The Iola register., 1885-01-16
CHAPTER Y.
IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH,

IN SEARCH OF THE TRUTH.
Across Europe-half-way across Asia
for the sake of an hours interview
with Russian political prisoner! 1t
was q wild scheme. but | was deter
mined to carry it out. If my plan was
a mad one. l would, at least. insure a
chance of its success by putting all the
method could in my preparations.
would not rush wildly to my journeys S
end and find it rendered fruitless by the
stupidity or suspicion of some one vest
ed with brief authority. No: | must go
armed with credentials which no one
would dare to dispute. Money, one OF
the most important of all, l had plenty
of. and was ready to Use freely; but
there were others which were indiSpens-
able: my first step would be TO obtain
these. could go quietly and systemst-
ically to work. for it would be days be-
fore | could venture to leave Pauline.
Only when all chance of danger was at
an end could begin my journey.
So during those days whilst the poor
girl was gradually, but very. very slow
". regaiuiag strength, looked up whs.
friends possessed among the great peo-
pie of the land, until found one whose
position was such that he could ask
favor of far greater man than himself,
and moreover, expect that it should be
granted without delay. He did this for
my sake with such efficacy that l re-
ceived letter of introduction to the
English ambassador at ST. Petersburg,
and also u copy of letter which had
been forwarded him containing instruc-
tions on my behalf Each of the letters
bore an autograph which would insure
every assistance being given to ME.
With these, and the addition of letter
of credit for a large amount on a st.
Petersburg bank. was ready to start.
But before left, Pauline's safety and
well-being during these months of alb
sence must be considered. The Difficult:
ties this presented almost made mo
abandon, or, at least, postpone. the exc
cution of my plan. Yet l knew it must
be carried out to the very letter. or
Macari'S lie would ever stand between
my wife and myself. Better / should
90 at once, while we were strangers;
better, if Ceneri by word or silence con-
tirmed the shameful tale, that We should
never meet again.
Pauline would be left in good hands.
Priscilla would do my bidding faithfully
and fully. The old woman was by this
time quite aware that her charge had
awakened to both memory and new for
getfulress. She knew the reason why
for days and days had not even enter
ed the room. She knew that l consid-
cred Pauline, in her present state, no
more my wife than when / first met her
in Turin. She knew that some mystery
was attached to our relations with eacl
other. and that was bound apon long
journey TO clear this up. She was con-
tent with this knowledge or sought to
obtain no more than / chose to give her.
Ny instructions were minute. A
soon as she was well enough Pauline
thing was 10 done for her comfort and
according to her wishes. If she grew
curious she was to be told thst some
near relation, who was now iOurneying
abroad, had placed her in Priscilla
hands, where she was to stay until his
return. Bnt. unless the recollection IF
the past few months came to her, she
was TO be told nothing As to her true
position rs my wife. Indeed, l doubt
ed now if she was legally my wife
whether. if she wished, she might not
annul the marriage by stating that at
the time it took place she was not
in her right mind. When l returned
from my eXpedition--if things were
right, as told myself they must be, all
would have to be begun again from the
To BE CONTINUED