The Winslow mail., 1900-12-13
THE RUSSIAN CIGARETTES

THE visit of Prince Sergius Men
delejeff to these shores is still
matter of recent history; to most peo-
pie but proof of the safety enjoyed
by all nations. without discrimina-
ton, under the shadow of the British
flag; to myself and a few others an
anxious nightmare in which we pre-
vented as if by a miracle the attacks
of the nihilists on the august person
of his imperial highness.
On the afternoon of April 25 1 sat
in my chambers putting the final
touches to draft of the route which
was to be taken by the royal visitor.
The prince was to arrive at Ports
mouth in his yacht in the early morn
ing of the Goth, to land incognito, and
to entrain at once in the special"
that would be awaiting to convey him
to London. On the journey the train
was to halt at Crawford, small rural
station, for an hour while the prince
breakfasted in the open air, this be-
ing his usual custom while travelling
in Russia. He was then to proceed to
Waterloo, being met there by several
members of the English royal family.
Such was the programme arranged by
the foreign office, and 1 was the Off
cial intrusted with the supervision of
the arrangements and held response
BILE for Prince Sergius' safety, a post
that promised to be little of sine
cure.
L had finished annotating the draft,
and was stretching out my hand for a
cigarette, when the page entered and
said that lady was waiting below
and insisted on seeing me.
In my capacity of chief in the secret
service l have many unconventional
visitors, but on this occasion l felt
some annoyance, for / was very busy.
Cant she call again?'' L began.
when the lady herself appeared in the
doorway and dissipated the text of my
remonstrance.
She was a stylish, well-dressed girl
of 10, with clustering curls of dark
brown hair peeping out from beneath
her picture hat, and radiant violet
eyes, which looked pleadingly towards
me.
My chagrin vanished with the
pathetic little smile on her face. and
] found myself shutting the door and
placing a chair for the fair stranger.
She sat down and played nervously
with her gold muff-chain while mus
tering up courage to speak. you
will forgive me for interrupting you,
sir, when l tell you that my errand is
very closely connected with the safe
ty of his imperial highness, Prince
Sergius Mendelejeff," she said, after
a few minutes had elapsed.
1t is part of my profession not to
betray surprise at anything. l there
fore remained outwardly calm before
my desk and nodded my head.
Indeed, 1 remarked.
MY name is Muriel Clough-you
know Capt. Clough, 1 suppose?" she
continued.
THE officer who has been appoint
ed to the princes suite during his Wis
it to England?"
l signified my assent.
He is my step-brother. 1t is for his
sake that | have come here to-day
for his sake and that of the family
honor. l know nothing definite, you
understand, but l fear the danger all
the more for its obscurity.
He has fallen under The spell OF
Princess Olga Skobensky, a nihilist
refugee in London, who is as beauti.
full as she is cruel and unscrupulous
My brother is merely wax in her
hands, and from certain hints that he
has let fall l feel convinced that she
is urging him to attempt, or, at all
events. connive at, the murder OF
Prince Sergius during his visit to Eng
land, crime for which his appoint
ment offers such fatal facilities. Oh
sir"
She rose from her chair and
stretched out her hands appealingly
Il beseech you to frustrate the
princess schemes, and to save Rupert