San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-17
CHAPTER l.
A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW.
.,,,e Nnx,o,,, 49,, - Dor,u

IL was uIlss
The proverbial gloominess, however,
was entirely lacking in the estimation
of Colonel Hercules Hoffman as he
looked down on the gay and crowded
boulevard from his apartment in the
Hotel Bristol.
Colonel Hoffman was New Yorker,
man of wealth, position and promi-
nence, and in spite of the seductive at
fractions of the French capital he was
oongratulating himself on the compile
ton of the business that had taken him
abroad and the prospects Of a speedy
return nome.
In Paris Colonel Hoffman was an at
ON, a mite; in New York he was
somebody.
He turned from the window and
strolled softly across the room.
A faint smile lowered on his features
as huge mirror brought him face to
face with his own reflection.
What he saw was a tall, finely formed
man, with pleasing face, becomingly
adorned with a light mustache and
English side whiskers
AS the colonel turned again to the
window sharp -tat-tat echoed ON
the panels of the door, and servant en-
tered, with card on a silver salver.
A gentleman for monsieur; he waits
below
Colonel Hoffman raised the card with
his thumb and forefnger and carelessly
read the inscription, vladimir Sara
doff, Nevskoi Prospekt, ST. Petersburg.
A dusky pallor passed swiftly over
his rudy features, and the card trem-
bled in his fingers.
"Show the gentleman up" he said
briefly and then muttered under his
breath: Vladimir Saradof of all men.
What i'll wind brings him here today"
Warned by approaching footsteps, he
hastily composed his features.
A moment later the door was thrown
open, and Vladimir Saradoff appeared
in person.
The Russian was a typical representa-
tive of his race.
Huge Of stature, yet graceful in ev.
cry movement, his patrician bearing
and aristocratic features awoke Colonel
Hoffman S deepest admiration. His hair
was coal black, and his mustache and
beard were trimmed and pointed in
French fashion.
A huge cloak, richly trimmed with
fur, was thrown loosely over his shout
ders, and he held cap of the same ma
terial in his hand. He glanced sharply
at the colonel under his gold eyeglass.
Colonel Hoffman of New York,
believe" he said in perfect English,
and then the two gentlemen shook hands.
The Russian tossed aside his coat and
cap and took the chair that his hest
handed him.
Colonel Hoffman seated himself op-
posite, and then ensued brief. embar-
RAISING silence.
An attentive observer would have
promptly concluded that the interview
about to take place would be no friend
ly one.
The Russians features were stern,
and his eyes were fixed on the Aneri-
can with an intensity of gaze that made
Colonel Hoffman i'll at ease.
He shuffied to and fro in his chair,
glanced from one part Of the rccm to
the other, and at last in desperation
drew out cigar and, lighting it, began
to smoke furiously.
A faint smile fitted across Vladimir
Saradoff's features.
Pardon my intrusion" he said abb
ruptly. by mere chance 1 became
aware Of your presence in Paris and
have thus spared myself the fatigue Of
syoyage across the Atlantic. 1 presume
! am not mistaken. You are the guard
ian Of my-my nephew, Maurice Ham
mond, the son of my dead sister,"
Colonel Hoffman inclined his head
Yes, am"
where is the boy now;" asked the
Russian.
Travelling in the western states Of
America with college mate. "
when does he come of age?"
"In little more than two years. He
will be 10 in December.
Vladimir Saradoff leaned forward in
his chair.
by my sisters will" he said slow
ly, "all her property was left to he1
husband, in trust for their only child
Maurice. In case the boy died unmar.
ried the whole Of the property reverted
to me. Am right"
eyes, precisely right"
Now" continued the Russian il
soft tones, ION the death of Frederici
Hammond ten years ago you were ap
pointed guardian of the boy. May asl
what is the extent of the property in
trusted to your carer"
Behind the curling cigar smoke Colo
mel Hoffman paled visibly.
The Russian watched him closely.
In rough figures" he said, with as
sumed carelessness, 1.-THE estate woul
possibly amount to 5000, 0OO."
Every good" replied Vladimir Sara
doff. 'tYour memory is not bad. hav
here" he continued, pulling SINAI
notebook from his inner pocket, 90
copy of the inventory which you file
as guardian. The estate consists Of nj
gotiable bonds and stocks to the ausous