The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-22
CHAPTER XIV.
aCurtas,a voDAyApv

AV.
scHELM's ~gscApApE.
On the same day, the Goth of March. 1866,
the italian quarter Of tho city talked Of
nothing but Of mn excursion which Baron
de S~chelmberg had undertaken after hay-
ing remained invisible for fifteen years.
On the 18th q servant Of his had come to
the owner Of a shop opposite the baron'a
house and had ordered u chair for the use
Of a paraIytic, which should be capable of
being adapted to the cushions OF q carriage.
The servant had added that the price was
ready the same week, as Baron do Schelm-
berg desired to drive out and enjoy the sun,
which now for some time had been shining
brightly in st. Petersburg.
The manufacturer carried out tho order
and delivered the chair, mentioning every :
where that tho mysterious paralytic would
be seen in public. At first people were
d~umbfounded. but this soon changed into
curiosity, and for three days a group Of
eager idlcrs had been stationed before
Echslmbere's house. But all this time
their curiosity remained unsatisfcd--noth-
ing stirred in the house.
Still the man mad told the truth. To the
utter amazement OF 1.-THE baroness, Schelm-
berg had told her, shortly after Valdimir's
arrest, that he felt much better and meant
to 90 out and see his friends. At first she
could not trust her ears. bat Schelm had
given her his orders and explained to her
that after consultation with his physi-
clans he had found that he could be
moved. Tho skillfui mechanic whom he
had employed built him a rolling chair that
would admit Of being put into a carriage
and allow him to remain seated as he was
at home.
Ii Great Was. therefore, the excitement in
the whole n%eighborhood on the day ap-
pointed for the first outing, the 20th OF
March. and great was the crowd which,
towards five O'Clock, watched the courtyard
of his house, where q carriage was standing
while four servants were waiting on the
flight OF steps. That morning he had in
formed his wife that she would not accom-
panyshim, and with his usual rudeness had
added:
This drive is q genuine feast to me; ]
shall get a little fresh air to breathe and ]
shall be relieved of our presence for sew
eral hours. Darine will go with me. He
AbU lV0Hh hAAO &" AAAhAA sAbV MUD OOVAl CAOA
in the service Of a paralytic man. I need
no one. want to be carried down and you
will wait till l return. Az l shall not leave
the carriage l do not wish to spoil my pleas
ure by having yOu near Inev'
,n rns Istons X R Rslt psas 1 four ,st shs no .:s
door wss opened wide and schelm appeared,
living il his new chair and followed by his
servants. Then they took of the wheels of
his rolling chair, slowed them away under
the box and finally hoisted the paralytic in
to the carriage.
npon the white walls of the mansion.
Schelm at first closed his red eye to the
light of day, which seemed to hurt him.
Then, getting used to il by degrees, he
looked around and really seemed to enjoy
it, as he breathed the fresh air in full
servant, q disguised nihilist, mounted on
the box and they drove of.
Great God! How ugly he is"' cried the
old woman, gazing at the man they had
not seen for fifteen years.
The carriage drove down Newsky Per
spectivc. Schelm gazed eagerly at the
crowd of people and in happy silence en-
sees the sun after a long, long night.
"This air is good.' he said. what a
fool | have been to shut myself up IS / nave
done!"
He seized Darine's hand. do you
know" he said, II am almost happy. Lib
Then bending out he added: "There il
the English store. The Millionya Arcades,
the admiralty" He laughed like q child.
Darine was astonished ut his naive enjoy
ment. Suddenly Schelm checked himself.
saying: But enough! Let us talk bn,i
ness
TIE smile vanished from his lips and he
II haze trusted you. For many years
this il the first time l have left my room.
Unfortunately my infirmity makes me the
slave OF those who accompany me. To be
sure, public curiosity is my protection!'
Darine was amused, for he laughed in his
heart at the mistrust of the old man; still
he replied:
You are the respected head
"Hur! hur!" said Schelm. II am not the
head, you know very we'll. That nnbob
troubles me. Why should IN East Indian
be at our head? Have you seen him, Oar
heard people speak Of him. Ny daughter
went to his ball. He cannot be an ordinary
man. Why should he come and spend his
money and his energy in Russia?"
"You know there are in Siberia numerous
secret societies."
But it is far from India to Siberia. But,
after all, il matters little to me. / shall see
tonight. Thank heaven, I am strong
enough to be present at this meeting. One
such meeting will tell me all. ! shall see
this man. After all. j think understand
hin. We are advancing into Central Asia.
Sooner or later India will come in contact
with US. He! he! This nabob is certainly
an intelligent man."
'You may be sure of that. aud he kuows
Kussia thoroughly. Do yon know, he
.frightens me! He has taken Count Lauins
under his protection, and 1 fear.
'Pshaw! ] shall explain to him nv
reasons for what ! have lone and he will
understand me If ie is devoted to our great
work."
"Oh. with his whole heart! AZ first he
threatened me with the authorities. told
him I did not mind, as my position placed
inc above all suspicion, but that such n step
might injnre our work. He bowed low and
but shall call an extraordinary meeting and
lay the matter before the centre and the
mystery"
Yes. You told me 80. and that was one
of my reasons for leaving my house. tell
you again it will all come right. This trial
will cause nm immense sensation. Are you
far advanced in the AFFAIR.""
.'Ihc trial will next week.
bravo! Your evidence is unobjection-
..AbsoIuteIy.'
And TINT physician? Do you still hold
him in your power?'
.'Yes and no, Bel;o and Poleno let him
bnt he hiss no money. He has been sick
n month. and 1 had completely lost him.
Three days z however, ! heard that he
had come back TO the pilalapstery, where
course no one recognized him. and he