Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-13

anu Acil 4ACi tHt4iS k''SiLioll 4AIeiAt II
the least attractive of the capitals Of Eu-
rope, is at times undeservinS OF its reputa-
ton. Such a thought was running Mat
thew QUin's mind he stroIled one after
noon along the Court Quay. the most fash
iOnable thOroughfare of the imperial city.
The sun, just dipping into q bank of mist
that overhung the horizon, tinged with
purple and lavender glow the splendid
facades of the row of mansions. the granite
parapets and bridges, and the broad, I'M
ruffled surface Of the Neva- 1t was the be-
ginning of autumn, but the weather was
remarkably warm and pleasant for that
time of the year; and already since the
rigors of the long winter might set in any
day, society had partly returned to town
from continental resorts and summer villas
on the gulf. Up and down the smooth,
clean roadway passed a procession of fine
eqUipages, with richly dressed occupants.
coroneted panels and liveried drivers and
fOOtmen.
Suddenly above the clatter of the hoofs
and the rumble Of wheels. a shrill tumult
broke out. Pedestrians scattered right and
left, and vehicles hastily sought shelter
along the kerb of the parapet. In the space
thus cleared. dashing swiftly toward him,
QUin saw a handsome carriage. in which
sat woman Of noble appearance. The
horses, two superb, coal black animals. were
galoping furiously. The liveried driver
had lost all control of them. and was try
ing in vain to check their mad rush.
Realizing that the woman was IN immi-
neEt peril. Quin decided like a flash what
10 do. He measured the distance with a
keen eye, took his stand. and waited. The
next instant. the carriage was almost
upon him. he leapt forward and seized the
bride Of the horse with both hands.
He was jerke5 off his feet at once, but he
held on grinly, with clutch like iron,
knowing that therein lay the only chance
for himself. He mad stopped runaway
horses before. and on this occasion he was
equally successful. The frightened steeds
tore on for fifty yards or more. Then the
strain told ON them. They swerved to-
ward the paTapet. and finally came to Il
halt, painting hard and covered with foam.
Quin released his hold. He was 1nhurt.
but ne felt weak and dizzy. The woman
he had saved leant from the carriage and
beckoned to him. Her face now flushed
and aEitated. was one of remarkable beau
ty; she was richly dressed and her age
could not have been more than twenty
seven But before she could speak she
turned suddenly pale. overcome by the re-
action. and sank back on the seat Mean
while crowd had gathered. and the trera-
bling driver had climbed down. Quin turn
ed TO the latter.
Fetch a doctor" he said. your mis-
uess has tainted"
With that he slipped carelessIy into the
throng. wishing to avoid recognition. and
tc escape the woman's gratitude when she
should come to her senses. The excitement
End confusion gave him the desired oppor-
tunity. He reached the farther side of the
Court Quay without being stopped and
turning into 4 side street, he walked rapid
y IN the direction of the Nevskoi Prospekt
He entered a cafe in that main artery of
the city, sat down at little table and
called for a glass Of vodka and water He
had barely tasted the beverage. when he
heard his name pronounced. and looking
up he saw a clean-shaven man with an
Enthusiastically English face.
Larry BelcherI'' he exclaimed
Right you are, Quin. When did you ar
rive?'
"A week ago"
You knew I was in Petersburg?"
Yes; heard that before l left London.
] would have looked you up, but I hadn't
the time"
Well. I'm glad to see you" said BeIcher,
as he sat down. Il witnessed that little
affair on the Court Quay. and took the
trouble to follow you By Jove. it was a
plucky dcedi'
"A very simple one; don't care to talk
about it
But do you knew whom you saved?"
"TH tell you 1t was the wife OF Count
Sandoh, who is a wealthy nobleman but
rather an eccentric one. | have heard it
whispered that he has radical ideas. The
countess is a fine woman and she will be
wanting 20 thank you fer your bravery
She wont get a chance" said Quin
i leave the city tomorrow"
That seems a pity. However. I know
you of old. Where are you going? Back
10 London
No; to the Trails" ouin replied 81 have
q commission to trap some bears for Prince
RaloHsky. who is making a collection at his
palace on the Gulf of Finland"
- wish you luck said Belcher TITS
more than hope for myself
I'm sorry to hear it." Quin answered
of course, 1 didn't learn why the Scot
land yard people sent you to st. Peters
burg
Yes: that's secret" said tie detective
for such he was But don't mind giving
you tie tip in confidence. Quin. 1 was
leaned 10 the Russian government, as it
were, to see what / could do in the case of
Paul GoUrko, the famous nihilist. He was
concerned in that last attempt on the life
OF the tsar, after which. as you may re-
member. he disappeared
Il recall the circumstances. You can't
fad the man. Them
Find hun? No; I can't get a trace of
him declared BeIcher. He vanished as
completely as II he had never existed-from
Under the very eyes Of the secret police
who had been keeping a strict watch on
m. II IS most mysterious and battling
affair. l have picked up one slight clue
but 1 fear il won't amount to anything. I
am personally satisfied however. that Paul
Gourko led a dual life; that lie had two
names two Identifies"
Why do you think SOP asked Quin.
Because l found. cunningly hidden in the
lodging house from which he disappeared
n false wig and beard. Tney were GER
tainly Gourko's-ttat IS beyond doubt
OF a man to look for?'
Exactly; there's the rub. In his second
and unknown role he would probably have
thin hair and a dark mustache, or perhaps
q smooth face He may be walking the
streets Of St. Petersburg today. 1t is quite on
the cards that he is a trusted official of
the government or n military officer. There
is plenty Of dislOyalty In the army"
Unfortunately, you are right" assented
Quin- Russia is a queer country, and /
shall be heartily glad when 1 out of it
and back in England"
At this juncture several men entered the
cafe and sat down to table near by. Quin
and Belcher prudently changed the sub
ject of conversation, and shortly afterward
they left. They dined together and sep
Grated early IN the evening Quin went to
his hotel on the Nevskoi Prospekt to write
some letters and pack up. Noon the next
day found him travelling toward the dis
tant Ural mountains via Moscow.
Between two and three months have
passed since the rescue Of the Countess
Sandoff in St Petersburg and the curtain
rises again on a gloomy and wintry scene
far from the imperial city.
Night had fallen some hours before-a
starless. cloudy night. bitterly cold. A
heavy sledge. drawn by three sturdy horses
was Swimming over q lonely road at the
base of the UratS. An angry cutting wind