The Forrest City times., 1900-11-09


 ful as she is cruel and interruptions. My brother is merely wax in her hands, and from certain hints that he has let fall feel convinced that she is urging him 10 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 ard stretched out her hands appealingly.
 -I beseech you to frustrate the princess schemes, and 10 save Rupert from the consequences of his fatal fascination"
 You may rest assured that I shall do my best. Miss Clough, both for the princes sake and your own" I re- piled. ''It would be dangerous to have your brother removed from the posi- tion to which he was gazetted last night. Such a step would probably precipitate some horrible outrage on the part of the nihilists. l think I may promise though, without boast ing, that Capt. Clough win have little opportunity for injuring his imperial highness with the circumspect watch that the detectives and I will keep over him."
 Thank you. thank you. thousand times she said. gratefully. That is | just what I wanted
 ''The obligation is on our side.' I answered, smiling, as I ushered her to the door
 1 stood watching her drive off in Ter smart little victoria. and then be- gan to laugh at myself for the senti- mental day-dreams that were weaving I in my matter-of-fact brain. But the laugh died out on my lips as I considered the serious news that Miss Clough had brought me. Her impressions of Princess Olga Skoben- Ri closely tailed with my own ex- perience, as 1 knew that for years the princess had been the terror and bugbear of the Russian police.
 knew the princess in society, and . suooen idea came into my mind that l would call on her and see as Iouch as possible how the land lay.
 l found her in her blue and silver houdoir smoking Russian cigarettes. She was surprised, and fancied for a moment alarmed, at my entrance
 ''This is an unexpected pleasure. Sir George she said, smiling; you have Tot been to see me for ages"
 Business. my de1r princess. busi- ness" l responded, taking the cup of coffee that she had poured out for me. II am worked to death on account of your compatriot's visit. I only hope that you nihilists will refrain from troubling the poor chap while he is over here"
 The princess arched her dark eye brows in well-affected surprise.
 Nihilists." she repeated. 'Oh, I am only nihilist so far as it furnishes a fashionable excuse for living in Eng land. Ton know quite we'll that I would not hurt fly, much less a prince of my own n-tion.'
 l thought this pretty good from a woman who had stabbed with her own hand the chief of the Ninth Sec tion in her palace at St. Petersburg However, l only smiled and took out my cigarette-case.
 Won't you try some of these? I got them from Moscow this morning. ' interrupted the princess, handing me her own case.
 1 took gold-tipped cigarette and lighted it. It proved a delicious smoke.
 You like them?" said she, watch ing me intently.
 They are fit for the gods. princess"
 Give me your case and will fill it for you"
 i l handed over my silver case and submitted myself to her generosity.
 Where is your gold case?" she asked, when the other was filled. "The one you keep for grand occasions"
 No, no, princess, you have been quite liberal enough" I replied. l Not at all" she said. You may have the chance of presenting it to the prince, and I am sure he would appreciate these cigarettes" ! And while I drank some more coffee she filled the gold case also. We ehatted on indifferent topics for some time and then I took my leave, having just said enough to Princess Olga to show that l was on my guard against her.
 After leaving Princess Olga's house I had just time for dinner and to take hanson to Waterloo. Here I joined the company who were to proceed by special train to meet Prince Sergius. They included the Russian ambassa- dor. with several of his attaches, Is detectives and officials of the secret service, and several English officers, among whom was Capt. Rupert Clough.
 During our journey down I took an opportunity of rallying Clough on his evidently low spirits.
 My word. Fraser he replied. bit terly, 'I have enough to make me miserable. 1 see no alternative be