The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-19
CHAPTER XVI.
DIsCREDITED BY THE POLICE.

"The young gentleman is very far
from mad" said Borofsky. "He is as
sane as You or l, and, moreover, what
he has said Is strictly true. Your people
arrested and deported the wrong man
at the time and address given, and that
man was Count Landrinof.
"But, my dear Cir" began the pris-
tat and paused. Then he touched
bell An inspector entered so very
quickly that there could be no doubt he
had been stationed at the door listen
ing.
"You know Count Landrinof by
sight, inspector, I believer said the
pristaf.
EXACTLY 3d." replied that official.
saluting.
'Is the count well known char
acter2'
EXACTLY so, honor. How not? All
the world knows Count Landrinof.
$50. When did you last see the
COUNT"
"This morning, honor"
"At what hour3"
"Eleven.
"Read me your report. or your notes.
made at or after this rencounter and
handed in to my office later.
The inspector consulted his notebook.
Then he cleared his throat and blew his
nose. The inspector did not possess a
pocket handkerchief. or, if he did, he
had left it at home or pawned it. Rus
sian policemen regard with contempt
the finnikin ways of those who possess
pocket handkerchiefs and carry them
about. Then he read
"This morning, as passed through
the Fourth line at the far end, by the
Small prospekt, observed Count Lam
drinof, with whom l am slightly ac-
quainted l greeted him, and we en-
tered into conversation. u
At this point l interrupted the re-.
cital. ''Stopr' said. explain how
and when you made tho counts ac-
quaintance.
sis it necessary, honor2" asked the
fellow, CHANGING at his superior.
"Ohl You may enlighten the gentle
man" said the pristaf, Struggling his
shoulders.
II was then plain gorodovoy, a
town constable, and held the COUNT
| horse on certain occasion when the
animal was FESTIVE. For this service his
excellence gave ME the sum of ruble.
He knew me afterward whenever we
met and occasionally presented me
with gratuity on such occasions al
Easter and New Year"
"And he knew you this timer I
asked.
The inspector WINGED slightly. l saw
1t plainly enough and so did Borotsky,
but he replied that the count never
failed to recognize him.
"You are sure he knew your said
Borofsky, looking keenly at the man.
Lord have mercyv exclaimed the
fellow. "Have l not said sol He recog-
nized me, and we conversed. Here is
the conversation. have it down in my
notes. l said Excellence, we do not
often see you in these parts Of the
town. Do You walk for pleasuref To
which the count replied that one of the
servants, a groom, had been taken i'll
and was lying sick in his lodging up
acre in the Fourth line, ny the little
Neva, and he came occasionally to in
Auire after the poor fellow.
Your excellence was always kind
hearted and generous I replied, and
the count gave me gratuity and de-
parted.
"How much3' asked Borofsky.
| "Twenty kopecks," said the fellow.
"Ahl" exclaimed acute Borofsky.
"Not the usual ruble, eh3'
| The fellow WINGED again.
| II did not say that always received
a ruble," he said. "rhe amount de
ponds upon the services performed.
"HaE exclaimed Borofsky. "Th'
service performed today was grea
one, my friend, for you neglected tt
arrest this impostor, which would hav'
been your plain duty. Confess that you
were in doubt whether he WIS in trutl
Count Landrinof or another. that h
did not recognize you at first and tina
you were surprised to receive 30 kopeck
instead of the usual rubber
"Bahl" said the pristaf "This