Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-02-17
CHAPTER xxx.

TRAP.
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 ut our heels.
The cabin was well 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 a
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
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. will you tell
him. mademoiselle, that we have come to
see Taras, and that's all we want"
| made no reply. but remained silent with
downcast eyes.
81 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
! mo, thanks!' he shrugged his shoulders,
and seating himself ut the head Of the table
| took up paper and bi gan 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 word 81 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 IN to forget his native
tongue?"
I'm not a prince, and my native tongue
is 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 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. F"
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 un-
merciful certainly not ferocious looking
mans
"What on earth does this mean?" asked
| Gordon, turning to me- Then, getting no
response, he addressed the officer: will
you answer me one question, please? Is
Taras on board this vesselp
"If you are not Taras, he certainly is not, "
was the direct reply.
"Then 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 revolver Gordon stopped
abruptly,
Pardon me-" said the elderly gentleman
as if nothing had occurred to break the
thread of the discussion, there is neces
sity to stay We have a warranS for the ar
rest of Prince Borgensky, which Count
Rudersdorf will proceed to read to you il
you choose to hear it, and until you car
give satisfactory proof that you are not
Taras Borgensky you must consider your
sell prisoner. OF course" he continued
with II 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
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 beer
watching you closely for some time, Here
is an accurate description of your person
If you would like to see it. We have taker
the utmost pains to assure ourselves o.
your identity before taking this important
step, you may be sure"
"Hang it! II you will not believe my
word, what proof can give you?"
1.-THE simplest in the world-sno"ihg
your papers"
"Papersy"
With smile, as il at Gordon's affected
Ignorance, the old gentleman drew from MS
pocket a well worn document and showing
1t said;
'.The papers which every one is compelled