Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-02-15
CHApTER XXX.

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 at 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 doeu-
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
I threw it open observed that he wore
belt with a pistol holster attached to il,
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 nv
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.
Il beg your pardon. y be said with earnest
solicitude, II 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 curt
mo, thanksl' 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 10 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 exra-
triated so long as to- forget his native
tongues"
Pm not prince, and my native tongue
is English" Gordon asserted stoutlv.
"Ahl | understand" the old gentleman
responded with the same ironical bland |
ness You wish to plead mistaken iden. |
tity"
Il don't know what you mean. / have
come on board 10 see Taras-Prince Dor
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 nv
head in surprise to look at the officer. Was
this the relentless enemy, the "bloodhoupdn
that kavanagh had gone to such lengths 20
outwit-this polite. middle aged, not I'm.
merciful. certainly not ferocious looking
mani
What on earth does this meanfn asked
Gordon. turning TO me Then, getting no
response. he addressed the officer; will
you answer me one question, pleaseY Is
Taras on board this vessels''
IF you are not Taras. he certainly is not p
was the direct reply
'Then am not Taras. There is no ne
cessity 10 stay here any longer
he turned as if to 20. In that instant
Rudersdorf touched gong and Slipped hi
hand into the holster Almost sinulta.
neously the two burly fellows who had fol
lowed US to the cabin stepped in md sta
toned themselves before the dooi each
armed with a revolver. Gordon stunned
abruptly
Pardon me. said the elderly cenfhman
as If nothing had occurred 70 lfeaf -