The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

The General was in full uniform, aud bis tall.
soldlerlke appearance, made quite an impress
sion upon people like Sc!ieln who are naughty
only with their interiors. The revisOr bowed
ana sat down slightly embarrassed. Military
discipline required PalNin To remain standing In
Tie Governors presence, but the latter mo-
TONED him with the hand 10 omit the Formally
Your wounds have not had time yet to heal,
therefore,
He seemed to evnce a hidden control over the
two scoundres like sovereign, for they looked
At each other helplessly. Soon, hOwsver Sehelm
remembered the supreme power with which he
was Tor The time endowed aud al once his pres
ence Of mind and his lmpudenee revived again.
Il see, General" he began, in a harsh tone,
"the administration OF East Siberia leaves much
to wish for"
The Governor bit his lips, and his eye flashed,
but he checked himself and asked, quietly:
"How 40 you ascertain that, MI RevlsOr?
Perhaps you will have the kindness to point out
any shortcomings"
This apparent resignation seemed to encour.
age Schelm 10 think that he had intimidaIed this
" The nightly surprises and acts OF violence
against the representatives OF the Cars author
lilies are quite eloquent enough. band OF e1-
lies dared attempt lie life OF the Colonel. here,
ana the Captain, whom you appointed, is also in.
yolved''
the General replied with studied courtesy aud
quiet:
a. The events to which you allude are known to
me; but | consider them in a different light.
That act OF violence was provoked by the abuse
of which the Colonel was guilty."
General, such operations" broke 10 Pal
kin. But the Governor did not allow him 10
Have you also been appointed reYisor that
You dare interrupt your superior? When l
shall cease speaking you may defend yourself"
AT your presence, MI RevisOr had not for the
time suspended my authority should have al
ready have ordered an inquiry into the matter,
but as l heard of 1t only at The time when your
coming was announced, l postponed action"
Schelm was more aud more convinced that the
General was giving way, and this idea Tiled him
INF tarid Ia al rrIV
"What else ?'
The General could not suppress an ironieal
smIlr. put he continued quietly:
LAS 10 the Captain, OF whose crimiDality l am
not Informed, as the Colonel keeps him a prIs-
ouer in his own house. beg TO observe that
promoted this man, WHO is unknown 10 me, at
The special request OF Colonel Palkn. Hence
the responsibility would in the first place seem
to rest with himself"
I'VE shall Inquire into that hereafter" said
The consciousness of seeing his vanity grati-
fed made him very happy. H thought Tie Gov
ernor lad humbled himself before him aud was
surrenderlng az discretion. lie said, therefore,
j Besides this, General, 1 have several other
complaints 10 make. The way IN which you sent
me word through your Adjutant-"
The General Interrupted him with the most
courteous smile on his lips:
" You seemed to be so much excited when
entered. aud | was so much struck by the last
words OF your conversation, that forgot to make
my excuses. was Just engaged in giving orders
about my departure"
:: You mean to leave Irkutsk2" asked Schelm.
cannot understand"
"And yet the matter is very simple. / SurTen-
der the administration OF East Siberia 10 the
Civil Gov -fnOr Of lrkuIsk and leave tonight for
ST. Petersburg"
Schelm sprangup.
'Are you making fun OF me ?"
"Ihat Is very lar from me-"
"Then forbid you most solemnlY TO leave this
place."
Tie General could not keep from laughing
aloud
'Your journey seems to have affected you
badly my dear Mr. Schelm. You VIII forbid
me? You will order me? pray, do you really
think yon have the right to give orders? VINO
do you think | am |'
OF mind; lie was so used to see his Interiors
tremble before him, that really dlgniiied man
ner was incomprehensbe 10 him. Angrly he
exclaimed:
The Gar sends me here as revisor'
ain oder TO Inspect East Siberia, and in this
no one VIII interfere with you. But this does
not by any means authorize you TO interfere with
General Count MOSki and his personal affairs
II you reflect a moment you VIII see that you
made sci ious mistake ~
AT these words ScleIm's brow clouded over;
he felt now dangerous the General with all his
highbred courtesy might be. and yet lie saw no
escape.
"Do you wish to declare war against me, Gen
eral 2" he asked.
what can you mean9 Do you represent any
high power? | am accustomed 10 hight only ILL.,
de- epdeut powers"
general. this bOldness-"
Y on Insist upon treating me as subordinate.
You must know then, MIR. visor, that you in
suit Inc II you peer into my private affairs, and
shall not fail 10 report this 10 his Majesty The
Emperor, who must surely be Ignorant of your
being here. During my long service l have been
commanded by SOyeIelgnS, princes OF royal aud
imperial blood, Generals grown gray in wars,
but never by spies ("
The Governor said all this as coolly and calmly
as II he had been speaking Of very Oidin iry top
les. Schelm was clever enough TO see that he
was match for such man. Besides the in
sulfng epilhet "spies'' closed his lips and he
began 10 realize the limits within which he might
use his privileges
Every WELL General" he said. not without
certain feeling OF reSlect 1.-THE whole affair will
be settled before q higher authority but | hope
you Will not raise any difficulty against the du-
Ties have 10 perform in Siberian"
"How could | conceive such an idea?" replied
the General. 81 am very well aware OF my own
duty. You have been appointed fevlS0r OF East
ern Siberia. Very well, thcai Revise, inquire,
SOY out all you wish TO find! have no right TO
interfere with your work. For the time being
have ceased 10 be GOyelnOrG enerali"
THE LaDn family, whom you project"
LET me tell you, once FOR all, that L protect no
one. as | do not desire To prosecute any one"
Senem interrupted him, yislbly excited, and
with wink TO Palkin, he added:
mot even the enemies OF the CZar?"
The Colonel had pulled out note book and
pencil. The General noticed 1t with q smile OF
contempt.
Not even the Cars enemies! insist upon