Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-02-16

left-that is" the clerk said, correcting
himself as if he had said more than he
should have said, "on the 12th of Novem-
Der last year
Mr.. Lazarus turned to me and raised hif
eyebrows in silent interrogation.
He drew all his money out the day he
went away ! CaepeCl.
The l2th Of November" the clerk re-
piled.
Mr.. Lazarus handed me the order with
bow Of mock civility, shrugged his shout
ders as he nodded 20 the clerk and turned
on his heel, evidently wishing it to be I'M
derstood that he washed his hands Of the
affair and had nothing more to do with me.
l followed him to the door thunderstruck,
unable TO reason under this terrible blow.
What am to do:" asked, overtaking
him on the pavement as he was about to
step into the cab.
well, ! advise you to be more careful in
the future. It's lucky thing for you that
the manager did not think it worth while
to put che matter in the hands Of the
police"
In speechless dismay watched the cab
drive off, feeling that with it all hope was
going beyond recall, ard then, bewildered
and helpless, | yielded to the stream Of
hurrying city men. and somehow drifted
into quiet turning. where it was possible
Tor poor creature to collect her scattered
wits.
Stupidity. in my desperation, l looked
round As if might find guidance at hand.
There was not soul in the court but a
man in a white blouse. painting something
on a doorpost. My heart sckened as
realized my folly. Then, alphabetically, my
eyes rested on the painters hand. He was
writing a name on the doorpost. spelled
out what he had written, "E. Pelham, So
licitor, second fl
A ray of hope flashed upon my darkened
mind. had heard Taras speak Of getting
solicitors advice upon some question Of
business. Might not this solicitor advise
mes had money to pay him-the rest Of
the English notes Gordon gave me. There
could be no harm in trying II kept up my
assumed character and took proper precau-
lions. went up to the second floor. and
after pausing for a minute outside the
freshly painted door on which read the
name OF the solicitor entered the office
with every sense on the alert. remember
that the newly vanished door creaked as l
pushed it open; that there was q strong
smell OF paint; that everything was painful
ly new. Even Mr.. Pelham himself seemed
new, he was SO attentive, SO anxious to get
me into his inner Office as soon as he learn
ed that wished to have his advice upon
an important question. He was a thin,
eager, little man. with clean shaven face
and pleasant. birdlike expression in his
sharp. twinkling eyes. He reminded me of
a sparrow with large brood on the look
out for the smallest crumbs.
do you know any one named Kava-
nagh" l asked when we were seated face
to face at his writing table, with the spot
less plotting pad and the new stationery
case and writing materials between us.
well, madam, 1 can't say that do" he
answered reluctantly.
ANY one named Gordoni"
Gordon, Gordon, now" reflectively.
mo. madam. You see, madam, my prac-
tice has up to now been in another part OF
the metropolis"
perhaps you know Prince Borgensky;"
| II have heard of him of course. but !
have not the pleasure of knowing him."
| Can I RELY upon your not repeating a
word of what tell you to any living crea,
turei"
absolutely. madam. You must under.
stand that nv professional reputation
would be ruined IL I BETRAYED. even NV want
of care. ANYTHING confided tn me nv =
client"
After a few moments reflection I said.
going without circumlocution straipbt n
nv subject:
George Gordon and I were kidnaned
"Kidnaped: yes madam - he said in the
most matter of fact voice though the fail
/ in his countenance Expressed d;sannoint-
ment. and his penetratino glance BETRAYED
a doubt a. to whether his new client wae
quite in her sound senses
awe were transnorted IN ST. petersburo
and thence to Siberia
"Siberia. - he said making a mite NJ r. no
though he might nossiblv Confuse n With tn
Cheapside.
"After travelling fonr weels we escaned
from the noIice andn-
"Pardon me-may ask why yuu wore in
the hands of the policef"
George Gordon was supposed to be
Prince BorRensky. the pihiiist. whom he
resembles. and I was taken as HIS accom-.
plice. We were both being sent to Siberia
- exlles Dy aomlnlstratlve order.
Mr.. Pelham's face frightened up again
as II with the dawning hope that / might
be sane after all.
1--WE found q man who undertook to get
rs out of Russia for about 5000 rubles.
George Gordon had only 1900. It was
agreed that should be sent alone to Lon.
don with an order on George Gordon's
bankers to pay e3OO to a man named Lag
arus in Houndsditch. On receipt of the
money Lazarus was toteiegraph to the man
| in Siberia. who would then get George Cor.
don out of Russia. You understand me,"
Perfectly, madam. The explanation ID
most lucid; the case most interesting. Pray,
proceed"
II arrived In London this morning and
presented the order to Mr.. Lazarus. We
took 1t to the bank, but they declined ia
pay the money"
HAS Mr.. Lazarus returned the order to
youi"
Eyes; here it is"
He examined the paper with redoubled
interest.
"Messrs. Duncan & Duncan-why, this
house is just round the corner"
"Yes."
"What reason do they give for refusing
paymentW
'They say they have no money of George
! Gordon's."
"Is Mr.. Gordon man of capitali"
4