The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-04
spusmodIc gesture he vaguely indicated the top

NO WOTubl eAClhlileu Nno hubblbn, IMPORT
ously. Act at Onco-there must be no delay.
Unscrew the top Of my headr
Savitch tore of his skull cap and flung II
aside. Fisher had no words to describe the be-
wlderment with which he boheld the actual
fabric Of the Baron's Uranium. The skull cap
had concealed the fact that the entire top OF
Savtchs head was a dome OF polished silver.
"Unscrew III" said savitch again.
Fisher reluctantly placed both hands upon
the silver skull and exerted gentle pressure
toward tho left. The top yielded. turning easily
and truly in its threads.
"FasterT said the Baron. family II tell you
no time must be lost" Then he swooned.
At this instant there was n sound OF voices In
the outer room, and the door leading into the
Baron's bcdchamber was violently flung open
aud rs violently closed. The new conner was n
short spare man Of middle age. with keen
visage and piercing. deep-set little gray eyes.
He stood for a few seconds. scrutiniginR Fisher
with a sharp. almost fsrcely jealous regard.
The Baron recovered his onsciousness and
opened his eyes.
DIR. Rapperschwyll" he exclaimed.
DR.. kapperschwyll. with few rapid strides
approached the bed and confronted Fisher and
Fishers patient. What is all this 2" he an
grily demanded.
Without waiting for a reply he laid his hand
rudely upon Fishers arm and pulled him away
from the Baron. Fisher. more and more aa-
tonished made no resistance. but suffered him
self to be led. or pushed. toward the door. Dr.
Rapperschwyll opened tho door wide enough
only to give the American exit. and then closed
1t with vicious slam. A quick click informed
Fisher that the key had been turned In the lock.
H.
The next morning Fisher met Savitoh coming
from the Trinkhulle. The Baron bowed with
cold politeness and passed on. Later In the
day a rdiet de place handed TO Fisher a small
parcel. with the messenger DR.. Rapperschwyl
supposes that this will be sufficient" The
parcel contained two gold pieces OF twenty
marks.
Fisher gritted his teeth He shall have
back his forty marks" he muttered to himself.
but / will have his COMPOUNDED secret in re-
turn"
Then Fisher discovered that even Polish
countess has her uses In the social economy.
Mrs. Fishers table fh1te friend was ama-
bility itself. when approached by Fisher
Through Fishers wife) on the subject OF the
Baron Savitch Of Moscow. Know anything about
the Baron Savitchl OF course she did. and
about everybody else worth knowing In Europe.
Would she kindly communicate her knowl-
edge2 OF course she would. and be enchanted
to crafty In the slightest degree the char ming
freshing for bldsse old woman who had long
since ceased to feel much interest in contempo-
rary men, women. things and events. TO en-
counter one so recently from the boundless
prairies OF the new world as TO cherish pi-
quaint inauisitiyeness about the affairs OF tho
grand monde All yes. she would very willing
y communicate the history Of the Baron sa-
witch OF Moscow. II that would amuse her dear
Americdne.
The Polish countess abundantly redeemed
her promise. throwing In for good measure
many choice bits Of gossip and scandalous an
ecdotes about tho Russian nobility. which arc
not relevant to the present narrative. Her
story. rs summarized by Fisher. was this:
The Baron savitch was not OF an old creation.
There WAS mystery about his origin that had
never been satisfactorily solved in st. Peters
burg or In Moscow. II was said by some that he
was founding from the vospitatenoi Dom.
Others believed him TO be the unack nowledged
son OF a certain illustrious parsonage nearly
related TO the House Of Romanor The latter
theory was the more probable. since II accounted
In measure for the amazing and unexampled
success of his career nom the day that he was
graduated at the University OF Dorpat.
Rapid and brilliant beyond precedent this
career had been. He entered the diplomatic
service Of the Gar. and was attached for several
IN.
Paris. Created Baron before his twenty th
year for the wonderful ability displayed In the
conduct OF negotiations Of supreme importance
aud delicacy with the House Of Hapsburg he
became pet OF Gorchakofrs, and was given
every opportunity for the exercise OF his genius
in diplomacy. II was even said in wel-in-
formed circles at ST. Petersburg that the guiding
mind which directed Russia's course through
out the entire Eastern complication, which
planned the campaign on the Danube. effected
the combinations that gave victory 10 the Cars
soldiers. and which meanwhile held Austria
aloof neutralized the immense power OF Ger
many. and oxasperated England only to tho
point where wrath expends itself In harmless
threats. was the brain OF the young Baron Sa-
witch. 1t was certain that he had been with Ig-
natieff at Constantinople when the trouble was
FIRST fomented. with Shouvaloff in England at
the time OF the socret conference agreement
with the Grand Duke Nicholas at Adrianople
when the protocol OF an armstco was signed
and would soon be in Berlin behind the scenes
OF the Congress. where It was expected that he
would outwit the statesmen of all Europe. and
play with Bismarck and Dlsraeli as a strong
man plays with two kicking babies.
But the Countess had concerned herself very
little with this handsome young mans achieve
ments in politics. She had been more particu-
cess in that field had been not less remarkable.
Although no one knew with positive certainty
his fathers name. he had conquered an abso-
Lutte supremacy in the most exclusive circles
surrounding the imperial court His influence
with the Car himself was supposed to be UNI
bounded. II was whispered that he knew better
than any other man the true reason Of the dis
gust with which the Grand Duchess Louise
completed her nuptials with the British Prince.
Certainly birth apart. he was considered the
best part in Russia From poverty and by the
sheer force Of intellect no had made himself
man OF colossal fortune Report gave him
4O,OOO,OOO roubles. and doubtless report did not
exceed the fact. Every speculative enterprise
which he undertook and they were many and
various was carried to sure success by thesame
qualities OF cool, unerrinR judgment far reach
ing sagacity and apparently superhuman power
OF organizing combining. and controlling
which had made him in politics the phenome-
non OF the ago.
About DIR. Rapperschwyl2 Yes. the Countess
knew him by reputation and by sight. He was
the medical man in constant attendance upon
the Baron Sayitch. whose high-strung mental