The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-23

I took hold Of one end to remove it,
found to my surprise that 1t was
firmly attached to the material of the
coat.
my tailor must he very careless
fellow" ! muttered, as 1 broke It off
short. 1t must have come through
from the lining
"I drew the coat on again, thinking
no more of this trivial incident, said
good night to the equerry, and started
to walk home by myself. There was a
bright moon, but the streets were de-
| serted, unusually so, considering that
| the hour was by no means late one.
when I had proceeded some dis
| tance, however l perceived in front of
me a miserable looking creature on
! crutches. with bandage over one eye,
who boldly stopped me, and began to
! beg for aims. 1 gave him a stern re-
| fusal, for l never encourage these pests,
nevertheless he continued to plant him
| self in my path and renew his de-
| mands.
| while / was trying TO shake him
| off, another man came up from be-
| hind. He paused a moment as If to
ascertain what was the matter, where
upon the beggar left me, and COM
| Il
seized the opportunity to make my
escape and reached my house without
| further incident.
But the events of the night were
not over AS soon as 1 got in, went
| straight to my safe, and locked away
the mysterious packet which had been
confided to me by NJ. Starovitch. AS 1
| did so Iobserved that the envelope was
sealed with yellow wax, bearing the
Russian imperial arms. I then sat
down to a quiet game of chess with my
attache, to tranquilize my nerves be-
fore going to bed
I'VE had been playing for some time,
and L as just developing my final at
tack on his position, when we were
| disturbed by a loud commotion in the
street outside. / cannot explain why
it was, but this noise caused me the
most dreadful shock. I sprang to my
feet. pushing away the board, and
commanded the attache to go and as
certain the meaning of the disturb
ance.
He came back in a minute or two,
looking as white as the chessmen he
had been playing with.
"' Sir he cried, hoarsely, M. Saro-
witch has just been assassinated! They
are carrying the body home
"a groan of horror escaped my lips.
Hardly conscious of what 1 was doing
snatched UP my hat and coat and
began to put them on.
"'Where are you going? demanded
Montalembert, in surpise. Montalem-
bert was the young mans name.
"T must GO around there at once
and find Ouc how this'happened' I an
| 4, 1l,n l., oh
if you will come with me; the streets
may not be safe
HE gave me an incredulous look.
"'At all events they will do well tC
remember that we are members of the
diplomatic body he protested draw
ing himself up with the pride of an
ambassador.
II made no reply, and he quickly pre-
pared himself. We left the house arm
in arm, and ten minutes walk brought
us to the prime minister's official resi-
dence.
"The street outside the building was
blocked by an immense crowd which
broke out every moment into fierce
groans. AS l came nearer l could
make out that one part of the crowd
was groaning for Austria, while the
other was groanng for Russia. on one
point they were evidently agreed
namely, the political significance to be
attached to the crime which had just
i taken place.
This circumstance increased my de-
termination to force my way in, anG
t. speak with the unfortunate victim
if he had not yet expired.
THE police on guard at the entrance
were at first reluctant to let me pass
without consulting their chief, who
had not yet arrived. But / knew the
character of these men, and handful
of roubles soon gained me admittance
Inside the spacious entrance hall