Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-09-20
An Original Storx~*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
ST. PIERRE, THE MOUNTEBANK
OR,
THE PREDICTION.
A Romance Of the Empire, under Catharine' II.
BY R. B. RUSSELL.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
CHAPTER III-CoNTINUED.
THE PREDICTION
BY R. B. RUSSELL.

CHAPTER III-CoNTINUED.
THE CONCEALED WITNESS.
Long and deep was the conversation that
now ensued. Whatever scruples the mounte-
bank may have professed, were quickly
overruled by his companion, who appeared
for the time-beiug, to exercise snake-hke
charm over him, Every objection was an
swered with gold; and even Saint Pierre
was compelled at length to announce himself
as satisfied. wnentne pfau had besu fully
discussed, the Count took his hat and drew
on his cloak.
sOne word' he said suddenly, as ifa new
thought had struck him; 'your son Henri
What of him?' enquired the mountebank.
Did you not say that Alexander fancled
him.?
Il did, my lord
sAnd that he wished you to part with
him?'
Il only know that he appeared to be struck
with his beauty answered the other. 'He
said that he ought not to be allowed to fol-
low my profession; and hinted that if wish
ed it, he would take charge of him
This is windfall indeed, said the Count.
you should love-
What more he would have added we
know not; for at that moment the door open
ed, and a man, whose attire proclaimed him
a coachman, entered the house. He was
short and thick set, with most villaiuous
looking face; and as the future will show,
a most worthy servant of such a master as
Count de Moner.
sHa! Pietror exclaimed the latter, as
soon as he beheld him and rising to his
feet with gesture of alarm 'what has hap
pened?
Nothing, my lord, save that the grand
duke, Paul, is here
sHere?' cried the Count, starting, and
moving step forward. 'Here?
i mean in the city, my lord, replied Pie
tro, gazing earnestly at the mouutebank,
who, as soon as he caught his eye fixed up
on him, moved his chair back in the shad-
dow, and turned his head toward the wall.
sWho told you this p enquircd the Count.
NO one. I drove him hither myself
From where ?
The imperial palace at St. Petersburg
But the Empress--how is she p
NO better The physicians say her days
are numbered
Indeed! Then what have to do must
be done quickly. Where is Paul ?
sAt the hotel San Carlo. He is travelling
incognito'
'Alone p
sAlone, my lord : and Pietro moved still
nearer to the mountebank.
DO you know his reason for coming"
sTo see his son, my lord. There is some
thing about marriage between Alexander
and the Princess Amelia of Prussia, and he
has come to propose it.
They must not meet, said the Count
quickly. sBut how am l to prevent it?'
He mused deeply for several moments, NUT
tered few inaudible words between his
clenched teeth, passed his hand several
times over his brow and then turning sud-
denly to Pietro-'do you think his presence
would be missed at the hotel p he inquired.
Il think not. 1t is crowded with strangers
who came to see the carnival; and as he
gave an assumed name, it was with great
difficulty that he could secure room -
lis no one acquainted with his being here!
sNo one, save myself
Il must take bold and desperate step,
said the Count, after long pause; 'and
sooner, much sooner, than | intended at
first. Alexander and his father must not
shall not meet but again, how to prevent
it2 So far as I can see, there is but one
vav. but one He paused and fixed his eye
upon Pietro, who was still closely surveying
the mountebank, aud said, 'Pletro, be-
iieve you are my friend ?
more than that, my lord-your slave
NAY, my friend, said the count, though
but an HURDLE one, perhaps. it lsnot