Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-07
CHAPTER NIX.

\ IRAp.
The Volga was already coalinR M. I
heard the clank OF furnace doors and
the scraping OF shovcIs as we passed
the engine room. The officer who had
received Us led the way 10 the deck
cabin, a couple OF men following close
al our heels.
The cabin was well IT. An elderly.
sharp visaged man, in a close fitting
official costume, was seated at the table
In the middle, with writing materials
and pile OF documents before him.
lie rose, removing his cap as We entered
The officers placed chairs for US near
the table, and begging us TO be seated
pnbuttoned his overCoat. As he threw
IL open ] observed that he wore a belt
with pistol halter attached To IL, the
flaps unbuttomed.
sat down, faint with emotion, now
that my part was played, but Gordon
remained standing, his brows bent. his
countenauce. overcast with pain, believ-
ing that TaIas had been taken prisoner.
Again the officer, speaking in Russian.
begged him TO take a seat. Gordon
turned TO me. l dropped my head.
ashamed TO meet his eyes. ~ don't
know what he says, but / suppose be
wants me 20 sit down" said he ''WU
you tell him, mademOiselle, that we
have come 70 see Taras, aud that's all
we want"
] made no reply, but remained silent
with downcast eyes.
81 beg your pardon" ne said with
earnest solicitude, II forgot that you
that this blow must naturally fail heav-
ly upon you. You are ill?"
] shook my head.
Once more the courteous official Of
e. u r
with curt "NO, thanks" he shrugged
bis shoulders, and seating himself at the
head Of the table took up a paper and
began 70 read from 10 I'm Russian. Cor
don stopped him in tho FIRST sentence.
III you are reading that paper for my
benefit said he, "aliOw me 20 tell You
that you are wasting your time. don't
understand a word Of Russian"
The Old gentleman, who had seated
himself on the left hand OF the officer
leaned forward, aud speaking for the
first time said 10 fairly good English
and with trace Of sarcasm in his bland
smile:
Surely the prince has not been er-
poiriatcd so long as % forget his native
loncue?'
"l'm not prince, and my native
tongue is English" Gordon asserted
stoutIy.
'Ah, understand" the old gentle
mau esponded with the same ir0nicaI
blaudness "You wish 20 plead mis-.
taken Identity
OF don't know what you mean.
have come ON board 90 see Taras-
Prince Horgensky-at his request"
Pardon me- + was az the head OF the
stairs when Count Rudersdorf invited
the prince addressing you, Of course.
in The third persou-tO come on board. "
At the name OF Rudersdorf lifted
my head in surprise to look az the Off
Ger. Wasthis the relentless enemy. the
bloodhound" that Kavanagh had gone
90 such lengths % outwit-this polite.
middle aged, not unmerciful, certainly
not ferocious looking man?
"What on earth does this mean2'
asked Gordon. turning 90 me. Then.
getting no response, he addressed the
officer. "Wll you answer me one
question, please? is Taras on board
this vessel2"
III you are not Taras, he certainly is
not" was The direct reply.
Then ] avn not Taras There is no
necessity TO stay here any longer"
lie turned a. II 20 20. Do that I'M
staut Rudersdori touched a gong end
50 pped bis hand into the holster. Ale
most simultaneously the Two burly
fellows who bad followed MS TO the
cabin stepped 10 and stationed them
selves before the door, eacn armed with
a revolver Gordon stopped abruptly.
Pardon me-" said the elderly gentle
man. as ii nothing had occurred %
break the thread Of the discussion,
There Is a necessity 70 stay. We have
a warrant for the arrest OF Prince