The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-03-09
CHAPTER XVIII.

sion-did begin to buzz almost from
this moment.
Several exciting and very important
events took place during the next few
hours, but the chief actor in these, Oh
our side at least, was Borofsky, and it
is bis movements that must now be
followed for a little while, while I stand
aside as q mere narrator.
Borofsky became the principal actor
because he absolutely refused to allow
me to have any further dealings with
the student. l did not know how to
manage the little wretch. he declared,
for I treated him as an equal, entitled
to consideration and respect, as an in.
dividual to be accorded his share of the
rights and privileges Of civilization, and
this was quite the wrong attitude to
take up with such people. The fellow
was an outlaw. he had lost his rights to
the blessings of citizenship, he was a
scavenger cur that came and fed by
night upon the o%ffscourings Of society,
It was ridiculous to treat such an indi-
vidual like a decent Christian.
"Well, take him in hand" l laugh
ed; "only don't squeeze his 5000 ru-
bles out Of the poor wretch, He came
by that fairly enoughT'
And SO it happened that I retired, for
the present, from the front line Of the
fight, and allowed Borofsky to carry the
colors in my place. Boroisky lost nc
time about boarding the wolf. He went
straight to the students room.
"Now," he said. 'young man. do
you know meT'
"Oh, yes. very well!' laughed the
student. II have heard Of your marvel
ously pretty detective performance in
London. You are to be congratulated.
Mr.. Borofsky."
''Those are to be congratulated who
win the game" said Borofsky. "You
have earned 5000 rubles, I hear; so
far. then, it is you that are to be con.
graduated"
''Thank you" said the student. Ere
serve the congratulations until l have
finished then the same Fluctuations will
do for the whole of my exploits. I shall
pocket another s, 900 tonight!'
"Indeedl From whom and for what
service2"
"From the young count. But I do not
discuss my wares before ! bring them
to market
"But maybe I am. after all, the mer-
chant with whom it will be necessary to
deal!' said Borofsky.
II deal with the count only"
"What if he be not a buyer?"
"Oh, he will buy, I have little fear.
! am a m%onopolist. They that have need
of such goods as I have to sell must
come to me, for there are no others that
sell them"
"No others-not ones"
"Certainly not.
"Come. think again; that is surely q
mistake. Andre is not the only con
spirator."
The student WINGED slightly and
flushed. Then he laughed.
"The game of bluff" he said, lis
amusing when played upon ervou
subjects it's tinesse is lost upon me, be-
cause I know my hand and can keep
my head in order to play it to advan.
tage."
"But l repeat that Andre has confed-
crates besides yourself
"Find theml'' said the student.
"Perhapsl Then there is Andre him.
self
"Oh, your hand is a poor one indeed,
my friendl Andre to act as informer
upon himself--that is a trump card in
deedl'
Borofsky saw that he must change
his tactics The little student clearly
intended to brave this matter out. He
believed in his monopoly, as he called it.
"You saw the pristaf. I suppose"
said Borofsky suddenly.
This remark scored heavily.
The student started to his feet; his
face grew very pale he sat down again.
"What pristaf. When? ?" he gasped.
1.-The pristaf of the third ~oochastok,
he who arrested the count, at your invi.
tation, last July"
"Why should | have seen him?
Where9 What are you talking about"
Every simply, about the pristaf. He
was here today to make inquiries''-
N 49, CAAc LooSCs UoluJS ! ldhC
inquiries about the arrest? Then that
worm. the young count, has betrayed
me, curse himl Oh, if l ever get the
chance, I'll torture him for this! mp
"My coed sir. said Borofsky coolly,
''pray be calm. Why all this excite.
ment9 You have not been betrayed yet
Your name has not been mentioned
indeed we do not know it; the pristaf
is quite unaware of the honor you have
done the Count Landrinof by taking
up your abode in his mansion. You are
quite safe at present. How long you
may remain SO must depend upon your
readiness to oblige."
''Stopl What was the pristaf doing
here todayf Tell me that first"
making inquiries. as ! have said.
He desires TO judge for himself whether
Andre Is Andre or Count Landrinof.
md no doubt by this time Andre has