Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-26

CHAPTER XI-(Continucd.)
e Romance Of Russia.
DIV JOHN *. LEYs.

1t was now evident to me that the
chief Of the Russian police had made
up his mind, from my having visited
Raoul-and, possibly from something
his spies might have told him as to my
later communications with the Mill
ists-that was really one of the party,
or at all events, in intimate relations
with them. He had thought it likely
that | had returned to England for Il
special purpose, and he had supposed
that if a close watch were kept upon
my movements, l would sooner or lat
er, put him on the track of some of the
conspirators. He must have been toll
rrably sure that l was in some way
connected With them, or he would not
have told his agent in England to offer
me, through Davis, so large Il sum rs
100000.
Once or twice as 1 waited for the
dinner hour, l took a stroll in the di-
rection of the railway, as if l expected
someone to come to me by raid. Dur
ing these strolls Davis followed me
conscientiously, though at a respectful
distance.
When dinner made its appearance. [
seemed to throw off care. asked Davis
to join me at table. and let fall Il word
or two to raise the belief in his mind
that as the person | expected had not
turned up, my .5jcct i'll coming to
Bllerwicll had failed, and that | in.
tended to return to town at once, ratt
er pleased at having the business off
my mind for the present.
When dinner was over. | called for
bottle of port and made Davis take Il
share of it. He drank sparingly. but
the incident had q certain effect on
leading him to believe that l had 10
business of Importance on hand now.
and that his vigilance might be a little
relaxed.
We set OFT for the railway station to-
gether. and l took q first-class ticket
for Liverpool street. Davis, l knew,
had Il second-class return ticket-and |
noticed that he chose Il compartment
next to mine.
BY the time we reached Bailey Bridge
the town at which our branch Joined
the main line-it was getting dark.
From that point onward the train be-
came an express. 1t was here that |
hoped to be able to play little trick
on my friend, the mineral water man.
AS the train began to slow down, ap-
preaching the station, / leant out OF
tic window on the further side of the
carriage and having ascertained to the
best of my power that the spy was not
watching me on that side, l gently
dropped my bag out of the window.
noting the spot. so that might be able
to pick it up again later on.
AS soon as the train stoppedI made
for the refreslment room, and. as eX-
pected. Davis Immediately followed
me. Only q few moments were al
lowed, and 1 fingered so long that tho
SOY became fiidgety. AS the train was
about to start managed to place my
self between him and the carriages.
and he Immediately became apprehens-
i've, as intended lie should, that was
scheming to get on board the train ut
the last moment and leave him be-
hind.
At the last moment l did make 4
rush for the train, now just moving,
and, as l fully anticipated. the spy
darted past me, tore open the door OF
the nearest carriage, and leaped into
it'll sprang after him, and seized the
handle of the door, as if with the in
tcntion of following his example. but.
instead Of doing so l ran along the
side of the carriage till !; porter came
I'D, dragged me away from the car
riage. which was now travelling at Il
good pace. and closed the door | was
alone. The spy was being carried off
to London at the rate of thirty miles
an hour. and I was able to endure with
cquanimty the lecture which the sta
ton master read me. on the folloy Of
attempting to board a train when it
was in motion.
l had no difficulty in hiring a vehicle
to carry me back to Brierwick. and,
after a little delay recovered my bag.
which had been picked up and taken
to the lost-baggage office.