Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-10
BY JOSEPH uArrors.
copyrighted by the Author 188s-An Rights Reserved
For the Gazette.
PART ".
AUTHOR OF

Fortunately for Dick Chetwynd's mis-
sion, he was nc.strauger to St. Peters
burg, aud he had had some experience OF
official lie in Russia during both peace
and war He knew the value OF English
iutroductions, aud how most effectively
TO use Russian gold.
Notwithstanding the supposed contin-
ual strain of the diplomatic relation
ships of the two countries, and the ira
ditlonal hostility of international inter
ests, Dick Chetwynd had full confidence
in the courteous and friendly reception
which he would receive at headquarters.
From the ear down to the humblest
Russian official, an Enelshmau properly
accredited and backed by travelled e&be-
renee and worldly knowledge may rely
upon courteous treatment.
No official is more polite than a Rus
sian under the influence of a strangers
authoritative Endorsement
1t is true that Chetwynd met with
minor Instructions and delays which
easily gave way to major tips and con-
sideratIons; but in presence of the great
masters Of authority, with his letters
from the English prime minister the
a Russian embassy in London, and other
documentary powers, he found his path
both smooth and pleasant. Indeed it
was with some difficulty that be sue
ceeded in proceeding on his journey with
anything like a gracious refusal of the
many social invitations he received as
tributes TO his own personal charm OF
manner as well as to his remarkable
official introductIons. Moreover, the
fact that as d war correspondent he had
chrouicIed in one Of the leading English
newspapers the tTiumphs of the Russian
arms on a great campaign, and had
been honored with the personal recog-
q milton Of his late majesty after a certain
famous battle, made him a persona
81 grata in the brilliant Russian capital.
Having discovered that Philip Forsyth
q was one of the prisoners en- route for ST.
IBERIA under the command Of Capt. Kara
kazov, and in all probability only de-
spatched some few weeks previously from
s. Moscow, he made rapid dispositions for
81 prosecuting his journey. In the mean
time he wrote encouraging letters full OF
good assurance of his own safety TO his
wife and of hopeful prospects to Philips
mother.
What surprised Chetwynd more than
anything during his Investigations at St.
petersburg WAS kllS uLISE anu COEl p4GlO
disappearance Of the Countess Straven-
sky.
The assistant minister of foreign af- !
fairs, a snguIarIy well-informed and
courteous gentleman, who from being !
reticent at the beginning OF their inter /
view, became almost loquacious at its |
& close, assured him that there was no /
doubt about the completely of the !
Countess StTayensky in the recent plot. |
The police were engaged in uurayeIing /
her career. 1t was believed that ever !
since her remarkable marriage with the /
81 Count StTavensky, one of the govern /
ment's most devoted servants, she had |
been mixed up in the Russian prOpa- |
gRnda. If this were so, the countess had !
conducted neT affairs with great skill and |
q daring. She had received conpli- i
8 mentRry recognition from the Russian /
court, and indeed had been almost, IN !
certain social directions, an accredited
Il agent, and was certainly regarded as
II friend 10 the Teigning family. She had
a been received at the Russian court and (
was a distinguished parsonage in the
q highest Russian circles, but within the
last few mouths the police had discovered
& what they considered to he a clew TO her
association with some OF the worst enc
mics of Russia, and indeed. they be-
q leved she was an accomplish in the muir
der of Gen. Petronovitch at Venice.
At present these charges were indef1-
4 mite, and might possibly be difficult OF
proof; bat they were considered to be
strongly exemplifed by the strange dis
4 appearance of The countess from Russia
She had arrived in ST. Petersburg some
few days before the failure of the latest
dynamite plot. had observed the usual
4 polite ceremonies of the court, had been
seen at the opera, and was a guest at a
4 semi-Othcial reception on the night be-
fore the neiariOus scheme of the PrOpa-
gandistS was 10 have been cOnsummated.
From that moment there was no trace of
her. She had disappeared as completely
as if she had never existed. And the
complete system of espionage that be-
/ lOnged TO the police had failed
TO come upon the slightest clue;
the telegragph had flashed in
qniries and descriptions in every
direction throughout Europe, but with
out result. They had hoped that the
young Englishman. the prisoner For
syth, would have been able to throw
some light upon her proceedings and !
habits. Had he been Russian subject
II was possible that more than the ordi
nary pressure would have been exercised |
10 obtain confessions from him; but he !
/ probably spoke the truth when he said /
| her, and he dad rot disguise for a mo-
Inent that he had travelled with her from
Venice 10 Paris. from Paris to New
York, from New York to Havre, thence
TO st. Petersburg. Indeed, there would
have been no object in denying this, Is l
cause one OF the So called Brotherhood of
the Dawn had confessed 1t.
'Cncer pressure?'' asked Chetwynd, l
accepting the cigarette which the assist !
ant minister had politely offered him.
Probably, said the official. {
You have severe measures in this di- I
Tectionr know - said Chetwynd, land
am deeply grateful for the consideTa- :
tion which has been shown to my '
friend. - c
You have reason to be so, I think, '
from all understand, - said the Off q
clal. . We are talking in confidence, a
Out may help you to a better under I
S'anuing OF my imperial master when 1 L
IeIi yoa 1t was by order OF the car that n