Middletown transcript., 1898-05-21

49D0uls
The young man poured brandy and
soda into two long glasses and present.
ed one to Goodenough. who accepted it
with alacrity and took a. big draft from
it. The young man, who had not lost
his sang froid throughout, was now the
deb6nair host, as much at ease as if he
were entertaining an agreeable and
habitual evening caller He pushed q
tray of Russian cigarettes as large as
ones little finger toward his guest and,
having lit one himself, listened most
attentiyely without interrupting him
once, while Goodenough, who began by
giving his full name and address, re-
counted the whole story of his connec~
tion with the box.
81 can hardly blame you," he said
when Goodenough was through. You
were simply too quixotically kind to a
fascinating and helpless woman. TWAS
a manly instinct, generously obeyed. A
clever woman, that. She must have made
up most of her story while she was
with you in the cab. Everything your
self included, played into her hand. The
story, under the circumstances, was
plausible enough. If she had not got
you to do it, she would have got some
one else or have done it herself. So don't
feel too badly over it. No harm has
been done.
"That dark man with her is undoubt-
edly one of those Russian nihilists who
are skilled in making explosives and in
fernal machines It was an excellent
brand he selected on this occasion. And
the devilish craftiness of making the
little box SO that it would run along on
its own legsl All it wanted was start
in life. If it had dropped from the top
of the bed to the floor, as it certainly
would have done had you not called,
the internal thing would have exploded
without doubt. 1t made quite nice
hole in the street and damaged plenty
of windows The police will probably
be up here soon to know if we can give
any information about it. suppose you
will allow the whole truth to come out.
The cabman will probably tell what he
knows, although I'm not sure how far
he was in himself. These nihilists are
wonderful beings. I fancy it was con-
sideration for me more than for you
that made her select rubber tired cab
and order the cabby to drive here slow
". She didn't want the little bomb to
waste its sweetness on the desert air
by only annihilating you and the cab in
the street.
"But you are probably curious to
know the why and wherefore of this at
tempt on my life, " continued the young
man, after taking pull at his brandy
and soda. He blew fragrant puff of
Latakia from his fat cigarette and
stretched out more comfortably in his
chair.
tI am Prince Serge Malatopsky, a
Russian. have been in this country
six months. Here / assumed the name
Of william Wheeler, feeling that with
my income, a very small one, and my
manner of life, my title would only be
in the way. Russians learn to speak
English SO we'll that they can hardly be
told from the natives. / add little to
my income by writing.
"Shortly before left Russia, by a
mere stroke of luck discovered nj
hilist plot against high official who
was stanch worker against these mis-
| erable revolutionists. Owing to this
discovery the ringleader, young Rus
sian, was put to death. He and this
Olga Baranof, your beguiling woman
n-11..a 90 &to 10 y xr,oro opOoond t0 hA
married. have learned lately that she
solemnly swore to have my life as a
ioint amend to nihilism and herself for
her lovers execution.
"About month ago." continued the
| prince, ST needed secretary for some
work I had in hand. This young wom-
an presented herself. had never seen
her before. must admit that she filed
the bill admirably prompt, neat, quiet
and never mistake. Naturally she got
to know my habits thoroughly. As a
matter Of fact, am as methodical as
an old virgin and in many respects as
regular as clock. invariably return
home about 10, for instance, and retire
at 10.
"She was a fascinating woman, :"
said Prince Malatopsky thoughtfully
and with faint smile, "captivatingly
proper. With childlike insensibility
to conventionalities, she was, on the
other hand, SO modest that she would
not allow me to touch her ungloved
hand. did not know then what an
aching hatred for me helped to fortify
her in this maidenly reserve. In subtle
ways she was wonderfully alluring.
think it was very natural for you to
meet her wishes in the cab. During the
day am out a great deal, and it was
my own suggestion that she should have
a key to the apartment and come in and
do the writing at any time.
"A fortnight ago received a letter
from St. Petersburg telling me that
Olga Baranof had gone to America and
that she had sworn not to return to
Russia until she had sent me to my
forefathers. am afraid now, thanks to
you, that she will not keep that oath.
A minute description of the woman was
given, and recognized ny iisTTallsssssas BE
secretary at once.
"a week ago told her that the work
was done, and with some pretty COM
pliments on her efficiency and regrets
that I no longer had any need of her
services I discharged her. She made no
demur and showed no trace of dissatis-
faction. She asked for letter of recon-
mendation. This was probably to see if
I would betray any disinclination to
vouch for her character, which would,
Of course, have shown that ] knew more
of her than had let on. I gave her a
most fattering letter. She handed me
spontaneously the key of the apartment
and went her way. OF course she had
had another key made before this, and
that is the one she gave You. There
may be more out. had better have the
lock changed.
"Well, - concluded the prince, blow
| ing carefully another round cloud of
smoke from his mouth, 81 have not seen
the fair Olga since. engaged one of
the keenest detectives I could get to
shadow her constantly and report to me
every evening at 12 O'Clock, first, that
l.