The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-15
Chapter KIN
a RIANN or GRASS.


and ran riot in my heart. The long anx-
ious weeks were over, for Ella was now
my wife, and our lives were full CT JOY
and love. With utter contempt for the
warning words of the ingenious Russian
who left SO my seriously without fulfill
ing her promise, had taken the dearest
other half OF my soul, happy IN the
knowledge that l would be IL solitary
wretch no more.
After Il quiet wedding at st Peters,
Eaton Square, at which, however, large
number of our friends were present, IN
! Guiding Paul Verblioudovitch, the recep-
/ ton had been held at Point Street, and
we left to spend our honeymoon on the
Continent while our house in Phillimore
Gardens, Kensington, was being prepared.
loved my wife with the whole
strength of my being. Her beauty was
| incompara able, her grace charming, and
/ [ could not doubt that she loved me with
her whole soul, and that her vows came
direct from her heart.
The reason Of Renouf's presence in Mrs.
! laino's household was an enigma. Since
the night when / had first seen him
there l had visited Point street each day,
and on several occasions had managed TO
speak with him alone. To all my inquir-
es, however, he remained dumb.
One night, when had called and found
Ella and her mother had gone to the
theatre. / closed the door of the room into
which I had been ushered, ana asked him
point blank whether his presence there
was not calculated to arouse suspicious in
my mind With an imperturbable smile
| he replied
"There is no allegation whatever
against mother or daughter, therefore set
your mind entirely at rest. We desire to
ascertain something. That ia all. -
His manner angered me.
I f.a Hnn0Jnrh a.
you would be thrown out CT the house
yery quickly 1 said. indignant that
this ill-featured man should, for some
mysterious reason, watch every action of
my we'll beloved.
He glanced at me with an amused ex-
preston, us he answered in nalf-whis-
per
by betraying me, IN 'sieur would be-
| tray one of his closest friends. ?"
FOh How's that'?'
ga word from you to either of these
women he exclaimed, with brows
slightly knit. land the department in
Petersburg will know the reason that
Sonia Korolenko was enabled to pass the
frontier at Verjbolovo; they will know
that Paul blioudovitch, the Secretary
OF Embassy, has assisted criminal to
"You scoundrelr' I cried, facing him
fiercely "You listened to our converse
tionP'
He shrugged his shoulders, and with
the same grim smile, answered.
my ears are trained, N 'sieur. 1t is
part of my profession.
''But why do you remain here. in o
peaceable household?" l demanded.
''Surely neither Mrs. Laing nor Ella have
incurred tho Cars displeasure or the
hatred of those in authority! They know
nothing of Russia; they have never set
foot in the country"
The mans features relaxed, and turn
ing from me, he busted himself among
some bottles on the sideboard.
II desire an answer" [ answered.
81 have my instructions" he replied,
without looking towards me.
From whom?"
"From headquarters. -
"Well,'' l exclaimed. 'sWe are not in
Russia, therefore when the ladies return
l shall explain who and what you are.
''You dare not, - he said, regarding me
suddenly with dark penetrating gaze.
"Miss Ella will soon be my wife, and I
will not allow her actions to be noted
upon one of those formidable forms Of
yours that are too often the death war
rants of your victi ms. -
"These ladies are not my Victims, as
you are pleased to term them, he pro-
teste d, laughing at my anger.
"Victims or friends, they shall no
longer remain under your accursed sur
veillance," cried, hotly. You may
practice your espionage upon your sus-
pected compatriots; but will never al
low you to keep observation upon my
friends here in England.
every we'll he said, quite calmly.
with that cynical expression that was so
tantalizing. "Act as you think fit. We,
of the secret service, tnke no step before
due consideration of it's consequences, a
policy it would be wise for you also.to
adopt" Then, with show OF mock
dining ROOM and bowling exclaimed:
MADAME is out, will m sieur remain. or
call again?"
Our eyes met, and saw in his look
of triumph.
''I'll call again." replied, and walked
out into the hail. gaining the street
moment later.
The first passing hanson hailed, and
drove at once to Gresham House, where l
was fortunate to find Paul. When we
were closeted together told him of the
police officers threat, and my announce
ment caused him considerable astonlsh-
Inent.
Curious he repeated, as if to him
self. Every curious that Renouf should
be installed in that family, above all
Others
"Above all Others echoed. tWhy?"
'"I-I mean that Mrs. Laing could not
possibly have done anything to offend our
Government, he said, quickly correcting
himself. "It is certainly very strange.
Renouf is not man to be trllled with, "
he added quickly. 'There must be some
very strong reason, known only to him
self, that has induced him to act in this
manner If the motive were net strong
onetho would delegate tho mental position
he has had to assume to one OF his subor-
dinates know he has his hands full OF
important inquiries just now. and it
therefore surp' ises me that he is calmly
reposing as butler in Mrs. liaing's SER
vice..
"But knowing him to be spy l can
not allow bin to remain longer in daily
contact with those two detenceless
women" I exclaimed.
"Have they ever been in Russian"
"Neyer!" I replied. "Only the other
evening they were asking me about
Petersburg, and both expressed wish to
visit your country
Paul, with his hands behind his back
and head bent in thought, paused for a
moment and then said:
"From what know of Ivan Renouf
believe that were you to do him al evil
turn and obtain his dismissal from Point