Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-03-23

herself did nearly all the talking, and 1
took care to stand with my back to the
light, refusing all offers to relieve me-
Of my naval cap and cloak.
The housekeeper was full of apollo
gies for the unprepared state of the
villa. but there was really no necessity
for them. A fire was burning brightly
in the Cars bedroom, and the samO-
var was ready to furnish me with the
cup of tea longed for The only df-
rection I gave was that DIR. PetrOyski
should be sent for.
"Now, that is fortllnate!' exclaimed
the housekeeper. CDR. PetroysA came
down from st. Petersburg today. and
is staying at the other villa. I will send
for him at once"
1 was sitting alone before the fire.
thinking how we'll things were going,
and wondering whether it would be
prudent to light cigar, when DR.. Pc
trOySki was announced.
He was a short, dumpy little man.
wearing a coat considerably too tight
for him. His red, bristly hair was
brushed straight from his high, white
forehead, giving him the look of q
man ewly-awakened out of sleep.
spect, expressed his sympathy in rev.
erentiaI murmurs. and lamented that
DR. Lorenfleim had not returned from
his holidays; adding that he thought
there was nothing beyond slight cold
the matter with me, and that he had
no doubt he would be able to treat 1t
successfully.
ooh, that's all rightv' I exclaimed.
'My cold is one Of the artificial order.
1 adopted it partly to account for the
hoarseness Of my voice. but chiefly to
enable me to see you without giving
rise to any suspicion
The somewhat large mouth OF Dr.
Petrovski fell open as spoke these
words, revealing a beautifully strong
and even set of teeth. 1 was wonder
ing whether they We're real or artlh-
cial, when it struck me that the doc
tors expression Of surprise was some
what out of place. He looked as
though he thought l had taken TOO
much wine at dinner.
A sudden terror seized me. was TINS
man not in the secret, after all! l
daresay my face blanched; know my
voice shook as said, in as Indifferent
a manner as l could:
"You look Slightly surprised, DR.. Pe'
trovski?"
Eyes, your Majesty-that is-no, not
exactly surprised. But it seems to me
that is, 1 fear somehow failed to
quite grasp your Majesty's meaning
Good heavens! 1t was true! There
had been some awful blunder. Ihe
man thought 1 was the Gear! And
here I was, in a house guarded by SOL
diers as we'll as servants, without
friend to help me, sentenced under the
penalty Of death to achieve the lmpos-
sible-that is to say. to make my way
ont of the house and out of the park
that night unobserved. What was L to
do?
:.You are DR.. Petrovski?' I asked.
The doctor bowed. m.
physician to the Cars HOUSEHOLDER
Another bow.
'Then-"
1 stopped with a new misgiying. Had
Won AIitschka deceived me? 1t might
be untrue that Petrovski was a Nlhll-
list If told him my secret he might
denounce me on the spot! Yet saw
no chance of escaping but through his
help. The thing must be risked.
"Do YOU know Won Mitschka?' l
said. abruptly.
An involuntary start, a swiftly-pass-
ing look of surprise and fear came pc
fore the answer-"No.'
scrhink again. said. calmly. paul
Won Mitscka, whose nickname is une
White Fox. He is a leader of the MI
hilists. Have you never met him.?
This time the doctor was so agitated
that his ''No' was barely audible.
"He told me that he knew you-that
you are, if not member Of the socie-
ty. at least one of their sympathizers.
He told me"
"Sire, confess the TRUTH" said the
DOCTOR and his voice shook so that he
was forced to pause a moment before
he could go on. "When l was a stu
dent 1 was, unhappily, infected with
revolutionary doctrines. l have listen
ed to detestable opinions, and it may
be that have given utterance to them.
But / was very young man then. 1t
was a long time ago; and for years [
have served your Majesty faithfully.
And I never joined any secret society"
$50 you say" l said, sternly. care
Won willing to remain in this house
while your rooms in the palace in St.
Petersburg are searched?
1t was chance shot, but it went
home. 1t was a bull's-eye. The doc
tors pale complexion became an ashy-
grey. The sweat of terror broke out
on his brow.
ITO be conttnued)