The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-10-29
CHAPTER /.
A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW

. W. of the French capital he was
formulating himself ON the compile
.;ap Of the business that had taken him
. % and the prospects of speedy
return home.
In Paris Colonel Hoffman was an at
am mite; in New York he was
somebody.
He turned from the window and
.trolled softly across the room.
A faint smile lowered on his features
&C a hinge 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 light mustache and
English side whiszers.
As the colonel turned again to the
window a sharp rat-tat-tat echoed on
tbe panels of the door, and servant en-
tered. with q card ON a silver salver.
"a gentleman for monsieur; he waits
below
Colonel Hoffman raised the card with
his thumb and forefinger and carelessly
read the inscription, vladimir Sara
dof. Nevskoi Prospekt, st. Petersburg. "
A dusky pallor passed swiftly over
bis 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 ill 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 typical representa-
tive of his race
Huge Of stature, yet graceful in ev.
cry movement, his patrician bearing
and aristocratic features awoke Colonel
Hoffman 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 host
handed him.
Colonel Hoffman seated himself op-
poslte, 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 An,eri-
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
,ne other, and at last in desperation
orew out cigar and, lighting it, began
10 smoke furiously.
A faint smile fitted across Vladimir
saradof's features.
PARDON my intrusion" he said abb
fuptly' by mere chance l became
aware of your presence in Paris and
nave thus spared myself the fatigue Of
aaVoyage across the Atlantic. presume
an not mistaken. You are the guard
IAN OF my-my nephew, Maurice Ham
wonu' the son of my dead sister,"
Colonel Hoffman inclined his head.
Yes, am"
Russian.
travelling in the western states of
america with a college mate.
When does he come of age?"
u,u in little more than two years. He
VIII be 10 in December.
bis chair.
!, by my sisters WILL" he said slow
~ all her property was left to her
Msoand' IN trust for their only child
aaiice' In case the boy died unmar-
-, aeu The whole of the property reverted
"me. Am / right?'
.res' precisely right"
81, Now" continued the Russian in
p SUI tones, ION the death of Frederick
n nammond ten years ago you were ap-
pT,n'eo guardian of the boy. May ask
t,u a. Is the extent of the property in
"us'ed to your carer"
nj D e. the curling cigar smoke Colo
n, norman paled visibly.
ane Russian watched him closely.
"a rough figures, /" he said, with az.
,Snea carelessness, 1.-THE estate would
''s "wy amount to 5000, OOO."
aos very good," replied Vladimir Sara
hs,. , Your memory is not bad. have
nov, ne continued, pulling a small
c Sv.eoook from his inner pocket, "a
a. MY ~. Of the inventory which you filed
So. s;ua,dian. The estate consists of ne.
~ sae bonds and stocks to the amount
rubles "ssi"n ii'oney 4Vo'Vo'
Now M. Hoffman," he added with
vor soen change Of voice, "what did
- L.