The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-06
CHAPTER xxx.

The volga was already coaling up.
heard the clank of furnace doors and the
scraping of shovels as we passed the engine
room. The officer who had received us led
the way to the deck cabin, a couple of men
following close at our heels
The cabin was we'll lit. An elderly, sharp
visaged man, in q close fitting official cos
tune, was sehted at the table in the middle,
with writing materials and a pile of docu-
ments before him. He rose, removing his
cap as we entered. The officer placed chairs
for us near tho table, and begging us to be
seated unbubtoned his overcoat AS he
threw 1t open / observed that he wore q
belt with q pistol holster attached to il,
the flaps unhuttoned.
1 sat down faint with emotion, now that
my part was played, but Gordon remained
standing, his brows bent. his countenance
overcast with pain, believing that Taras
had been taken prisoner. Again the officer,
speaking in Russian, begged him to take
seat. Gordon turned to me. dropped my
head ashamed to meet his eyes. II don't
know what he says, but suppose he wants
me to sit down." said he. Twill you tell
him, mademoiselle, that we have come to
see Taras, and that's all we wantP"
made no reply, but remained silent with
downcast eyes.
II beg you pardon" be said with earnest
solicitude, II forgot that you-that this
blow must naturally fall heavily upon you.
You are Hip
shook my head.
Once more tho courteous official offered
chair and Gordon refusing it with curt
mo. thankaln he shrugged his shoulders,
and seating himself at the head of the table
took up pdper and began to read from il
in Russian. Gordon stopped him in the
first sentence.
''If you are reading that paper for my
benefit" said he, "allow me to tell you that
you are wasting your time. don't under.
stand word of Russian"
The old gentleman, who had seated him
self on the left hand of the officer, leaned
forward, and speaking for the first time
said in fairly good English and with O trace
of sarcasm ih his bland smile:
Surely the prince has not been expa-
triated SO long as to forget his native
tongue!"
''I'm not prince, and my native tongue
ia English, Gordon asserted stoutly.
"Ahl / understand" the old gentleman
responded with the same ironical bland
ness. you wish to plead mistaken iden-
tity."
II don't know what you mean. have
come on board to see Taras-Prince Bor-
gensky-at his requestn
Pardon me, Twas at the head Of the
stairs when Count Rudersdorf invited the
prince-addressing you, of course, In the
third person to come on board"
At the name of Rudersdorf lifted my
head in SURPRISE to look at the officer. Was
this the releHtless enemy, the bloodhound"
that Kavanagh had gone to such lengths to
outwit-thia polite, middle aged, not ut-
merciful. certainly not ferocious looking
man?
"What on earth does this meanfn asked
Gordon, turning to me. Then, getting no
response, ha addressed the officer: "Will
you answer me one question, pleasei Is
Taras on board this vesselp
"1f you arpnot Taras, he certainly is not"
was the direct reply
"Then am not Taras. There is no NO
cessity to stay here any longer"
He turned as If to go. In that instant
Rudersdorf touched gong and slipped his
hand into the holster. Almost simulta-
neously the two burly fellows who had fol-
lowed us to the cabin stepped in and sta
toned themselves before the door, each
armed with revolver. Gordon stopped
abruptly.
Pardon me-" said the elderly gentleman
as il nothing had occurred to break the
thread of tile discussion, there Is neces-
sity to stay. We have a warrant for the ar
rest of Prince Borgensky, which Count
Rudersdorf will proceed to read to you II
you choose to hear 1t, and until you can
give satisfactory proof that you are not
Taras Borgensky you must consider your
sell n prisoner. OF course,n he continued
with shrug and smile, II need not point
out to you that resistance is perfectly use
less and may be fatal"
my nam Is George Gordon. can give
You my card ="
The old man held up his hand derisively
as he said:
I'VE are quite aware that you have
adopted that name, and also that you have
lately been living at Grandson Chambers,
Adelphi terrace. The count has been
watching you closely for some time. Here
Is an accurate description of your person,
if you would like to see 1t, Wehaye taken
the utmost pains to assure ourselves Of
your identity before taking this important
step, you may be SURE"
Hang III II you will not believe my
word, whatproof -an give youP
''The sim plest in the world-showing
your papers. /"
"Papers?"
With smile, as II at Gordon's affected
Ignorance, the old gentleman drew from his
pocket well worn document and showing
1t said;
"The papers which every one is compelled
by police regulations to carry"
in England, sir, y said Gordon fercely.
that humiliation is only put upon those
who merit |, by their crimes"
"Do you wish ME to believe that an Enc.
llshmau is not Obliged to produce papers Of
Identification ut the request OF the police"
Not unless he is ticket of leave man."
The old GENTLEMAN, in complete astonish.
ment, communicated this information to
Rudersdorf, who shook his head with an
incredulous smile.
This young lady will tell YOU that lam
not Taras, said Gordon.
we cannot expect any young lady to in
erminate her friend We are very we'll 40
nuainted with Mile Aura SOitikoff She
has saved ydd thrice frnli apureheusop ~,
sne will not succeed a toaFth--at any