached. It had formerly been a -store of some sort, but had apparently long been untenanted, and was -falling into decay. One of the young men had inserted the key into the -lock of the door, and was about to turn it, when a whistle was blown, -and almost as if it was by magic the four found themselves surrounded -by armed men, who seemed to come through the earth. Before they could -offer the slightest resistance, Blok and the two young men were seized -and ironed, and a guard set over them. Then a police officer, the Jew, -and three or four other men, entered the premises, descended to the -cellar, and, having ascertained that the gems were in the trunk, they -bore the trunk out, and placed it on a cart that was in readiness, and -under a strong escort the stolen jewels were conveyed to the Treasury, -where several high officials were waiting to receive them; and Blok -and his companions realized that they had been tricked, trapped, and -betrayed by the ‘dog of a Jew,’ who was none other than Danevitch. - -He says it was one of the proudest moments of his life, for his part -had been played with consummate art, and his triumph was complete. It -remains now to explain how he managed to get on the track of his men, -and net them so cleverly. - -After his interview with Anna Ivanorna, he began to think that she -could throw some light on the mystery if she liked, and he had her -shadowed. He ascertained from Lydia that Ivanorna had a son about -five-and-twenty. He had paid court to Lydia, but she did not like him. -A few months before the robbery this young man had spent a fortnight -with his mother during the temporary absence of General Kuntzler. -His mother was blindly devoted to him, although he was known to be -an idle, dissolute vagabond. He had been well educated, and had once -held a position in the Post Office, but had been discharged for some -irregularity. His name was Peter, and one night, some days after the -robbery, he and his mother were seen to meet in a lonely part of the -suburbs. - -From that moment a close watch was kept on Peter’s movements, and it -was ascertained that he was associated with another young man, called -Maiefski. They were always together, and in a little while were joined -by Blok, who was Peter’s half-cousin. The old disused store on the -banks of the river was taken in Maiefski’s name, ostensibly to store -grain there; but little by little the gems from the stolen articles, -which were ruthlessly broken up, were conveyed from a house in the -Kremlin which Peter rented to the place on the river bank. - -Blok had secured lodgings in the miserable restaurant in the poor -quarter of the earthen city, as he hoped thereby to escape attracting -any notice. At this restaurant the three rascals were in the habit of -meeting. Then it was that Danevitch, being sure of his ground, assumed -so successfully the rôle of the Jew. - -On the night when he and Captain Blok staggered up to the latter’s -room, Danevitch was perfectly sober, although he assumed the gait and -manner of an intoxicated person. When Blok had gone to sleep, Danevitch -searched his person, and in a pocket-book found letters of a most -compromising character. They seemed to show that the first idea was -that the three men were to travel singly to Azov, each man carrying -as many of the gems as he could without causing suspicions. They were -to be deposited on Blok’s vessel, and when all was ready Blok and his -companions were to sail away to Constantinople, where they hoped to -dispose of the gems, but if not, they were to take a journey to Persia, -where precious stones could always be sold. - -The appearance of the Jew on the scene altered their plans, and they -thought if they could only get him to buy them their risk would be -greatly lessened, and the moment they touched the money they were -prepared to clear out, and seek safety in some other country. Their -little scheme, however, was entirely frustrated, thanks to the -cleverness of Danevitch. - -At Peter’s lodgings the battered gold of the stolen property was found, -but ultimately the Polish crown was restored almost to its original -state, and may still be seen in the museum at Moscow. - -As the plot of the robbery was gradually unfolded, it was proved that -Anna Ivanorna was the victim of her perfidious son. She was a weak, -rather stupid woman--at any rate, where he was concerned--and she fell -a victim to his wiles and wickedness. If she did not actually assist -him, she shut her eyes while he made wax impressions of various keys, -and on the night of the robbery she unquestionably helped him and his -companion, Maiefski, who was secretly admitted. It is possible that, -when Kuntzler heard of the crime, he had some suspicion that his -sister knew something about it, and, unable to face the awful shame of -exposure, he took his life. - -Neither Maximoff nor his subordinates had anything to do with -the robbery. They were all exonerated after a most exhaustive -investigation, which led to the conviction of the guilty parties, who, -with the exception of Anna, were sent to the Siberian mines for life. -She was condemned to ten years’ incarceration in the prison fortress of -Schlusselburgh. That was practically a living death. - - - - -THE STRANGE STORY OF A SECRET TREATY. - - -‘I received orders,’ says Danevitch, ‘to proceed without delay to the -official residence in St. Petersburg of Prince Ignatof,[A] who was then -Minister of Foreign Affairs. He had the reputation of being one of the -most powerful Ministers who had ever held the position in Russia. It -was said of him, as it used to be said of Bismarck, that he was a man -of blood and iron. He was dead to emotion; he had no nerves; he was -pitiless; he was anti-everything that wasn’t Russian; but he was also a -born diplomatist--clever, brilliant, unscrupulous, far-seeing, polished -as a rapier, and as deadly as a rapier when occasion called for it. - -‘Such was the common report about him, and no doubt it was, in the -main, true. He was a widower, with one grown-up daughter. There was a -deadly feud, however, between them, and he had disowned her, as she -had chosen to marry against his will, and very much beneath her, as -her father averred. Her husband was in the consular service. His name -was Kasin; he was a member of a middle-class family who had made money -in trade; but Kasin himself was said to be poor, and almost entirely -dependent upon his salary. - -‘These facts were common property, and naturally it must have caused -the Prince great annoyance to know that his daughter’s name was in -everyone’s mouth, and that she was vulgarly referred to as the wife of -a poor devil of a consul, who found it difficult to rub two roubles -together. Caste is very strong in Russia, and the line of demarcation -separating class from class is exceedingly well defined. - -‘The Prince was an utter stranger to me; I had heard much about him, -but had never seen him. On being ushered into his bureau, I beheld a -small-made, delicate-looking man, with a remarkable and striking face. -The mouth was small and firm; the nose prominent; the eyes deep-set, -and of exceptional brilliancy; the eyebrows were thin, but well -defined; and the forehead, in proportion to the small, sharply-cut -features, seemed enormous. He was slightly bald in front, and such hair -as he had was turning gray. His face was clean-shaven. When his lips -parted, he revealed a splendid set of teeth, absolutely without a flaw. - -‘As I looked upon this remarkable man, everything I had heard about -his personal character seemed to me to be more than confirmed. It was -impossible to study the mouth without feeling that it was capable of -uttering cruel, cutting, bitter things. It was no less impossible not -to understand that the small, brilliant eyes could peer into men’s -brains, and almost read their secret thoughts. Every line of his face, -every feature, every glance, indicated an iron, a relentless, will; and -when he spoke, the smooth, incisive tones confirmed this. His hands -were small, well shaped, but sinewy, as were his wrists. This was no -doubt due to many years’ practice with the sword and the foil. He was -a noted swordsman, had fought many duels, and had always succeeded in -either severely wounding or killing his man. Physically and mentally -he could be a deadly antagonist; one glance at him was sufficient to -determine that fact, for fact it was. - -‘He was perusing a document as I entered. He glanced over the edge of -the paper, motioned me to be seated, and went on reading. - -‘For ten minutes the silence was unbroken, save for the rustle of the -paper as he turned over the leaves. Only a man of very pronounced -characteristics could have remained silent so long under such -circumstances. - -‘He finished his manuscript, folded it up, and placed it in a safe. -Then he condescended to address me. - -‘“You have the reputation of being able to unravel mysteries when other -men fail?” he commenced. - -‘I could only bow to this. - -‘He drew an elegant little penknife from his pocket, and began to trim -his nails, but I noted that all the time his piercing eyes were fixed -on me. - -‘“You are reliable?” was his next remark. - -‘It was put in the form of a question. In other men the remark might -have seemed commonplace. Coming from the Prince’s lips, it was full of -meaning; it even covered a menace. That is to say, it carried with it -the implication, “Woe betide you if you are not!” - -‘“If I were otherwise,” I answered, “I should not occupy the position I -do.” - -‘“True,” he replied. “Now, the matter in which I am going to enlist -your services is a delicate one.” - -‘He paused, and fixed his eyes upon me again, and toyed daintily with -the penknife. - -‘“I have had to do with many delicate cases,” I said. - -‘“Ah! And have been successful?” - -‘“More frequently than not.” - -‘“You’ve been employed in Government business before?” - -‘“Yes,” I answered shortly, as I felt somewhat annoyed at the manner in -which he put his questions. - -‘“I am impressed with you,” he was good enough to say. - -‘I returned no answer to that, merely making a very formal motion of -the head. - -‘“Our little introduction places us _en rapport_ with each other,” he -continued, closing the blade of his penknife with a snap. Even this -remark was pregnant with meaning. It really meant that he understood -me, or believed that he did. “And now I will tell you the business.” - -‘He had been standing up to this moment, but here he seated himself, -crossed his legs, and thrust his hands into his pockets. To the -ordinary observer he would have appeared as the most unconcerned person -in the world, but I could not fail to see that he was a master in the -art of restraint. It was not difficult to determine that, beneath -the cold, passionless, immobile face was tremendous anxiety, and a -suppressed nervous energy, that could only be kept in subjection by -extraordinary will-power. - -‘“A special, confidential, and trusted courier,” he continued, “arrived -here yesterday afternoon, and placed in my hands the draft of a secret -treaty of the very greatest importance.” - -‘Here he paused again, and looked at me in his peculiar manner, as -if he was trying to thoroughly understand how I was affected by the -information he was giving me. Or, on the other hand, it might have been -that he had not quite made up his mind whether or not I was a fit and -proper person to be entrusted with State business of such a momentous -nature. - -‘“Pray proceed, Prince,” I said, with the greatest unconcern. - -‘“Bah!” he muttered, almost inaudibly, allowing irritation to display -itself for a brief instant. His irritation arose, I inferred, because -he failed to read me as easily as he imagined he could do. Perhaps -that was not quite the case, but it was something of the kind. The -exclamation had scarcely left his lips when he broke into a smile--a -cold, cynical smile, but full of meaning. “That draft has been stolen,” -he added abruptly, and watched to see what effect that announcement -would have upon me. - -‘But I merely said: - -‘“I anticipated that.” - -‘“Why?” he asked sharply. - -‘“By your manner, Prince.” - -‘He smiled again, and said caustically: - -‘“I didn’t know I was so shallow, and could be so easily fathomed. But -pardon me; I had forgotten for the moment that you are a master in your -craft. We shall get on together. Yes, you are clever; the draft has -been stolen. What that means you will better understand when I tell you -that it may possibly plunge this country into war.” - -‘“I recognise the seriousness of the matter, Prince,” I said, “and, -seeing how very serious it is, I would suggest that there should be no -restraint, no reserve. If I am to be of use, I must not only have a -free hand, but be trusted absolutely.” - -‘“You are right, you are right,” he replied quickly. “But the whole -business is fraught with such terrible potentialities that extreme -caution is needed.” - -‘He rose, and paced up and down for some moments, still keeping his -hands in his pockets. His face betrayed no agitation, but his manner -did. Nevertheless, his self-restraint was very remarkable. I waited for -him to continue the conversation, and presently he stopped and faced me. - -‘“Ah, yes!” he said, speaking in an absorbed way. “Well, these are -the particulars: The courier, who had been travelling night and day, -arrived, as I have already said, yesterday afternoon, and delivered -to me a draft of a treaty. Having perused it, I placed it in a -despatch-box and locked the box in that safe; but, notwithstanding the -precaution, it has been stolen.” - -‘“The box?” I asked. - -‘“No; the treaty only.” - -‘“When did you make that discovery?” - -‘“This morning.” - -‘“At what time?” - -‘“Soon after eight o’clock.” - -‘He did not proceed to give me all the particulars in narrative form, -as another person might have done, but I had to drag them from him, so -to speak, by question and answer. - -‘“Where did the courier come from, Prince?” I asked. - -‘“Bulgaria.” - -‘“Was he aware of the importance of the despatches he carried?” - -‘“Certainly.” - -‘“You don’t doubt his honesty, I suppose?” - -‘“I don’t see the slightest reason for doing so. He is one of the best -men in the service.” - -‘“Has he been here since?” - -‘“No. He was excessively fatigued with his long and trying journey, and -being relieved of his responsibility, he said he should sleep for the -next twenty-four hours.” - -‘“I suppose you have caused a search to be made?” - -‘“No,” answered the Prince, with great decisiveness; “what was the use -of doing that? The thief who steals a State document of that kind is -not likely to leave much trace behind.” - -‘“Of course a good many persons have access to your establishment?” - -‘“Yes--that is, to the business part of the establishment; but my -official residence is private; and this bureau is sacred to myself; no -one but very privileged people can enter here.” - -‘“Do you suspect anyone?” - -‘“No. It’s a mystery.” - -‘“But is it clear that, whoever the person is, he must have been well -acquainted with this place?” - -‘“Yes,” answered the Prince thoughtfully, as he stroked his chin. - -‘“He must also have known that the draft had been delivered to you?” - -‘“True, true,” the Minister responded, with increased thoughtfulness. - -‘“That argues that he was behind the scenes; he knew a good deal of -what was going on, and was particularly well acquainted with the -importance of the treaty.” - -‘“Obviously.” - -‘“And the document has been stolen for political purposes?” - -‘“Obviously, again.” - -‘“Or the thief, being a traitor to his country, if he belongs to this -country, was actuated by mercenary motives only, and stole the draft to -sell it to our enemies?” - -‘The Prince fixed his eye upon me again, and answered very slowly, and -with emphasis on every word: - -‘“It might be so--perhaps it is so.” - -‘“Very well,” I said. “Now, Prince, I must ask you to let your mind -dwell upon everyone in touch with you, and tell me if there is a -single one of them against whom you might justifiably entertain some -suspicion.” - -‘“There is no one,” he answered, after a thoughtful pause. - -‘“And yet an utter stranger to the place could hardly have committed -such a theft?” I suggested. - -‘“That seems a feasible theory.” - -‘“You’ve no reason to suppose, Prince,” I asked, “that the despatch-box -was opened on the bare chance of its containing something of value?” - -‘“No. My deliberate opinion is the thief wanted that draft, and that -alone. He is an enemy--a traitor; and if he can be identified the -penalty of his crime will be death.” - -‘“If your opinion is right, the thief, of course, must have known the -draft of the treaty was there?” - -‘“Quite so.” - -‘“Who was likely to have known it, do you think?” - -‘Another long pause ensued before the Prince answered. Then he said: - -‘“Legitimately, very few indeed. It is one of the State secrets. There -are many people who come and go here, and an alert traitor might learn -much. I see no sign to guide me. Clearly enough, the thief must have -been in possession of certain information supposed to be known to this -bureau alone, and he has availed himself of the knowledge to purloin a -document of extraordinary political importance. Heaven and earth will -have to be moved to stop the thief leaving the country; but, what is of -more consequence, he must be prevented sending the document away, or -any abstract of it.” - -‘“That is easily said,” I remarked, with a smile, for he seemed to me -to be underrating the difficulties of the case. - -‘“And it must be done,” came from him in a tone so commanding, so -authoritative, so decisive, that it revealed the man in his true -character. Moreover, his face wore a look of iron determination, and -his eyes appeared to glow with a strange, almost unnatural, light. -After a pause, he added: “You have the resources of an empire behind -you--a well-organized police force, an army of spies, the telegraph -system. These things, added to your own skill, should enable you to -bring the miscreant to justice, and save the State secret from passing -to our enemies.” - -‘He spoke with a great deal of subdued force, and I could see that his -mental anxiety was painful; and yet there was an outward semblance -of calm. The extraordinary power of self-subjection which the man -possessed enabled him to almost entirely hide the nervous excitement -which would have entirely overcome any ordinary man. - -‘The situation was certainly a singularly trying one; for here was a -responsible minister of the Crown, who, being entrusted with a State -document of stupendous importance, had to confess to its having been -stolen within twenty-four hours of its coming into his possession. -There appeared to have been great carelessness somewhere, and I -could see that the Prince was terribly anxious, in spite of his -self-possession. - -‘“You say that the document was delivered to you yesterday afternoon, -Prince?” I remarked, for I found it necessary to still question, in -order to make clear certain points which were very necessary for my -own guidance, and his natural reticence kept him from giving me every -detail right off. - -‘“Yes,” he answered shortly, as though he considered the question -superfluous, for he had already told me what I now wanted repeating, -but I intended that the question should lead up to others. - -‘“How long did the courier remain with you after he had delivered the -papers into your hands?” - -‘“Not more than five minutes.” - -‘“When he left did anyone else come into your bureau?” - -‘“No.” - -‘“You perused the document, of course?” - -‘“I did. And to-day it was to have been laid before his Majesty the -Emperor.” - -‘“How long did you remain here after the departure of your courier?” - -‘“An hour.” - -‘“And you are sure nobody came in during that time?” - -‘“Absolutely certain.” - -‘“And are you as certain, Prince, that nobody was concealed in the room -without your knowing it?” - -‘The question seemed to startle him, but in an instant he controlled -himself again, and, with a cold smile, remarked, as he glanced round -the room: - -‘“I am quite as certain. You can see for yourself that there is no -place where a person could conceal himself.” - -‘I had to admit that that was so. - -‘“If I have not misunderstood you,” I went on, “when you had perused -the document, you placed it in the despatch-box?” - -‘“I did. Both safe and box were afterwards locked. I locked them -myself, and took the keys with me.” - -‘“When did you discover the loss?” - -‘“About an hour and a half ago.” - -‘“Had the lock of the safe been tampered with?” - -‘“Not at all.” - -‘“It was intact?” - -‘“Certainly.” - -‘“And the despatch-box?” - -‘“That was intact also.” - -‘“Then, both safe and box must have been opened with keys that fitted -them?” - -‘“That is obvious.” - -‘“Are there any duplicate keys in existence?” - -‘“Yes; there are duplicate keys of all the despatch-boxes and all the -safes in this department, but they are in possession of the Emperor -himself. They are kept to guard against any possible contingency.” - -‘“But presumably it would be very difficult for any unauthorized person -to obtain possession of them?” - -‘“I should say that the difficulties in the way are so great that we -may dismiss it as being practically impossible.” - -‘“That throws us back, then, on the theory that somebody must have got -possession of your keys.” - -‘“There, again, the difficulties are so great that I cannot think it -possible. Come with me, and I will show you the safeguards that are -adopted.” - -‘I followed him out of the room. At the door of his bureau was an armed -sentry. We traversed a long corridor. On each side were doors. At the -end of the corridor another sentry was posted. We gained a large square -hall, where several liveried servants stood. Two came forward, and -partly drew aside the massive velvet curtains hung before the marble -stairs; these stairs were covered with massive carpet, into which the -feet sank. - -‘On the landings more liveried servants were posted. We passed along -a carpeted passage to the Prince’s official residence, and entered a -magnificent room, and thence into a luxuriously furnished boudoir, -where a lady sat alone, perusing a book. For a moment she did not -notice me, as I was some little distance behind the Prince, and partly -screened by the velvet portière at the door. She jumped up, and was -about to throw her arms around his neck, but catching sight of me, she -blushed, drew back, and said to him: - -‘“I did not expect you so soon.” - -‘“I am engaged on some important business, Catarina,” he replied, a -little brusquely. “You had better retire for a time.” - -‘Without another word she withdrew. She was a young woman, about four -or five-and-twenty, and one of the few I have seen whose beauty might -be said to be without blemish. Complexion, features, eyes, teeth, lips, -hair--the whole figure was perfect. She was ravishing--a woman for whom -a man would have perilled his soul. - -‘From the boudoir we entered a spacious and magnificently arranged and -furnished sleeping apartment. In one corner was a large cupboard. The -Prince drew a peculiarly constructed key from his pocket, opened the -door, and flung it back, remarking as he did so: - -‘“That door is of steel. In that niche in the cupboard all my keys are -deposited every night. The door is then secured, and the key of the -door, together with many other keys, are given into the charge of the -confidential clerk, Vladimir Nicolayeff. He is an institution here, and -has been in the Government service upwards of forty years.” - -‘“Does he reside on the premises?” I asked the Prince. - -‘“He does,” was the answer; “and you will now see how difficult it is, -with all these precautions, for anyone to abstract the keys.” - -‘In answer to this, I could not refrain from remarking: - -‘“And yet, Prince, there is the hard fact that your safe and -despatch-box have been opened, and a State document stolen.” - -‘He looked very thoughtful and grave as he replied somewhat sternly: - -‘“That is so. And what you have got to do is to endeavour to find out -how they have been opened, who opened them, and where the papers have -gone to. Please commence your work at once, as every hour’s delay is in -favour of the thief.” - -‘“You must pardon me, Prince,” I remarked; “but I have a few more -questions to ask, and you must allow me to work in my own way.” - -‘“Oh, certainly!” he exclaimed, a little peevishly, which somewhat -astonished me, having regard to the way he had controlled himself so -far; but it was another indication of the anxiety that was consuming -him. - -‘Nor was it to be wondered at, for he himself had hinted that if this -State secret was made known to the enemies of Russia it was quite -within the bounds of possibility that war might ensue.