Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-12-29
An Old Acquaintance.
CHAPTER vi.

1t was after had been week or
two in st. Petersburg that I first be-
came conscious that was an object of
interest to strangers in what was to
me most unaccountable way. On one
occasion, for example. l was about to
be introduced to an aide-de-camp of the
Car, when the General forget his
name now-started slightly. and looked
ut me with marked curiosity. 1 was
certain that l had never met him be-
fore. and yet. so confused was he. that
my friend had to repeat my name be-
fore he recovered himself sufficiently
to shake hands With me.
On another occasion on the street,
saw passer-by stare at me for 4 few
seconds. as if there was something eX-
t-aordinary in my appearance, and
then nudge his companion. who, i'll like
manner. stared and nodded to his
friend. as if recognizing that the re-
mark made had been true. l thought
there must be something amisS with
my dress. or that my face had been dis
figured by blood or mark Of some
kind; but when took the opportunity
of examining myself at a mirror in Il
restaurant, l could not find anything
wrong with my dress or appearance.
This may have made me sensitive.
but afterwards began to fancy that
people were noticing me wherever l
%,;n fn ,>oy>S,,nHo
myself that I was mistaken, the i'm
me.
One morning, as was turning into
thoroughfare near Prince kropensk1s
house, l met an old acquaintance,
young Russian whom had known in
London. named Raoul Clernont Vesil
low, the son of Russian and French
woman. This meeting was one Of the
turning points of my life.
We greeted each other warmly. for
two or three years before we had been
familiar. if not intimate, acquaintance
es. We had been accustomed to meet
three or four times a week, at LON
don restaurant, where eight or ten
young fellows, with more leisure than
sense had established sort Of in
formal club. We liked to talk without
restraint and hear one another talk,
while we smoked cigarettes and vii
lainously- bad cigars, and drank lager
beer or cheap French wines. Frightful
theories were preached at these gath
erings, which the English members OF
our little community only played with,
but which seemed to find serious ac-
ceptance with our foreign friends.
We had barely had time to exchange
few words, when a man in work
mans dressed passed, at which Raoul
directed a fixed look that had some
thing Of anxiety in it. The man
lounged down the street, as if he had
nothing particular to do, and finally
stopped to gaze in at shop window.
I'm afraid I can't stop now" said
see me to-night?"
your address,!
My friend did not answer at once.
but continued to glance sideways at
the workman. who was still interested
in the articles displayed in the shop
window.
Il can't give you my address at pres
ent," Rauol said, in confused sort Of
way. IL am compelled to change
my quarters very often. almost from
day to day. We are not in England,
you know. But if you will tell me
where you are staying, l will send you
word in the course Of the day where
we can meet this evening"
This was as good as Il confession on
Raouls part that he was under the sur
veillance Of the police; but, as l had
no reason to fear the police, did not
see why l should not enjoy chat with
my old acquaintance.
l told him l was staying at Prince
kropenski's town house, and began to
describe the situation Of it, when he
interrupted me with:
my messenger will find the house
easily enough. But must be off now.
You will not fail to come if 1 send you
the address?'
Certainly I will come. Why should
you doubt it?''
TO this Raoul Vessilov made no an
swer. but, after a hasty glance in the
direction Of the workman at the shop
window he walked off abruptly, with
out as much as a word or a nod Of
adieu.
OF course, all this could bear but one
meaning. l guessed that Raoul had
recognized in the man in workman s
dress one of the numerous police spies
with which st. Petersburg is infested.
and that he was anxious to get clear
off before the man made up his mind
to denounce him. / was confirmed in
this impression when l observed that
when he left me, the pretended work
man made after him at once. favorine
me with sharp glance in passing.
II did not much surprise me to find
that Kaoul had made himself obnox
ious to the Russian authorities.
knew that he entertained the widest
revolutionary ideas. SO, know, dc
many Englishmen. But the difference
is this. The Englishmen may like play
ing with fire. but he never forgets thai
ii is fire. and when 1t comes to putin.
his theories into practice. he finds
some very good reason for sitting still
Hut with the Frenchman, the ItaliaI
or the Russian, it is very different HI
not only likes playing with fire, but h
loves to see II good blaze; and rather
lllan let 1t die out for want of fuel, III
will throw his furnitura and his