Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-10-11
THE STOLEN PASSPORTS.


was lust settling down for quiet
evening by the stove when an orderly
threw the door open and rushed into the
room. ,m, -,
.,nd;no me one of those little official
hlue envelopes which / knew SO well.
tore it open and read the contents:
NJ cont Sasha, Commander Of Frontier Station
M netain Ivan Brosky and Vladimir Pogram. They
will reach you shortly YEN SoHAA.
"A bad night for travellers to be on
the road" could not help thinking, for
the rain was falling in torrents.
was commander of the Russian from
tier station at Dana, which lies on the
great high road between Russia and the
Austrian city of Cracow, and only half
mile distant was the river Vistula, which
divides the dominions IF the Emperor
Francis Joseph and the dominions of the
czar.
It was my duty to examine the pass
norris of all travellers coming either way,
and to scrutinize their luggage, to see
into Austria, or vice versa.
For the last few days there had been
little to do Warm weather-unusual at
this time of year-had set in, and the
roads were in bad condition for travel
ing.
The dispatch had just received had
been brought on horseback from the
nearest telegraph station, nearly five
miles distant, and from the signature at
the bottom | knew it must be matter
of some Importance, for Gen. Jorka was
the minister of police and his very name
terror to evil doors.
| instructed my men to watch the
roads with extra care.
The evening wore on slowly and at
midnight no one had arrived. came to
the conclusion that the expected travel
ers had either been apprehended before
they reached the frontier or had post
poned their journey on account OF the
bad weather, so determined to go to
bed and enjoy a good nights rest.
The wind and rain kept me awake a
long while, and just as was about
dropping off into slumber the sound OF
sleigh bells woke me up again, and in a
moment or two sharp tap at the door
summoned me down stairs. / dressed
and went down.
Two travellers were waiting to see me,
two big powerful fellows, wrapped up
in furs and greatcoats, which they kept
closely buttoned, for the fire had gone
out | judged at once that these were
the men | wanted, for though Their
clothes and furs gave evidence of wealth
and refinement their faces hardly seemed
to accord.
But a surprise was in store for me
When they handed over their passports
found, to my CONSERVATION, that they
bore the names of Alexis Zamose anC
Sergius Melikoff, and were properly
stamped and signed.
To hide my confusion made some in
quiries, and they very frankly informed
me that they were merchants of st. Pc
tersburg, who were going to Cracow OF
business.
Had they met any person on tn
roadT' inquired.
"Yes," said the smooth faced man
"they had passed two men early in tn
evening, but their horses seemed to b
lame, and they were moving very slow
ly,"
| hesitated moment, and then OF
dered an examination to be made 9
their baggage proceeding to whic
they offered no objection. Everythin
in their valises, however, was all right
and their linen and toilet cases wer
stamped with their initials.
| felt that had no authority to detail
them, and yet hated to see them g
for had a presentiment that all ws
not right. To add to my suspicious til
man with the beard was nervous an
agitated, fact which he did his utmo'
to conceal
knew too well, however, what wou]
be the result of blunder committe
through excess of authority, SO dete
mined to be on the safe side; and after
delay, which l stretched out as far
possible, told them they were free
proceed.
y l escorted them to the door, where
low, one seated sleigh awaited the1
drawn by pair of horses which ga
ct glance had been hard driven.
At the last moment had half ma,
up my mind to detain them, but with
nasty salute they stepped into the sleil
and drove rapidly eastward, where dav
vas already dappling the sky.
There was no use in going back
PED, so went in and stirred up the e
ana sat down to smoke cigar and W,
for daylight
Now that it was too late felt sorry
mad let the men go, for the more
Thought over it the more certain l +
mat there was something wrong abe
t1em 1t had stopped raining and
Gun to blow up cold, and saw that
gould probably be busy day.
had already finished breakfast VIII
Mamphng of horses and tinkling
oeiis drew me to the door, and, to
surprise. | saw bearing rapidly do
upon the station small detachment
mounted cossacks, surrounding slei
WIN two men in it, who made s
were the parties was looking for,
oplhion which seemed to be verified wi
'ney drew up, for the men were rat
rough looking fellows, and wore he,
oioaKs of coarse material, and 81
asuachan caps, that came forward o
'neir ears. | was soon undeceiyed.