[B] - -‘No man, much less the Prince, could have been indifferent to that, for -it was an open political secret that Russia at that moment was far from -being in a fit condition to take the field against a powerful foe. The -signs of the times pointed to a coming conflict at no distant date, and -fully aware of that, it was known, or believed, that the Prince, who -was intensely patriotic, intensely ambitious, and no less intensely -desirous of enormously expanding the Czar’s dominions, had been making -herculean efforts to consolidate the Empire, and gain the allegiance, -or at least the neutrality, of certain States, without which Russia’s -aims might, and in all probability would, be frustrated. Bearing all -this in mind, the reader will be at no loss to understand how a man -like the Prince would be distressed by the danger which confronted him; -for if anyone did know, he certainly did, that the internal weakness -of Russia was too great just then for a responsible Minister to risk a -great war. - -‘By further questioning the Prince, I ascertained that he had a private -and confidential secretary, in addition to twelve ordinary secretaries. -But not one of them was admitted to the private bureau, where for -the time being the State papers were deposited, without the Prince’s -permission. His official business was transacted in another department, -and the inner sanctum sanctorum was in a measure sacred to the Prince -himself. A sentry was always posted at the door, and he had strict -orders to allow no one to enter who had not special business, and who -was not furnished with a pass. - -‘Being hedged round with these precautions, it seemed very difficult to -comprehend how anyone could have gained access to the room in order to -obtain possession of the precious documents. In constructing a theory, -there were many points that could not possibly be overlooked. The -chief of them was the all but absolute certainty that there had been a -conspiracy, and a traitor and a spy was in the camp. He had known of -the negotiations that were going on with respect to the treaty; he knew -that the special courier was travelling post-haste to Russia; that the -draft was delivered into the Prince’s hands, and deposited temporarily -in the Prince’s safe, where all documents relating to the Prince’s -department--that is, political documents--requiring the Foreign -Minister’s close personal attention were placed for his convenience. - -‘In the case of a document of such paramount importance as this secret -treaty, no copy of it could be made at first. This was another point -the thief was obviously aware of, and it was also certain that he -must have been pressed for time, or he would have made a copy of the -draft himself, or extracts from it, which it was presumable might have -answered all the purposes for which the document had been stolen. Such -a course would not only have prevented the hue and cry being raised, -but all the resources of a great Empire being put in motion against him. - -‘Examining the matter in this light, the question necessarily arose, -Who was there who, having access to the Foreign Office, was enabled, in -spite of all the stringent regulations and safeguards, to penetrate to -the very centre of the temple--if one may use such an expression--and -carry off a secret which was known to comparatively few people? - -‘This question was, of course, the crux of the whole affair, but I felt -satisfied in my own mind about one thing. The guilty person was someone -who knew the working of the Foreign Office, was well acquainted with -the internal arrangements, and in close contact with the Prince. It -need scarcely be said, perhaps, that the Prince was exceedingly anxious -to prevent the matter leaking out and becoming public property. It -would necessarily have caused great excitement and grave anxiety, and -I agreed with him that on many grounds it was highly desirable to keep -it from the public. - -‘There was one other point I ought to refer to, and it is a very -important one; the theft was clearly committed during the night, or, at -any rate, after business hours. On the first view that might seem to -narrow the inquiry somewhat, though, as a matter of fact, it presented -the affair in a more complex aspect; but, on the other hand, it seemed -to me to point conclusively to several persons being concerned. - -‘In setting to work to read the riddle, I proceeded on the analytical -principle, and searched, to begin with, for the motive. That seemed -very apparent. Firstly, it was a secret treaty; secondly, it was framed -against Turkey; thirdly, it was conceivable that it was of vital -importance to Turkey to know what the treaty was likely to do, what it -aimed at; therefore, somebody in the pay of Turkey, or somebody as a -speculation, had stolen the document with a view to pecuniary gain. - -‘The latter supposition seemed to me hardly tenable--at any rate, not -so likely as the idea that Turkey had her spies even in the Russian -Foreign Office. I don’t mean to say these spies were Turks themselves. -As can be understood, it would have been next to impossible for a Turk -to have gained entrance to the Foreign Office; but Turkey, of course, -had her emissaries, and Russians were to be found so debased, so dead -to all patriotism, so lost to every sense of honour, so mercenary, that -they were ready to sell their country for the gain of gold. Of course, -black sheep of this kind are numbered in every nation, therefore Russia -was no exception. - -‘Everything pointed to the thief being a Russian, and, being a Russian, -he also had some connection with the Foreign Office, a connection which -gave him the right of being under the roof all night. - -‘It is necessary to explain that the Foreign Minister in Russia is -provided with an official residence in the Foreign Office itself; that -is to say, a portion of the actual building is set apart for the -accommodation of himself and family and suite. An official of this kind -keeps up a great deal more state than an English Minister does, and his -suite and servants are generally very numerous. - -‘In the Prince’s case, there were fewer people about him than usual, -for the reason that he had no family. Nevertheless, I found that, -including footmen, pages, and lower servants, there were forty persons -in his _ménage_, and his domestic affairs were attended to and presided -over by the lady whom he had addressed as Catarina, and whose ravishing -beauty had so struck me. It is not necessary to refer to her by any -other name. This lady had two private maids, and she exercised very -considerable influence over the Prince’s personal and domestic affairs. - -‘At this stage of my theorizing it seemed to me very clear that the -miscreant would be found amongst the personnel of the Prince. The -consideration of all the facts forced me to this, the most feasible -conclusion. But I did not lose sight of the almost absolute certainty -of a conspiracy, because it was hardly conceivable that one person, and -one person only, would have committed such a daring act of treason; for -an act of that kind was very foul treason indeed, and in Russia was -punishable with death. - -‘Assuming that I was right with regard to my surmises, it would seem -that a member of the household had been tampered with; pressure -and temptation had been brought to bear upon him from outside. The -temptation must have been great; heavy payment would be made; the -traitor had been willing to sell his country for blood-money, and I was -at pains to try and ascertain if any member of the Prince’s _personnel_ -had given indications of being in possession of an unusual amount of -money. - -‘I have endeavoured so far to make clear to those who may read this -narrative the mental process by which I tried to lay hold of a clue. -I need scarcely say that at the outset in a case of this kind one -gropes in the dark. There is not a ray of light at first to guide him, -and he must proceed cautiously and warily lest he go astray, and, -while he is straining his eyes in one direction, his quarry is safely -flying in another. Seeming impossibilities have to be reconciled with -probabilities, and probabilities reduced to certainties. And when a -clue, no matter how faint, has once been struck, it must be followed up -patiently, intelligibly, and doggedly. There are three golden rules to -be strictly observed by him who would succeed in connecting crime with -its author. They are patience, silence, watchfulness. - -‘Human craft and human cunning are very difficult things to deal -with, nor can one deal with them at all unless he is deeply read in -human nature. In this instance craft of no ordinary kind had to be -encountered. The criminal, to begin with, was not of the ordinary type. -It was probable that up to this time he had lived a seeming virtuous -life, and knowing how terrible was the penalty attaching to his -wrong-doing, he would strain every nerve to prevent suspicion falling -upon him. I had necessarily to consider all these little details, for -they were essential to success. - -‘Although the Prince bore the reputation of being a cool, calculating -diplomatist, who had outwitted every other diplomatist in Europe with -whom he had had dealings, I found that in this matter of the stolen -treaty he somewhat discredited his reputation; for he was by no means -cool, and seemed unable to enter into the calculations which were -necessary to a clear understanding of the course to be pursued if the -mystery was to be unravelled. He had at the outset reminded me that -I had the resources of an empire at my command, and he insisted on -the telegraph being set instantly to work, and the police throughout -the country being placed in possession of the facts. I was opposed to -that course myself; I thought it was as likely as not to frustrate -our efforts. But, of course, he had his own way, and he soon began to -display not only irritation, but decided anger, when he found that I -narrowed my search to the Foreign Office, and showed no inclination -to go further afield. “It seems to me,” he cried warmly, “that you -are simply wasting time, and giving the enemy a chance. While you are -hanging about here the traitor is making good his escape. Is it not -certain that, whoever it is who stole the document, he is now hurrying -to Turkey with it as fast as he can?” - -‘“No, Prince,” I replied; “it is by no means certain that such is the -case. On the contrary, I incline very strongly indeed to the belief -that the traitor will be found here under this roof; that he has not -stirred away, and is not likely to stir away.” - -‘“You are wrong,” he said sharply. - -‘“We shall see,” I answered. “I admit that it is highly probable the -document is being conveyed to the Turkish Government. If that is so, we -cannot hope to overtake it, and another move will have to be made on -the diplomatic board in order to checkmate those who have circumvented -you. Your splendid skill in the game will enable you to determine the -move. You may depend upon it that those who have entered into this -conspiracy to convey valuable information to our country’s enemy have -well calculated the chances of success, and have taken means to ensure -the information reaching its destination. But the key of the puzzle -must be searched for here. If we find that key quickly, we may be able -to prevent the information reaching the Turkish Government; but it is -useless trying to do so without the key.” - -‘“Then, you suspect someone in the department?” the Prince asked. - -‘“I don’t suspect anyone at present,” I answered. - -‘“What I mean to say is, you think the thief is one of the employés of -the Foreign Office?” - -‘“I think the thief is a member of your own household, Prince.” - -‘He looked at me in astonishment; then something like a smile of -incredulity flitted across his stern face as he exclaimed, “Oh, -nonsense!” - -‘“Why do you think it nonsense?” I asked. - -‘“It seems to me simply impossible that it could be so. No member of my -household could have gained access to the bureau.” - -‘At this I reminded him that, whereas in the daytime the corridors of -the Foreign Office were patrolled by sentries, they were withdrawn when -business hours closed, though sentries were on duty all night outside. - -‘“But all communication between my residence and the office is shut off -at night by locked doors,” he answered. - -‘“That only serves to show how very cunning and very clever the thief -was to succeed in reaching your room and opening the safe in spite of -bolts and bars,” I said. - -‘The Prince grew very thoughtful. He seemed greatly struck by my -theory, and ultimately confessed that he had not seen the matter from -that point of view before. The result was he said I was to work in my -own way, to follow my own lead, and to have an absolutely free hand. - -‘“It is a dastardly business,” he exclaimed with warmth, “and even if -the traitor were to turn out to be my own brother, I would not hesitate -to shoot him, for nothing short of instant death would be a fitting -punishment.”’ - -Of course, all the resources peculiar to the Russian police system -were utilized so far as they could be in a case of this kind. But the -difficulties in the way will at once be apparent when it is borne in -mind that the fact of a treaty having been stolen from the Foreign -Office had to be kept as secret as possible. If the matter had leaked -out, and become generally known to the public, the excitement would -necessarily have been tremendous, and the objects in view--that is, the -capture of the thief and the recovery of the missing document--would, -in all probability, have been frustrated. - -It will not be out of place here to explain that in Russia there -is an armed police answering to the French gendarme; then there is -a municipal police, very similar to the police of Great Britain; -and lastly there is a vast army of spies, or _mouchards_, as the -French call them. In this army both sexes are represented, and they -overrun Russia. The three branches of the police service are not -worked and controlled from one centre, owing to the vastness of the -country; and this want of centralization has always been a flaw in -the administration, as it is sometimes difficult to bring the various -centres into complete harmony. - -From these particulars, it will be gathered that a great deal must -depend on individual effort, for while in the concrete the system -may present weak parts and differences that are irreconcilable, in -the abstract there is a unity of motion which gives the individual -tremendous power, in this way: An accredited Government agent moving -from point to point could demand, and would receive, every possible -assistance, and the lumbering methods of the bureaucracy would be -dispensed with. - -In our own country we often complain very bitterly about the -red-tapeism which so seriously clogs and hampers freedom of movement. -But this red-tapeism of ours is nothing as compared with Russia. -Russian red-tapeism is responsible for tremendous evils, and it often -retards in a painful manner the administration of justice. - -It will now be clear, probably, to the mind of the reader that an -individual in Russia, endowed with faculties beyond the ordinary, has a -chance of very signally distinguishing himself. This was certainly the -case with Danevitch; and while nominally he was under the control and -subject to the authorities in St. Petersburg, he was allowed a latitude -and a freedom of action accorded to but few. His peculiar talents and -his individuality begot him this distinction, and while it placed great -responsibility on him, it left him so far untrammelled that he was -enabled to exercise his independent judgment, and pursue the course -which seemed to him, according to the circumstances of the hour, the -right one. - -After all, this was but another illustration of the fact that nothing -succeeds like success. Danevitch had been singularly successful, though -his success was due to talents only one remove from genius. - -He has already, in his own words, made it plain that, in the case of -the missing treaty, he believed, and in fact felt certain, that the -culprit would be found amongst the Prince’s household, though this did -not prevent him availing himself of all the resources of the police -department, which of course he had a right to do. But necessarily -he was hampered by the secrecy it was so important to observe. What -he did was to request by telegraph that the authorities in all the -principal towns, seaports, and frontier stations should issue orders -for a more than ordinarily strict examination of the passports and -papers of people passing out of the country; that every person from -St. Petersburg should be closely questioned, and should suspicion be -aroused by his answers, he should be detained, and his luggage searched. - -This is a measure permissible in Russia, but would not be tolerated -in England. But in the vast dominion over which the Czar rules it is -a necessity, and through its means many a crime has been detected and -many a plot frustrated. It is right to say that the seizure of luggage -is only resorted to when there is strong reason for believing that the -owner is a dangerous person. - -Although Danevitch took the steps indicated, he did not believe for -a moment that anything would result beyond a great number of people -being seriously inconvenienced, some innocent persons being arrested, -and a great deal of blundering on the part of jacks in office, and -of boorishness on the part of local police, who, dressed in a little -brief authority, like to exercise it with all the brutal brusqueness -peculiar to ignorant minds. He relied upon his own methods, and felt -convinced that, if the mystery was ever to be unravelled, it could only -be done by his own individual efforts. The more he dwelt upon all the -details of the case as he had gathered them, the more he was convinced -the guilty person would be found to be somebody who was in close -communication with the Prince. Working on this basis, he classified -the household under three heads for the purpose of giving his theory a -somewhat practical form: - -Firstly, there were the lower servants of the _ménage_. - -Secondly, the upper servants. - -Thirdly, the body servants of the Prince and his close personal -attendants, including his secretaries, clerks, shorthand-writers, and -amanuenses. - -Those in the first category he dismissed from his calculations -altogether, since it was so highly improbable that any one of them -could have had the opportunities for committing such a crime. -Obviously, in an establishment so constituted as the official residence -of the Prince was, an inferior servant could not have gained access -to the Prince’s private rooms without running the gauntlet of many -vigilant eyes, and incurring so much risk as to make it all but -impossible that he could succeed. - -Those who fell into the second category were not passed over without -a little more consideration and a critical examination of the -possibilities which were presented, when they were weighed individually -and collectively. But when all this had been done, Danevitch scored -them off the slate, too, and the sphere of his inquiry was so far -narrowed. - -In the third category there were necessarily included persons of -intelligence which ranked higher than that to be found in the other -two. But, as Danevitch progressed with the working out of his theory, -he deemed it important to subdivide this third category, because his -investigations made it clear that only a few of these individuals were -so situated as to have the chance of abstracting the document. - -Let it be distinctly borne in mind that the paper was in a -despatch-box, locked. The despatch-box was in a safe, locked. The safe -was in the Prince’s private bureau, where none but the privileged were -allowed to enter, and the door of which was also locked. Now, then, let -it be still further remembered that the keys necessary to open the door -of the safe and the despatch-box were kept in a safe in the Prince’s -bedroom, and the key of that safe was one of a number which every night -were given into the custody of Vladimir Nicolayeff, the Clerk of the -Keys. - -There was another point which had to be very closely considered. It was -this: the person who stole the document must have known it was there. -He could not have known it was there if he had not occupied a position -which enabled him to learn a good deal of what was going on; but as -it could not be supposed for a moment that a Minister like the Prince -would have lightly made a confidant of an inferior and irresponsible -person, it was difficult to believe that the crime was the work of one -individual; and here again Danevitch had to build up a theory, which he -did as follows: - -A was in possession of a secret that a draft treaty was being conveyed -from Bulgaria to Russia, and would reach the Prince at a certain hour -on a certain day, and for political or mercenary motives imparted the -information to B, who, probably for political motives only, wished to -make it known to the Government of the country against which the treaty -was framed. B had to fall back upon C to procure the keys, without -which the documents could not be carried off. - -Here at once a conspiracy was suggested, and, a conspiracy admitted, -it was impossible to dismiss the courier and Vladimir Nicolayeff -from it. These two men, of course, represented extremes of position. -The courier, whose name was Boruff, was a trusted and confidential -Government officer of good birth and high social position. Nicolayeff, -on the other hand, was a porter--a trusted servant, it was true, but a -servant of humble origin and low rank. His services, if they had been -given and used, must have been bought; that is, he had been corrupted, -tempted from his allegiance by money. Next, the third or middle person -had to be considered. What position did he occupy? It was not easy to -answer that beyond saying it was obviously someone very close to the -Prince. - -Having arranged these various points, and set them forth in their -order, he felt satisfied that his theory was a feasible one, -and, if acted upon, was more likely to yield results than the -search-for-the-needle-in-the-bottle-of-hay process of stopping people -at the frontiers. At any rate, while that process was being carried -out, Danevitch proceeded on his own lines, and his first step was -directed to learning some particulars about Boruff. - -In age the courier verged on forty. He had been in the Government -service for fifteen years. Every confidence was reposed in him, and -he was greatly respected. He had been engaged on courier duty for -something like four years, and had made many journeys between Turkey -and Russia. Formerly he had been a confidential clerk at the Russian -Consulate at Smyrna. - -He was a married man, and had four children, but lived apart from his -family. There had been serious disagreements between him and his wife, -owing, so it was stated, to his infatuation for another lady, which had -led to all sorts of complications, difficulties, and domestic jars. -These, of course, were purely family matters, and had not affected -his Government position, as it was considered there were faults on -both sides. Boruff was not well off. Such officials are poorly paid -in Russia; and as he was forced to keep up two establishments, and -moreover was extravagant, his resources were severely taxed. - -So much did Danevitch learn of Boruff. Not much, if anything at all, to -suggest a probability that Boruff had any guilty knowledge. He was a -poor man; that was the worst that could be said about him. But poverty -lays a man open to many temptations. Starving virtue is sorely tested -when gold is jingled in its ears. It is so easy to be honest when one -wants for nothing. - -Such were Danevitch’s reflections, and he put Boruff in his note-book, -as he says, for future use if necessary. He thought it was just -possible that ultimately the courier would prove one of the pieces -necessary to complete the puzzle. - -He next turned his attention to Vladimir Nicolayeff, a man of a totally -different stamp. He was an old man--well, that is, he was close on -sixty. He had been in the army, and had seen service in his youth, -but, having been severely wounded, was discharged, and ultimately got -employment under the Government. He had served at the Foreign Office a -great many years. His position, though humble, was an important one. In -his lodge in the entrance-hall all the keys not in use were kept. He -also received messages and parcels, answered questions of inquirers, -and pointed out the way to the different departments. - -At this stage Danevitch sought another interview with the Prince, who -cast a quick, keen glance at the detective, and asked curtly: - -‘What news?’ - -‘None,’ was the equally curt answer. - -‘Have you entirely failed?’ asked the Prince. - -‘At present I can say nothing.’ - -‘But you have got no clue?’ - -‘No.’ - -A look of annoyance swept across the face of the Prince, and he -shrugged his shoulders, as if in disgust. - -‘I suppose it is hopeless now to expect any results from your -inquiries?’ - -‘You forget, Prince,’ said Danevitch, with dignity, ‘it is not -many hours since you instructed me in the matter. I cannot perform -impossibilities.’ - -‘True, true,’ was the irritable response. ‘But tell me, do you see any -likelihood of being able to bring the guilt home to anyone?’ - -‘Excuse me, Prince,’ answered Danevitch firmly, ‘I am not given to -expressing ill-formed opinions, and, not being a prophet, I decline to -run the risk of prophesying.’ - -‘Forgive me,’ said the Prince; ‘I am afraid I have allowed my anxiety -to blind me to common-sense. But the fact is, this loss has preyed upon -my mind terribly. It is a very serious affair indeed--very serious. -Moreover, it shows that there is a traitor somewhere. If we have -traitors about, the State is in danger. Therefore it is imperative that -this matter should be sifted to the very bottom. No time, no money, no -patience, no skill, must be spared. The truth will have to be revealed.’ - -‘I would venture to remind you, Prince,’ said Danevitch, ‘that the -virtue of patience is one which, above all others, should be exercised -in a case of this kind.’ - -The Prince was not indifferent to the point of the remark, and, bowing -with consummate politeness, said: - -‘Pardon me, Danevitch; I have perhaps been hasty. You understand your -art better than I do. I have no right to dictate to you. Pray proceed -on your own lines.’ - -‘Thank you,’ Danevitch replied. ‘We shall get on now. My object in -requesting this interview is to ask who conveys your keys to Nicolayeff -at night?’ - -‘No one. It is his duty to come to me and receive them. But as it often -happens that it is not convenient for me to see him myself, the keys -are then given to him by my valet--a fine youth named André.’ - -‘Did André give them to him the night before last, when the papers were -stolen?’ - -‘No; I gave him the keys myself.’ - -‘There is no mistake about that, Prince?’ - -‘None whatever.’ - -‘One more question: Did you go out that night?’ - -‘I did. I went to the opera.’ - -‘What time did you return?’ - -‘About two in the morning.’ - -‘Did you note if the door of the safe in your sleeping apartment was -closed then?’ - -‘I haven’t a doubt about it.’ - -‘But you didn’t try the door?’ - -‘No.’ - -‘Were the keys in their proper places in the morning?’ - -The Prince did not answer immediately. He appeared to be reflecting. At -last he said: - -‘Yes, of course they were. I remember now taking them out of the safe -myself, and handing them to my private secretary, who proceeded with -me to my bureau. There is one point I forgot to tell you at our last -interview. When I opened the safe in the bureau, I noticed that the -lid of the despatch-box was wide open. It was that that aroused my -suspicions, and led to my discovering immediately that the papers had -gone.’ - -‘But the despatch-box had been locked overnight?’ - -‘I am certain of it.’ - -‘So that the thief must have forgotten to close it again after -abstracting the papers.’ - -‘Precisely so.’ - -After this interview, Danevitch felt more than ever convinced that -someone in very close personal relations with the Prince had been a -party to the deed, and began to look round to see if suspicion could -be justifiably entertained against any one of the inner household, so -to speak. With a view to this end, he arranged the following plan with -the Prince. He was to spend two days at the official residence in the -character of a foreign visitor--the Prince’s guest. André, the valet, -was to be told off to personally attend him. - -In due course Danevitch arrived. He was driven to the residence in one -of the Prince’s carriages, which was sent to the station to meet him. -He had a certain amount of luggage, which was deposited in the handsome -bed-chamber allotted to him. He was a German on a secret mission, and -did not understand Russian. His get-up would have deceived his own -mother. He found André a smart, intelligent young man, who seemed to -wear his heart upon his sleeve. There was nothing whatever in his -manner or bearing which caused Danevitch to mistrust him. - -The beautiful Catarina presided over the Prince’s household, but never -sat at his table. The detective was a little puzzled at first to -understand the reason of that; and, in fact, Catarina was a kind of -mystery, but in a few hours he had defined her position. Ostensibly -she was his ward. She was the daughter of a very old friend of his, a -military man, who had been killed on active service, and, in accordance -with a solemn compact made between the two men, the Prince undertook -to be a father to the orphan daughter. That was the story generally -believed; at any rate, people affected to believe it. Danevitch did -not. He found that Catarina had great influence over the Prince at -times; but at others he seemed to treat her with coldness, even -disdain, according to his mood. Danevitch came to the conclusion that -Catarina was, in her way, almost as much a diplomatist as the Prince -himself; but he saw signs--trifling ones, but significant to him--that -whatever love or affection there was was on the Prince’s side. He was -sure that Catarina was not happy, but led a lonely, fretting life in -that splendid palace. - -Danevitch went for two days, but his visit was extended to a week. When -he was taking his departure, the Prince asked him if he was any wiser -than when he went. - -‘A little,’ answered Danevitch. - -‘But is there anybody in my household whom you suspect?’ asked the -Prince with some anxiety. - -‘Frankly there is,’ said the detective. - -‘Who is it?’ the Minister demanded in a peremptory tone. - -‘Pardon me,’ said Danevitch, ‘for declining to answer you now. But -unless I am very much mistaken, I shall be able to give you some -valuable information before many days have passed.’ - -In less than a week Danevitch sought another interview with the Prince. - -‘I have a request to prefer this time,’ said Danevitch after some -preliminary remarks. - -‘What is it?’ asked the Minister quickly, and possibly reading in his -visitor’s face that he had made a discovery. - -‘You have a daughter?’ - -‘Yes,’ gasped the Prince, who, in spite of his power of self-control, -started at the question, and his brow clouded over. - -‘She is the wife of Kasin, who is the Russian Consul at Smyrna.’ - -A cold, cynical smile of bitterness played about the Prince’s thin lips -as he remarked: - -‘That is an open secret. But let me tell you at once, I have not seen -my daughter for years, and never wish to see her again. She is an -ingrate. I have cast her forth from my heart.’ - -The Prince betrayed the fact that, though he bore the reputation of -being a man of blood and iron, and very likely justified his reputation -when it came to matters of diplomacy, he had hidden springs of deep -emotion and passion which were capable of being called into play. - -‘I do not wish to probe you, sir, nor touch upon your domestic affairs -more than can possibly be helped. I have come here to request that you -will influence the recall of your son-in-law from Smyrna.’ - -The Prince sprang to his feet, and grasped the back of his chair, and -though he tried to control himself, it was evident he was greatly -excited. - -‘Good God!’ he exclaimed, ‘do you mean to say that my son-in-law has -had a hand in this business?’ - -‘I mean to say nothing, sir, at present.’ - -‘But your request carries with it an accusation. Remember the terrible -responsibility of that. If Kasin has had a hand in purloining these -papers he is a traitor, and the penalty is death.’ - -‘I am aware of that, Prince.’ - -‘The disgrace to me would be terrible. I hate him, but he is my -son-in-law.’ - -The Prince paced up and down the room. He was strongly agitated. His -pride was wounded, perhaps, as it had never been wounded before. -Danevitch remained silent. He had nothing more to say then. Presently -the Prince swung round on his heel, and said sternly, and threateningly: - -‘Remember this, Danevitch, not only is your own reputation at stake, -but the honour of my family. You may risk your reputation as much as -you like--it is naught to me; but, by the Virgin! be careful of my -honour, or----’ - -He suddenly checked himself. Danevitch rose, and, with a cold bow, -remarked: - -‘I will withdraw from this business altogether. What I have learnt -shall be a locked secret with me. I wish you good-day, sir.’ - -‘Stay!’ cried the Prince. ‘I apologize to you. I forgot myself, but -make allowance for my feelings. I am in the wrong; you are in the -right. Forgive me. This matter must go through, let the consequences be -what they may. Though my daughter, my own flesh and blood, be guilty of -this crime, she shall suffer. My country--Russia’s interests have the -first claim upon me. Pray proceed. I was the father a few minutes ago. -I am Prince Ignatof, Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, again.’ - -He resumed his seat. He was the calm, cold, passionless, unemotional -diplomatist once more. - -‘Now, then, tell me all,’ he said peremptorily. - -‘At this hour I have nothing to tell you. I am here to prefer a -request. That I have a motive in making that request, you may take for -granted.’ - -‘You want Kasin to be recalled?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘It shall be done.’ - -‘When? Immediately.’ - -‘Is it so urgent as that?’ - -‘It is.’ - -‘Good. He shall be recalled by telegraph.’ - -‘I would request that he be commanded to leave Turkish soil in twelve -hours’ time, and to telegraph as soon as he is in Russia.’ - -‘And after that?’ - -‘And after that I will make a revelation to you.’ - -‘So be it. In three days’ time, call here again at this hour. You will -find me alone, and prepared to receive your revelation.’ - -Danevitch took his departure. That same evening Vladimir Nicolayeff was -walking along one of the principal streets. He had been dining at a -café, and was making his way back to his duties at the Foreign Office. -A bearded man suddenly confronted him at a corner of a street, and said: - -‘Nicolayeff, what was your reward for being false to your trust?’ - -‘What do you mean?’ demanded the porter angrily. - -‘Why do you answer my question with another? I ask how much were you -paid for being false to your trust?’ - -Nicolayeff was agitated and confused. - -‘Who are you?’ he demanded. - -‘The devil.’ - -‘Then, betake yourself to your kingdom.’ - -‘Not until I have done with you here. Again I ask you how much were you -paid for giving up the key of Prince Ignatof’s safe to the beautiful -Catarina? Or was it her beauty alone that tempted you?’ - -Nicolayeff reeled. It almost seemed as if he was suddenly seized with -palsy, and he uttered a strange, half-choked cry as he sank to the -ground in a swoon. Perhaps in his superstitious mind he really thought -the bearded man was the Evil One. A policeman approached. The bearded -man whispered something in his ear and disappeared. The policeman -blew a whistle, and assistance came. Then Nicolayeff was carried to -the station, and when he recovered from the swoon he found himself a -prisoner. In the meantime a message had been sent to the Foreign Office -to say that the Clerk of the Keys had been picked up in the street in a -swoon, and was then in custody. The message was conveyed direct to the -Prince. - -Three days passed, and Danevitch again presented himself at the -Prince’s bureau. - -‘Have you any news, Prince?’ he asked. - -‘A code telegram was sent to Kasin recalling him.’ - -‘Is he in Russia?’ - -‘I don’t know. He has not answered.’ - -‘Ah, I suspected that would be the case.’ - -‘I await your revelation,’ said the Prince calmly. - -‘It is here,’ answered Danevitch, as he took a letter from his -pocket-book and handed it to the Prince. ‘Shall I retire while you read -it?’ - -The Prince glanced at the handwriting, and became very agitated. - -‘Yes,’ he said, ‘do. Come back in a quarter of an hour.’ - -As Danevitch went out, the Minister called to the sentry at the door: - -‘He will return in fifteen minutes. In the meantime let no one else -enter at your peril.’ - -When Danevitch went back, he found the Prince seated at his desk. His -face was almost deathly in its whiteness; but he was calm and frigid. - -‘You are deserving of your reputation,’ he said. ‘You have indeed made -a revelation. How did you obtain possession of that letter?’ - -‘I intercepted it. The writer believes, no doubt, that it is now on its -way to Turkey.’ - -‘Nicolayeff is under arrest.’ - -‘He is.’ - -‘See that not a moment is lost in securing Boruff.’ - -‘That shall be done, Prince.’ - -‘The interview can end.’ - -‘Have you no other instructions?’ asked Danevitch significantly. - -The Prince understood. A pang of emotion caused his face to twitch, and -he turned away. But in a few moments he was the cold, passionless man -once more. - -‘I have no other instructions,’ answered the Prince with equal -significance. - -‘And the letter?’ - -‘I will keep it.’ - -Danevitch bowed and withdrew. - -The following morning, early, a closed carriage, drawn by four superb -horses, left the Foreign Offices. The occupants of the carriage were -Prince Ignatof and the beautiful Catarina. She was elegantly attired, -and looked charming; but there was an expression of some anxiety on her -face, and when she gave certain instructions to her maid, who was to -sit with the driver, there was a tremulousness in her tone which was -not natural to her. - -The carriage was driven to one of the Prince’s country estates on the -great Moscow road. It was an old-fashioned mansion in the midst of -pine-woods, and the extensive pine-woods round about swarmed with game, -fur and feathered. The Prince often entertained large shooting-parties -there, but on this occasion he had no guests. The servants in charge -had been apprised of his coming, and had the mansion in readiness. - -Two nights later a strange thing happened. The Prince and Catarina were -together in their chamber, when a shrill scream resounded through the -house. It was a woman’s scream. A few minutes afterwards the Prince -flung open the door, and rang his bell for assistance. He was pale and -agitated. When the servants rushed up, he said, ‘Your mistress has been -taken suddenly ill. Attend to her,’ and at the same time he ordered a -man-servant to ride with all speed for a doctor from the neighbouring -village, six miles away. - -When the servants entered the room, they found Catarina fully dressed, -lying on the bed. Her face was ashen in its hue. Her eyes seemed -starting from her head. Foam was oozing from her mouth; her limbs were -convulsed. The servants did what they could, but Catarina never spoke. -When the doctor came, she was dead. He examined her, and said she had -died from the effects of some powerful poison. There was a strange -smell in the room; there was a broken glass on the floor. Before -leaving the house, however, he changed his opinion, and certified that -she had died from apoplexy. - -Some nuns were brought from a neighbouring convent to pray and watch -by the body. Three days afterwards it was quietly and unostentatiously -buried in a plain grave in the little village cemetery. The Prince -followed as chief mourner. An hour later he was a changed man. He -seemed to have grown ten years older. About three weeks later it was -officially announced in the _Gazette_ and other papers that Prince -Ignatof had retired from the Foreign Office by the advice of his -physicians, his health having completely broken down. - -Some few particulars have yet to be told. The letter which Danevitch -intercepted and handed to the Prince was written by Catarina. It was -addressed to Madame Kasin at Smyrna. There are reasons why the letter -should not be given _in extenso_, but its substance can be indicated. -The writer made it evident that Madame Kasin, who was as strongly -embittered against her father as he was against her, conspired with her -husband and Buroff and Catarina to obtain the information contained in -the secret treaty, and sell it for a large sum of money to Turkey, to -whom it was of immense value. Kasin, it appeared, had learnt that a -treaty was being negotiated; and though Buroff would not undertake to -purloin the document himself, he was heavily bribed to inform Catarina -that he had brought it. - -Between Catarina and Madame Kasin a very strong friendship existed. -Catarina considered the daughter had been very badly treated. This -sympathy and friendship had led to great ill-feeling between Catarina -and the Prince, who had threatened to send her adrift. She undertook to -abstract the document, but she went to work so clumsily that, as the -saying is, she gave herself away. And her incautiousness in writing -that condemnatory letter showed that she had not in her the qualities -of a trickster and a thief. She told the whole miserable story in the -letter, and said that she herself would convey the precious document -to Smyrna. She did not mention Nicolayeff’s name, but Danevitch felt -certain that the Clerk of the Keys had been corrupted in order that the -key of the Prince’s bed-chamber safe should be procured, and to put his -belief to the test he accosted the unfortunate porter in the street -in the way we have seen. His intention was, if the porter betrayed -himself, to place him at once under arrest. He was not prepared, -however, for the sudden collapse of the wretched man, who did not long -survive the shock and the disgrace. - -The whole matter, of course, was hushed up as much as possible. It was -deemed advisable that the details should not reach the ears of the -public. It is perhaps needless to say that the Kasins, who were ready -to prove traitors to their country, never again set foot on Russian -soil. Danevitch confesses that he was anxious, if possible, to save -the Prince the disgrace of having his own daughter arrested, hence the -telegram. He was sure that telegram recalling Kasin would sound a note -of alarm to him, and he would take himself off. That proved to be the -case. When some months had elapsed, Buroff was quietly packed off to -Siberia. - -The Prince when he had sold off a large proportion of his estates, -went abroad--to France, it is said--where he spent the rest of his days -in strict retirement. Before leaving Russia, he erected a magnificent -and costly marble monument over the grave of the beautiful Catarina, -the mystery of whose death will never be solved until the secrets of -all hearts are known. - - - - -HOW PETER TRESKIN WAS LURED TO DOOM. - - -THE FIRST ACT--THE PLOT. - -The period was the reign of Alexander II. The time, the afternoon of -a day in early summer. The place, an office in the huge building in -St. Petersburg known as the Palace of the Admiralty, one of the finest -and most imposing structures of the kind in the world. Its principal -front is more than a quarter of a mile in length, while its wings, -which extend to the Neva, are nearly seven hundred feet long. In this -palace an enormous number of people are employed, including many women; -and here the whole business in connection with the Imperial navy is -transacted. - -The office referred to was a large room lighted by several long -windows. Running the whole length of the room was a flat-topped -mahogany desk, on which were spread a number of plans of vessels, -tracing-papers, compasses, squares, pencils, and other things of a -like kind usually found in the office of a draughtsman. To give the -place its official description, it was ‘Department H, Left Wing, Second -Floor, Room 12. Imperial Yachts.’ - -It was under the control of a much-trusted Government servant, one -Samuel Snell. That was not a Russian name, but an English one. -Snell was an Englishman--a Cockney, for he was born within sound -of Bow bells. He had been brought up as an engineer’s designer and -draughtsman, and was considered very clever. He left his native country -when he was three-and-twenty, and went to Russia, induced thereto by -a Russian friend in trade in London, who had taught him to speak the -Russian language, and assured him that his talents would find greater -appreciation and a better market abroad than at home. Samuel Snell was -influenced by this, and went. He was fortunate, through his friend’s -influence, in speedily obtaining employment, and having marked ability, -he made his way. - -In the course of time he obtained naturalization; married a Russian -lady, the daughter of a gentleman holding an appointment in the naval -construction department; and ultimately, through his father-in-law’s -influence, obtained an appointment himself as assistant copyist in the -Admiralty Palace. His talents soon made him conspicuous; he was singled -out for gradual promotion, until at last he was placed at the supreme -head of the department responsible for the building and repairs of the -Imperial yachts. It was no sinecure, but an important and responsible -position. - -In this room, on the day and at the hour in question, two young women -were seated. One had soft brown hair, bright blue eyes, a delicate -complexion, and regular features. She was the daughter of Snell, -and was just twenty years of age. Her name was Catherine. She was -unmistakably of an English type, though born in Russia, of a Russian -mother, and had never been out of the country in her life. Her -companion was as unmistakably Russian; she had dark eyes, black hair, -olive complexion, and was slightly older than the other girl. They -were both good-looking. The brunette was called Anna Plevski. Her face -indicated great strength of character. She had a strong, determined -mouth; intelligence beamed from her eyes; her forehead spoke of -brain-power. - -Their respective positions were as follows: Catherine was a -confidential clerk to her father. She had been specially trained for -the work, and had held the appointment for over three years. Anna was -in another department altogether. She was what was termed ‘an indexer.’ - -The two girls were friends. They had been to school together. Anna had -taken advantage of a little relaxation to slip into Room 12 to have -a chat with Catherine, for she knew Mr. Snell was away; he had gone -down to Kronstadt on official business. But it wasn’t for the sake of -a purposeless chat that Anna went to Room 12. She had a deep and dark -design, as was destined to be revealed at a later stage of this strange -and tragic drama. Her own department was a long way off, in another -part of the huge building, and she was at some trouble to reach her -friend’s office by a very circuitous and round-about route, anxious, -presumably, that it shouldn’t be generally known that she had gone to -Room 12. - -‘It’s a beautiful day, Catherine, isn’t it?’ said Anna, after some -preliminary greeting. ‘It’s a pity you and I are not rich.’ - -‘Why?’ asked Catherine, with a simple expression on her pretty face. - -‘Surely you don’t need to ask why. If we were not mere drudges, we -should be able to taste some of the pleasures of the world--go where we -liked, stay as long as we liked, and enjoy ourselves generally, instead -of being stewed up here when the sun is shining.’ - -‘Well, you know, money doesn’t always bring happiness, Anna, my dear,’ -answered Catherine. - -‘It may not always do so; but as sure as eggs are eggs there can be -precious little happiness without it.’ - -‘Oh, I don’t know. Contentment goes a long way,’ Catherine said, with -some timidity, for she knew that her friend held very pronounced views, -was unusually strong-minded, and had an iron will, to say nothing of -an unyielding dogmatism, which occasionally, when stirred up, became -objectionable, and at times offensive. In short, Anna had an aggressive -spirit, and was disposed to find fault with all constituted authority. - -‘Contentment!’ she echoed with a malicious sort of chuckle; ‘how can -one be contented with a lot that is hard, toilsome, and irritating? -It’s not pleasant to realize every hour of your life that you are only -a drudge. I ask myself over and over again why wealth is so unequally -distributed. Why should it be in the hands of the few, while the vast -majority of mankind are the slaves of those few, and groan and sweat -under the yoke of paid labour--for what? merely to keep body and soul -together.’ - -Catherine had heard her friend express similar sentiments before, so -that she was not surprised at this bluntness of speech; but as she -herself did not consider she had any particular cause to complain, -and as the views she held were not altogether in accordance with -Anna’s, she ventured to mildly express dissent from Anna’s doctrine. -It only seemed, however, to arouse that young woman to a more vigorous -display of her feelings, and with a pepperiness that was distinctly -characteristic of her, she exclaimed scoffingly: - -‘Well, friend Catherine, I can’t help saying that I’ve no patience -with anyone who is willing to accept stripes and lashes without a -murmur. That’s not my spirit. I’ve got brains, so have you, and yet -we are forced to toil long hours every day for bare sustenance, while -thousands and tens of thousands of brainless louts are rolling in -riches. Ugh! It makes me mad to think of it.’ - -Catherine smiled prettily as she remarked: - -‘You seem to have been stirred up to-day, dear. Something has put you -out of temper.’ - -‘Yes; I am out of temper. I’m dissatisfied. Why, only to-day an order -was issued in our department that we are to work two hours extra every -day owing to pressure of work; but, as you know, the miserly Government -take precious good care they won’t pay us so much as an extra copeck, -no matter how long we work. I say it’s shameful!’ - -‘But what’s the use of fretting about it if we cannot alter it?’ asked -Catherine. - -‘But I say we can alter it. The working classes of this country are the -bone, sinew, and brains of the country; yet they are kept in shackles -and ground into the dust.’ - -‘And yet, after all, Anna, talent is always recognised, and -individualism will make its mark.’ - -‘Great heavens!’ cried Anna, lifting her dark eyebrows in amazement, -while she looked at her friend with something like pitying contempt, -‘is it possible that you can cheat yourself into the belief that that -is true? You know as well as I do that talent and individualism are -not worth a rap without influence to advance them. Kissing goes by -favour in this world; and if you’ve no influence you may starve, while -some idiot is pitchforked into power and authority. But, there, don’t -let us wrangle any more at present. Some day I shall convert you, and -bring you round to my views. By the way, I see that our Little Father, -the Czar, is to make a yachting cruise round the coast of Finland -next month, and that his yacht, the _North Star_, is to be entirely -overhauled and refitted.’ - -‘Yes, that is so.’ - -‘It’s a very fine yacht, isn’t it, the _North Star?_’ - -‘I should think so. I’ve never seen it, though.’ - -‘That’s a wonder. I thought your father could have taken you on board -any of the Emperor’s yachts.’ - -‘So he could, I’ve no doubt; though he has never done so.’ - -‘But you have the plans of the _North Star_ in this department, haven’t -you?’ - -‘Oh yes.’ - -‘I should like to see them. Would you mind showing them to me? I want -to know what this grand vessel is like.’ - -Catherine hesitated; but failing to see that she would do any harm by -complying with her friend’s request, she went to a huge safe, and took -therefrom a large roll of cartridge-paper, which she spread out on the -desk, and kept it in position by weights at the corners. And then there -was revealed to Anna a scale drawing, showing the hull, the sections, -the ground-plan, and general design of the Imperial vessel, which was -one of several used by his Majesty for pleasure cruises. - -This particular one was then in the hands of the Admiralty for refit -and overhaul, and was under orders to be at Kronstadt on the 20th of -the following month; to receive the royal party, including the Czar, -for a trip up the Gulf of Bothnia, and along the coast of Sweden, -returning by the coast of Finland. - -Anna looked at the plan attentively, critically. Indeed, she studied -it; and having an excellent memory, the result of training as an -‘indexer,’ she was enabled to carry the whole of the plan in her mind’s -eye. - -She would have liked to have made some notes, but did not dare do so, -and so she fixed the details in her mind. - -‘The Little Father’s apartments seem very spacious,’ Anna remarked -carelessly, as though she meant nothing. - -‘Oh yes,’ said Catherine; ‘but they are all to be reconstructed, and -removed from the after-part of the vessel, where they are now.’ - -Anna’s dark eyes opened wide, and her ears were all alertness. - -‘Indeed! Why?’ - -‘Well, they are in the extreme stern of the ship now; and as the vessel -pitches very much, they are not comfortable.’ - -‘Then, where are the Czar’s rooms to be placed?’ asked Anna eagerly. - -‘A large deckhouse is to be constructed amidships. It will be fitted up -like a little palace.’ - -‘Ah! umph! I understand,’ Anna muttered thoughtfully. ‘Then I suppose -that is where the rooms will be?’ and she placed her finger in the -centre of the plan. - -‘Yes.’ - -Catherine made a movement to remove the weights from the corners of the -paper, when Anna exclaimed: - -‘Stop a minute. I just want to look at something. All right. Thanks. -It’s most interesting. I wish I were a rich person, that I could have a -steam-yacht like that, and go where I liked.’ - -‘You should marry an emperor; then you would have all you could -desire,’ said Catherine with a laugh, as she rolled the draft plan up -and restored it to the safe. - -‘No; I wouldn’t be an empress if I had the chance,’ Anna replied -tartly. ‘Kings, queens, emperors, empresses, and the like, are all -tyrants. There should be no crowned heads. I don’t believe in ’em. They -are a curse to the world.’ - -‘Anna, you surprise me!’ said Catherine with a frightened look. ‘I knew -you were peculiar, and held remarkable views, but I had no idea you -were disloyal.’ - -‘Hadn’t you, dear?’ answered Anna, with a laugh. ‘Well, well, don’t -take me too seriously, you know. I say some queer things sometimes.’ - -Then, suddenly throwing her arms round her friend’s neck, she kissed -her on both cheeks and sped out of the room. - - * * * * * - -The scene changes. In what is known as the St. Petersburg quarter, -which is situated on the north side of the Neva, is an old and lofty -house, not unlike some of the old buildings in Edinburgh. - -The house is let out in tenements, and there is a common stair for -the use of all the tenants, who for the most part are working men, -artisans, and the like. At the very top of the building, immediately -under the tiles, is a long room with a slanting roof. In this room -three men are at work, busily at work, though it is the dead of night. -They carry on their work by lamplight. - -Two are seated at a bench, which is covered with a miscellaneous lot of -tools--pliers, small hammers, pincers, files, tiny saws, screw-drivers, -chisels of various shapes, punches, etc. There are also sets of -mathematical instruments; and before the men are carefully-prepared -diagrams and drawings to scale, and to these the men make constant -reference. - -They are fitting together an ingenious and clever piece of mechanism -in a small oblong box, lined with tin, and divided into compartments. -It is a sort of clockwork arrangement they are engaged upon, and it is -intended that the motive power of this mechanism shall be a noiseless -spring, acting on a solid brass, notched wheel. In the rim of this -wheel are forty-eight notches. The wheel can be made to revolve slowly -or quickly, as may be desired. As the wheel revolves, every time a -notch reaches a given point, mathematically determined, a tiny, but -powerful, steel lever drops into it, and this causes a steel rod, -something like a miniature shaft of a screw-steamer, to advance at -right angles with the wheel towards a partition at the end of the box. - -When this rod or shaft has been pushed forward a stage, the lever rises -again, until the next notch is reached, when the same thing occurs, and -the rod gets a little nearer to the partition, in which, immediately -facing the point of the rod, is a circular hole corresponding in -circumference to the rod itself, so that ultimately the rod must pass -through the hole into a recess between the partition and the end of the -box. - -The object of this will presently be seen. The two men, who are -evidently skilled mechanics of a high class, are both young. Neither of -them has yet numbered thirty years. - -A third man is engaged in a totally different occupation. He is an old -man, tall and thin, with a grave, professional face, small, keen eyes, -and a high forehead. He is dressed in a long, dark blouse, and wears a -black silk skull-cap. He has a square table before him in the centre of -the room; on it are retorts, crucibles, phials, mortars, and pestles. - -In a retort, beneath which burns a spirit-lamp, he is compounding -something from which most obnoxious vapours arise, but immediately -above is a skylight, which is open to give egress to the fumes. - -The man watches the retort anxiously and nervously, and every few -minutes he plunges a small thermometer into the boiling liquid, and -then, withdrawing it, reads by the light of an Argand lamp what the -figures indicate. At last he suddenly extinguishes the flame of the -spirit, utters a sigh of relief, and straightens his aching back. As he -does so, one of the two young men turns towards him, and says: - -‘Well, Professor, have you finished?’ - -‘Yes, thank God, I have, and I am glad.’ - -It seemed like blasphemy that he should have thanked God, having regard -to the deadly objects of his work. But the phrase was either uttered -carelessly, or he was a fanatic who believed that what he was doing was -blessed of Heaven. - -Presently there were three light taps on the door. The men paused in -their labours and listened. Then the Professor advanced noiselessly to -the door, and gave three raps himself. - -This was followed from outside by two quick raps, then two deliberate -ones. Instantly on receiving this signal the professor turned the key, -opened the door, and admitted a man, who wore a large cloak, which, on -entering the room, he threw off, and a handsome, striking young man was -revealed, with a strongly-marked face, and a well-shaped head covered -with dark, curly hair. - -It was a face full of intellectuality. The mouth, which was shaded by -a carefully-trimmed moustache, was well shaped, but the lower jaw was -heavy, and destroyed the general symmetry of the features. His eyes -were almost coal-black, restless, and full of fire. They indicated an -intense nervous energy. - -There was something--it is really difficult to define it--about the -man’s whole appearance which suggested the masterful, commanding -spirit--the leader of men. And when he spoke, the full, resonant voice, -the rich, decisive tones, accentuated and emphasized this something, -and proclaimed that he was one to be feared, to be obeyed. Peter -Treskin--that was his name--was in every way a remarkable man. And even -at the present day there are parts of Russia where he is referred to -with sorrow, and spoken of with reverence. - -Peter Treskin came of good family. He was intended for the law, and had -studied hard and acquired an immense amount of general knowledge. But -somehow he had been attracted to a set of malcontents, who were for -revolutionizing everything and everybody. - -They believed, or fancied they believed, which was much the same -thing, that it was their mission to set the world right; to alter this -and change that, to pull down thrones and set up their own forms of -government, which would be so perfect, so just, so equitable, that -every human wrong and every human sorrow would be done away with. - -It was the Utopian dream of lotus-eaters; but fools have dreamed it -through all time; they will go on dreaming it until time closes, and -instead of ending sorrow, they will, as they have ever done, increase -it manifold. - -However, these men thought differently, and Peter Treskin’s vanity was -gratified, his ambition found a channel, his fiery disposition a means -of satisfying it; and as he never played second fiddle to anyone, he -was raised to a height, from which he commanded. - -In other words, he became the head of a vast conspiracy which had for -its object the destruction of the rulers who then ruled. In short, -Peter, at the head of a mob, so to speak, opposed himself to the -constituted forces of law and order. - -It is true those forces were not what they might, and perhaps ought to, -have been. They were stern, in many ways oppressive, in some respects -unjust, and often ungenerous; but Peter Treskin’s methods were not -calculated to change them. - -It was astonishing, however, how he was enabled to enlist clever -and intellectual men of all sorts and conditions under his banner, -which, figuratively speaking, was inscribed with one word of ghastly -import--Revolution! - -‘Well, friends, how does the work go on?’ he asked, as he entered the -room, wiped his perspiring forehead with his handkerchief, and then, -with a quick, nervous touch, rolled a cigarette and lit it. - -‘We’ve nearly finished,’ answered one of the two men. ‘By to-morrow -night the machine will be ready.’ - -‘Good! excellent! bravo!’ said Treskin. ‘And you, Professor?’ - -‘My part is also nearly completed. It has been a dangerous operation, -but will be successful.’ - -The man who spoke was Professor Smolski, a clever chemist, whose -researches and knowledge, if properly applied, might have been of -immense benefit to the world, and have earned him a niche in the -gallery of worthies. But he had ranged himself on the side of the -malcontents, and for the sake of his craze he was willing to sacrifice -the prospects of fame, if not fortune, and to run the almost certain -risk of a shameful death. Truly human nature is a mystery. - -The other two men were brothers--Jews, Isaac and Jacob Eisenmann. They -were born in Russia, but their parents had fled from Germany to avoid -persecution, though, in flying from the hornets, they had encountered -the wasps; that is to say, they had found no peace in Russia. They had -been oppressed, persecuted, harried, and their offspring had vowed -vengeance. Isaac and Jacob were sworn foes of the Government. They -were clever mechanics, and their cleverness was used to build up a -destructive instrument of death, contrived with devilish ingenuity and -diabolical cunning. - -These men represented a large party, which included women as well as -men; but Treskin was the head, the leading light, the impelling spirit. -His influence, his restless energy, his ambition, his vanity, made him -one of the most dangerous men in all Russia. He seemed able by some -extraordinary power he possessed of swerving men from the paths of -rectitude into the tortuous ways of crime. He led women like lambs to -the slaughter; he bent even strong men to his will. - -Strangely enough, however, up to the time that he is brought under the -reader’s notice, he had managed to escape falling under suspicion. -It is difficult to say what this immunity was due to; possibly some -superior cunning, some extraordinary cautiousness. But whatever it was, -Peter was not wanting in courage, and was quite ready to take his share -of risk. - -His co-conspirators now proceeded to explain to him the result of -their labours and their ingenuity. The empty recess at the end of the -mechanical box was to be filled with a novel preparation containing a -latent explosive power of immense force. This latent power, however, -could only be aroused into activity by the combination of a chemical -fluid, and in order to bring this about, the mechanism had been -arranged with wonderful precision and cleverness. Professor Smolski -had produced the necessary fluid, and the two Jews had, between them, -constructed the machinery. At the end of the rod or shaft already -described a glass tube, hermetically sealed, would be attached by -fitting into a socket. As the rod was advanced by the revolving notched -wheel, which could be set to do its work in one hour or forty-eight, -the glass tube would ultimately be thrust through the hole in the -partition, where, coming in contact with an opposing rigid bar of iron, -it would break, and then instantly something like a cataclysm would -follow. - -This, of course, only describes the machine in rough outline, and that -is all that is intended to be done. Those who are curious to learn the -details of the strange instrument of death and destruction will find -drawings of it preserved in the police archives of St. Petersburg. It -was, at the time, the most perfect and certain thing of its kind that -man’s devilishness had been able to create. And in some respects it is -doubtful if it has been improved upon up to the present day. - -Four o’clock was striking when Peter Treskin stole forth from that -reeking den of evil designs, and made his way into the sweet, fresh -air. Overhead the stars burned with an effulgency only seen in a -Northern climate. Peace and silence reigned in the sleeping city. The -clear, pellucid waters of the Neva glistened and glinted as they flowed -to the sea, emblematic of the Stream of Time, which silently but surely -sweeps all men into the great ocean of eternity, and obliterates even -their memory. - -Man’s life is a little thing indeed when compared with the -stupendousness of Time and Eternity. The bright stars shine, the -rivers roll for ever; but man is born to-day; to-morrow he is dust -and forgotten. No such feeling or sentiment, however, stirred Peter -Treskin’s emotion as he hurried along to his lodgings. He was elated, -nevertheless, and full of a fierce, wicked joy, for his designs seemed -to be going well. He had that night seen the completion, or almost -the completion, of an instrument of destruction which was calculated -and intended to strike terror into the hearts of tyrants, and he -even believed that the hour was at hand when constituted power and -authority, as it then existed, would be shattered into the dust, and -from its ruins a new order of things would arise, in which he would -figure as a supreme ruler. - -Fools have dreamed these dreams before, and awakened with the -curses of their fellow-men ringing in their ears; and then, having -died a shameful death, have been thrust, unhonoured and unwept, -into a nameless grave. But Treskin was not disturbed by any gloomy -forebodings, and having reached his lodgings, he hurried to bed. - - * * * * * - -The scene shifts once more, and shows us Kronstadt, a busy, thriving -seaport, arsenal, and naval and military town, at the head of the Gulf -of Finland, exactly thirty-one miles west from St. Petersburg. The -town is built on an island, and is so strongly fortified that it is -called the ‘Malta of the Baltic.’ The greater portion of the Imperial -navy assembles here, and there are armour and appliances, not only -for repairing vessels, but building men-of-war. There are three great -harbours. Two are used exclusively for the Imperial ships, and the -third is a general harbour capable of accommodating seven hundred -vessels. In the winter no trade with the outer world is carried on, -owing to the ice; but during the summer months the flags of various -nationalities may be seen, but by far the largest number of foreign -vessels visiting Kronstadt sail under the British flag. - -At this place, one summer afternoon, a man and woman arrived, and -made their way to a tavern near the entrance to the general harbour. -The woman was young, good-looking, very dark, but her features wore a -careworn expression, and she seemed to glance about her with a nervous -fear, as though she was in dread of something. The man was of middle -height; he had an iron-gray beard and iron-gray hair. Judging from his -grayness, he was advanced in years; but his step was firm, his eyes, -which were very dark, were the eyes of youth--they were restless and -full of fire. He carried a leather hand-bag, which he deposited on a -chair beside him as he and the woman seated themselves at a table -outside of the tavern and ordered refreshment, which was served by the -tavern-keeper himself. The stranger got into conversation with the -landlord, and asked him many questions. - -‘Where is the Little Father’s yacht, the _North Star_, lying?’ he asked. - -‘Out there, moored to that big buoy. You will see she has the Imperial -flag flying.’ As he spoke, the landlord pointed to the outside of the -harbour, where a large steam-yacht, painted white, was moored. A thin -film of smoke was issuing from her funnels, and a little wreath of -steam from her steam-pipes. ‘She has been outside into the roadstead -this morning to adjust her compasses. I see a bargeload of stores has -just gone off to her.’ - -‘At what hour will the Imperial party arrive to-morrow?’ - -‘They are timed, I understand, to be here at nine o’clock,’ said the -landlord. - -‘The Czar is a stickler for punctuality, isn’t he?’ asked the stranger. - -‘Yes. I understand he is seldom behind time if he can help it. Well, -his Majesty will have a good trip, I hope. The weather promises to be -fine. God protect him!’ - -‘She is a fine yacht, is the _North Star_, I suppose?’ - -‘Splendid! Magnificent! I once had the honour of going on board by the -courtesy of one of the officers, who gave me an order. But she was -laid up then, and partly dismantled. Now would be the time to see her, -when she is all ready for the Little Father’s reception. But that is -impossible. No one not connected with the vessel would be allowed on -board.’ - -The stranger smiled, as he remarked: - -‘I am not connected with the vessel, and yet I am going on board.’ - -‘You are!’ cried the host in astonishment. ‘Impossible!’ - -‘By no means impossible. I have official business.’ - -‘Oh, well, of course, that’s another thing. Well, I envy you.’ - -When the landlord had gone about his affairs, the girl said to her -companion, speaking in low tones: - -‘You are a fool to talk about your intentions in that way. You are -simply directing attention to yourself.’ - -‘Tut! hold your tongue! What does it matter? There is nothing to fear -from this thick-headed publican.’ - -‘But you ought to be more careful--you ought indeed,’ urged the girl -tearfully. ‘You are far too reckless. Remember the tremendous risks -you are running--we are running--for if you sacrifice yourself you -sacrifice me too.’ - -‘Are you beginning to funk?’ asked the man irritably. - -‘No. But there is no reason why the risks should be made greater than -they are. We have a great task to accomplish, and every possible -caution should be exercised.’ - -‘Well, now what have I done that is wrong?’ demanded the man angrily. - -‘You told the landlord you were going on board the yacht. It was -foolish to do that. You drew attention to yourself.’ - -‘Possibly you are right--possibly you are right,’ her companion -returned thoughtfully. ‘It was a little bit of vanity on my part, but -it slipped out. However, all will be well. Our plans are so well laid -it is impossible for them to miscarry.’ - -‘Nothing is impossible; nothing should be counted upon as certain until -it is accomplished,’ the girl said. - -‘You are a nice sort of Job’s comforter. Do, for goodness’ sake, keep -quiet!’ answered the man snappishly. He was evidently in a highly -nervous state, and very irritable. ‘Well, I must go. Be sure, now, that -you don’t stir from here until I return.’ - -‘I understand,’ said the girl. ‘But, remember, the suspense will be -awful. Don’t be away from me a minute longer than you can help.’ - -He promised that he would not. Then, taking up his hand-bag, he -embraced his companion and went out. Making his way down to the quay, -he hired a boat, and instructed the boatman to row him to the Imperial -yacht. - -On reaching the vessel, he was challenged by the sentry on duty at -the gangway, and he replied that he had come on official business, -and had a Government order. Whereupon he was allowed to get on to -the lower grating of the steps, where an officer came to him, and he -produced a Government document, stamped with the official seal, and -setting forth that his name was Ivan Orloff, that he was one of the -naval clockmakers, and had been sent down to adjust all the clocks on -board the _North Star_ preparatory to the Czar’s arrival. Such an order -could not be gainsaid, so he was admitted on board, but an armed sailor -was told off to accompany him about the ship, and show him where the -various clocks were situated. There were a good many clocks, as every -officer had one in his cabin. - -The man came at last to the Czar’s suite of apartments in the -newly-constructed deckhouse. The sailor paused at the entrance to cross -himself before a sacred picture that hung on the bulkhead, but Orloff -pushed on, and, passing beneath costly and magnificent curtains, he -reached the Czar’s sleeping-cabin, which was a dream of splendour. With -quick, hurried movements he took from his bag an oblong box, turned -a handle on an index dial, and placed the box beneath the royal bed. -He scarcely had time to recover his position, and get to a chest of -drawers on which stood a superb clock, when the sailor entered, and -said gruffly: - -‘You ought to have waited for me.’ - -‘I’m in a hurry, friend,’ said Orloff. ‘I want to get my work finished -and return to St. Petersburg to-night.’ - -As he lifted the glass shade off the clock, his hands trembled and his -face was as white as marble, but the sailor did not notice it. - -Half an hour later Orloff had completed his task, and took his -departure, and landing once more on the quay, he made his way to the -tavern and joined the girl. - -‘Have you succeeded?’ she asked anxiously. - -‘Yes. But a sailor kept guard over me, and I was afraid the plan -would have miscarried; I racked my brains trying to find an excuse -for freeing myself from him. But fortune favoured me. He stopped to -mumble a prayer before an ikon, and I seized the opportunity to get -into the Tsar’s bed-chamber, where I planted the machine. It is set for -thirty-three hours, and will go off to-morrow night when the Tsar has -retired to his couch.’ - -The girl looked frightened, and said nervously: - -‘Well, let us leave here, and get back without a moment’s delay.’ - -‘Don’t worry yourself, my child; there is plenty of time. I am going to -dine first.’ - -He ordered dinner for two and half a bottle of vodka beforehand by -way of an appetizer, and, having drunk pretty freely, he and the girl -strolled out while the dinner was being prepared. - -It was a glorious evening. The sun was setting. The heavens were dyed -with crimson fire. In the clear atmosphere the masts and rigging of the -vessels stood out with a sharpness of definition that was remarkable. -There was no wind. The water of the gulf was motionless. - -Suddenly there was a tremendous shock as if a great gun had been fired, -and in a few moments a cry arose from a hundred throats that something -had happened on board the Imperial yacht. The air about her was filled -with splinters of wood. Men could be seen running along her decks in a -state of great excitement, and she appeared to be heeling over to the -starboard side. ‘Her boilers have burst,’ cried the people, as they -rushed pell-mell to the quay, while from all parts of the harbour boats -were hurriedly making their way to the _North Star_, as it was thought -that she was foundering. - - -THE SECOND ACT--THE UNRAVELLING OF THE PLOT. - -When the explosion on board the Imperial yacht occurred, Orloff and the -girl were strolling along one of the quays which commanded a full view -of the harbour, and, attracted by the tremendous report, they turned -their eyes seaward to behold a dense column of vapourish smoke rising -upwards, and wreckage of all kinds filling the air. The girl staggered, -and reeled against her companion, and he, clapping his hand suddenly to -his forehead, exclaimed: - -‘My God! what have I done? The machine has gone off before its time. I -must have set the index wrong.’ - -The excitement both on shore and in the harbour was tremendous, -otherwise Orloff and the woman would surely have drawn attention to -themselves by the terror and nervousness they displayed. - -‘We are lost! we are lost!’ wailed the woman. - -At this the man seemed to suddenly recover his self-possession. - -‘Peace, fool!’ he muttered savagely between his teeth. ‘We are not -lost.’ - -He glanced round him anxiously for some moments; then, seeing a boat -containing a solitary boatman about to put off from the quay, he said -hurriedly to his companion, ‘Stop here for a little while; I will -return shortly.’ - -She was so dazed and stupefied that she made no attempt to stop him, -and he hurried away, rushed down a flight of stone steps, and hailed -the boatman. - -After a few words of haggling and bargaining, Orloff sprang into the -little craft and the boatman rowed rapidly out towards the _North Star_. - -The girl waited and waited in a fever of anxiety and impatience. She -paced the quay--up and down, up and down. To and fro she went. Her face -was as white as bleached marble. Her dark flashing eyes bespoke the -fear she felt. Her hands opened and shut spasmodically from the extreme -nervous tension she felt. - -All the light of day faded out of the sky. A blood-red streak did -linger in the western sky for a time, but was suddenly extinguished -by the black robe of Night. The girl still paced the quay, but Orloff -did not return. She heard the gossip of people as they returned to the -shore from the harbour, and from this she gathered that the Imperial -yacht had been partially destroyed, and many lives had been lost. The -prevailing opinion was that the mischief was due to the bursting of a -boiler. - -Unable longer to endure her misery, the girl went back to the tavern. -The landlord came to her, and asked if she had been off to the wreck. - -‘No,’ she answered. ‘My husband has gone. It’s an awful business, isn’t -it? They say the boiler of the steamer blew up, and that there have -been many lives lost.’ - -‘I heard that half the crew are killed,’ said the landlord. ‘God be -praised that the accident occurred before our Little Father arrived! -It’s a Providential escape.’ - -‘Yes,’ answered the girl sullenly. - -The landlord asked her if she would have dinner, as it was all ready. -She replied that she would wait for her husband. She drank some vodka, -however, to steady her nerves, and smoked a cigarette. - -Presently she went forth again, and paced the quay, going back to the -tavern after a time to learn that Orloff had not returned. It was then -a little after nine. And as the last train to St. Petersburg started -at half-past nine, she settled the bill at the tavern, and, taking the -leather bag with her, hurried to the station and got back to town. -She was full of nervous apprehension, and puzzled to account for the -strange disappearance of Orloff. Had he deserted her? Had he been -apprehended? The suspense was horrible. It almost drove her mad. - - * * * * * - -When the news of the disaster on board the Czar’s yacht reached St. -Petersburg, the consternation was tremendous, and a special train -filled with Government officials, including Michael Danevitch, started -at once for Kronstadt to investigate the affair on the spot. - -Several bodies had been recovered and brought on shore. They were laid -out in a shed on the quay. The shed was lighted by oil-lamps, and their -feeble glimmer revealed a ghastly sight. The bodies were all more or -less mutilated. Some were unrecognisable. There were nine altogether, -including the chief officer and the chief engineer. - -The captain arrived with the Government officials. He had been in town, -and was to have travelled down the next day in the Emperor’s suite. - -In mustering his ship’s company, he found that twenty-three were -missing altogether. Nine of that number were lying in the shed. The -rest were being searched for by boats. Several were recovered, but some -drifted out with the currents and were seen no more. - -Investigations soon proved that the destruction was not due to the -bursting of a boiler. The boilers were intact. The cause of the -disaster, therefore, was a mystery, until somebody on board, having -recovered his presence of mind after the dreadful shock, referred to -the visit of the Government clock-winder. - -That sounded suspicious. As far as the officials knew, no one had -been sent down to wind the clocks. But still, as the fellow had come -furnished with Government-stamped credentials, it was probably all -right. - -Owing, however, to some strange oversight or stupid blunder, nothing -could be ascertained then, as no one was at the telegraph-office in St. -Petersburg to receive messages, and so the night wore itself out, and -many hours’ start was given to Orloff and his co-conspirators. - -During this time Danevitch was not idle. He knew, perhaps better than -anyone else, how the Emperor was encompassed round about with enemies -who sought his destruction, and the wily detective smelt treason in the -air. - -Although it was night, Kronstadt kept awake, for people were too -excited to sleep, and a messenger was despatched to St. Petersburg on -an engine, whose driver was ordered to cover the distance in an hour--a -fast run for Russia. The messenger was furnished with a description of -Orloff--at this time it was not known that a woman had been with him; -it will be remembered she did not go on board--and was told to lose not -a moment in circulating that description. - -Then Danevitch began inquiries on his own account in Kronstadt. From -the survivors on board the yacht he ascertained at what time Orloff -went on board; an hour and a half before he presented himself a train -had arrived from St. Petersburg. - -He had probably arrived by that train. The boatman who took him off to -the yacht was found. He said the supposed clock-winder carried a black -bag with him both going and coming. - -After his return to the shore only two trains left for St. Petersburg. -By neither of those trains did he travel, so far as could be -ascertained. - -The sailor who had been told off to accompany Orloff over the vessel -was amongst the missing; but it was gathered that when the clock-winder -had gone the sailor mentioned to some of his companions that he had -been much annoyed by the stranger rushing forward to the Emperor’s -bed-chamber, while he (the sailor) was mumbling a prayer before an ikon -(sacred picture) which hung at the entrance. - -When he got into the room, he noticed that the stranger was pale and -flurried, as if he had received a shock. Those who heard the story -thought the sailor’s imagination had run away with him, and so no -importance or significance was attached to what he said. - -The destructive force of the explosion on board the _North Star_ had -been tremendous. Not only had the whole of the Czar’s rooms been -completely destroyed, but a large section of the ship’s decks and -bulwarks had been shattered, and one of her plates started, so that -the water came in so fast that the pumps had to be kept going, while -preparations were made to tow her into the docks, for her own engines -being damaged, they would not work. - -Soon after six in the morning, the engine that had been sent to the -capital returned and brought some more officials. They stated that, -from inquiries made, no one by the name of Orloff had been sent down to -regulate the clocks on board the Czar’s yacht. - -All the clocks on board the Imperial fleet were kept in order by -contract, and no special warrant had been supplied to anybody of the -name of Orloff. - -This information made it clear that a dastardly conspiracy was at work, -and it was easy to surmise that the explosion on board the yacht was -premature. The intention evidently was that it should take place after -the Czar had embarked; but the cowardly wretches, by some blundering, -had allowed their mine to go off too soon, and though many innocent -people had been sacrificed, and immense damage done to valuable -property, the life of the Emperor had been spared. - -It was not long before Danevitch found out that the man calling himself -Orloff, and a female companion, had put up at a tavern near the quay, -and the landlord gave all the information he could. - -He stated that Orloff told him he was going on board the vessel, and -started off for that purpose, leaving the woman behind him. He returned -later, and ordered dinner, and then he and the woman went off again for -a stroll. - -After the explosion the woman returned alone, and hurried away by -herself, taking the black bag with her, to catch the last train. - -This was instructive, but it was also puzzling. It was established that -the woman did go up by the last train, but not Orloff. What had become -of him? - -Danevitch took measures to have every outlet from Kronstadt watched. -Then he set off for St. Petersburg. In reasoning the matter out, it was -clear to him that several, perhaps many, persons had had a hand in the -conspiracy. - -The infernal machine carried on board the _North Star_ by the man -calling himself Orloff was hardly likely to be the work of one man. Any -way, a woman was mixed up in the business. - -The official document that Orloff had presented was written on -Government paper, and it bore the Government seal. The officer -of the _North Star_ who had examined it before admitting the -pseudo-clock-regulator, and who was amongst those who escaped without -hurt from the explosion, testified to that. - -Such being the case, and the order being written on what was known -as ‘Admiralty’ paper, it followed that it must have been stolen from -the Admiralty office. It struck Danevitch that the thief was probably -a female employé in the Admiralty Palace, and that it was she who -accompanied Orloff to Kronstadt. - -This was a mere surmise, but it seemed feasible, and with Danevitch all -theories were worth testing. Whoever it was, in the hurry of leaving -the tavern at that town she had left behind her a glove. - -It was a black silk-thread glove, ornamented at the back with sprigs -worked in white silk. With this glove in his possession, Danevitch -proceeded to the Admiralty Palace. But as soon as he arrived he learnt -that Miss Catherine Snell had made a statement about Anna Plevski -having visited Room 12 and requested to look at the plans of the _North -Star_. - -Anna was at once confronted with Danevitch. Asked where she had been -the night before, she replied indignantly, ‘At home, of course.’ - -Did she know a person named Orloff? No, she did not. Why did she go to -Catherine Snell and ask her to show her the plans of the _North Star?_ -Simply to gratify her curiosity, nothing else. She was next asked if -she had worn gloves the day previous. She replied that she had. What -sort were they? Kid gloves, she answered. Had she those gloves with -her? No; she had left them at home, and had come to the office that -morning without gloves. - -After a few more inquiries she was allowed to return to her duties, -but was kept under strict surveillance, while poor Catherine Snell was -suspended for dereliction of duty. - -In the meantime Danevitch proceeded to Anna’s lodgings, and a search -there brought to light the fellow to the glove left in the tavern at -Kronstadt. It had been thrown carelessly by the girl on the top of -a chest of drawers. This glove was a damning piece of evidence that -Anna had accompanied Orloff to Kronstadt the day before, and that -established, it was a logical deduction that she had stolen the stamped -paper on which he had written, or caused to be written, the order which -had gained him admission on board of the _North Star_. All this, of -course, was plain sailing. Catherine Snell’s statement had made matters -easy so far. But there was a good deal more to be learnt, a great deal -to be sifted before the truth would be revealed. - -When a person in Russia is suspected of crime, the law gives the police -tremendous power, and there are few of the formalities to be gone -through such as are peculiar to our own country; and in this instance -Danevitch was in a position to do almost absolutely whatever he thought -fit and proper to do. - -The finding of the glove carried conviction to his mind that Anna -Plevski was mixed up in this new plot for the destruction of the -Emperor. So, without any ceremony, he proceeded to rummage her boxes -and drawers for further evidence. The want of keys did not deter him; -chisels and hammers answered the same purpose. His search was rewarded -with a bundle of letters. These were hastily scanned; they were all, -apparently, innocent enough; the majority of them were love letters. -A few of these were signed ‘Peter Treskin’; the rest simply bore the -initial ‘P.’ There was nothing in any of these letters calculated to -cause suspicion, with the exception of the following somewhat obscure -passage in a letter written a few days before the explosion: - -‘The time is at hand when your faith and love will be put to a great -test. The serious business we have in hand is reaching a critical -stage, and success depends on our courage, coolness, and determination. -You and I must henceforth walk hand-in-hand to that supreme happiness -for which we have both toiled. We love each other. We must unite our -destinies in a bond that can only be severed by death.’ - -Having learnt so much, Danevitch once more confronted Anna. She -confessed she had a lover named Peter Treskin; they had quarrelled, -however, and he had gone away; but she knew not where he had gone to, -and she did not care if she never saw him again. - -‘Perhaps you will be able to remember things better in a dungeon,’ -suggested Danevitch, as he arrested Anna, and handed her over to the -care of a gendarme. - -She turned deathly white, but otherwise appeared calm and collected, -and declared that she was the victim of a gross outrage, for which -everyone concerned would be made to suffer. - -Danevitch’s next move was to go to Treskin’s lodgings. He found that -gentleman had been absent for three days. Here also a search was made -for compromising papers. A good many letters from Anna Plevski were -brought to light. They all breathed the most ardent love and devotion -for the man; and the writer declared that she could not live a day -without him, that for his sake she was prepared to peril her soul. But -there were other letters--love letters--written to Treskin by a woman -who signed herself Lydia Zagarin. This person not only betrayed by her -writing that she was desperately, madly in love with Treskin also, but -from her statements and expressions it was obvious that he had carried -on an intrigue with her, and was as much in love with her as she was -with him. She wrote from a place called Werro, in the Baltic provinces. -Danevitch took possession of these letters, and continued his search, -during which he came across a slip of paper which bore the printed -heading, ‘The Technical School of Chemistry, St. Petersburg.’ On it was -written this line: ‘Yes, I think I shall succeed.--SMOLSKI.’ - -Apparently there was not much in this, but what there was was quite -enough for Danevitch under the circumstances, and he had Professor -Smolski arrested. It was a summary proceeding, but in times of -excitement in Russia anyone may be arrested who may possibly turn out -to be a guilty person. It is not necessary that there should be a -shadow of a shade of evidence of guilt in the first instance; it is -enough that there is a possibility of the police being right. But if -they are wrong what does it matter? The person is released, and the -police are not blamed. Danevitch, however, did not often go wrong in -this respect; and in this instance, Smolski being a Professor in the -Technical School of Chemistry, there were probabilities that he might -be able to afford some valuable information respecting Treskin. - -Smolski was one of those extraordinary types of men who, having -conceived a certain thing to be right, are willing to risk fame, -fortune, life itself, for the sake of their opinions. Smolski was -undoubtedly a gentle, high-minded man; nevertheless he believed -that the ruler of his country was a tyrant; that his countrymen -were little better than slaves, whose social and political rights -were ignored; that the ordinary means--such as are familiar to more -liberally-governed countries--being useless to direct attention to -their wrongs, violent measures were justified, and the removal of the -tyrant would be acceptable in God’s sight. Holding these views--and -though he was a family man and one respected and honoured--Smolski had -allied himself with a band of arch-conspirators, whose head was Peter -Treskin. He was calm, dignified, and collected under his arrest, and -when he was interrogated, in accordance with Russian law, by a judge -of instruction, he frankly admitted that he had been concerned in an -attempt to bring about a better form of government; but he steadfastly -refused to denounce any of his accomplices. He could die bravely, as -became a man, but no one should say he was a traitor. - -All this would have been admirable in a nobler cause; as it was, he -simply proved that he had allowed his extreme views to blind him to the -difference between legitimate constitutional agitation and crime--crime -that, whether committed in the name of politics or not, was murder, -and an outrage against God’s ordinance. Smolski, in common with most -men, neglected the safe rule that letters should be destroyed when they -are calculated to compromise one’s honour or betray one’s friends. And -thus it came about that when the Professor’s papers were examined, not -only were Isaac and Jacob Eisenmann brought into the police net, but -many others; and in a diary he had kept there was a record of his -experiments with the deadly compound which was destined to blow the -monarch of the Empire into eternity, but which, owing to an accident or -a blunder, had failed in its object so far as the Czar was concerned, -though it had cruelly cut short the lives of many hard-working and -worthy men. Under any circumstances, even if the Czar had been involved -in the destructive influences of the infernal machine, many others must -have perished with him. Such conspirators never hesitate to destroy -nine hundred and ninety-nine inoffensive people if they can only reach -the thousandth against whom they have a grievance. - -Piece by piece the whole story as set forth in the first part of this -chronicle was put together, and the plot laid bare; but though many had -been brought under the iron grip of the law, the arch-conspirator, to -whose ruling spirit and genius the plot was due, was still at large, -and no trace of him was at that time forthcoming; but Danevitch did -not despair of hunting him down, of bringing him to his doom. And no -one whose mind was not distorted could say his life was not forfeited. -His whole career had been one of plotting and deceit. His commanding -presence and masterful mind had given him such an influence over many -of those with whom he came in contact--especially women--that he had -proved himself more than ordinarily dangerous, while his reckless -and cowardly wickedness in carrying the infernal machine on board -the Czar’s yacht, and thereby causing the sudden and cruel death of -something like two dozen people, stamped him at once as a being against -whom every honest man’s hand should be raised. - -In the meantime, while Danevitch was trying to get a clue to Treskin’s -whereabouts, his co-conspirators--they might truly be described as his -dupes--were tried, found guilty, condemned, and executed. Smolski, -the two Eisenmanns, and four others, were ignominiously hanged in the -presence of an enormous crowd. Smolski met his end with a perfect -resignation, a calm indifference. He firmly believed he was suffering -in a good cause. He died with the words ‘Khrista radi’ (For Christ’s -sake) upon his lips. He posed as a martyr. - -Anna Plevski had been cast for Siberia, but before starting upon the -terrible journey, the prospects of which were more appalling than -death, she would have to spend many months in a noisome dungeon in the -Russian Bastile, Schlusselburgh, in Lake Ladoga. - -But a circumstance presently arose which altered her fate. Danevitch -had kept his eye on Lydia Zagarin, of Werro. He found she was the -daughter of a retired ship-master, who had purchased a little property -in the small and pleasantly-situated town of Werro. He was a widower. -Lydia was his only daughter. On her father’s death she would succeed -to a modest fortune. Treskin had borrowed money from her, and it was -probable that he had singled her out from his many female acquaintances -as one to whom he would adhere on account of her money. Four months -after the fateful day when the Czar’s yacht was partially destroyed and -many people were killed, Treskin wrote to this young woman, renewing -his protestations of regard for her, and asking her to send him money, -and to join him with a view to his marrying her. He gave his address -at Point de Galle, Ceylon, where, according to his own account, he had -started in business as a merchant. He stated that, though he had taken -no active part in the destruction of the _North Star_, he happened -to be in Kronstadt on the night of the crime, and as he knew he was -suspected of being mixed up in revolutionary movements, he deemed it -advisable to go abroad; and so he had bribed a boatman to convey him -to a Swedish schooner which was on the point of leaving the Kronstadt -harbour on the night of the explosion, and he bribed the captain of -the schooner to convey him to the coast of Sweden. By this means he -escaped. From Sweden he travelled to England; from England to Ceylon, -where he had a cousin engaged on a coffee plantation. - -This letter came into the hands of Danevitch before it reached Lydia. -How that was managed need not be stated; but Danevitch now believed -he saw his way to capture Treskin. He knew, of course, that, as a -political refugee, claiming the protection of the British flag, he -could not be taken in the ordinary way. The British flag has over and -over again been disgraced by the protection it has afforded to wretches -of Treskin’s type, and it was so in this instance. To obtain his -extradition was next to impossible. He was a wholesale murderer, but -claimed sanctuary in the name of politics, and he found this sanctuary -under the British flag. - -Danevitch, however, resolved to have him, and resorted to stratagem. -He visited Anna Plevski in her dungeon. She knew nothing at this -time of the fate of her lover, though she did know that he had not -been captured. Danevitch, by skill and artifice, aroused in her that -strongest of all female passions--jealousy. He began by telling her -that Treskin had deserted her in a cowardly and shameful manner on the -night of the crime, and did not care whether she perished or lived. -Then he laid before her Lydia Zagarin’s letters to Treskin, which had -been seized at Treskin’s lodgings, and he watched the effect on the -girl as she read them. Finally he showed her the letter sent from -Ceylon. - -That was the last straw. Her feelings burst from the restraint she -had tried to impose upon them, and she cursed him again and again. -She declared solemnly that she was his victim; that she was innocent -and loyal until he corrupted her, and indoctrinated her with his -revolutionary ideas. He had sworn to be true to her, and used to say -they would live and die together. On the night of the crime he had -persuaded her to go with him to Kronstadt, because he declared that -he could not bear her to be out of his sight. They had arranged that -on the morrow they were to quit St. Petersburg, and travel with all -speed to Austrian soil. But not only had he basely deceived her, but -treacherously deserted her. She was furious, and uttered bitter regrets -that she could not hope to be revenged upon him. - -In this frame of mind she was left for the time. A week later, however, -Danevitch once more visited her. She was still brooding on her wrongs -and her hard fate. To suffer Siberia for the sake of a man who had so -cruelly deceived her and blighted her young life was doubly hard. - -‘Would she be willing, if she had the chance, to bring him to justice?’ -Danevitch asked. - -Her dark eyes filled with fire, and her pale face flushed, as she -exclaimed with passionate gesture that she would do it with a fierce -joy in her heart, and laugh at him exultingly as he was led to his doom. - -She was told that the chance would be given to her to betray him into -the hands of justice. She would be set free on sufferance, and allowed -to proceed to Ceylon, and, provided she succeeded in her task and -was faithful to the trust reposed in her, she would, on returning to -Russia, receive a full pardon, and be supplied with a considerable sum -of money to enable her to live abroad if she desired it. - -In setting her free, however, in the first instance, the Government -intended to retain a hold upon her, and to that end her youngest and -favourite brother, who was an invalid, and to whom she was devoted, -had been arrested on suspicion of being mixed up with revolutionary -movements. If she did not return within a fixed time, the brother would -be sent to the Siberian quicksilver-mines. While she was away he would -be treated with every kindness, and on her return he would be set at -liberty. His fate therefore was in her hands. If she allowed the false -lover to prevail over her she would sacrifice her brother. If, on the -other hand, she was true to her trust, she would save her brother, -gratify her revenge, and be provided for for life. - -She was allowed a week in which to make up her mind; but in two days -she gave her decision. She would go to Ceylon. She would lure Treskin -to his doom. To prepare the way she wrote a letter to dictation. In it -she stated that she had been tried and found not guilty. No sooner was -she released than she had been visited by a wretch of a woman named -Lydia Zagarin, who abused her fearfully for having corresponded with -Treskin, whom she claimed. And in her mad passion she had disclosed -his whereabouts, but vowed that she hated him, knowing that he had been -false to her, and that all he wanted now was her money. Anna, however, -had no such thoughts about him. She loved him to distraction, and could -not live without him. She intended, therefore, to go to Ceylon; and she -had managed to secure some money, which she would take to him. She was -perfectly sure, she added, that he loved her, and that they would be -very happy together. - -This letter was duly despatched, and a fortnight later Anna set out on -her strange mission, having first had an interview with her brother, -though she was cautioned against telling him or any living soul where -she was going to. She found him almost broken-hearted, for he declared -he was as innocent of revolutionary ideas as a babe unborn; but he knew -that when once a man fell into the hands of the police as a ‘suspect’ -he had very little to hope for. Anna endeavoured to cheer him up by -saying she would do all that mortal could do to prove his innocence; -and as the Government had failed to substantiate their charge against -her, she was sure they would not succeed in his case. - - * * * * * - -The scene changes again for the final act, and shows the beautiful -island of Ceylon and the wide, sweeping bay of Point de Galle, with its -splendid lighthouse, its great barrier reef, and its golden sands. Anna -Plevski had landed there from a P. and O. steamer, and had been met by -Treskin, who, while he declared he was delighted to see her, showed by -his manner he was annoyed. - -As a matter of fact, he hoped for Lydia Zagarin, but Anna Plevski had -come to him instead. But there was another cause for his annoyance, as -Anna soon discovered. He had a native mistress; but in a little time -Anna had so far prevailed over him that he put the dusky beauty away. -He had commenced in business as a commission agent and coffee merchant; -but so far success had not attended his efforts. He had neither the -energy, the perseverance, nor the patience necessary if one would -succeed in business, so that he very eagerly inquired of Anna what -money she had brought. She told him that she had not very much with -her, but in a few weeks would receive a remittance. In the meantime -there was enough to be going on with. She thus won his confidence. -Indeed, he never for a moment suspected her mission. There was nothing -whatever to arouse his suspicions. It all seemed perfectly natural and -he believed that under the ægis of the British flag he was perfectly -safe. So he would have been if Danevitch had not played such a clever -move to checkmate him. - -A little more than two months passed, during which Treskin knew -nothing of the sword that swung above his head. Then Anna complained -of illness. She thought Point de Galle did not agree with her; she -wanted a change; she had been told that Colombo was a very pretty -place; she would like to see it; and as she had received a remittance -of thirty pounds they could afford the journey. He must take her there. -To this he consented, and they travelled by gharry. It was the first -step towards his doom. With the remittance came another letter to Anna -giving her secret instructions. - -Colombo was duly reached. It was the best season. The days were -tranquil and brilliant. The nights were wordless poems. The third night -after their arrival Anna expressed a desire to go out in a native boat -on the water. The sea was motionless. It was like a sheet of glass. The -night was glorious; a soft land-breeze blew, laden with rich scents. -The heavens were ablaze with stars, and a dreamy languor seemed to -pervade the delicious atmosphere. Accordingly, a native boat and two -stalwart rowers were hired, and Treskin and Anna embarked. It was the -second step towards his doom. - -The boatmen pulled from the land. The calm water and tranquil night -made rowing easy, and presently a little bamboo sail was hoisted, which -helped the craft along. Treskin lay back in the stern and smoked; Anna -sat beside him, and sang softly snatches of plaintive Russian airs. - -When about five miles from the shore, they saw a small steamer creeping -slowly along. She came close to the boat, and an English voice hailed -her and asked if anyone in the boat spoke English. - -Treskin answered. The voice then inquired if the occupant of the boat -would kindly take some letters on shore. The captain of the steamer did -not want to go into the port. - -Treskin gladly consented, and he was asked to order his boatmen to pull -alongside the steamer, which proved to be a pleasure-yacht. - -Without a shadow of suspicion in his mind, Treskin did so, and he was -politely invited to step on board, a ladder being lowered for that -purpose. He turned to Anna, and asked her if she would go. Of course -she would. So she preceded him up the ladder. - -As soon as he was on the deck the gangway was closed, and a man in -uniform directed him to the little saloon, where some wine and biscuits -stood on the table. The engines of the steamer were started, though -that did not alarm him; but in a few minutes a stern, determined man -entered the cabin. He wore the uniform of a lieutenant of the Russian -Navy, and had a sword at his side. - -‘Peter Treskin,’ he said in Russian, ‘you have been cleverly lured on -board this boat, which is owned by a Russian gentleman, and flies the -Russian flag, in order that you may be taken back to Russia to answer -for your great crime.’ - -Treskin’s face turned to an ashen grayness, and, springing to his feet, -he rushed to the door, but found his exit barred by armed men. In -another instant he was seized, and heavily ironed. He knew then that -his fate was sealed, and his heart turned to lead with an awful sense -of despair. - -Steaming as hard as she could steam, the yacht rounded Point de Galle, -and when about fifteen miles due east of Ceylon she suddenly stopped. -A Russian gunboat was lying in wait. To this gunboat the prisoner was -transferred, but Anna remained on board the yacht. - -The gunboat steamed away at once, and shaped her course for Manilla, -where she coaled; and that done she proceeded under a full head of -steam for the sea of Japan and Vladivostock. - -The yacht went in the other direction, making for the Gulf of Aden and -the Red Sea, and after a pleasant and uneventful voyage she sailed by -way of the Bosphorus to the Crimea. She made many calls on the way, -and at every port she touched at she was supposed to be on a pleasure -cruise, and Anna was looked upon as the owner’s wife. - -As Anna Plevski entered Russia in the west, her false lover entered -it in the far east, and thence under a strong escort he was conducted -through the whole length of Siberia to St. Petersburg, a distance of -something like five thousand miles. - -It is an awful journey at the best of times. In his case the awfulness -was enhanced a hundredfold, for he knew that every verst travelled -placed him nearer and nearer to his shameful doom. - -He was six months on the journey, and when he reached the capital his -hair was white, his face haggard and drawn, his eyes sunken. He was an -old and withered man, while the terrible strain had affected his mind; -but as he had been pitiless to others, so no pity was shown for him. He -had brought sorrow, misery, and suffering to many a home. He had made -widows and orphans; he had maimed and killed, and he could not expect -mercy in a world which he had disgraced. - - -THE DÉNOUEMENT. - -It is a typical Russian winter day. The sun shines from a cloudless -sky. The air is thin and transparent, the cold intense; the snow is -compacted on the ground until it is of the consistency of iron. - -On the great plain outside of St. Petersburg, where the public -executions take place, a grim scaffold is erected. It is an exposed -platform of rough boards, from which spring two upright posts, topped -with a cross-bar, from which depends a rope with a noose. - -It is the most primitive arrangement. The scaffold is surrounded with -troops, horse and foot. There are nearly two thousand of them; but the -scaffold is raised so high that the soldiers do not obscure the view. - -The plain is filled with a densely-packed crowd; but on one side a lane -is kept open, and up this lane rumbles a springless cart, guarded by -horsemen with drawn swords. In the cart, on a bed of straw, crouches -a man, bound hand and foot. His face is horrible--ghastly. It wears a -stony expression of concentrated fear. - -A priest sits with the man, and holds a crucifix before his eyes. But -the eyes appear sightless, and to be starting from the head. - -The cart reaches the foot of the ladder which leads to the platform. -The bound man is dragged out, for he is powerless to move. He is pushed -and dragged up the ladder, followed by the priest. As soon as he -reaches the platform and sees the noose, he utters a suppressed cry of -horror, and shrinks away. - -Pitiless hands thrust him forward again, and he is placed on some -steps; the noose is adjusted round his neck. No cap is used to hide his -awful face. At a given signal the steps are drawn away, and the man -swings in the air and is slowly strangled to death. A great cheer rises -from the crowd, but it is mingled with groans. - -Thus did Peter Treskin meet his doom. He lived like a coward; he died -like a coward. He had talents and abilities that, properly directed, -would have gained him high position, but he chose the wrong path, and -it ended in a dog’s death. - -He well deserved his ignominious fate, and yet, even at the present -day, there are some who believe he was a martyr. But these people may -be classed amongst those who believe not, even though an angel comes -down from heaven to teach. - - - - -THE CLUE OF THE DEAD HAND - -THE STORY OF AN EDINBURGH MYSTERY - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -NEW YEAR’S EVE: THE MYSTERY BEGINS. - - -A strange, weird sort of place was Corbie Hall. There was an eeriness -about it that was calculated to make one shudder. For years it had been -practically a ruin, and tenantless. - -Although an old place, it was without any particular history, except -a tradition that a favourite of Queen Mary had once lived there, and -suddenly disappeared in a mysterious way. He was supposed to have been -murdered and buried secretly. - -The last tenant was one Robert Crease, a wild roisterer, who had -travelled much beyond the seas, scraped money together, purchased the -Hall, surrounded himself with a number of boon companions, and turned -night into day. Corbie Hall stood just to the north of Blackford Hill, -as those who are old enough will remember. - -In ‘Rab’ Crease’s time it was a lonely enough place; but he and his -brother roisterers were not affected by the solitude, and many were the -curious tales told about their orgies. - -However, Rab came to grief one night. He had been into the town for -some purpose, and, staggering home in a storm of wind and rain with a -greater burden of liquor than he could comfortably carry, he missed his -way, pitched headlong into a quarry, and broke his neck. - -He left the place to a person whom he described as his nephew. But -the heir could not be found, nor could his death be proved. Then -litigation had ensued, and there had been fierce wrangles; bitterness -was engendered, and bad blood made. The place, however, remained empty -and lonely year after year, until, as might have been expected, it got -an evil reputation. People said it was haunted. They shunned it. The -wildest possible stories were told about it. It fell into dilapidation. -The winter rains and snows soaked through the roof. The window-frames -rotted; the grounds became a wilderness of weeds. - -At last the heir was found. His name was Raymond Balfour. He was the -only son of Crease’s only sister, who had married a ne’er-do-weel of a -fellow, who came from no one knew where, and where he went to no one -cared. He treated his wife shamefully. - -Her son was born in Edinburgh, and when he was little more than a baby -she fled with him and obtained a situation of some kind in Deeside. -She managed to give her boy a decent education, and he was sent to -Edinburgh to study law. - -He seemed, however, to have inherited some of his father’s bad -qualities, and fell into disgrace. His mother dying before he was quite -out of his teens, he found himself friendless and without resources. - -His mother in marrying had alienated herself from her relatives, -what few she had; and when she died no one seemed anxious to own -kindredship with Raymond, whose conduct and ‘goings on’ were described -as ‘outrageous.’ So the young fellow snapped his fingers at everyone, -declared his intention of going out into the world to seek his fortune, -and disappeared. - -After many years of wandering in all parts of the world, and when in -mid-life, he returned to Edinburgh, for he declared that, of all the -cities he had seen, it was the most beautiful, the most picturesque. - -He was a stalwart, sunburnt, handsome fellow, though with a somewhat -moody expression and a cold, distant, reserved manner. He had heard by -mere chance of his inheritance, and, having legally established his -claim, took possession of his property. - -Although nobody could learn anything at all of his affairs, it was soon -made evident that he had plenty of money. He brought with him from -India, or somewhere else, a native servant, who appeared to be devoted -to him. This servant was simply known as Chunda. - -He was a strange, fragile-looking being, with restless, dreamy eyes, -thin, delicate hands, and a hairless, mobile face, that was more like -the face of a woman than a man. Yet the strong light of the eyes, and -somewhat square chin, spoke of determination and a passionate nature. -When he first came he wore his native garb, which was exceedingly -picturesque; but in a very short time he donned European clothes, and -never walked abroad without a topcoat on, even in what Edinburgh folk -considered hot weather. - -When it became known that the wanderer had returned, apparently a -wealthy man, those who years before had declared his conduct to be -‘outrageous,’ and declined to own him, now showed a disposition to pay -the most servile homage. - -But he would have none of them. It was his hour of triumph, and he -closed his doors against all who came to claim kinship with him. - -Very soon it was made manifest that Raymond Balfour was in the way to -distinguish himself as his predecessor and kinsman, Crease, had done. - -Corbie Hall was turned into a place of revel and riot, and strange, -even startling, were the stories that came into currency by the vulgar -lips of common rumour. Those whose privilege it was to be the guests at -Corbie Hall were not people who, according to Edinburgh ethics, were -entitled to be classed amongst the elect, or who were numbered within -the pale of so-called ‘respectable society.’ They belonged rather to -that outer fringe which was considered to be an ungodly Bohemia. - -It was true that in their ranks were certain young men who were -supposed to be seriously pursuing their studies in order that they -might ultimately qualify for the Church, the Law, and Medicine. - -But their chief sin, perhaps, was youth, which, as the years advanced, -would be overcome. Nevertheless, the frowns of the ‘superior people’ -were directed to them, and they were solemnly warned that Corbie Hall -was on the highroad to perdition; that, as it had always been an -unlucky place, it would continue to be unlucky; in short, that it was -accursed. - -Raymond Balfour’s guests were not all of the sterner sex. Ladies -occasionally graced his board. One of them was a Maggie Stiven, who -rejoiced in being referred to as the best hated woman in Edinburgh. - -She was the daughter of a baker carrying on business in the High -Street; but Maggie had quarrelled with her parents, and taken herself -off to her only brother, who kept a public-house in College Street. - -He, too, had quarrelled with his people, so that he not only welcomed -Maggie, but was glad of her assistance in his business. - -Maggie bore the proud reputation of being the prettiest young woman -in Edinburgh. Her age was about three-and-twenty, and it was said she -had turned the heads of half the young fellows in the town. She was -generally regarded as a heartless coquette, a silly flirt, who had -brains for nothing else but dress. - -She possessed a will of her own, however, and seemed determined to -shape her course and order her life exactly as it pleased her to do. - -She used to say that, if ‘the grand folk’ turned up their noses at her, -she knew how to turn up her nose at them. - -When she found out that a rumour was being bandied from lip to lip, -which coupled her name with the name of Raymond Balfour--in short, that -he and she were engaged to be married--she was intensely delighted; -but, while she did not deny it, she would not admit it. It was only in -accordance with human nature that some spiteful things should be said. - -‘It’s no for his guid looks nor his moral character that Maggie -Stiven’s fastening herself on to the reprobate of Corbie Hall,’ was -the sneering comment. ‘It’s his siller she’s thinking of. She’s aye -ready to sell her body and soul for siller. Well, when he’s married on -to her he’ll sune find that it taks mair than a winsome face tae make -happiness. But fules will aye be fules, and he maun gang his ain way.’ - -It is pretty certain that Maggie was not affected by this sort of -tittle-tattle. She knew the power of her ‘winsome face,’ and made the -most of it. She knew also that the scathing things that were said about -her came from her own sex. - -She could twist men round her little finger. They were her slaves. That -is where her triumph came in. She could make women mad, and bring men -to their knees. - -Whether or not there was any truth in the rumour at this time, that she -was likely to wed the master of Corbie Hall, there was no doubt at all -that she was a frequent visitor there. - -Sometimes she went with her brother, who supplied most of the liquor -consumed in the Hall--and it was a pretty good source of income to -him--and sometimes she went alone. - -Scarcely a night passed that Mr. Balfour was without company; and -Maggie was often there three or four nights a week. She had even been -seen driving about with him in his dogcart. - -It seemed, therefore, as if there was some justification for the -surmise as to the probable match and the ultimate wedding. - -These preliminary particulars about Maggie and the new owner of Corbie -Hall will pave the way to the series of extraordinary events that has -now to be described. - -It was New Year’s Eve. Raymond Balfour had then been in possession of -his property for something like nine months, and during that period had -made the most of his time. - -He had gone the pace, as the saying is; and the old house, after years -of mouldiness and decay, echoed the shouts of revelry night after -night. There were wild doings there, and sedate people were shocked. - -On the New Year’s Eve in question there was a pretty big party in the -Hall. During the week following Christmas, large stores of supplies had -been sent out from the town in readiness for the great feast that was -to usher in the New Year. - -Some fifteen guests assembled in the house altogether, including Maggie -Stiven and four other ladies, and in order to minister to the wants of -this motley crowd, three or four special waiters were engaged to come -from Edinburgh. - -The day had been an unusually stormy one. A terrific gale had lashed -the Firth, and there had been much loss of life and many wrecks. The -full force of the storm was felt in Edinburgh, and numerous accidents -had occurred through the falling of chimney-cans and pots. Windows were -blown in, hoardings swept away, and trees uprooted as if they had been -mere saplings. - -The wind was accompanied by hail and snow, while the temperature was so -low that three or four homeless, starving wretches were found frozen to -death. - -As darkness set in the wind abated, but snow then began to fall, and -in the course of two or three hours roads and railways were blocked, -and the streets of the city could only be traversed with the greatest -difficulty. Indeed, by seven o’clock all vehicular traffic had ceased, -and benighted wayfarers despaired of reaching their homes in safety. - -The storm, the darkness, the severity of the weather, the falling snow, -did not affect the spirits nor the physical comfort of the guests -assembled at Corbie Hall. - -To the south of Edinburgh the snow seemed to fall heavier than it did -in the city itself. In exposed places it lay in immense drifts, but -everywhere it was so deep that the country roads were obliterated, -landmarks wiped out, and hedges buried. - -In the lonely region of Blackford Hill, Corbie Hall was the only place -that gave forth any signs of human life. Light and warmth were there, -and the lights streaming from the windows must have shone forth as -beacons of hope to anyone in the neighbourhood who might by chance have -been battling with the storm and struggling to a place of safety. - -But no one was likely to be abroad on such a night; and the guests at -the Hall, when they saw the turn the weather had taken, knew that they -would be storm-stayed at the Hall until the full light of day returned. -But that prospect did not concern them. - -They were there to see the old year out and the new one in; and so long -as the ‘meal and the malt’ did not fail they would be in no hurry to go. - -From all the evidence that was collected, they were a wild party, and -did full justice to the stock of eatables and drinkables--especially -the drinkables--that were so lavishly supplied by the host. - -When twelve o’clock struck there was a scene of wild uproar, and -everyone who was sober enough to do so toasted his neighbour. During -the whole of the evening Balfour had openly displayed great partiality -for Maggie Stiven. - -He insisted on her sitting next to him, and he paid her marked -attention. When the company staggered to their feet to usher in the -new year, Raymond Balfour flung his arms suddenly round her neck, and, -kissing her with great warmth, he droned out a stanza of a love-ditty, -and then in husky tones exclaimed: - -‘Maggie Stiven’s the bonniest lass that ever lived, and I’m going to -marry her.’ - -About half-past one only a few of the roisterers were left at the -table. The others had succumbed to the too-seductive influences of the -wine and whisky, and had ceased to take any further interest in the -proceedings. Suddenly there resounded through the house a shrill, -piercing scream. It was a scream that seemed to indicate intense horror -and great agony. - -Consternation and silence fell upon all who heard it. In a few moments -Raymond Balfour rose to his feet and said: - -‘Don’t be alarmed. Sit still. I’ll go and see what’s the matter.’ - -He left the room with unsteady gait, and nobody showed any disposition -to follow him. Something like a superstitious awe had taken possession -of the revellers, and they conversed with each other subduedly. - -Amongst them was a tough, bronzed seafaring man, named Jasper Jarvis. -He was captain of the barque _Bonnie Scotland_, which had arrived at -Leith a few weeks before from the Gold Coast with a cargo of palm-oil -and ivory. - -Jarvis, who seems to have been quite in his sober senses, got up, -threw an extra log on the fire, and in order to put heart into his -companions, began to troll out a nautical ditty; but it had not the -inspiriting effect that he expected, and somebody timidly suggested -that he should go in search of the host. - -To this he readily assented, but before he could get from his seat, -Maggie Stiven jumped up and exclaimed: - -‘You people all stay here. I’ll go and look for Raymond.’ - -Captain Jarvis offered no objection, and no one else interposed, so -Maggie hurriedly left the room. From this point the narrative of what -followed can best be told in the skipper’s own words. - - -THE STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN JASPER JARVIS. - -When Maggie had gone we were six all told. The four ladies had -previously gone to bed. Two out of the six were so muddled that they -seemed incapable of understanding anything that was going on. - -The other three appeared to be under the spell of fear. They huddled -together round the fire, and all became silent. - -It is curious that they should have been so affected by the scream; and -yet, perhaps, it wasn’t, for somehow or other it didn’t seem natural at -all. But the fact is, we had all been so jolly and happy, and the cry -broke in upon us so suddenly, that it impressed us more than it would -have done otherwise. - -And then another thing was, it was difficult to tell whether it was a -woman or a man who had screamed. It was too shrill for a man’s cry, and -yet it wasn’t like the scream of a woman. - -When Maggie Stiven had been gone about ten minutes--it seemed much -longer than that to us--Rab Thomson, who was one of three men who sat -by the fire, looked at me with white face, and said: - -‘Skipper, you go and look after them. I don’t feel easy in my mind. -I’ve a sort of feeling something queer has happened.’ - -On that I rose, saying I would soon find out, and went to the door. As -I opened it I heard a sigh, and then a sort of prolonged groan, and I -saw, or fancied I saw, a shadowy figure flit up the stair. - -The hall was in darkness, save for the light that fell through the -doorway as I held the door partly open. I’m ashamed to say it, but when -I saw--if I did see it--that ghostly figure glide up the stairs, and -heard the sigh and the groan, I shut the door quickly and drew back -into the room. - -Like most sailor men, I’m not without some belief in signs, omens, -wraiths, and those kind of things; though nobody can say, and nobody -must say, I’m wanting in pluck. - -I’ve been at sea for thirty-two years, and during that time I’ve faced -death in a thousand forms, and never had any feeling of fear. But, to -be straight, I don’t like anything that’s uncanny. I like to be able to -get a grip of things, and to understand them. - -When I started back into the room, Rab Thomson rose to his feet and -asked me what I’d seen. I told him I had seen a shadowy figure glide up -the stairs, and had heard a sigh and a groan. - -He laughed, but it wasn’t a real kind of laugh. He was as white as -death, and I heard his teeth chatter, and with a sudden movement he -went to one of the long windows, pulled aside the heavy curtain, and, -pressing his face to the glass, peered out. - -I think his intention was to get out of the window and go home; but he -saw what an awful night it was. The snow was still falling heavily; -it was piled up against the window, and no one but a madman or a fool -would have dreamed of going forth in such a storm, for it was all but -certain he would have lost his life in the drifts. - -Rab let the curtain fall, and, drawing back, filled himself a measure -of whisky, and, tossing it off, said to me: - -‘Why don’t you go and see what’s the matter, man? Surely, you are no’ -frightened?’ - -‘No,’ I said, ‘but you are.’ - -And I walked to the door again, flung it open wide, so that the light -streamed forth, and as I did so I saw a woman lying huddled up on the -mat at the foot of the stairs. - -I recognised her at once by the dress, which was a kind of pink silk, -with a lot of fluffy lace all round the neck part of it, as Maggie -Stiven, and, thinking she had fainted, I rushed forward, lifted her -up with ease--for I am a powerful man, and she was a lightly-built -little woman--and carried her to a big chair that stood empty near the -fire. As I put her in the chair I noticed that her head fell forward -on to her bosom with a strange kind of limpness, and her face was of a -greenish, chalky kind of hue. - -I felt frightened, and called out to the others to rouse up James -Macfarlane, who had been studying medicine, but had nearly finished his -course, and expected to get his diploma the next session. - -Jamie had stowed away too much liquor in his hold in the early part -of the evening, and had foundered, so somebody had rolled him up in -a rug and put him on a couch, where he had been sleeping for hours. -Notwithstanding that fact, it took a long time to waken him. - -In the meanwhile I chafed Maggie’s hand, and Rab tried to get brandy -down her throat, but it flowed out of her mouth again. - -When James Macfarlane realized that something was wrong, he pulled -himself together at once, and having felt Maggie’s pulse, he exclaimed -with a horrified expression on his face: - -‘My God, boys, she’s dead!’ - -This was only a confirmation of my own fears; nevertheless, the -definite assertion by one who was qualified to tell was an awful shock -to us. - -A little more than a quarter of an hour before, Maggie, radiant with -health and spirits, and looking very bonnie--she was one of the -prettiest girls I think I’ve ever seen--had run out of the room; and -now she was there in the chair, dead. - -At Macfarlane’s suggestion we laid her flat on her back on the rug -before the fire, and he tried to force a little brandy down her throat, -but failed; and as he rose to his feet again, he said sadly: - -‘There’s no mistake about it, boys: she’s dead as a herring.’ - -Our first thought now was of our host. What had become of him? I and -Rab, who had recovered from his fright by this time, undertook to go -in search of him. We lit the swinging lamp in the hall, and, taking -candles with us, went upstairs to his room; but he was not there, and -there were no signs of his having been there. Then we went to the room -of the black fellow, Chunda. - -The door was locked, and we had to shake and hammer it pretty hard -before we roused him up. As he opened the door and stood before us in -his night-clothes, he looked dazed, as one does when just wakened from -sound sleep. - -He did not speak English, but I could manage a little Hindustani, -having been much in India, and I asked him if he had seen his master -lately, and he answered ‘No.’ I told him he must come with me and look -for him, as he knew the run of the house better than I did. - -He only stopped to slip on some of his clothes and wrap a heavy rug -round his shoulders, for he felt the cold very much. - -Then we roused up the other three house-servants and the temporary -servants, who had retired soon after midnight, and we went from room to -room, passage to passage; in fact, we searched the house from top to -bottom, but all in vain; not a trace of our friend could we get. - -Our next step was to ascertain if he had gone out. But all the doors -and windows were fastened. Nevertheless, I undertook to search the -grounds, and, having been provided with a horn lantern, we got the big -hall door opened; but the snow had drifted against it to such an extent -that a great mass of it fell into the hall. - -The night was pitch-dark, the air thick with snow. I made some attempt -to go forth, but sank up to my waist, and was forced to return. - -We then tried the back of the house, where there was a stable-yard. The -snow was pretty heavy there, but not so heavy as in the front. Two men -slept over the stable. I roused them up, got the keys of the stable, -and went in. Balfour kept three horses, and they were in their stalls -all right. - -The stable-yard gate was barred, and it was very clear no one had been -out that way. - -I returned to the house, half frozen and very depressed. We then -consulted together, and decided that nothing could be done until -daylight. - -It was an awful ending to our merry meeting, and the mystery of the -whole affair weighed upon us like a nightmare. - -The ladies of our party, who had gone to bed soon after we had drunk -in the New Year, got up and dressed themselves. In the meantime we -carried Maggie Stiven’s body into another room, where it was laid -out on a table. James Macfarlane’s opinion was that she had died -from a sudden shock of fright; and when that was taken in connection -with the eldritch scream which had so startled us, and the mysterious -disappearance of our host, we felt that there was something uncanny -about the whole business. - -The rest of the night was wearily passed. The others of our party, -having been o’er fu’ when they went to sleep, continued to sleep -through it all, and knew nothing of the tragic ending until they awoke -in the morning. - -With the coming of the morning our spirits revived a little, though -we still felt miserable enough. It had almost ceased to snow, but the -whole country was buried, and round about the house the drift was piled -up until it reached to the lower windows. - -As soon as it was broad daylight we made another careful search of the -house, but not a sign of Raymond Balfour could we see. - -Chunda helped us in our search. He was terribly cut up, and became so -ill from grief and the cold that he was obliged to go to bed. - -The only reasonable theory that we could find to account for Balfour’s -strange disappearance was that, by some means we could not determine, -he had managed to leave the house, and had perished in the snow. - -As it had continued to snow all night, and at eight o’clock was still -falling lightly, all traces were, of course, obliterated. - -Every one of the visitors was now anxious to get away, but before -anyone went, I drew up a statement which was duly signed. James -Macfarlane and I then undertook to report the matter to the police in -Edinburgh. - -Before any of us could leave, we had to clear the snow away from the -door and dig a path out. And even then it was no easy matter to get -clear. - -We were a sorrowful enough party, as may be imagined, and we all felt -that the New Year had commenced badly for us. - -The death of Maggie Stiven was a terrible business, and I confess to -feeling surprised that she should have died from fright, for she was -by no means a nervous girl. Indeed, I think she was as plucky as any -woman I have ever known, and I was certain that if fright had really -killed her she must have seen something very awful. - -With reference to this, nobody, I think, liked to put his thoughts -into words, but somehow we seemed to divine that each believed Satan -had spirited Raymond Balfour away and frightened poor Maggie to death. -Any way, the mystery was beyond our solving, and we were silent and -melancholy as we straggled into Edinburgh, where armies of labourers -were busy clearing the streets of snow. - -It was an awful day. The cold was intense, and overhead the sky was -like one vast sheet of lead. Except the labourers, few people were -abroad, and those few looked pinched up, draggled, and miserable. - -God knows, we were miserable enough ourselves! I know that my heart -was like a stone; for I was not so wanting in sense as not to see that -trouble was bound to come out of the business, and I fairly shuddered -when I thought of poor Balfour’s end, for it seemed impossible to hope -that he was still alive. - -Look at the matter whichever way I would, it was a mystery which -absolutely appalled me, and it had all come about with such awful -suddenness that, speaking for myself, I felt stunned. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE MYSTERY DEEPENS.