The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-30
Chapter XXI.
DUE EAST,


"Bahi' retorted the Earl's visitor. con-
temptuously, shaking himself free with
sudden twist and standing before me in
defiance. II understand, he CRIED
CHANGING towards the elder man before
tho door. ''You believe, gentlemen, that
from me you can ascertain key to GER
tain curious occurrences that have puZ-
zled you. But may as we'll undeoeive you
at once l can tell you absolutely
nothing"
But you shall tell us!'
cried angrily.aa "I found you walking with
my wife in Kensington Gardens, and fol-
lowed you. 1t was apparent from her de-
meanor that she feared you"
be smiled sarcastically,' and no an
swered with a fippant air:
perhaps she did. If SO, she certainly
had cause. "Why? What power do you
hold over her, pray?" / demanded. In
his eyes was mysterious glance. He was
scarcely the brainless young dandy that
l had imagined. SIT is hardly likely
that 1 shall divulge to you secret. Re-
member that your wife comes of one of
the highest families in Europe, and the
lig4t st breath of scandal must reflect
upon them cat what scandal do you
hint? asked in fierce breathless eager
ness cat what is best kept quiet" he
answered gravely. His enigmstical words
maddened me. I felt that l could spring
upon him and strangle him, for knew
in stinc tivelys that he was my wife's
euemy-the man Of whom she lived in
deadly fear. If only could silence him
she might then relate to me those long
promised facts. "Then if you decline to
prove that there is a concealed scandal,
| utt er no more of your lying allegations, -
l blurted forth. lie bowed deeply with
| mock politeness. and smiled grimly.
Come" exclaimed the Earl at last in
a conciliatory tone, advancing towards
him and laying his hand upon his Shout
der. LET us get at once to the point 1t
is useless to quarrel. You decline to re-
| friendship with the Grand Duchess
| eh?''
II do" he answered firmly"
"Well,' said the tactful old Minister
First carefully review the situation, and
you will, think. admit that have been
your friend. And how have you shown
your gratitude?'
hideous and terrible" he replied, with
apparent unooncern. "But you can, if
you will, give us some clue to this re-
markable chain of circumstances. I ap-
peal to you on behalf of Decides, her hus-
band, the old man said.
81 am well aware of the reason you
yourself desire to know the absolute
oiuoi, iIoiN hO husW oIOu,
after brief pause, "but unfortunately
am unable to tell you, because of GER
tain promises that have been extracted
from me. pafFa
SAT least you can tell us from whom I
may ascertain the true facts I cried.
Ell looked at me for an instant gravely,
then answered!in all seriousness:
1.-THE only person who knows the struth
is Sonia Korolenko, the refugee -
"Soniai'' gasped the Earl. "That
woman is not in En- gland 4, surely?''
81 thing not Bingham replied. "But
ii you would ascertain the key to the
enigma. seek her, and she may explain
everything. That is as far as 1 can assist
you. Remem Der, myself have revealed
nothing"
'sShe has returned to Russia OBJ
served. "Haye you any knowledge where
she is?''
"No, there are reasons why her where
abouts should remain unknown he an
swered hesitatingly. ''She is in fear of
the police"
"Do her friends know of her hiding
place?''
"No. A short time ago I dssiredssto COM
munioate With her, but was unable The
last I heard Of her was that she was liv-
ing at Skerstymone, a little town some
where in Poland.
"It she can successfully eiude the yigi-