Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-11
Copyright, 1897, by the Woolfall Publishing Co.
CHAPTER I.
A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW.

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,
q man of wealth, position and promi-
nence, and in spite of the seductive at
fractions Of the French capital he was
congratulating himself on the compile
ton of the business that had taken him
abroad and the prospects Of speedy
return home.
In Paris Colonel Hoffman was an at
ON, q mite; in New York he was
somebody.
He turned from the window and
strolled softly across the room.
A faint smile hovered on his features
as a huge mirror brought him face to
face with his own reflection.
What he saw was 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 a sharp rat-tat-tat echoed on
the panels of the door, and servant en-
tered, with card on 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 ruddy features, and the card trem-
bled in his fingers.
"Show the gentleman up" he said
briefly and then muttered under his
breath: vladimir Saradoff Of all men.
What i'll wind brings him here today!"
Warned by approaching footsteps, be
hastily composed his features.
A moment later the door was thrown
open, and Vladimir Saradoff appeared
in person.
The Russian was typical representa-
tive Of his race.
Huge of stature, yet graceful in ev.
cry movement, his patrician bearing
and aristocratic features awoke Colonel
Hoffman g 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 shoul-
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, I
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 host
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 shuffled to and fro in his chair,
glanced from one part Of the room 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 alb
ruptly. "By mere chance became
aware Of your presence in Paris and
have thus spared myself the fatigue of
avoyage across the Atlantic 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, ALI"
"Where is the boy nowf" asked the
Russian.
"Traveling in the western states of
America with a 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 her
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?"
"Yes, precisely right.
"Now," continued the Russian in
soft tones, ION the death of Frederick
Hammond ten years ago you were ap-
pointed guardian of the boy. May ask
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 would
possibly amount to 100000"
Every good," replied Vladimir Sara
doff. "Your memory is not bad. have
here," he continued, pulling small
notebook from his inner pocket, "a
copy Of the inventory which you filed
as guardian The estate consists of he
gotiable bonds and stocks to the amount
of $4,000, in Russian money 100000
rubles.
"Now, M. Hoffman," he added with
a sudden change Of voice, "what did
you do with the malachite box Of jew
els7"
Had bombshell exploded in the
apartment that instant it could not
have produced more startling effect
upon Colonel Hoffman.