The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-06

know the why and wherefore of this
attempt on my life" continued the
young man, after taking a pull at mis-
brandy and soda. He blew fragrant
puff of Latakia from his fat cigarette
and stretched out more comfortably in
his chair.
= am Prince Serge Malatapsky,-
Russian ! have been in this country
six months. Here 1 assumed the name
of William Wheeler. feeling that with
my income, q very small one, and my
manner of life. my title would only be
in the way. Russians learn TO speak
English so well that they can hardly
be told from the natives. 1 add lit
tie to my income by writing
Shortly before l left Russia by
mere stroke of luck ! discovered Nj
hilist plot against a high official VINO
was a staunch worker against these
misera ole revolutionists. Owing to this
discovery the ringleader, young Rus
sion, was put 10 death. He and TINS
Olga Baranoff, your beSuiling woman
friend of the cab, were engaged TO be
married. 1 have learned lately that
she solemnly swore to have my life as
a joint amend TO Nihilism and herself
for her lovers execution.
About a month ago." continued the
prince, I needed a secretary for some
work had in hand. This young woman
presented herself. 1 had never seen
her before. l must admit that she filled
the bill admirably. Prompt, neat, quiet
and never a mistake. Naturally, she
got to know my habits thoroughly. AS
a matter of fact, 1 am as methodlcal
as an old virgin, and in many respects
as regular as a clock. 1 invariably re-
turn home about 10, for instance, and
retire at u.
She was a fascinating woman" said
Prince Malatopsky, thouShtfu!ly, ana
with a faint smile. CaptivatlnSly
proper. With a child-like insensibility
to conventionalities. she was, on the
other hand, so modest that she would
not allow me to touch her ungloved
hand I did not know then what an
aching hatred for me helped to fortify
her in this maidenly reserve. In subtle
ways she was wonderfully alluring.
think it was very natural for you to
meet her wishes in the cab. During
the day I am out a great deal and it
was my own suggestion that she should
have a key to the apartment and come
in and do the writing at any time
"a fortnight ago 1 received a letter
from St. Petersburg telling me that
olga Baranoff had gone to America,
and that she had sworn not TO return
to Russia until she had sent me to my
forefathers. l am afraid now, thanks
to you, that she will not keep that
oath. A minute description of the wom-
an was given and l recognized my in
valuable secretary at once
"A week ago 1 told her that the work
was done, and with some pretty COM
pliments on her efficiency and regrets
that I no longer had any need of her
services. l discharged her. She made
no demur and showed no trace of dis
satisfaction. She asked for a letter of
recommendation. This was probably to
see if l would betray any Discrimination
to vouch for her character, which
would, of course, have shown that ]
knew more of her than / had let on.
/ gave her most fiattering letter. She
handed me spontaneously the key of
course she had had another key made
before this, and that is the one she
gave you. There may be more out. !
had better have the lock changed.
Well" concluded the prince, blow
ing carefully another round cloud of
smoke from his mouth, Il have not
seen the fair Olga since 1 engaged
one of the keenest detectives I could
get to shadow her constantly and re-
port to me every evening at Il o'clock,
first, that he should not be observed.
and secondly. that this little devil. who
is more cunning than a dozen de-
tectiVeS, might not work some game
late. Considering what he must have
observed today, l am surprised that he
should not have been here before this.
Now we have got something definite to
hold her on. A clear case, in fact, 1
am anxious to see him to find out the
promptest way of getting her arrested.
But it is only II o'clock. There he is
now. fancy" he exclaimed. with more
animation than he had as yet shown, as
a knock was heard at the door. III
tell you. Go inside the bedroom
there and stand just out of sight. 1
would like to see how he would tell the
story of today as compared with your
version. I've never had a chance to
test him thoroughly before"
Goodenough felt that another dis
agreeable role, that of eavesdropper,
was being assigned him, and once more
his kindness had led him to accept it.
Some consideration is due to a man
whom you have nearly blown to pieces.
He had barely placed himself out of
sight when Prince Malatofsky unlocked
the door leading into the passa ge-wav
and flung it widely open. He had
hardly done so, before a tall, spare
man, who had first darted a swift
glance around the room, sprang on
him with the greatest fury, clutching
his throat in his fingers. At the same
time ne put d sinewy leg behind the
Princes and flung him violently to the
floor.
At the first sound of the affrav
Goodenougn started into the sitting
room. He was Just in time 20 see the
dark man raise his right hand with a.
knife in it above the fallen prince.
Goodenough sprang forward and
grasped this uDlifted hand with both
his own before it could descend.
The dark man. who seemed madly
desperate. foiled in his attempt, sprang
to his feet like a cat and finding that
he could not wrench his right hand
from the others hold, let drive a ter
rife blow with his left. which caught
Goodenough straight between the ewes.
1t Knocked him senseless. At the same
moment there was a sharp crack of a
pistol.
When he came TO he found himself
stretched on the bed with Prince ATala-
tofsky ct his side calmly applying n
towel wet with ice-water to his head.
He looked around. dazed. trying to re-
call the events which had preceded his
lapse Of consciousness.
Good said the prince in his cool.
encouraging voice. "you will be all
right now. No greater harm than a
big bump between your eyes and
have sent a messenger boy down TO
Delmonicos with note to the chef to