Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-03-02

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That friend had found a. berth for
me, but could not go to the chip open
~ for fear Of being followed by this
enemy, or by the police, who, feared,
would denounce me to the captain?
Could not make up some tale OF that
kind that would hang together and
serve my turn? Or; would it do to
refuse to answer all questions, and to
plead that was a British subject, and
that nothing, after all-no breach OF
the laws of Russia-could be proved
against me? That my conduct might
have been suspicious, but that it had
stopped short of being criminal? Would
that plan succeed?
I debated the question with myself
all the time that the order for my de
tention was being made out, all the
time that was being driven from the
police station in which l was to pass
the night. 1t doomed up before me
when we came in sight of it, dark,
gloomy, huge and massive as q noun
tain.
I was thankful that was put into q
cell at once, and understood that my
examination was to be deferred until
morning.
spent nearly the whole might in
preparing my defense, but in spite of
my most earnest efforts it seemed lame
and incredulors, even in my own eyes.
The worst Of it was that had not an
atom of proof in support Of the lies
had thought of telling I could not
even tell the name Of the friend who
wrote the mysterious letter, or where
he was to be found. was driven to
| think that it would be better to confess
that had had some dealings with the
Nihilists, but had repented of it, and
was only anxious to leave the country
and return to England-that had no.
ticed that was an object Of suspicion
to the police and was afraid to apply
for q passport. Very lame, indeed, but
1 could think of nothing better.
Then 1 remembered De Noileff. 1t
was he, no doubt, who had caused my
arrest. All that said must be consist
ent with what he knew of me. And in
irving to remember what had been said
at the interview I had had with the
Chief of the secret police, l fell asleep.
1t was late when l awolke, and as
lay watching sunbeam that had
struggled through the barred window,
found myself able to recall, with toll
cradle completeness what had passed
between me and De Noiletf. And then
a thought came into my mind that
made my heart thump against my ribs
and my breath come thick and last.
What if could carry out an idea that
crossed my brain while the chief OF po-
lice had been talking to me-what II l
could play a double game-pretend to
be acting throughout in the interests OF
the Russian Government?
Could 1 do it? Was it not too auda-
cious-too dangerous? Had the nerve
for such a piece Of deception? l had
not been used to assimilation; may
say as much as that for myself. Could
1 think one thing and say another
without allowing the smallest change
Of expression to betray me. Gould l
invent facts on the spur of the moment
and produce the ''lie with a circum-
stance' to order? My mind reyolted
from the very idea, and 1 more than
doubted my ability to play the part OF
a successful rascal. But then-lrene!
What was to become of her if her faith
err remained in prison? Could picture
her giving her hand-the hand which
once had dared to kiss-to the cousin
of whom Won Mitschka had spoken to
me? Could l bear to think of her, and
the gentle lady, her mother, living in a
garnet in st. Petersburg, compelled to
subsist OH charity or on Irene's slender
wages? Would I not risk something
for success?
r had not found an answer to these
questions when 1 was summoned to
appear before an official whose func-
tions understood, correspond to those
of an examining magistrate IN France.
l was led through intermlnable cor
ridors and several rooms, and at length
found myself confronted with tall,
imposing parsonage with white hair.
spectacles and the largest nnoustache
ever saw on human being.
Without giving him time to begin bis
interrogations, I said to him, in as ear
nest a manner as could assume:
"Sir, I assure you that there has been
mistake. The official who ordered my
arrest blundered horribly, and has
greatly injured the cause OF His MaJes-
ty. OF course, l do not expect you to
take my word for this. Alf ask is
that may be brought face to face with
VI. de Noileff as soon as possible"
"De Noileff!' he exclaimed, as II III
surprise that 1 was familiar with the
name of that official; "why, it was ne
who ordered your arrest!'
excuse me, SIR" said I, with the ut
most assurance, "that is tmpossl bic.
He must have given instructions which
some stupid lieutenant or inferior otf-
Ger has misunderstood. Great harm
has been done, but may be repaired it
you will only order me to be taken be-
fore NJ. de Noifef at once.'
The magistrate, or officer, pulled his
right-hand moustache, then his left
hand one, then glanced, as if for adj
vice. to superannuated clerk, who sat
at a side table with an immense quill
pen suspended in the air. He was the
very image of an honest, upright in
corruptihle, we'll meaning, intensely
STUPID public servant. "Oh," thought
to myself, what would I mot give IT
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