The Portland daily press., 1898-04-26
WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.

SO much perturbation.
Certainly. With her, philanthropy is
aifad. | accompanied her on several oc-
casions last year." he replied. ''She at
tired herself in an old worn-out dress of
one of her maids and disguised herself
most efectually. On each night she dis
tributed about five thousand francs with
her own hands. Indeed, SO well-known
is she in certain quarters that | believe
she might go there alone with perfect
safety. However when she is going we
always know at the Prefecture, and take
precautions. 1t would not do for us to
allow anything to happen to an Imperial
Highness," he added "Of course not"
observed Cargill, adding with the diplo-
matte instinct. "Of course. Not in view
of the Franco Russian Alliance" an OBJ
servation at which we all three laughed
merrily.
"Has she a lover2" inquired Allender,
turning to M. Goron.
''I think not" the other replied. 81
never heard of one. Indeed, have never
heard her accused of Irritation with any
body"
"Tell me, m 'sieur,'' I asked, "are you
acquainted with Russian named Ivan
Renouf, who is, I believe, in the secret
service
"Renoufp' he repeated, glancing quick
have met him. He is in Paris at the pres
ent moment. Whether he is in the actual
service Of the Cars Government I don't
know, but one thing is certain, namely,
that he is a blackmailer and scoundrel,"
he added frankly
"What offence has he committed?"
asked, eager to learn some facts to his
detriment.
He keeps we'll within the bounds of
the law" my companion answered.
Nevertheless he is utterly INSCRIPTIONS
and most ingenious in his methods. He
is reported to be chief of the section of
Secret Polics attached to the Russian EN-
bassy, but they are a mysterious lot CT
spies always coming and going Sent here
from St. Petersburg, they remain few
months watching the revolutionary refu
gees and then go back, their places being
taken by fresh batch
tWhy is Renouf in Parish Have you
any idea?"
'7None, M 'sieur," M. Goron answered.
"He has been absent fully six months,
and only last night 1 met him coming
out of La Scala. "
"Did you speak?'
eyes. He did not, however. recognize
me-" smiled the Chief of Police. II did
not expect he would, as CHANGED to be
acting as q cabman, and was sitting upon
my box outside the. theatre. He hailed
me but 1 refused to drive him. I was
waiting for friend who was enjoying
himself inside, and who, on coming out,
I had the pleasure of driving straight to
the Prefecture added the man of a
thousand DISCUSSES with chuckle, swal-
lowing his cocktail at one gulp.
"Where does the Grand Duchess live?"
I inquired, after slight pause.
DECIDES is simply gone on her," cried
Cargill, with good -humored banter. "He
n 41xvx &c 10 oI- -
ner.'
NO" protested, smiling grimly
Nothing of the kind I only want to
know whereabouts in the Avenue des
Champs Elysees, she lives"
sit is a large white house with green
jalousies on the left hand side just be-
yond the Avenue de PAlma," exclaimed
the Chiefsof Police, laughing at CargiIl' s
| suggestion.
but how did you become acquainted
with her?' inquired the attache, present.
ly, after my companions had been prais-
ing her face and extolling her virtues.
"We met in Lonaon." answered
vaguely, for I was in no confidential
mood.
tAnd she captivated you, eh?' my
friend exclaimed. ''Well. I'm not sur
prised. half Paris goes mad over her
beauty whenever she's here
1t is said, and I believe there's good
deal of truth in it, exclaimed Goron,
confidentially, ''that young Max Ouch
anel, the well-known writer on the
Figaro committed suicide last year by
shooting himself over at LIE Pere St.
Gervais, because she disregarded his at
tentions. At any rate, an extravagant
letter of reIroach and farewell was discov-
cred in his pocket We hushed I'D the
matter because of the position of the per-
sonage therein mentioned"
At least one man had paid with his life
the penalty of his devotion to her. Did
truth of Sonia's disregarded denunciation
that Ella was not my friend? 1t was now
plain how neatly had been tricked and
with what artful ingenuity she had mas
queraded as my wife. NJ Grodekoff, the
Russian Ambassador, Paul Verblioudo-
witch, and Ivan. Renouf all knew her true
position. yet feared to tell me. Indeed,
and forget the past, and his Excellency
had actually congratulated us both with
outstretchedih hand. Because she was so
well-known in Paris she had, while on
our honeymoon, only remained in the
capital the night, and refused to go shop
ping or show herself unnecessarily. She
had preferred a quiet. questionable hotel
in by-street to any of those we'll known !;
and l now remem bered how, even then,
she had remained in her room pleading
fatigue and headache. From our first
meeting to the moment Of her flight her
attitude had been that Of consummate
actress.
"Did Her Highness pass under another
name in London?" Goron asked me
presently, appearing much interested.
Yes" l replied.
"Ah." he calculated. ''She is perfectly
charming, and so fond OF concealing her
real position beneath the most ordinary
patronymic. To me she is always so affa-
BILE and SO nice.''
"Goron is sweet on her also, believe"
observed Allender, whereat we all laughed
in chorus.
struggled to preserve an outward show
of Indifference, but every word these men
uttered stabbed my heart deeply. When
had ascertaiued the whereabouts of her
house my first impulse had been to rush
out, drive there, and meet her face to
face, but my nerves were knew, upset
and unsteady, SO l remained sitting with
my light hearted companions endeavoring
amid that jingle, popping of corks, and
chatter Of London, New York. and Paris,
to think deeply and decide upon the best
course Go pursue.
Our chief sent her Invitations to the
Embassy balls OIL several occasions a
year ago, but she declined eachD I heard