The morning call., 1890-05-25
XIX.


Two months had passed since Lanln, thanks to
his wlfe's devotion and presence OF mind, had es-
capped the revenge OF the inspectors wife. These
Two months had gone by quietly and without any
Jana had rented one of the finest houses In Ir-
kutsk, and lived there with DIR. Hass, Lima and
Helen. AS he law did not allow Vladimir 10 live
In town, he was sent to village In the District
ana near the capital He spent, however most
of his days in his wife's house, because the Gov
ernOT, good and humane man, would not notice
thiS tTdBsgressiOn. lie was speedily moved 10
this by Jana's beauty which lie admired, while
her devotion had made deep an Impression
upon him that be soon became one OF the most
Jealous defenders and protectors OF the noble
woman.
Popoff his secretary. He allowed him, how
ever, not The slightest liberty. From the bllssful
day on which he had been pc mltled 10 accom-
paTy his mother aud his betrothed, he had not
seen them once in public.
d" l will willingly save you the suffeTings con
nected with work In the mines." said Palkin to
PopOff. 81 ike TO employ YOU In my office be-
cause you are willing and thoughtful worker,
but / cannot possibly set you free. The slightest
imprudencs would bIing fearful punishment
upon you, aud !, myself run great risk because
l have kept you heIe, transsresslng my au-
thOrlty."
bet er Gays might come. lie lived in Palkns
house and never left it. He was, however. less
unhappy, because he could see Helen now aud
then IN secret. Palkin pretended hot TO know of
these interviews, but no doubt had his plans
Tie gendarme Kept the promise be had made
sent to lrkutsk where, strangely enough, he
rented house near Jana.
March was drawing TO an END, but the cold did
not diminish a white fog developed the city as
IN a pail. Palkin mad just received bis letters
ana dispatches from Europe, which were sent
him by COURIER. Popotf was standing before
him waiting orders. PalKin said:
The chief OF all the gendarmes has received
the letter in which reported that L had taken
charge OF my office here. Tie Governor-General
also must have received letters from Schelm, be-
cause the latter must have had reports from
hasan IN wager That VIII De IeceIFeG 10.
night at the palace like dog. Schein's blows
do not hurt me directly; because, Strictly speak
ing. lie is not my superior. lie must work
. secretly against me- l must, however, lose no
time. / have not sent Lanlu's petition yet, be-
cause have been waiting for you. VIII you not
be candid with me2 You have always tod me
you had more proofs against Schelm"
Popoff had gradually lost his misrust OF
Palkln; sun lie would not al once surrender
himself into his hands.
81 shall use 1t to save my benefactor, TO free
myself, or TO aVenge myself on Schelm VINO
can assure ue now, Colonel, that you do not
again betray me? Two ouch great pers0nages
as you aud Schelm may readily become recon-
ciled ana sacrifice us, petty and poweiless men."
Have l not proven 10 you how well mean
PARDON me, CoIoue," said Popon. you may
have your own plans, but surrender The
You Confess then, that you have these docu-
meuts about yUu?" exclaimed PalKin eagerly
PopOn bit his lips. He had, however, gone 100
far 10 be able to draw back. All he could do
was to weaken the importance OF his confession.
II doubt whether those documents are OF much
weight. have reserved Tor myself weagon
against my former chief, but you must pardon
me. Colonel"
"What are you aiming at?"
81 mean to say that eau hand that weapon 10
no one except TO Count Lanin or the Countess
AS am not permitted TO meet them"
why did you ell me that sooner? Lanin Is
not as suspicious as you are. Will Willingly per
nit you to see him. Go and give him your GOcu-
ments. Only Tell him expressly that want
''Of course, as soon as the Count agrees, you
will have a powerful weapon against Schelm III
''Wbat? You have II here? Now?
P0poff saw 100 late the blunder HE had COM
mol Not here I'' he stammered. 81 only
meant knew where il is"
Never mind l only repeat, you will have to
be very careful, because l IransgIess my
authority, and The Governor might some tune
become my enemy. Your bettOtbed comes 10
see you now and then-does she not?"
Colonel, eau assure you"
Don't swear pa SAID Palkin, In friendly tone
and with very Kind smile. you see AIN not as
bad you think"
Popoif could not but thank Palkin very
heartily; his mslrust gave daily more way 10
his gratitude.
"Lanln is never IN the place assigned to him
as his residence. the last hut IN the little village
krowa, close to The corporation line OF lIkuisk.
Yuu may 20 there on Sunday, because then the
police are not as Watchful Your betrothed VIII,
10 doubt, come aud see you before sunday. 1
Will ihlOi III the OOuDlcos VIM Gan WI A4Si
husband when lie may expect you. But you
must by no means be seen entering tile house oil
tie Countess itself; so take every pIecdutlon.
I'll assign you as the place ior your INTERVIEW
Tie hut OF a colOnist"
=" You are right, COlonelW
" But as Schelm has, no doubt, sent inStfuc-
lions to The Governor, II will be better for your
betrothed not 10 come and you for some time.
You must adapt yourself to your fate aud bear
patiently what cannot be helped"
Colonel, obey; Helen shall not come here
any more"
Do you think so? You know little OF
women; they become all the more eager for