Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-09-16
CHAPTER XVII.
THE POLICE MAKE INQUIRIES.

THE POLICE MAKE INQUIRIES
Borofsky and I were both too angry
to speak much as we left the pristaf's
Office.
The fellow, as Borofsky explained it,
simply reeked of bullying oficialdom.
He was just the kind of person of whom
nothing is to be expected in Russia, a
man who will either really believe or
pretend to believe his own ironically
expressed opinions in defiance of every
canon of right and equity. eff man
like that" said Borofsky, "happens to
blunder, as he has, he'll move heaven
and earth to conceal his mistake. He
will lie and intrigue and put obstacles
In the way of truth, and, if he can help
it, right will never be done unless we
get at his obstinate conscience with a
golden key"
"Well, man. he shall have what he
likes You know that" I said angrily.
eff you thought this. why didn't you
say so at the timef We'd have offered
him enough to keep him year. 1t
isn't question of economy; you know
that"
"There's time enough for bribipg
when we can't beat the rascal on our
merits. said Borofsky. Don't forget
that our little student has another card
up his sleeve"
We went, presently, to the depart
ment itself, and here we interviewed
greater man.,
Very courteous and affable was this
gentleman. We recapitulated our story,
with the added complaint that the
pristaf would do nothing for US.
"What would you have him dor
asked the great man. she cannot forth
with undo the arrest Of July last upon
your bare assertion. Inquiries will,
however, be made. The countess must
be examined
"Oh, mol" I interrupted. "Please
not-not just yet, at any ratel Let the
matter proceed little further toward
solution.
The great one shrugged his shoulders.
"I respect your desire to spare your
mother" he said, "but the matter can
not go very far without the testimony
of the countess. The count must be ex-
amined-he, l mean. who is now pass
ing. as you contend. for the count. All
sides must be heard. I may believe your
tale-which is extraordinary-or l may
not, but I can take no steps upon it un-
til thorough inquiry has been held.
You will admit that this is soH'
"We admit that, excellence, said
Borofsky.
"You informed the pristaf, of course,
as to the source from which you have
obtained your version of the arrest-the
blunder as you term it-of July3" con-
tinued the official "We shall be obliged
to examine into the authenticity of this
source
Borofsky flushed ~ regret. he
stammered, "that it is at present i'm
possible for US to reveal it, be said.
"My young friend has made, unfortu-
nately. a promise of secrecy
"Oh. but, exclaimed the great man.
pardon me, young Count Landrinof,
but if we are to seek truth. we must
probe all hiding places for her! You
do not seriously suppose that you
are to be at liberty to reveal what you
please and to conceal also what you
think fitH This is a matter of screening
one. suppose. who has been concerned
in possibly criminal enterprises. -
81 know nothing of my informant y
said; mot even his name.
"Nor his address?"
"Nor his address, l hesitated,
blushing.
"Nor where he is to be found at pres
ent?" he added. looking keenly in my
face.
81 did not say that, B" I faltered.
Every we'll, said the official, slight
ly smiling, as I thought. 1--WE shall do
our best. I shall communicate with the
pristaf. Inquiries shall shortly be in
stituted. 1t is fair to tell you that your
story should be easily proved if matters
are indeed as You say. But the tale is
somewhat incredible. The police-the
Russian police in the higher branches
rarely blunder. Much will depend upon
the count-or impostor-and the man
ner in which he passes through the in
terrogations to which he will be sub.
jected.
"He will have version of his own,.
excellence, that is certain. He will lie
plausibly. You will be prepared for
that" said Borofsky.
"We have to deal with many liars in
this department., smiled the official.
1--WE seek the truth through sundry OBJ
stacles till we find it. It is our duty to
believe nothing until it has been proved.
That is why l should recommend our
young friend here to reconsider his be-
nevolent desire to screen an acquaint-
ance.
IAN acquaintance" 1 repeated in
Il would scorn to acknowl-
edge the little rascal as an acauaint-