Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-28
: Us to help him, but We must go up A..,.
Here. where am II" growled the water
man from the bottom of the boat whats
all this here -
CHAPTER Xxx.


The Volga was already coalinR 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, couple of men
following close at our heels.
The cabin was we'll lit. An elderly, sharp
visaged man, in a close fitting official cos
tune, was seated at the table in the middle,
with writing materials and pile of docu-
ments before him. He rose, removing his
cap as we entered. The officer placed chairs
for us near the table, and begging us to be
seated unbuttoned his overcoat. As he
threw it open / observed that he wore
belt with a pistol holster attached to it.
the flaps unbuttoned
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 a
seat. Gordon turned to me. dropped my
head, ashamed to meet his eyes. Il don't
know what he says, but 1 suppose he wants
me to sit down." said he. "Will you tell
him, mademoiselle, that we have come to
see Taras, and that's all we wantS"
made no reply, but remained silent with
downcast eyes.
II beg your pardon, be said with earnest
solicitude, Il forgot that you-that this
blow must naturally fall heavily upon you.
You are ill?"
shook my head.
Once more the courteous official offered
chair, and Gordon refusing it with a curt
No, thanks!' he shrugged his shoulders,
and seating himself at the head of the table
took up paper and began to read from it
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 a 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 trace
of sarcasm in 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
is English" Gordon asserted stoutly.
"Ah! understand" the old gentleman
responded with the same ironical bland
ness. You wish to plead mistaken iden-
tsty."
II don't know what you mean. 1 have
come on board to see Taras-Prince Bor>
gensky-at his request"
Pardon me, was 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 relentless enemy, the bloodhound"
that kavanagh had gone to such lengths to
outwit-this polite, middle aged, not I'M
merciful. certainly not ferocious looking
man?
What on earth does this mean" asked
Gordon, turning to me. Then, getting no
response, he addressed the officer: Twill
you answer me one question, please7 Is
Taras on board this vessely'
IF you are not Taras, he certainly is not"
was the direct reply.
Then l am not Taras. There is no ne
cessity to stay here any longer"
He turned as if to go. In that instant
Rudersdorf touched a 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 n revolver Gordon stopped
abruptly.
Pardon me, said the elderly gentleman
as if nothing had occurred to break the
thread of the discussion, there is a neces-
sity to stay. We have a warrant for the ar
rest of Prince Borgensky, which Count
Rudersdorf will proceed to read to you if
you choose TO hear it, and until you can
give satisfactory proof that you are not
Taras Borgensky you must consider your
sell prisoner. OF COURSE he continued
with shrug and smile, II need not point
out to you that resistance is perfectly use
less and may be fatal"
My name is George Gordon. can give
you my card"
The old man held up his hand derisively
as he said:
We are quite aware that you have
adopted that name, and also that you have
lately been living at Grandson Chambers,
A6elphi 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 it. We have taken
the utmost pains to assure ourselves of
your identity before taking this important
step, you may be sure"
Hang it! If you will not believe my
word, what proof can l give you:"
THE simplest in the Notwithstanding
your papers"
Papers"
With smile, as if at Gordon's affected
ignorance, the old gentleman drew from his
pocket a well worn document and showing
it said:
The papers which every one is compelled
by police regulations to carry"
In England SIR said Gordon fercely,
who merit it by their crimes"
DO you wish me to believe that an Eng
lishman is not obliged to produce papers Of
Identification at the request of the police:"
Not unless he is a 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 am
/ not Taras," said Gordon.
I'VE cannot expect any young lady to in
eliminate her friend. We are very well nc
quainted with Mile. Aura Soltikoff She
has saved you thrice from apprehension, but
she will not succeed a fourth-at any rate
not by such simple means as you suggest"
will the evidence of another friend con-
vince you?"
Undoubtedly, if the friend is reliable"
You seem to be pretty we'll informed
upon some points" said Gordon after a few
moments reflection. Perhaps you know
a gentleman named Kavanagh?"
Perfectly we'll"
You will accept his evidence?"
without hesitation"
VERY WELL" said Gordon triumphantly
Il will send for him."
Perfectly useless" said the old gentle
man Observation-Disclosures Perhaps
| you are not aware that Mr.. Kavanagh, like
myself, is the paid servant of the car"
"A paid servant of the czarr' Gordon ex,
! claimed, overwhelmed with astonishment.
| And the most trusted agent of his excel
lency, the minister of police"
A glimmering of the truth dawned upon
Gordon, and his sterner nature taking the
ascendant he turned fiercely upon me and
said:
Are you. too. a servant of the cara po-
lice spy"
| bowed my head before his wrath Tho
! old gentleman answered for me:
UNFORTUNATELY Mile Soltikoff is our
most determined adversary, as you should
| know who owe so much to her."
Gordon regarded him and then me in