The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-06-23
IN MY ENEMY'S HOUSE.

1raVClIng once near MOSCOW, i
CHANGED to meet N. Pctrovitch, an old
college chum. After some merry talk
over our scrapcs and adventures of
former days, he entrcated me to accom-
pany him 10 the house of his friend,
Baron Staloff, at place about ten miles
distant, adding, by the way of persua-
sion, "Stalotf is n fine, open-hearted,
generous, hospitable fellow-just such q
man as you would like to meet. He
told me to bring with me as many
friends rs possible. Come; we will be
there about Il week. can promise you
a very agreeable visit"
Although stranger to the baron, as
l then thought, yielded to my friend
request, and we took the afternoon train,
arriving ut Staloif late in the day. The
baroness received us graciously, regret
ting that the baron was unavOidably alb
sent until dinner.
Punctually ut seven o'clock my friend
and entered the magnificent dining
room. There was just time for hasty
introduction to the host before we took
our seats; we were about twenty at Ia
bic.
What is the matter with youp" whis-
pered Petrovitch. "You look so fright
ened; have you seen q ghost?"
frightened! may well look SO, in
decd! am frightened. Your fine,
generous, open-hearted baron is my
deadly enemy, than whom would rath-
or encounter thousand ghosts. I will
tell you all about it after dinner"
After an uncomfortable dinner, ! sue
cecded in finding an opportunity to
speak to Petrovitch in private.
That man and l were once friends"
said l, ''but the old story-we both ad-
mired the same girl. That made the
first breach between us. He proposed
to settle the matter by a sword. LEASH
" disarmcd him. She Tilted both of US
for it, and married Pavlovski, of the
dragons. Two years later the same
thing happened. We fought again. l
wounded him severely, and he swore
fearful vengeance upon me. But she
married him. and is his present wife. |"
But how has he become Baron
Stalofr?' When l knew him he was
merely Gregorie Altoff."
His uncle left him this property last
year with his name He wisely took
both"
IF had only known it! The man
hates me, and sees me present myself
at his dinner-table. How soon can get
away?"
Mot tonight, / am sure. If you fear
any treachery, come spend the night In
my room. But, really, the common rules
of hospitality"
30, / don't believe in hospitality, when
it comes to a man of his nature. He has
heard Macbeth and may initiate him
not for ambition, but to satisfy his
cherished revenge"
well. I will speak to tho servant,
and have your bags removed to my room
before bedtime"
Thanks, old fellow"
The evening passed by means Of mu'
sic and cards. The baroness was charm
ing, the baron did not appear. Late In
the evening my friend lett, on receiving
a message from the baron to join him
Half an hour later lackey made asigr
| to me from the door. turned to him
II am come, sir, to hand you thi'
key"
IL am to spend the night in m!
friends roomp"
Eyes, sir, but larger room has beef
prepared for you two gentlemen when
ever you arc ready. Sir, | am at you
service to show you the way to it."
81 am ready now; 90 on, l will fol
low" followed him. as lamp In hant
he went up long, winding staircas
| and along a narrow corridor until w
| reached what seemed to be O sort o
tower. Here. in broad space, wher
were several doors, he stopped. 'Isup
pose this part of the house Is not occu
piedP"
80, yes, sir, 1t is all occupied. You
DOM isone of the best. This is It."
He opened the door of the large apart
ment On one side near q large, old
fashioned bed saw my travelling-bag
"Your friend is here. probably" and h
left me.
With the key in one hand and tn
lamp in the other, advanced to tn
fireplace. There was no fire; but on
single candle stood on the mantel. Thl
lighted, but the darkness and gloor
seemed impenctrable. "Petrovitch
/ HUI HcIc, IhOuSh Nv ~ 10 \ sho" AA.y o.
into an immense armchair to wait Il
him. What can delay him?"
| sat there until midnight. Still b
did not come. Rousing myself then,
thought l heard the rafting of chair
"The fellow is somewhere here. VIII,
else could make a nOisep" Then di
tinctly heard regular breathing. "H
must have fallen asleep somewhere.
will look for him." So lamp in hand
| proceeded to explore the room. Ireacl
cd further away than had thought
~ heard the chain again.
What was my horror to behol'
stretched ut full length, fast asleep, b
side his open cage, asplendid tiger. II
chain attached to his collar hung loos
ly to the ground; he was free!
rushed to the door-it was locked {
the outside; to the windows-they we
: enormously high from the groun
There was no escape for me. There w
the treachery feared. This must
the trap Of the generous, hospital
baron! To call or make noise mig
be useless, and would certainly arc
the animal. ! had no pistol with m
but carefully and without any moi