The record-union., 1896-01-25

resting upon his hands and reads over
and over again the last secret dispatch
from his spies. A startling document
this dispatch, one so strange that, used
as he is to plots and villainies, he can
not bring himself to believe that this
last reported conspiracy against the
Cars life is possible. 1t duplicates the
highest in the land. This document is
n tangled skein no mass of loose and
broken ends, but a clear, concise~ state
ment of deliberate assertion, couched in
the language of emphatic knowledge.
Dare he follow the thread, the end of
which must mean, if the statement is
true, disgrace, ay, even death, to the
Princess Prozorovska; if false, then like
measure to himself?
Again he reads the report
within the next few days." it says,
"his imperial majesty the Car will be
presented by the Princess Prozorovska
with a diamond clasp, purporting to be
a gift from the jewellers of st. Peters
burg, but in reality, the manufacture
Of nihilists, with whom she is secretly
working. The stone itself, although re-
sembling a diamond, is an explosive of
the most powerful type but so excellent
would scarcely discern the deception. 1t
is fastened but loosely in the claws of
the clasp, so that the first time it is worn
the least jar will dislodge it, and cause
it to fall to the ground, when his i'm
perial majesty the Gar and the whole
court of SIT. Petersburg will cease to
exist. The clasp is now in the possess
sion of the Princess Prozorovska. who
- -,
A few minutes more deliberation, and
the Chief used to rapid action, to al
most instant decision, has determined
on his course. In the service of his mas
ter, the Czar, though it should mean
death itself. he must-he will-fulfill
his duty
Accompanied by several trusted
agents, he makes his way swiftly to the
residence of the Princess, and desiring
to proceed at first with caution, re-
quests "a private audience"
Tt is denied him; the aristocrats of
Russia, fearing, as they may, the power
of the Third Section as a whole, do not
hesitate to evince their contempt for the
individuals who form that department
of the Government service.
Tergslof is not, however, a man to be
beaten. He has occupied his position
too long to give way at the outset of
battle, while, greater incentive still, his
honor, his office, perhaps even his life.
depend upon the issue. He presses his
suit, and pleading urgent state reasons,
is at length admitted.
The Princess, scarcely recovered from
her interview with Ivan, is seated at
her writing cabinet when Tergslof en-
ters the apartment, and Stimulates a
composure that she is far from feeling
as she placidly writes on, ignoring,
while evidently aware of, his presence
At length she ceases writing, and
scarcely deigning to raise her eyes from
the contemplation of her unfinished
letter, says: "Well?'
Tergslof knows the advantage of the
first shot; he has seen its deadly effect
so often Watching her keenly, he
says: IT have ventured to call on be-
half of his imperial majesty the Gar
to take the diamond clasp with me, lest"
and his voice takes an insidious in
fiection-"it should explode and cause
hurt to his majesty's subjects"
But the first shot misses. The Prin-
cess is playing idly with a quill, brush
ing the feather across her delicately
tinted nails, and seems far from i'm
pressed by, even if she has quite caught
the meaning Of the words that have
been spoken.
do you,'' says Tergslof with, if pos
sibIe, greater calmness in his tone,
deny that you have a diamond clasp
which you purpose presenting to the
Czar?"
Deny? deny nothing except your
right to question"
Even while she speaks like light
ming flash there rushes through her
mind the awful fear that perhaps she
has been made the innocent accessory
tc a diabolical plot. 1t may be SO; per-
haps even now the diamond that Ivan
has taken has done it's fatal work, or
if not yet, an hour, a minute, nay even
a few seconds hence, and the end may
come, sudden and awful. With stony
look upon her face she sits, grave and
silent as the Sphinx herself. This cold
haughtiness, without a trace of con-
scious fear, puzzles the chief. What If
he has erred, and insulted this woman
above every other in Russia? What
then?
The Princess, sudden inspiration
coming to her, interrupts his thoughts.
Yes, I have clasp. What then?"
You confess?"
Pardon me- Not quite so fast. You
say you have called for it. Very well,
you shall have it. You shall take it
yourself to the Gar"
Tergslof makes an almost impercep-
tible sign to figure concealed in the
entrance.
She rises from her seat. and crossing
to her jewel safe selects the case con-
tanning her own finest diamond clasp,
wondering whether Tergslof. blinded by
his seeming success, will recognize it,
yet daring all for Ivan's sake.
Before she has time to unfasten the
case she is suddenly seized from be-
hind and her elbows held closely to her
sides, while the Chief, his face flushed
with triumph, loosens her fingers and
carefully lays the unopened casket upon
the table. At a nod from him the agent
releases her, and Tergslef speaks.
Princess Olga Prozorovska, I arrest
you as a dangerous nihilist and for
| conspiring against the sacred life of
his imperial majesty the Gar"
With eyes blazing like fire she turns
upon him and Kisses. Fool Fool Are
you mad, Tergslof?" then recovering
her old. naughty manner, shrugs those
splendid shoulders and sinks upon a
lounge. saying, as languidly as though
the subject were Of but the slightest
moment, Pray, speak little palmer.