River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-11
THE RED CHEST.
Experience in the Life of a
Russian Detective.

In ISL was briefly in the service
Of the Imperial Criminal Defective
Police Bureau, in Il. Petersburg, which
j. distinctly different from the civil
secret service, dealing almost wholly
with political offenders, with whose in
famously barbarOus employment /
would have nothing to do.
A series Of extraordinary rObheries
had been effected from the luggage van
of a number Of trains on the ST Peters
burg 4 Odessa railway.
! was, therefore, not surprised at be-
ing one day summoned by General
Trip0ski, the chief 81 the depar tment,
who said to me, after some preliminary
words:
TO 70 see Herr Moyenstein, the lug
gage superintendent, and see what you
can make Of these robberies- You can
even conceal yourself in she van Of the
next through train. if you see tit
III you succeed in solving the mys-
terry and bringing the perpetrator or
perpetrators 10 Justice, / guarantee You
speedy promotion. and the company
viii. doubtless, I'LL your pouch with
rOubIes.
IF not. ahemr'-General Triposki
strOked his huge mustache, and glanced
down complacentIy over the perfect
polish Of his military top boots, with a
peculiar CLINT in his hard, gray eyes
swell. that will bo less fortunate for
you: in fact. | don't know but that
should be dispIeased-Pcrhaps serious
IL displeascd7
To incur the displeasure Of Russian
- -
monfous kick into disgrace or obscurity
for the unfortunate delinquent.
/ made my salute and proceeded 10
the railway station and stated my bust
ness to the official mentioned.
Herr MoyenStein was a German Of a
very excitable temperament, and / found
him in the midst Of pressing business
incidental TO the near departure Of the
odessa express
'.Ah, you have come to investigator
he managed 20 exclaim, semi-confiden-
italy, 10 me. General 1riposki is very
good, to be sure. but what is there 70
investigator
The through luggage van is locked
and sealed from the moment Of start
ing. and with nothing but the heaped
luggage within, and yet the robberies
continue.
AT the end OF the route what is
f0und2 All locked and sealed as be-
fore. and vet confusion and dismay in
the interior-trunks. chests. boxes,
hampers bursted and rified OF their
choicest yaluables, but not sign Of the
thief, with the company booked for
damages as before
"A mystery? ] should say 80. 1t beats
even the organized robberies and muir
ders that have 50 mystitied and appalled,
the envirOns Of odessa itself for the last
two years. with not a trace of their
source. Perhaps MT quite so bad as
that. but almost There, there. / am
too busy - give you any more pointers
Just now. my friend"
lie was hurrying away from me when
laid my hand on his arm.
..POintors?H said imperatively.
'.You have given me none not known
before You will at once, if You please.
devote yourself exclusively to my elih-
cation"
..Sirr'
Very cool. l suppose had bet
tez return TO General Triposki and
say ="
mo. mo- excuse my hastiness, my
dear sir Wait; then I am wholly al
your disposal"
He hurriedly placed his office in the
hands OF his chief clerk and submits
sivclv escorted me 70 the long platform
whore the train was in readiness for
starting. and the perters were busily
loading the luggage van.
Herr Moyenstein still further ex-
planned the interior to me. which
found just as lie had at first stated, 50
far as security vas concerned. and also
offered some theories as 10 the manner
Of the depredatiOns, but they were TO,
far-fctched for serious consideration.
As ~ stepped cut Of the van. my
companion was Instantly surrounded by
passengers. Who were waiting for theiI
luggage certificates. and who we're anX-
ious 10 know il they were 10 run the
risk Of a repetition Of the mysterious
rohberies.
Having rid himself Of these question.
err a. best lac might, the superintend
ent was next approached by about the
most regally handsome woman ! had
ever set eyes on.
Tall. dark. maguihcently dressed, and
attended BY two servants in livery, she
looked like an Oriental queen IS she su-
perciliously signed . my companion
End Indicated her luggage, which some
porters had Just trundled in from the
drosHSy and cab stand.
She spoke ! few naughty words
though in a singularly sweet. melOdiOu,
. . Ha-H N-sa5
luggage might this time pass through
unmolested. and then, after ObsequiOui
assurances or the part of Herr Moyen
stein. and receiving an immediate Ger
tiicate for the articles from his owI
hand, she sailed away
Her luggage consisted Of TWO i'm
neuse wooden chests or strapped bOxe
One larger than its fellow and paiute,
red. the other travel-wOrn and OF n,
particular cOlOr-such a are much use,
by the s.pper travelling class in Russia
A certain popularity in the red ches
had attracted my attention while th'
portcrs were affixing the necessaT.
labels. and ! had also been struck b!
something furtive Or sinister in tn
faces Of the ljveried servants.
You seemed to recognize the lady.
IoItserved, taking the superintendent
70 the side.
Il should say 50" he replied !
was the Countess Rustanovitch, Of tn
old castle and impoverished estate Q
the same name near Odessa. \ goo
traveller, the Countess, either in her owl
person Or b. proxy.
she does not impress one as beinl
personally impoverished, at all events
NO. she is said TO be rich now. II
IN .erStood that she is settling up
wealthy chattel estate here. lett her D.
Inheritance SIX months ago, portions o
which she IS sending 70 her castle iron
time = time These boxes pFcbabl
contain some Of the property nov
Mostly tsey are solely accompanied b
crs ei ksg vetsiBeE@ As she now goe