The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-06

resemblance to Alexander III, with
whose features l was so we'll acQuaint-
ed. Besides, if your theory We're COR
rect. and he had disappeared through
the imperial corridor. why it is that
nothing has happened, and that no one
seems to have seen or heard anything
of the intrusion?'
1T was Of course difficult to answer
this objection but / reiterated my de-
termination to take a common-sense
view of the occurrence.
"It may very we'll be that this was
merely first visit, l added; "a recon-
noissance to discover the nature of the
ground, before introducing some eX-
plosive machine or other. and the viii
lain may easily have kept himself out
of sight for few minutes. Doubtless
he returned Immediately, only you had
then left the gallery. But there is an
easy way of putting the matter to the
proof. If am right in my suspicious.
this creature, whoever he may be, will
infallibly return at the same hour an
other night. Tonight, on account Of
the presence of everybody at this ball,
will be his most favorable opportunity.
as he may confidently expect to find
the imperial suite deserted. / propose
to you that we repair to this little room
of yours together at the moment when
the page who has replaced you tonight
comes off duty, and if this mysterious
parsonage again presents himself ] will
compel him to disclose his Identity
Boris welcomed this idea. ] could
see that he was secretly ashamed Of the
ridicule which attached to him for his
story of ghostseeing. and that he was
anxious to re-establish his character
The princess was good enough to eX-
press her opinion Of my courage and de-
votiOn in terms which it would not be-
come me to repeat to you. In the end we
arrived at an understanding and de-
parted to the palace together.
Throughout the progress Of the ball
during which Grand Duchess Olga
condescended to become my partner in
a waltZ-I kept my eyes and ears open
and observed that Boris adventure of
the night before was general topic Of
conversation. The more highly placed
officials were evidently in a conspiracy
to treat it as a mere boyish delusion,
but among the general body Of the
guests l found there were not q few
who shared my suspicious. / ventured
to approach the czar's confidential
chamberlain at an interval between the
dances and to sound him delicately on
the subject His reply was character
istic Of his nation and government.
my dear baron he said, sharply,
there is nothing so detestable as court
gossip. 1t is most annoying to his
majesty to have his late fathers name
connected with the wanderings of a
moonstruck boy. Take my advice. and
dismiss the affair from your mind
His manner convinced me that more
Importance was attached to the Incl
dent than he pretended However,
feigned to be perfectly satisfied, and
returned to the grand duchess. who
was anxious to know whether her robe
would have been approved in Paris.
Put the hour agreed ON for the rendez-
vous was approaching. and l had to
make the best excuse I could think Of
to tear myself away from the imperial
lady. You are. of course, familiar with
her portraits"
l was obliged to confess my ignOr-
ance of the features Of the Grand Ouch
ess Olga, of whom l had never Drevi-
ously heard, though, of course, l did
not say this.
The ambassador glanced at the chess
board for moment as if meditating a
move. before he resumed.
"Ah. Well, l will not attempt to de-
scribe her to you. Boris met me as
we had arranged. in small passage
leauli'S OUT oI tne antefOOm, ana We
made our way unohserved up back
staircase into the famous haunted GAL
lery. The page on duty was just leav-
ing as we arrived. He grinned when he
saw Boris, who explained to him that
he had brought me to see the pages
room. Fortunately the other lad was
impatient to get down and take part
in the dancing. No sooner had the great
clock Of the palace commenced to boom
forth the strokes of Midnight than he
hastily departed. and Boris and I were
left in possession of the gallery"
ITO Be Continued Saturday,