Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-31

hauled Labinski up the slope by the collar
heard him objurgating the team--'.ho! son Of
burnt father. Ho! female disgrace to your
famiiy!'-this was not exactly what he said. but
1t is near enough-and was addressed to the
mare, which, being the most innocent Of the
party. as IL usually the case whether Of men or
animals, naturally came in for the greatest
snare OF obioquy-'wouldst thou upset their
sainted excellencies, thou wretches Of no con-
sideration?"
'Hullo, count" said, as I saw one wheel
lying on the @chaussee, whats to be done
Labinski sat up and ruefully regarded the
Here" I said, ''let's upset the droschky
down the embankment and send for it: I'll take
all the blame. It's the first time have misbe-
naved myself since have been the guest of
pays"
1--WE are two buffers; is that right. eh?" re-
sponded the count, and linking his arm in mine
the procession started, first Labinski in full
UNIFORM, and l in evening dress, both very
muddy; and then. at a respectful distance. the
'.isvostchik, leading the horses and could not
help thinking of the vast difference in the
phraseology used by the courtly ''isvostchik :"
and that of the western cowboy when he exhorts
the impenitent mule
AS reached the soldiers on dutv thew
promptly turned out, for will undertake to
say such procession had never before scan
dalized the defenders of the Russian metropolis.
The production of my magic passport, and a
prleI coiioquy between Labinski and the officer
OF the guard explained matters; and he courte-
ousiy sent detachment with the .'isvostchk"
and horses to bring on the droschky As we
stalked through the deserted streets Of st. Pc
tersburg we were the recipients of much official
attention, and occasionally figure passed us
swiftly, and evidently passed on a signal to
others in another quarter, and could see we
were 'shadowed" until we reached the palace.
Hist take no notice." Labinski whispered
nervously to me. 'Nihilist spies, watching to
their headquarters about you tomorrow"
LET EN-, l said, sitting a yawn. Lets
have small bottle of crimskoi, and turn in
want to be up early to leave my letter for Olga
basklrof; and slept the sleep of the just.
met Olga Baskiroff coming out of the Car
melite hospital next day at noon, and she was
not whit less beautiful in her jaunty Russian
costume than she appeared in her ball dress and
jewels. She introduced me to her two COM
panions, Voleska and Katlnka Ogareff-two
dimpled, laughing, mischievous Russian maid
ems, and we formed merry quartet at lunch.
1 met Olga constantly afterward, both in the
daytime and at various balls and soirees
She had always skillfully parted any direct
avoWal OF my evident affection for her, and had
smllingly declined to give me her address,
though l thought could see she loved me in
return She had told me there was no other
man she cared for; and that was all could
elicit; and though both she and Katinka and
Voleska were always pleasant, could see there
was some dark and mysterious shadow lowering
over their young lives.
About week had passed when Count Labin-
SKI came to see me one morning looking per-
picked and anxious
MY betrothed has written me word she de-
slres to see me on urgent business; can you eX-
cuse me today?"
'Surely, my dear chum." replied, 81 shall
be glad of days rest, and shall stay in all day."
Il shall be back tomorrow" he said, as his
face frightened and 1 settled down for a quiet
day.
"A letter, SIR" said the maior-domo shortly
after he had left. As carelessy glanced at
the signature saw it was from Olga, the first 1
had received, and eagerly read it. 1t ran in
English, which she spoke huently:
"My dear friend: desire to see you on matters
OF great importance. TO avoid talk dine at the
English club as usual, then come to the street
OF the Lines at 8, droschky will be waiting at
sight Will accompany you. and bring you to where
shall be waiting. Come punctually and secretly.
your friend, OLGA"
1t was undated and unaddressed. after the
manner Of some ladies, but contained no post
script was too deeply in love to hesitate for
moment To serve her in any way was nv
dearest wish, and was punctual to the appoint
ment An elderly serving man was in attend
ance, and silently entered the droschky with
me. His first proceeding was to pull down the
blinds, saying with bow, ''Mademoiselle Olga's
wish
nodded, and no further conversation ensued
until, after about half an hours driving we
drew up at the house. Whether purposely or
by accident. the street lamp was out, and all
surrounding objects were buried in impenetra-
BILE gloom.
This way, excellency," my taciturn COM
panion said, and we entered room on the
ground floor. 1t was furnished in the usual
scanty Russian style, with ''icone," or pictures
m ha wall fha
polished with bees wax. .'Sit down." As I
did so moved the mechanism Of the arm chair,
its arms closed round me, and was locked as if
In vice, and before could utter a cry or strug-
gle, felt it swiftly descending. The rapidity
OF the descent, which must have been some
twenty feet, took my breath away, and when I
looked amazedly rround saw l was in large
subterranean chamber. surrounded by num-
Der OF men in black masks. while, at the end of
the room, looking pale end sorrowful, Olga was
standing somewhat apart from Katinka and
Voleska, who looked serious and subdued: all
three were unmasked.
"Unloose and search him." said the leader
who was distinguished from the others by hold
ing revolver in his hand The shock of
being betrayed by Olga had stunned me- and I
made no resistance-in fact, 1 saw to have done
SO would have been futile. With practiced
hands two searched me, while the others stood
ready to spring on me if made the least resist
ance. Watch, chain, letters, cigarette and card
mans pockets-were CONTEMPORARY piled in
heap. At last the searchers came on the thin
silver case containing my passport, and which
was hidden In an inner pocket; this was at once
seized, and buzz of satisfaction ran through
the group OF men as several clustered around
the leader to examine it. After a crucial ex-
animation the leader stepped up to me and
placed the cold muzzle of the revolver to my
forehead. 1--WE do not value your life straw"
he said in English, with strong Russian ac-
cent; ''tell me fully what this passport means;
who are you who can come and go through the
barriers of st. Petersburg unquestioned; why
the tyrant gave you this; what devilment you
serve him to make him grateful; who of us you
betray in England?" he Kissed, as his black ewes
glared at me through the mask-..you English
mouchard, police spy, eh?''
was so astounded at this accusation that
could only stare blankly at him.
"You no answer; see, 1 make your lover
Olga"-he laughed sneeringly as he saw me
start-"and the other two medical students
torture you, vivisect you-you die slowly-in
your death you useful to science, not your life.
Bah! you not the first" and he pointed to a
long black table, bloodstained in places, and to
boxes OF glittering amputating and other
knives, and could see he was terribly in
earnest.
Without saying a word, though they were
deadly pale and trembled, Katinka and Voleska
commenced putting on the canvas arm bandages
reaching from wrist to elbow, which are worn
hafo