Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-04
tCopyrightedl
CHAPTER I.

EE Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine was dead
should say that you were that mani"
At this remark there were outbur SITS o
laughter, glasses were clinked against each
other and there were cries of Health to
the primer Long live the priuce" Hurrah
for Prince Narkine.''
The man who had made this statement was
one Of those secret agents whom Russia had
left in Alaska after the cession of that country
10 the United States to watch the movements Of
such prisoners Of state might take refuge IN
that territory. He was a short, vigorously
framed man with full beard and a shock Of
stubborn brown hair, and wore the Russian
uniform and the fat cap, the symbol of that
despotic power which sits like an incubus upon
Europe and Asia. The leading fur trader Of
Port Clarence-the most northern settlement
on the east coast of Behring's straits-had en-
tertained party Of friends that day and the
dinner was now drawing to an end. when the
attention Of every one had thus been riveted
upon Leo Pechkoff, one of the guests, by the
remark OF the Russian secret agent
The party was essentially polyglot for the
Russian, English and French languages had
been jumbled into genuine ola podrida dur
ing the dinner.
At the right Of the host sat Col. Scion Rivers
graduate of West Point an eminent engineer
who had taken part in the construction OF sew
eral mountain railways in the great west. At
the request of the Russian government he was
now on his way to Siberia, where he was to
traverse the projected route OF the Trans
Siberian railway and report such changes in
the original plans as he might deem advis-
able.
On the opposite side Of the table was seated
q citizen of another republic-the French-a
broEze-visaged, inteliiSent-iooking man Of
nifty, Cesar Girard by name. and next him sat
the Russian, Pechkof. upon whose face the Sc
cret agent still kept his eyes fastened in q sort
OF uneasy fascination.
Girard was by far the most interesting man
at the table and merits even a word or two
more of comment than Col Rivers By profess
sion most skillful photographer and inventor
he had crossed the Atlantic. accompanied by
his wife and daughter Virgiaie, for two pur-
Poses-the one TO pay a visit to the famous col
iege founded by his ancestor Etienne (Ste-
pnen) Girard, at Philadelphia. and the other
TO make a series of large photographs of the
views Of scenery in the Rocky mountains, Yo-
semitic valley, &c.
To be able to effect this thoroughly he had
brought along with him a studio on wheels
about the size and shape of a circus wagon a
miniature house in fact, not only with COM
plete arrangements for photographic work but
with every convenience for sleeping. cooking
&c. From San Francisco he had made his way
by steamer to Portland. and from that point to
Sitka and thence to Port Clarence. This wild
and rowing life seemed to have an equal charm
Tor Madam Girard and for Virginie, her
father faithful assistant, beautiful young
girl, 1.-THE and active as an Indian maiden. and
seemingly insensible to fatigue. Her arrival
at Port Clarence had been quite an event and
Gira-d found himself nearly buried beneath
the stock Of valuable pelts which natives and
traders laid at the feet OF the fair Vlrginie but
the two who seemed most deeply touched by
the grace, beauty and wit CT the young French
woman were Col. Rivers and Leo Pechkoff
They commended in friendly but none the less
earnest rivalry for her smiles. and although
Glrard and his wife had such perfect confidence
IL their daughter that theywere not at all fear
ful that she would be spoiled by the fiattery of
the debonnair Russian and the distinguished
American. yet the expression of their faces at
times was tinged with anxiety.
by the way, friend Girard," cried Rivers
abruptly. why not come along with us across
the straits! say rs, for l suppose you know
that Peckhoff is on his way home"
Here the secret agent gave q start, but
quickly recovered his composure
You'll be able to make series of views of
Siberian life that will be worth a small fortune
when you get home again"
The idea seemed to strike Girard most favor
ably, for his face frightened up and turning
to his host he inquired how far it was across
the straits at this point and when the ice would
be passable with horse and sledpeY
TO Numana the distance is about 60 miles ~
replied the host, land if the mercury continues
TO fall without any warm break to undo the
progress already made, should say that you
two weeks time"
Cesar Girard sat for Q moment absorbed in
thought.
My dear colonel" said he then as he fixed
MS large gray eyes upon the thin but hand
some and clean-eut face of the American ~
must consult my partners"
Il can speak for madame, f" cried Pecbko6
with slight inclination of the head, but take
my word for 1t. friend Girard. llademoiselle
SHglnle will receive the proposition with
great favor. She lacks but the Opportunity 10
be heroine! To me a brave woman is a
daughter of the gods
Nay, PeehkoT," added Col. Rivers. colorino
Nightly, Il protest against the Translation o3
MademoiseIie yirginle. except in a tarantass
Ia sort OF half-eovered Russian vehicle) across
the straits"
"A tarantass." exclaimed the host. sis called
an instrument OF torture by the Russians them
selves. L advise you against using one Be-
sides In a snow storm wheels would sink into
the drifts and freeze fast. You must use
sledge for the ladies'; the men may go on
snow shoes"
What, and abandon my rolling studio
uagonF' cried Glrard- Never gentlemen
that ends the matter. You must cross the
straits without me-"
abandon: nothing, my dear Girard," re-
phed Col Rivers IN that calm tone SO typical
OF his nation. Leave me to take care of yonr
beloved studio. Iii mount il on two sets OF
runners, and harness my Cossack ponies TO i,
and my word for 1t, the ladies Will not lose q
nignts rest while We are on the tramp across
the ice fields"
These words of Col. Scion Rivers seemed to
hiI heavy weight from the Frenchman's
breast, and presently he rose from the table
and took his leave of the company. which re-
NAMED to smoke cigarettes and drink tea for
several hours afterward.
Brother, suddenly came from the score,
agent as he raised tiny glass of vodka and
nxed his deep-set eyes on Pechkoff: ito our
father at Petersburg
40 ms majesty Alexander I'LL" cried Pech.
xou. Gar OF all the Russias and stance
friend. as was his father before him. of our
glorious republic" ' Va wa
Then you are an American2" stammsred
we secret agent more bewildered than aver
Ay, said Pechkoff CALMLY "a he sat hi.
empty glass on tine table and retrr,ad ,hs
steady look which the spy kept fastened mon
hlm- "a born American citizen. the child q,
Russian refugee" Ae saAo vi
And his name: almost gasped the secre,
Alexis Alexieyich Pechkof."
wonderful, wonderful Resemblance mur.
nured the agent half aloud. ..Did yon .ya,
Know Prince Louk Loukitch Narkine2"
MY father knew him quite we'll" saia pa.h.
kOn. HE became q suspect in ,75 - =.
rested in the following year, sentenced - a..
mines for life in rs, made his s.csn. 49, .e
Ikoutsh in 80 and was killed in e, NJ
father always looked upon him al An ,n..y