--THE NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY PETER BRODIE, OF THE -DETECTIVE SERVICE. - - -I was in Liverpool, engaged on a rather delicate matter, when I -received a telegram from the chief of the police in Edinburgh, telling -me to return by the next train. I wasn’t at all pleased by this recall, -for it was wretched weather, and the prospect of a night journey to the -North was far from agreeable. - -The date was January 3. During the whole of New Year’s Eve there had -been a violent storm, which seems to have been general all over the -country. The result was a breakdown of telegraph-wires and serious -interruption to traffic. - -The telegram sent to me was five hours on the road; and as the ‘next -train’ meant the night mail, I had no alternative but to bundle my -traps together and start. - -When we reached Carlisle a thaw had set in, and on arriving at -Edinburgh I thought I had never seen Auld Reekie look so glum and dour. -The streets were ankle-deep in slush. - -Snow was slipping from the roofs everywhere in avalanches, -necessitating considerable wariness on the part of pedestrians. - -Horses panted, groaned, and steamed as they toiled with their loads -through the filthy snow, and overhead the sky hung like a dun pall. - -On reaching the head office, I was at once instructed to proceed to -Corbie Hall to investigate a case of murder, and endeavour to trace the -whereabouts of one Raymond Balfour, who, according to the statement -of a Captain Jasper Jarvis, corroborated by James Macfarlane, medical -student at the Edinburgh College, had mysteriously disappeared soon -after midnight on January 1. The remarkably sudden and unaccountable -death of Maggie Stiven necessitated a legal inquiry, and Dr. Wallace -Bruce was sent to examine the body and report on the cause of death. - -On removing the clothes, he noticed that the linen that had been next -to the chest was slightly blood-stained, and an examination revealed -a very small blue puncture, slightly to the left of the sternum, and -immediately over the heart. - -On probing this puncture with his finger, he felt something hard. He -therefore proceeded to open the chest, assisted by a colleague, Dr. -James Simpson, the well-known Edinburgh surgeon. To their astonishment, -they found the puncture was due to a thrust from a very fine stiletto, -which had pierced the heart on the left side. The stiletto had broken -off, and four inches of the steel remained in the wound. This, acting -as a plug, had prevented outward bleeding to any extent, but there had -been extensive internal hæmorrhage. There was nothing else to account -for death. - -The girl was exceedingly well developed, well nourished, and without -any sign or trace of organic disease. As she could not have driven the -stiletto into her chest in such a way herself, it was obviously a case -of murder. - -When I reached Corbie Hall, the country round about was still white -with snow, and Blackford Hill was like a miniature Alp, although the -thaw was making its influence felt. - -The Hall was a curious, rambling sort of place, with every appearance -of age. It was a stone building, flanked by a small turreted tower -at each end. It stood in about an acre of ground that was partly -walled and partly fenced round. Two cast-iron gates of good design, -hung on pillars, each surmounted by a carved greyhound, admitted to a -carriage-drive that swept in a semicircle to the main entrance. - -Passing through the doorway--the door itself was a massive structure--I -found myself in a large square, paved hall, and immediately in front a -broad flight of oak stairs led up to the first landing, where there was -a very fine stained-glass window. - -On the left was a long dining-room, which communicated by means of -folding doors with another room of almost equal dimensions. - -On the opposite side of the passage, and close to the foot of the -stairs, was the door of the drawing-room, which was a counterpart -almost of the dining-room. - -Between the banisters of the stairs and the partition wall of the -dining-room, the passage was continued to a door that gave access to a -passage communicating with the kitchen and back premises. - -The recess underneath the stairs was used for hanging up coats, hats, -and other things. From the second landing the stairs struck off at an -acute angle, and rose to the second story, where there were at least a -dozen rooms, large and small. - -Under the guidance of Chunda, the black servant, who seemed very ill -and much depressed, I made a thorough inspection of the house. As he -could not speak English, we had to communicate in signs, which was -rather awkward. In addition to this Indian, Mr. Balfour had kept a -cook and a small girl to help her, also a housemaid. Besides these, he -employed a groom and a coachman. The coachman lived over the stables at -the back with his wife and daughter, a girl of eighteen, and she and -her mother both assisted in the house when necessary. The groom had a -room to himself above the coach-house. - -I questioned each of these servants individually and apart from the -others as to whether they had heard the scream alluded to by Captain -Jarvis. The three women living in the house said that they heard it, -but those who lived over the stables did not. The ones who heard it -slept in the right-hand tower. They did not retire until after the New -Year had come in. Although the master had given them some hot drink, -they were quite sober when they went upstairs. - -As they were in the habit of doing every night, they extinguished -the hall lamp and a lamp that stood on the bracket at the top of the -stairs, thus leaving that part of the house in darkness. They did not -attach any importance to the scream, as they thought it was some of the -visitors larking, for they had all been very frisky during the evening. - -The cook, however--her name was Mary Kenway--opened her door, which -commanded in perspective a full view of the corridor leading to the -top of the stairs, and she saw, or thought she saw, a shadowy figure -standing in this corridor near the top of the stairs. Feeling a bit -nervous, she shut the door hurriedly, and said to her fellow-servants, -who shared the room with her: - -‘One of those fools is playing at ghosts or something. Well, when the -wine’s in, the wit’s out.’ - -She and her companions then got into bed, and some time afterwards were -startled by a loud knocking at their door. The cook hurriedly procured -a light, and on asking who was there, and being informed it was Captain -Jarvis, and that he was searching for the master, who had disappeared, -she slipped on her clothes and opened the door. - -The temporary servants, of whom there were three, were sleeping in -a room above her. They had indulged somewhat too freely, and it was -a considerable time before they could be made to understand that -something dreadful had happened. - -With these details, and the statement of Captain Jarvis, I felt I was -in a position to begin my researches. - -If Captain Jarvis’s statement was true, and there wasn’t the slightest -reason to doubt it, for it was in the main corroborated by Robert -Thomson and others, the whole affair was shrouded in considerable -mystery. Indeed, I think it was one of the strangest cases I ever had -to do with. Maggie Stiven had been foully done to death by some subtle, -deft, and treacherous assassin. She had been struck with great force, -and the breaking of the weapon showed the fury with which her murderer -had done his damnable work. - -The skipper’s statement that when he opened the dining-room door he -heard a sigh and sort of groan was compatible with the nature of the -wound, for though the heart was injured, the fact of the piece of steel -remaining in the wound would prevent a sudden emptying of the heart, -and she might have lived after being struck five to ten minutes. The -shadowy figure which Jarvis said he saw ‘gliding’ up the stairs was -no doubt the assassin, although Jarvis--his imagination having been -fired--thought it a supernatural appearance. - -The cook also spoke of ‘a shadowy figure,’ and thought that some of the -guests were ‘playing at ghosts.’ This independent testimony suggested -that there was something curious and out of the common about the -figure, and I was led to infer that the person who had done the deed -was small, light of foot, and agile of movement. When he struck Maggie -down he had probably been lurking in the drawing-room, the door of -which, as I have already described, was just at the foot of the stairs, -or he may have been concealed in the recess under the stairs. Whichever -way it was, the girl had not mounted the stairs, and must have been -stabbed the moment she reached the mat where the body was found, and -before she had time to get her feet on the stairs to go up. - -Now came the question, Why was she killed? Her going in search of -Raymond Balfour was quite unpremeditated, and the assassin could hardly -have known that she was coming out of the room. - -Why, then, did he kill her? On the face of it, it seemed to be an -unprovoked and brutal crime without any reason. But a little pondering, -and a careful weighing of all the pros and cons, led me to the -conclusion that the deed was not as purposeless as it seemed. If it was -the result of madness, there was certainly method in the madness. - -Some people expressed the opinion that Balfour himself had murdered the -girl, but that opinion would not hold water. - -Firstly, he himself was induced to leave the room by a scream or cry -that was described as ‘uncanny.’ Did he arrange for that cry to be -uttered in order that he might have an excuse for going out, knowing -that the girl would follow him? - -Secondly, if he was the slayer, why did he choose to kill the girl in -his own house? for very little reflection must have shown him that to -escape detection would be an impossibility. - -No. It was only too evident that he did not kill Maggie Stiven, and his -extraordinary disappearance led me to believe that he also had fallen a -victim to the assassin. But if that was so, where was his body? It was, -of course, of the highest importance that he should be discovered, dead -or alive. - -I caused a search to be made of the house from top to bottom. There -wasn’t a room missed, not a cupboard overlooked, not a recess but what -was scrutinized. Every box or trunk large enough to contain a man’s -body was opened without result. - -Every hole and corner, every chimney, every likely and unlikely place, -was examined, but not a trace, not a sign, of the missing man was -brought to light. - -His bedroom was the largest and most important room in the house. It -was panelled with dark oak panelling. The ceiling was carved wood, and -there was a very large carved oak mantelpiece, which was considered a -work of art. Two lattice-paned windows were in keeping with the place, -which had also been furnished with a view to its character. - -A massive four-post bedstead occupied one corner, and near it was an -unusually large clothes-press of oak. This press was spacious enough to -have held the bodies of three or four men, but Balfour’s body was not -there. - -From this room a small door gave access to a short, narrow passage, -leading to another door at the foot of a stone staircase of about -twenty steps, by which the top of the tower at that end of the building -was gained. From the roof of the tower a very beautiful view was -obtained. I need scarcely say I critically examined the doors, the -passage, the stairs, the tower itself. - -The locks of both doors were very rusty, and it was evident they had -not been opened for some time. In the one at the foot of the tower -stairs there was no key, and it was only after considerable search that -one was found to fit it. And even then the lock could not be turned -until it had been well oiled. - -The dust on the stone stairs was the accumulation of months, and bore -not the faintest trace of footprints. It was obvious that no one had -passed that way for a very long time. - -Having thus exhausted the interior of the building, I now proceeded to -search outside. - -Skipper Jarvis declared that, when he and Bob Thomson went through -the house on the night of the tragedy, they looked to every door and -window, but all were properly secured, and unless Balfour had squeezed -himself through a keyhole or a cranny, he could not have left the -building. Nevertheless, it seemed to me that the man must have got out -in some way; otherwise, if he were dead, how was it we had failed to -find his body in the house? So thorough had been the search that a dead -mouse could not have escaped me. - -There was still a great deal of snow on the ground, especially in the -hollows and ravines; but it was soft and slushy owing to the rise in -temperature. - -Aided by half a dozen men--mostly gamekeepers--and several dogs, we -commenced systematically to examine the grounds, the country round -about, the burns, the woods, but all to no purpose. Every inch of -Braid Glen was gone over; what is now the Waverley curling pond was -dragged; the Jordan and Braid streams examined; all the quarries in the -neighbourhood--of which there are many--were looked into; the Braid -Hill and all round about the Braid Hill was paced; but the result was -the same. Raymond Balfour was not found. - -When our failure became known, the excitement increased greatly, -especially amongst ignorant and stupid people, who stoutly maintained -that the master of Corbie Hall had been spirited away by the Evil One, -who had also killed Maggie Stiven. These good folks failed to explain -why the Evil One should have stabbed Maggie with a stiletto, and have -left more than half the blade in the wound, when he might have deprived -her of life so much more easily. I found that even Captain Jarvis was -not without some belief in this absurd theory. - -‘If there is not something uncanny about the whole business, how is it -you have failed to get trace of the man?’ asked Jarvis, with the air of -one who felt he was putting a poser which was absolutely unanswerable. -‘You see,’ pursued the skipper, with an insistency of tone that was -very amusing--‘you see, we were a bad lot. We’d just come there for an -orgie, and the meat and drink that we wasted would have kept many poor -wretches from starving on that awful night.’ - -‘Do you consider that Raymond Balfour was an exceptionally wicked man?’ -I asked Jarvis. - -‘Well, no,’ he answered seriously; ‘I shouldn’t like to say that. But -he was a wild fellow.’ - -‘What do you mean by wild?’ - -‘Well, he was a little too fond of liquor and the ladies.’ - -‘Have you known him long?’ - -‘Yes, several years. I first met him in Madras. I saw a good deal of -him later in Calcutta. He was a very wild boy then, I can tell you.’ - -‘But still no worse than tens of thousands of other people?’ I -suggested. - -‘Oh no; I don’t say he was,’ Jarvis answered quickly, and in a way that -suggested he was anxious his friend should not be painted too black. - -‘Now, I want you to tell me this, Captain Jarvis,’ I said somewhat -solemnly, as I wished to impress him with the importance of the -question: ‘was there any love-making between Raymond Balfour and Maggie -Stiven?’ - -The skipper did not answer immediately. He seemed to be revolving the -matter in his mind. Then, with a thoughtful stroking of his chin, he -replied: - -‘Balfour was fond of Maggie.’ - -‘Did he allow that fondness to display itself before others?’ - -‘When he was a bit gone in his cups he did,’ answered the captain, with -obvious reluctance. - -‘And was she fond of him?’ - -‘Yes--I think so’--the same reluctance showing itself. - -‘Did she show her partiality?’ - -‘Sometimes.’ - -‘Maggie wasn’t considered to be very stanch to anyone, was she?’ - -‘Well, she’d a good many admirers. She was an awful good-looking lass, -you see. And lads will always run after a pretty girl.’ - -‘That scarcely answers my question, captain,’ I said. ‘I want to know -if she openly--that is, before others--showed that she liked Balfour -better than any other body?’ - -‘You see, Mr. Brodie, I’m not altogether competent to answer that,’ -said the skipper, as though he was anxious to shirk the question. - -‘But did she do so on the New Year’s Eve, when you were all so jovial?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘How did she display her liking?’ - -‘She sat on his knee several times. She kissed him, and he kissed her.’ - -‘That was before the company?’ - -‘It was.’ - -‘Did he make any remark, or did she? I mean, any remark calculated -to engender a belief that this spooning was serious, and not a mere -flirtation, the result of a spree?’ - -‘Well--I--I heard him say two or three times, “Mag, old girl, I’m going -to marry you.”’ - -‘He had been drinking then, I suppose?’ - -‘He had, a good deal.’ - -‘And what did she reply?’ - -‘As near as I mind, she said, “All right, old man. We are just suited -to each other, and we’ll make a match of it.”’ - -‘I must now ask you one or two other questions, captain. There were -several men present, were there not?’ - -‘There were.’ - -‘They were all young men?’ - -‘Yes.’ - -‘And belonged to Edinburgh or its immediate neighbourhood?’ - -‘They did.’ - -‘Consequently they were all more or less well acquainted with Maggie?’ - -‘Yes. I don’t think there was a man there who didn’t ken her. You see, -in her way she was a kind of celebrity in Edinburgh. Certain folk said -hard things about her, and that made her mad sometimes, so that she -took a delight in just showing how she could lead the lads by the nose.’ - -‘Now, I want you to give me an answer to this question, captain. Is it -within your knowledge that out of her many admirers there was one who -had been emboldened by her to think that he had the best claim upon -her?’ - -‘I couldn’t say for certain; but it’s likely enough.’ - -‘Has it occurred to you to ask yourself if that favoured one was among -Raymond Balfour’s guests on New Year’s Eve?’ - -The question seemed to startle Captain Jarvis. He looked at me -searchingly and inquiringly, and it was some moments before he spoke, -while his expression gave every indication that he fully understood the -drift of my inquiry. At last he replied, hesitatingly and cautiously: - -‘You see, Mr. Brodie, I wasn’t the keeper of Maggie’s conscience. She -didn’t make me her confidant. Nor was I one of her favoured suitors. -I’m an old married man, and she preferred young fellows.’ - -‘You’ve avoided my question now,’ I remarked, a little sharply, as it -seemed to me he was prevaricating. - -‘I’m trying to think,’ he said, with a preoccupied air. Then, after -a pause, he added: ‘I can’t answer you, because I don’t know. What -your question suggests is that some chap who was madly jealous of her -murdered her.’ - -‘You are correct in your surmise,’ I answered. - -‘Then, all I’ve got to say is this: It was impossible for anyone to -have left the room and committed the crime without my being aware of -it. I say again, it would have been impossible. She couldn’t have -been out of the room two minutes before she was struck. You see, she -had even been unable to get up the stair. Her going out was quite -unpremeditated; and until she jumped up from her seat, and said she -would go and look for Balfour, nobody knew she was going out of the -room. No, Mr. Brodie, I’m convinced that no man of that company did the -deed.’ - -I had every reason to think that Captain Jarvis was perfectly right -in his conclusions. The logic of his argument was unanswerable. I -had already taken means to ascertain some particulars about every -person who had been present on the fateful night, including the extra -servants; and I saw nothing and heard nothing calculated in any way -to justify a suspicion being entertained against any particular -individual. Nevertheless, I had them under surveillance. - -What I had to deal with was the broad, plain, hard fact that Maggie -Stiven had been brutally and suddenly murdered, while Raymond Balfour -had disappeared as effectually as if the earth had suddenly opened and -swallowed him, leaving not a trace behind. If he went forth from the -house after quitting his guests, where had he gone to? - -The state of the country, owing to the snow, made it physically -impossible that he could have travelled far on that awful night; and -had he perished in the snow near the house, his body must have been -discovered, so thorough had been our search. - -Then, again, assuming that he had got away, there would surely have -been some indication of his mode of exit--an unfastened window, an -unlocked door. But the most exhaustive inquiry satisfied me there was -neither one nor the other. - -But if Balfour was not out of the house, he must be in the house; and -if he was in the house, it was as a dead man. And where was his body? - -It seemed unreasonable to suppose that a human body could be disposed -of so quickly and so effectually as to leave not a trace behind. - -Then, again, granting that he was murdered, who murdered him, and -why was he murdered? Who raised the unearthly cry, and was it raised -purposely to draw him from the room in order that he might be -immediately struck down? - -Such was the problem with which I was confronted, and I freely confess -that at this stage I felt absolutely baffled. I saw no clue, and -nothing likely to lead me to a clue; but though baffled, I was not -beaten. The mystery was profound, and the whole case so strange, so -startling, that I was not surprised at ignorant people attributing -it to supernatural agency. It had about it all the elements of some -wild, weird story of monkish superstition, lifted from the pages of a -mediæval romance. It was no romance, however, no legend, but a hard, -dry fact of the nineteenth century that had to be accounted for by -perfectly human means. - -There was one point, however, which made itself clear through the -darkness. It was that the author of the deed was a person of such -devilish cunning, such brutal ferocity, such crafty ingenuity, that -he would occupy a niche all to himself for evermore in the gallery of -criminals. - -As I have already said, though I was baffled, I was not beaten, and -I felt sure I should ultimately succeed in the task set me. I had in -my possession the broken blade of the stiletto, and I knew that might -prove of value as a clue; and having done all that it was practical -to do for the moment, I set to work to define a motive for the crime, -and to construct a theory that would aid me in my efforts to solve the -problem. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE DEAD HAND SMITES. - - -Peter Brodie stood very high in his profession. He had made his mark -as a detective, and had solved some very complicated problems. In -recalling him from Liverpool, whither he had been sent on important -business, the authorities felt that if the Corbie Hall mystery was to -be cleared up he was the man to do it. They saw from the first that it -was a very difficult case, when all the circumstances were considered, -but they were sure that Brodie was the one man likely to tackle it -successfully. - -It seemed as if the evil reputation of Corbie Hall was never to pass -away, and after this new tragedy people recalled how Peter Crease, -the drunken owner of it, and uncle of Balfour, had broken his neck -in a quarry; how, following that, the gloomy house had fallen into -dilapidation, until it was shunned as a haunted place. When the -rightful heir turned up, they thought he would put things right; but -instead of that he proved himself to be as big a reprobate as his -relative had been: and now his mysterious disappearance, and Maggie -Stiven’s murder, realized the croakings of the wiseacres, who had said -that a curse hung over the house, and that anyone who went to live in -the Hall would come to grief. - -Of course, the tradition that a favourite of Queen Mary’s who had once -lived there mysteriously disappeared, and was never heard of again, was -also recalled; and the sages predicted that as that mystery was never -cleared up, so would Balfour’s disappearance go down to posterity as an -unsolved mystery. Possibly it might have done if Peter Brodie had not -brought his intellect to bear upon it. - -On the fourth day after his arrival the thaw had been so thorough that -the land was quite clear of snow, and a second search was made for -Balfour, but it only ended in failure, as the first had done. - -Brodie was now convinced that the unfortunate man had never left the -house; and yet, having regard to the critical way in which it had been -examined from top to bottom, it was difficult to conceive where he -could be hidden. Nevertheless, Peter stuck to his guns; for as Balfour -had not gone out of the house, he must be in it, and if so, time and -patient search might reveal his hiding-place. - -With a view to learning as much as possible about Balfour’s habits, -Brodie had a long talk with Chunda, Captain Jarvis acting as -interpreter. The native stated that he had travelled with his master -extensively through India. He had found him rather a peculiar man. He -was very secretive, and given to fits of moodiness. Although Chunda was -exceedingly fond of him, he did not wish to accompany him to Scotland, -but yielded on the master pressing him. Now he bitterly regretted -having come, for not only did he feel crushed by his master’s strange -disappearance, but the cold and dampness of the climate made him very -ill, and he intended to leave immediately for Southampton, so as to get -a ship for India, as he yearned to return to his own warm, sunny land. -He was dying for the want of sun and warmth. - -Asked if his master was much given to flirtations, Chunda, with -flashing eyes and an angry expression in his dark face, said that he -was, and he had frequently got into trouble through it. - -After this interview, Brodie came to the conclusion that the motive of -the crime was undoubtedly jealousy. That is to say, someone had been -jealous of Balfour, someone who considered Maggie a rival. - -If this was correct, the someone must be a woman--no ordinary woman, -for no ordinary woman would have been capable of carrying out such a -terrible revenge. Besides Maggie Stiven, there had been four other -young women in the party. - -One was a married woman named MacLauchlan. Her husband kept a grocer’s -shop in the High Street, but he and his wife didn’t get on well -together. He had no idea, however, that she was in the habit of -visiting at Corbie Hall. - -Brodie dismissed her from suspicion. He felt sure she didn’t commit -the deed. She was rather good-looking, but a mild, lackadaisical, -phlegmatic, brainless creature, without the nerve necessary for such a -crime. - -Another of the ladies was Jean Smith. She was twenty years of age, and -Maggie Stiven’s bosom friend, and since the night of the crime had been -seriously ill in bed from the shock. - -A third was Mary Johnstone. Until New Year’s Eve she had never met -Balfour before in her life. She had gone to the Hall in company with -her sweetheart, James Macfarlane, the medical student. - -The fourth was Kate Thomson, cousin to Rab Thomson. She was a -woman about thirty years of age, strong and well knit, but was a -good-tempered, genial sort of creature. She, too, was almost a stranger -to Balfour, and was engaged to be married to a man named Robert -Murchison, who was factor to a Mr. Rennie of Perth. - -Brodie was absolutely certain, after studying them all, that not one of -these four women had done the deed. Nor was there the slightest reason -for harbouring a suspicion against the female servants. - -He was, therefore, puzzled, but not disconcerted, and he stuck to his -theory that a jealous woman had committed the crime. - -That, of course, only made the mystery more mysterious, so to speak. -For who was the woman? Where did she come from? How did she get into -the house? Where did she go to? - -These questions were inevitable if the theory was maintained. It did -not seem easy then to answer them. - -As Brodie revolved all these things in his mind, he remembered that, -though he had subjected the house to a very careful search, he had done -little more than look into Chunda’s room, the reason being that the -native was ill in bed at the time. - -The room adjoined Balfour’s, and at one time was connected by a -communicating door, but for some reason or other the door had been -nailed up and papered over. While less in size than Balfour’s, it was -still a fairly large room, also wainscoted, and with a carved wooden -ceiling. It was lighted by one window, which commanded a good view over -Blackford Hill. - -To this room Brodie went one evening when Chunda happened to be absent -from it. It reeked with the faint, sickly odour of some Indian perfume. - -On a sideboard stood a small gilt Indian idol, and various Indian -knick-knacks were scattered about. As in Balfour’s room, there was a -massive carved oak mantelpiece, with a very capacious fireplace; and on -each side of the fireplace was a deep recess. - -The floor was oak, polished, and dark in colour either by staining or -time. The only carpet on it was a square in the centre. A clothes-press -stood in a corner. It was the only place in which a man could be -concealed. Brodie opened the door, and found nothing but clothes there. -The mystery, therefore, was as far from solution as ever, apparently, -as now there wasn’t a corner of the house that had not been examined -thoroughly and exhaustively. - -As Brodie was in the act of leaving the room, his eye was attracted by -something glittering on the hearthstone, where the cold, white ashes of -a wood-fire still remained. He stooped down and picked from the hearth -a scrap, a mere morsel of cloth. It was all burnt round the edges, -and was dusty with the ash; but he found on examination that it was a -fragment of Indian cloth, into which gold threads had been worked; and -it was these gold threads which, in spite of the dust, had reflected -the light and attracted his notice. - -Taking out his pocket-book, he deposited that scrap of charred cloth -carefully between the leaves, then went down on his knees and subjected -the ashes to critical examination, with the result that he obtained -unmistakable evidence of a considerable amount of cloth having been -destroyed by fire. There were patches here and there of white, or -rather gray, carbonized, filmy fragments of cobweb-like texture. As -everyone knows, cloth burnt in a fire leaves a ghost-like wrack behind, -that, unless disturbed, will remain for some time. - -Brodie rose and fell into deep thought, and he mentally asked himself -why the cloth had been burnt. It was reasonable to presume it was -some portion of clothing, and if so, why should anyone have been at -the trouble to consume it in the flames unless it was to hide certain -evidences of guilt. - -‘What would those evidences of guilt be?’ Brodie muttered to himself, -as he reflected on the singular discovery he had made. And suddenly it -seemed to him--of course, it was purely fancy--that a voice whispered -in his ear: - -‘Blood! blood!’ - -Although but fancy, the voice seemed so real to him that he fairly -started, and at that instant the door opened and Chunda entered. -He seemed greatly surprised to find the detective in the room, and -muttered something in Hindustani. - -As Brodie did not understand him and could not converse with him, he -made no response, but passed out, and, hurrying to Edinburgh, called on -Professor Dunbar, the eminent microscopist, and asked that gentleman to -place the fragment of cloth found on the hearthstone under a powerful -microscope. - -The Professor did as requested, and, after a careful examination, he -said he could not detect anything suggestive of blood. The cloth was -evidently of Indian workmanship, and the bright threads running through -it were real gold. - -Brodie did not return to Corbie Hall until the following day. By that -time Maggie Stiven’s body had been removed by her friends for burial, -and he was informed by the servants that Chunda had gone out to attend -the funeral. He was rather surprised at that, and still more surprised -when he found, on going to Chunda’s room, that the door was locked. - -He hurried back to Edinburgh, and was in time to be present at Maggie’s -burial in the Greyfriars Churchyard, but he saw nothing of Chunda; -the native was not there, and nobody had seen him. Captain Jarvis was -amongst the mourners, and when the funeral was over he and Brodie left -together. - -‘Do you know how long Chunda has been in Balfour’s service?’ the -detective asked, as they strolled along. - -‘I believe a considerable time, but I don’t know from absolute -knowledge. As I have already told you, Balfour was a curious sort of -fellow, and particularly close in regard to his own affairs. He was one -of those sort of men it is difficult to get to the bottom of. You may -try to probe them as much as you like, but nothing comes of it.’ - -‘You possibly were as familiar with him as anyone,’ suggested Brodie. - -‘Yes, I should say I was.’ - -‘And if he had wanted a confidant, he would probably have chosen you?’ - -‘I think it is very likely he would. So far as such a man would make a -confidant of anyone, he made one of me.’ - -‘Do you know why he brought Chunda from India with him?’ - -‘No. What I do know is this: Chunda had been with him for some time, -and when Balfour returned to Scotland, he thought he was only going to -make a temporary stay here.’ - -‘Was he fond of Chunda?’ - -‘I cannot tell you whether he was or was not.’ - -‘Can you tell me this: Has Chunda been in the habit of always wearing -European clothes since he came to Edinburgh?’ - -‘I don’t know that. You see, I only came into port with my vessel four -weeks ago. When I first called at Corbie Hall, the fellow was wearing -European clothes.’ - -‘Did you see much of Chunda on New Year’s Eve?’ - -‘He came into the room now and again. In fact, I think he was in and -out pretty often. Balfour used occasionally to smoke an opium pipe, and -Chunda always filled it for him.’ - -‘How was the native dressed that night?’ - -‘He had trousers and vest, and wore a sort of fancy Indian jacket.’ - -‘Was there gold embroidery on it?’ - -‘I believe there was a sort of gold thread, or something of that kind. -But, really, I didn’t take much notice. We were all pretty jolly, and I -didn’t look to see how anyone was dressed.’ - -‘But, still, you have no doubt that Chunda did wear a jacket or robe -similar to that you describe?’ - -‘Oh yes, I’m sure about that part of the business. It was conspicuous -enough.’ - -When Brodie parted from the skipper, he felt that he had struck a -trail, although he could not make much of it just then. But it will -readily be gathered that he had begun to suspect Chunda of having -committed the crime. - -It was difficult to understand why Chunda should have burnt his gown or -jacket unless it was to destroy traces of guilt. If there was blood on -his jacket, and it was the blood of one of the victims, he would know -that it might prove a ghastly piece of evidence if detected; and so he -had committed it to the flames as the most effectual means of getting -rid of it. - -Now, assuming this surmise of Brodie’s was correct, it was obvious -that it was not Maggie Stiven’s blood, because the nature of the wound -that brought about her death was such that there was only very little -outward bleeding. But if Balfour, when he went upstairs to ascertain -the cause of the scream, was suddenly attacked and stabbed to death by -the native, was it not reasonable to suppose that he bled so profusely -as to dye the garments of his murderer? - -This chain of reasoning threw a new light on the affair, and Brodie, -who had made up his mind that he would read the riddle if it could -be read, returned once more to Corbie Hall. He learnt that Chunda -had been back about half an hour, and had given the other servants -to understand that he was ill and half frozen, and was going to bed. -Whereupon the detective furnished himself with a lamp, and proceeded -to carefully examine the stair carpet and the landings for suggestive -stains, but saw nothing that aroused his suspicions. As he could not -talk to Chunda, he did not disturb him, but the next morning, quite -early, he went down to the Hall again in company with Jarvis. - -Chunda told the skipper, in answer to questions put to him, that he -had not gone out on the previous day to attend the funeral, as stated, -but to make arrangements for taking his departure from the country. -He could not endure the climate; it made him very ill. Besides that, -he felt that he would go mad if he stayed there, for there wasn’t a -soul he could talk to, and his loneliness was terrible. He therefore -intended to start on the following day for Southampton, and two days -later would sail in a P. and O. steamer for India. - -All that he had said seemed very feasible, and that he was ill and did -suffer from the cold was evident. - -Nevertheless, Brodie’s suspicions were not allayed. It was not easy -to allay them when once they were thoroughly aroused; and having -reasoned the case out from every possible point of view, he had come -to the conclusion that Chunda was in a position to let in light where -there was now darkness if he chose to speak. That is to say, he knew -something of the crime, though, of course, at this stage there wasn’t -a scrap of evidence against the native that would have justified -his arrest. Moreover, Brodie found himself confronted with a huge -difficulty in the way of making his theory fit in. If Chunda had really -murdered Balfour, how had he managed to dispose of the body? That -question was certainly a poser, and no reasonable answer could be given -to it. - -It must not be forgotten that, from the moment of the scream being -first heard to the discovery of Maggie Stiven’s body on the mat at the -foot of the stairs, not more than half an hour at the outside had -elapsed. In that brief space of time Balfour had been so effectually -got rid of that there was not a trace of him. It was bewildering to try -and understand how that disappearance had been accomplished, unless it -was with the aid of some devilish art and unholy magic. But as Brodie -had no belief in that kind of thing, he was convinced that, sooner or -later, what was then an impenetrable mystery would be explained by -perfectly rational, though probably startling, causes. Be that as it -might, having got his fangs fixed, to use a figure of speech, he held -on with bulldog tenacity, and he was not disposed to exonerate Chunda -until he felt convinced that his suspicions were unfounded. - -‘Do you know, captain, if there are any balls of any kind in the -house?’ he asked abruptly of Jarvis, who looked at him with some -astonishment, for the question seemed so irrelevant and out of place. - -‘What sort of balls?’ said Jarvis, expressing his surprise by his -manner and voice. - -‘Oh, any sort--billiard-balls, golf-balls, balls of any kind.’ - -‘There are plenty of golf-balls. But why do you ask?’ - -‘I want you to get two or three of the balls,’ said Brodie for answer. -‘Put them into your pocket, ask Chunda to accompany you into the -dining-room, and make him sit down in a chair opposite to you. Engage -him in conversation for a few minutes; then, suddenly taking the balls -from your pocket, tell him to catch them, and pitch them to him. Do you -understand me?’ - -Captain Jarvis stared at the detective as though he could hardly -believe the evidence of his ears. Then, as he broke into a laugh, he -asked: - -‘Do you mean that seriously?’ - -‘Of course I mean it.’ - -‘And what’s the object?’ - -‘Never mind the object. Do what I ask you.’ - -‘And where will you be?’ - -‘In the dining-room, too. But take no notice whatever of me.’ - -‘Well, it’s a daft-like sort of proceeding, any way; but I’ll do it.’ - -Then, having procured some golf-balls, he addressed himself to Chunda -in Hindustani, and in a few moments they went together into the -dining-room. - -Brodie followed shortly after, and, taking a book from a little shelf -that hung on the wall, he threw himself on to a lounge and appeared to -be reading. - -In a short while Jarvis took the balls from his pocket, and, saying -something to Chunda, who sat on a chair by the window, he threw one -ball after another at him, and the native held forth his hands to catch -them; but, not being in a playful humour, he did not cast the balls -back, but very soon got up and went out, looking very much annoyed. - -‘Well, what does that tomfoolery mean?’ asked Jarvis. - -‘A good deal to me. I’ve learnt a startling fact by it.’ - -The skipper would have been glad to have had an explanation, for -naturally his curiosity was greatly aroused, and he couldn’t conceive -what the ball-throwing could possibly have indicated. But Brodie -resolutely refused to satisfy him. - -‘You have rendered me a service,’ he said. ‘Now, that’s enough for -the present. If I succeed in fitting the pieces of this strange -puzzle together, you shall know what my motive was. Rest assured I do -nothing without a motive. But I am going to exact a further service -from you now. I want you to stay here all night, as I myself intend to -stay. Chunda talked of leaving to-morrow. He must not leave, and, if -necessary, you must find some means of detaining him.’ - -‘Do you mean to say you suspect Chunda of having committed the -crime?’--his amazement growing. - -‘Frankly, I do.’ - -‘Well, all I’ve got to say, Brodie, is this,’ answered the skipper -decisively: ‘you are on the wrong tack.’ - -‘How do you know I am?’ - -‘I am sure of it.’ - -‘Give me your reasons for being sure.’ - -‘Why, I tell you, man,’ exclaimed the skipper warmly, ‘the nigger is as -harmless as a kitten, and no more likely to commit a crime of this kind -than a new-born baby.’ - -‘That is simply your opinion, Captain Jarvis.’ - -‘It is my opinion, and it’s a common-sense one. You are doing the -fellow a wrong. I never saw a native servant so attached to Balfour -as Chunda was to his master. I tell you, Brodie, you are on the wrong -scent.’ - -‘All right, we shall see,’ he said carelessly. - -‘But in the name of common-sense,’ cried Jarvis, who was -argumentatively inclined, ‘if there’s any reason in your suspicions, -how on earth do you suppose this nigger chap got rid of Balfour? Where -has he stowed him, do you think? Do you suppose he swallowed him?’ - -‘Ah! an answer to that question is not easily framed. Perhaps before -many hours have passed I may be able to tell you.’ - -‘Do you think because he’s black he’s the devil, and has spirited -Balfour away?’ pursued the skipper, with a defiant air, for he honestly -considered that Chunda was being wronged, and he was ready to champion -him. - -‘No, I don’t think so,’ answered Brodie, with a smile, ‘because if he -had been the devil he wouldn’t have committed such a clumsy crime as -this.’ - -‘Well, clumsy as it is, it’s defied you,’ said Jarvis, by no means -satisfied or convinced. - -‘For the time being it has. But it won’t continue to do so much longer, -unless I’m very much mistaken. But it’s no use continuing the argument. -A man is judged by his acts, not by his words. If I am wrong, I must -abide by the penalty which attaches to failure. If I am right, I shall -take credit for some amount of cleverness. You will stay here to-night, -won’t you?’ - -The skipper scratched his head, and looked as though he wasn’t -comfortable. - -‘Well, upon my word! I don’t know what to say. I’m not a coward, but -I’m blowed if I like the idea of passing another night in this uncanny -place.’ - -‘Why?’ Brodie asked with a smile. - -‘I should be afraid of seeing Maggie Stiven’s ghost.’ - -‘And what if you did? A ghost couldn’t do you any harm.’ - -‘Perhaps not, but I’d rather not see one.’ - -‘Nor are you likely to, except as a product of your own heated -imagination. However, to cut the matter short, you’ll stay, won’t you? -You’ve got your pipe and tobacco, and I’ve no doubt the cook will be -able to provide us with some creature comforts. We’ll have another log -put on the fire, and make ourselves comfortable; and, if you like, I’ll -give you a hand at cribbage.’ - -The skipper yielded, and the matter was settled. - -‘Before we settle down, I want you to entertain Chunda here for half an -hour during my absence,’ continued Brodie. - -‘You are not going out, are you?’ asked Jarvis quickly, and with some -nervousness displaying itself in his manner, indicating evidently that -he did not wish to be left alone. - -‘Well, no, not out of the house. But you understand, Captain Jarvis, -I am doing my best to unravel this mystery; you must let me act in my -own way, and take such steps as I think are necessary to the end I have -in view. You can aid me, and I want you to aid me; but you can best do -that by refraining from questioning, and in doing exactly as I request -you to do.’ - -‘All right,’ said Jarvis. ‘I’ve nothing more to say. You must sail your -own ship, whether you come to grief or whether you don’t.’ - -‘Precisely. Now, I’ll send one of the servants up for Chunda, and -you’ll keep him engaged in talk for half an hour, or until I come back -into the room. Don’t talk about the crime, and don’t say a word that -would lead him to think I suspect him. Do you understand me?’ - -‘Yes, of course I do.’ - -‘And will carry out my wishes? It is most important that you should.’ - -‘To the letter.’ - -The business being thus arranged, Brodie left the room, and ten minutes -later Chunda entered it. Brodie was absent nearly three-quarters of -an hour before he returned. There was a look of peculiar satisfaction -on his face. Chunda was dismissed; and the two men, having, through -the cook, secured something in the way of eatables and drinkables, -satisfied their wants in that respect, and then engaged in cribbage, -and continued their game until a late hour. - -At last Jarvis retired. It was arranged he was to sleep in Balfour’s -bedroom, but Brodie said he would stow himself on a couch in the -dining-room, which was warm and comfortable. - -He dozed for three or four hours, and exactly at five rose, and made -his way to the stable-yard, where, according to prearrangement, the -groom was ready with a horse and trap, and Brodie drove rapidly into -Edinburgh. He was back again soon after eight, with two constables in -plain clothes, who were for the time confined to the kitchen, until -their services might be required. - -Jarvis did not rise until after nine. He was a good and sound sleeper, -and neither ghosts nor anything else had disturbed him. He was kept in -ignorance of Brodie’s journey into Edinburgh. - -A few minutes before ten Chunda made his appearance. He was ready to -start, and he enlisted the aid of the other servants to bring his -luggage down into the hall. Again Brodie requested the skipper to -detain the native in conversation, while he himself went upstairs to -Chunda’s room, where he shut himself in and locked the door. Then he -began to tap with his knuckles the wainscoted walls, going from panel -to panel. - -When he reached the deep recess near the fireplace, already described, -he started, as his taps produced a hollow sound. He tapped again and -again, putting his ear to the woodwork. There was no mistake about it. -The wall there was hollow. He tried to move the hollow panel, but only -after many trials and much examination did he succeed. The panel slid -on one side, revealing a dark abyss, from which came a strange, cold, -earthy, clammy smell. - -He closed the panel, went downstairs, and told the constables the time -for action had come. They filed into the dining-room, and Jarvis was -asked to tell Chunda that he would be arrested on a charge of having -murdered Raymond Balfour and Maggie Stiven. - -If it is possible for a black person to turn pale, then Chunda did -so. Any way, the announcement was like an electric shock to him. He -staggered; then clapped his hands to his face, and moaned and whined. - -Brodie went upstairs once more--this time in company with one of the -constables. They were provided with lanterns, and when the panel in -Chunda’s room was opened again, the light revealed a narrow flight of -stone steps descending between the walls; and at the bottom of the -steps lay something huddled up. It was unmistakably a human body, the -body of Raymond Balfour. - -Chunda was at once conveyed to Edinburgh, and other men were sent out -from the town to the house. Then the decomposed body was got up. It was -Balfour, sure enough. He had been stabbed in the chest, and the heart -had been pierced through. - -At the bottom of the stone steps there was also found the other portion -of the long stiletto. - -All this, however, was not proof that Chunda had done the deed. But -there was something else that was. - -The dead man’s right hand was tightly clenched, and when it was opened -by the doctor who was called in to examine the remains, a piece of -cloth was released from the death grip. It was a piece of Indian cloth, -interwoven with gold threads, and identical with the scrap that Brodie -had found in the ashes. - -The dead hand afforded the necessary clue; it forged the last link. The -dead hand smote the destroyer. It proved beyond doubt that Chunda was -the murderer. He had by some means discovered the secret panel. He had -inveigled Balfour into the room. There he had stabbed him. In his dying -agony the wretched man had clutched at his murderer, and had torn -out a piece of the gold-threaded jacket he was wearing. That jacket -must have been deeply stained with blood, and Chunda had cast it upon -the fire. But murder will out, and the unconsumed fragment gave the -sharp-eyed Brodie the FIRST clue. The dead hand itself of the murdered -man afforded the LAST. - -Chunda was the murderer, or, rather, the murderess; for Chunda was a -woman. Brodie had begun to suspect this from a peculiarity of voice, -from the formation of her neck and shoulders, and from other signs, and -his suspicions were confirmed when he resorted to the ball test. - -When the balls were thrown, Chunda did not, as a man would have done, -close his knees, but spread them open. A woman invariably does this -when she is in a sitting posture and anything is thrown at her lap. - -Chunda subsequently proved to be a woman, sure enough, and the murder -was the result--as Brodie had also correctly divined--of jealousy. - -The wretched creature succeeded in strangling herself before she was -brought to trial, and she left behind her a paper written in excellent -English, in which she confessed the crime. She declared that she was -the wife of Balfour, who had espoused her in India. She represented a -very old and high-caste family. Her father was a Rajah, and Balfour had -been in his employ. He succeeded in winning her affections, and when he -returned to his own country she determined to accompany him. He treated -her very badly, and twice he attempted to poison her. His flirtation -with Maggie Stiven excited her to madness, but it was, nevertheless, -a very cunning madness. She had previously discovered by chance the -sliding panel and the secret stairs. - -On New Year’s Eve she opened the panel, went to the top of the stairs, -and uttered that eerie screech or scream that had so alarmed the -company. She felt sure it would bring her husband to her. She told -him that she had received a horrible fright in her room; that part -of the wall had opened, revealing a dark abyss, from which strange -noises issued. As soon as he was in the room she stabbed him with a -long Indian stiletto. It then suddenly struck her that, when he didn’t -return, it was very likely Maggie Stiven would go in search of him. So -she hurried down the stairs and hid underneath them, and as soon as -Maggie appeared she sprang upon her and stabbed her with such fury that -the blade of the dagger broke. - -Although her husband had treated her so badly, she had yielded to his -earnest entreaties to conceal her identity and continue to pass as a -man. She spoke and wrote English fluently, although he had made her -promise not to let this fact be known. - -Such was the story she told, and there was no doubt it was -substantially correct. She considered that she had managed the crime -so well that suspicion would never rest upon her, and, having carried -out her deed of awful vengeance, she would be able to return to her own -sun-scorched land. - -That she would have succeeded in this was likely enough had Peter -Brodie not been brought upon the scene. He had worked out the problem -line by line, and at last, when it struck him that if Balfour was -murdered he must have been murdered in Chunda’s room, he proceeded to -examine the floor carefully on the night when he asked Jarvis to keep -Chunda in conversation for half an hour. That examination revealed -unmistakable traces of blood on the boards. Then it occurred to him -that, as the house was an old one, it was more than likely there was -some secret closet or recess in which the body had been hidden. - -Chunda had evidently been well educated. In a postscript to her -confession she said that, out of the great love she bore the man who -had so cruelly deceived her, she had, at his suggestion, consented to -pass herself off as his servant. He had assured her that it would only -be for a short time, and that when he had his affairs settled, and sold -his property, he would go back with her to India, and they would live -in regal splendour to the end of their days. - -That she loved him was pretty certain. That he shamefully deceived -her was no less certain; and that love of hers, and that deception, -afforded some palliation for her bloodthirsty deed of vengeance. - -For some time after the double crime Corbie Hall remained desolate -and lonely. It was now looked upon as a doubly-accursed place, and -nobody could be found who would take it, so at last it was razed to the -ground, and is known no more. - -In pulling it down it was discovered that in Balfour’s room was a -secret panel corresponding to the one in the next room, and that the -stone stairs had at one time led to a subterraneous passage, which had -an opening somewhere in Blackford Glen. It had no doubt originally been -constructed to afford the inmates of the house means of escape in the -stormy times when the building was first reared. - - -THE END. - - -BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORD. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - - -[A] This name is a fictitious one, for obvious reasons, but the -incidents related in the story are well authenticated. - -[B] This was quite true. The contingency of war was even less remote -than the Prince’s words suggested. As a matter of fact, it is now -well known that the treaty had been formed between Russia and another -country against Turkey, and had Turkey become aware of it, there is -little doubt she would have flown at Russia’s throat, with results -less disastrous to herself than those which befell her at a later -period, when the legions of Russia crossed the Pruth, and commenced -that sanguinary struggle which entailed such enormous loss of life, -the expenditure of thousands of millions of money, and human agony and -suffering beyond the power of words to describe. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHRONICLES OF MICHAEL -DANEVITCH OF THE RUSSIAN SECRET SERVICE *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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