Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-11
CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.
At o'clock Mr.. Schelm received the
Count and his daughter with that cold and
stiff official air which he assumed with his
subordinates. The Councillor offered him a
million rubles, then half of his whole for
tune. Jana-proud Jana-humbled herself
before him, and with tears in her eyes
begged for mercy. 1t was all in vain.
Schelm, whose eyes began to sparkle as he
exulted in the offers of the old man and the
humiliation of Jana, who knelt before him,
only answered coldly:
81 am out of the question now. But calm
yourselves. The Gear is merciful. The
criminals will be sent as colonists to Siberia.
That is the limit OF punishment"
"But you know that Vladimir is Inno-
cent" exclaimed jana.
ScheIm removed his spectacles and played
the part of an astonished man to perfection.
Innocent He? The Ace of Clubs, the
head of the conspiracy"
Enough of this farce, this hypocrisy, !"
cried Jana, Indignantly. "You revenge
yourself for an innocent jest and your re-
venge is terrible. You alone have invented
the whole conspiracy, or, at least, with
devilish cunning, managed to involve my
husband in the affair p
Schelm piously folded his hands.
ct appreciate your grief, madame, but
cannot help you. Calm yourself; 60 home
and send for physician"
He rang the bell and a clerk entered.
"Please accompany these visitors down.
Pardon me; my time is not my own.
ssBe careful, Mr.. Schelm," said Jana.
eve shall fight till our last BREATH
CT shall move heaven and earth to dis
cover this infamous plot. Do you hear,
wretch ?" cried Wernin, furious at the dis
courtesy shown his daughter.
Schelm shrugged his shoulders and said
to the clerk: Accompany this poor old
man and his daughter downstairs, and see
to it that they do not fall.
every we'll, said Jana. I'VE Will go,
but beware p'
"At last !'' said Schelm. IT have not
humiIiated this proud woman enough yet.
T must crush her. Well, 1 wonder how
they will enjoy the separation. Sometimes
these high personages escape US after all.
After ten minutes profound meditation
knock was heard at the door. In answer to
his ssWalk in clerk handed him letter.
"There is a man waiting down stairs who
wants to be announced at once. He has
written his name and says Your E1ceilency
will no doubt receive him..
HNicholas Popoff!'' exclaimed Schelm,
with a glance at the card. "Let him come
nm at once. When he does come, look well
at him."
"Very we'll. Your E1celleDcy."
GAS soon as he is in my bureau you will
hasten to the nearest police station and ask
for two policemen: these you station at the
entrance of the Ministry. When the
stranger leaves me you will accompany him,
and, under some pretext, hand him over to
the police. You know him. l am sorry ne
used to be employed here"
"I have been here only two months"
.'Then look at him all the more carefully.
He is a yery dangerous fellow. Let him be
searched carefully and bring me everything
that is found on him."
"Your ExcellencY," said the clerk,
"Colonel Palkin happens to be in the Min
ister's bureau, might perhaps"
"Do what i have ordered" said Schelm.
'eYou deliver this man into the hands OF
the police-if should not change my mind.
In that case 1 shall say, I do not wish to
see any one That will be sign for you
to send the policemen back. Do you under
stand?''
Perfectly, Your ExcellencyP
"Now send the stranger upP'
"Hal ha!' cried Schelm, delighted. HE
alone was still waiting. He comes into my
net of his own accord"
The clerk comes back ushering in Popof.
He drew near Schelm.
"Ahl Is that you?" said Schelm. "What
do you wish?"
"a mere trihe, Count Lanin's pardon"
''Schelm sprang up from his chair.
with Lanin?"
81 am his secretary. He took me IN when
I was driven away from here. wrote to
you at that time that I should keep silent
unless I was attacked. have kept silent.