Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-10-28


Count Rudersdorf wishes to know IL you
expect him to take your simple denial
against the evidence of his own sensesi This
is not the first time you have met, and he is
somewhat astonished that you do not rec
ognize him, as no further back than this
morning you passed him twice in walking
up and down the Adelphi terrace with Mr.
Kavanagh."
Gordon started, and fixing his eyes ON
Rudersdorf seemed to recall his face to
mind.
"And all thisr' expostulated the old gen
tleman, raising the pile OF identifying pa.
pers. For example" he added, picking
up a photograph that slipped out, you
would not have us believe that this is not
your portraits"
Gordon took up the photograph and re-
garded 1t in beHilderment. 1t was I'M
doubtedly his own portrait, but mounted
on a card with the printed name and adj
dress of a photographer in Moscow. The
only explanation was that the photograph
had been removed from the English mount
and pasted on the Russian one. But for.
what purpose was still an unfathoraed mys
terry to him.
You perhaps deny your own handwritc
ingS" said the old gentleman, handing a
letter.
This is not my hand. | cannot even
read the character in which it is written"
Here is one written by you in the ordi
nary European hand"
THAT is not my writing. can prove it
Give me a sheet of paper"
Writing material was given to him, and
he wrote a couple of lines quickly.
Rudersdorf and the old gentleman ex
amined it and exchanged a few observa
lions.
THE prince has altered his hand evi
IDENTIFY" said the old gentleman in a com
plimentary tone; but, as the count points
out, that is n slight achievement for one
whose skill of hand is known all over the
world"
Gordon dashed down the pen in a rage
and thrust his hands in his pockets
a luminous idea seemed to have occurred
to Rudersdorf, and a rapid dialogue ensued
between him and his secretary, at the end
of which the old gentleman, turning to Cor
don, said:
Admirably as you have played this lit
tie scene, you cannot expect US to take that
exhibition as convincing proof that you
are not Prince Borgensky. We are used to
this sort of thing and not easily to be de-
ceived. At the same time, to remove even
the faintest trace of doubt, we shall be
happy to facilitate to the utmost in our
power every means of Immediately proving
your identity. If there is any reliable per-
son with whom you wish to communi-
cate"-
You shan't have line of writing from
me-" said Gordon; mot a scrap that can be
twisted into a snare to serve your purpose"
I'm that case, relying on the evidence be-
fore us and the perfect honesty of our con.
frere, Barry Kavanagh, we have only to
complete formalities and remove you to
Russia, where you will be dealt with in &C
cordance with the pleasure of the car"
LAS you please"
At n sign from the secretary RnlarSdOrf
again took up the paper, which he this time
read through without interruption. Com
ing to the end, he nodded to the guard at
the door. who at once stepped forward and
laid hands upon Gordon. He made no re-
sistance, and without word passed out of
the cabin, apparently too absorbed in
thought to take heed of immediate circum-
stances.
made a movement TO follow him, but
Rudersdorf, who had risen and now stood
by the door, interposed.
We have not done with you yet" he
said sternly. sit down there
seated myself in the chair he pushed to-
ward me.
For few minutes he and the old gentle
man conversed in n jargon that l could not
understand. Then with the same brusque
manner he addressed me again.
You don't feign ignorance, suppose
he continued rudely You understand
Russian:"
Not such Russian as you two have been
speaking together l replied speaking, as
l habitually did, in French.
"Oh, if you understand French, we can get
OF" said he in that language. Now, then,
your name is Aura Soltikoffs"
Il never heard the name"
All! and you We're not born at Kiel:" he
said, glancing at paper.
NO.
And of course you haven't got any pa
pers:"
No"
The same old game, he muttered with
a shrug, glancing at the old gentleman.
And also, of course, you have not been
living for nearly year under the same roof
with Prince Borgensky!"
YES, have" replied, with pride
"Oh, comei It's something to get that
admission out of you. Well, having lived
with him SO long, you may happen to have
heard something about Siberiat'
Who's going to Siberia?' l asked i'll as
bold tone as l could assume, my heart
quaking at the hint.
"Who is going?" he echoed slowly. You
are if you're not prudent
He gave time for this threat to sink into
my mind by Speaking to his secretary.
Now them he went on, las you value
your life answer me this truly. Who is the
man who has just left this cabin?"
l made no reply. The old gentleman,
with most urbane smile, interviewed.
'Mademoiselle herself by her own word
and act has raised a doubt-a very trifiing
doubt-whether we have captured the real
Prince Borgensky or not OF course if he
is not the prince we dare not take either
him or mademoiselle from the country
Both will be sent on shore at once if that is
proved. Mademoiselle will see that it can
do her no harm, but be to her great advan-
taoe 70 a0sypar tho ouaStioD