The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-03-02

AIAoStiy sob hSLOAs LAW ISpt zAAA
The world knows Count Landrinof.'
$50. When did you last sec the
countT'
"This morning, honor"
"At what hourT"
eleven"
"Read me your report, or your notes,
made at or after this rencounter and
handed in to my Office later"
The inspector consulted his notebook.
Then he cleared his throat and blew his
nose. The inspector did not possess a
had left II at home or pawned II. Rus.
sian policemen regard with contempt
the finnikin ways of those who possess
pocket handkerchiefs and carry them
about. Then he read:
"This morning, as l passed through
the Fourth line, at the far end, by the
Small prospekt, | observed Count Ian.
drinof, with whom l am slightly nc.
quainted. greeted him, and we Ell.
tered into conversation"
At this point l interrupted the re.
cital "stopl" I said. "Explain how
and when you made the counts &C.
quuintance. ="
us 1t necessary, honor9" asked the
fellow, glancing at his superior.
"Ohl You may enlighten the gentle.
man." said the pristaf, struggling his
shoulders. .
II was then a plain gorodovoy, a
town constable, and held the counts
horse on Il certain occasion when the
animal was FESTIVE. For this service his
excellence gave me the sun Of / rublo,
He knew me afterward whenever we
met and occasionally presented me
with a gratuity on such occasions az
Easter and New Year"
"And he knew You this timer" |
asked.
The inspector WINGED slightly. | saw
it plainly enough, and so did Borofsky,
but he replied that the count never
failed to recognize him.
"You are sure he knew you ?" said
Borofsky, looking keenly at the man.
Lord have mercyl" exclaimed the
fellow. "Have l not said sol He recog.
nized me, and we conversed. Here Ia
the conversation. I have 1t down In my
notes. said Excellence, we do not
often see You in these parts Of the
town Do You walk for pleasure9' TO
which the count replied that one Of the
servants, a groom, had been taken Ill
and was lying sick In his lodging up
here in the Fourth line, by the little
Neva, and he came occasionally to In.
quise after the poov fellow.
Your excellence was always kind
hearted and generous | replied. and
the count gave me a gratuity and de.
"How much 7" asked Borofsky.
"Twenty kopecks, suid the fellow.
"Ahl' exclaimed acute Borofsky,
'Not the usual ruble, eli p
The fellow WINGED again.
~ did not say that I always received
q ruble," he said. 1.-The amount de.
Ponds upon the services performed"
"Hal' exclaimed Borofsky. "The
performed today was a great
one, my friend, for you neglected to
arrest this impostor, which would have
been your plain duty. Confess that you
were in doubt whether he was In truth
Count Landrinof or another, that he
did not recognize you at first and that
you were surprised to receive 20 kopecks
Instead Of the usual ruble2"
"Bahl' said the pristaf. This Is
mere foolishness. 1t IL enough. In.
you can leave the room.
"You see, gentlemen, " he continued,
when the man had departed. closing ]
The door after him, "that there can BIZ
mistake. l. myself, as 1t happens, !
rave seen the count enter his very
house, his own mansion. Il IL scarcely ;
! week since | saw him with my own ,
'But, my dear sir, " said Borofsky.
all this does not advance the matter :
n the least. We do not CONTEXT that a
ertain individual, sufficiently like the 4
Landrinof to be mistaken for
lin by those who are not intimately
c%quainted with the count. IL at pres. :
mt living and passing himself off az :
'ount Landrinof, at his excellency's .
mansion !,
"Whatl Without permission of the !
interrupted the pristaf. ''of .
he countess, and of this young gentle. .
nan, his SOM No, my dear sir you ask .
to believe a thing which Ia impossi. !,
lie.
"On the contrary. " said Borofsky, ,
his foot with vexation, with :
heir permission and concurrence. II
on will kindly listen without interrup. q
ion | will make the matter clonr from !,
he beginning. The mar now passing !.
8 Count Landrinof wat received into !.
be house under a misconception, The v
cunt disappeared last July, TO disap. ="
cared utterly and no trace Of him :,
be found until word was received y
hat he had been seen In London" y
"You appealed, of course, to the po. ;,
CO for assistance In your dificultyY' "
aid the pristaf, :.
ut was the wish OF the countess TO !.
isppnse with tina aapyina of thn nolioa "