The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-10-19


rious scrawl beneath, and as looked
without being able to make head or
tail of the thing he whispered:
"The others will be here inside of
two days, and we will have a meeting.
l have been here three days, and find
nothing to alarm me. l trust matters
in London are all right?"
''As far as | know" replied as l re-
turned his card and wondered whether
he was trying to cheek me or had real
ly mistaken me for somebody else.
"Good. We can settle all the details
in an hour after the others get here. 1t
will be as well that we are not seen to-
gether, but l will notify you when we
are ready"
When he had gone, l made up my
mind that he had mistaken me for an
other man, but l could not quite catch
on to his expressions. He was evident
ly in Stockholm by appointment, and
others were to arrive later, and Mr..
Grelling, who was probably an Eng
ishman, was miXed'up in the affair, If
not the leader. The matter puzzled
and annoyed me for half an hour, and
then l dismissed it from my mind.
Three hours later, as | retired to my
room, the stolid faced and wooden
headed waiter who carried my light
hung about in queer way after set
ting the candle down, and l finally
gave him small coin and waved him
out Instead of going he whispered to
me:
81 wish to warn you. Strange men
have been here for a week. l think
they are waiting for you"
but who can be looking for meY l
queried in reply.
You know best. Good night and
God save you. | will keep my eyes and
ears open for you"
l wanted to question the man, but he
hurried away and left me more befog
ged than before. | spent an hour try
ing to figure out some satisfactory con-
clusion and then fell asleep. Next
morning at breakfast the same man
waited on me. | had little table by
myself, and while bringing my dishes
the waiter whispered in my ear:
"The two strange men are at the
fourth table. l am sure they are Rus
sian spies and will watch you"
Now had the key to the mystery.
There was some sort of conspiracy
on foot, probably against the peace of
the czar, and the conspirators were to
meet at Stockholm. From what | had
read and heard of such affairs the
plans and plots generally originated in
England or Switzerland, but these men
had selected nearer ground. Their plot
must have been suspected. or the Rus
sian spies would not have been there.
Yes, the two men were Russians and
though their idea seemed to be to pass
for merchants they made poor show
ing at it. | don't pretend to say that
spy can always be spotted offhand, but
/ do assert that after one of them has
followed the occupation for several
years there are many ways in which he
betravs his calling to an observing eye.
They cast many furtive glances in my
direction and when | realized that |
was to be under espionage felt a
spirit of deviltry take possession of
me. | would carry off the role of con-
spirator with brazen cheek, For the
next two days / was closely shadowed.
Whenever wandered about the town,
one of the two men followed me. No
doubt it was noted down whom | ad-
dressed. when l took my meals, how
many cigars smoked and all other lit
lie details. After the first dg- - i's
spy business the same stolid faced
waiter slipped into my room with pale
face and whisperingly exclaimed:
"Those spies are following you every