The age-herald., 1901-11-10
.. BY DEREK VANE. -.

 adopted the brasgart motto: Nj Dieu ni Maitre. Though several people were sus- pected of being members, owing to Don- hoff's escape nothing could be proved against them. If Bouteneff could get possession or the lost papers they would furnish him with priceless information He could deal such a blow to Nihilism as would practically paralyze 1t for some time to come. For the last year the members of the Secret Police have been living on volcano; they do not know when an explosion may come"
 And how can l assist Monsieur Boute- neff in his search?"
 He is afraid to trust any of his com patriots and he cannot go himself Some might be traitors in disguise, and others might seize the opportunity to advance their own interests He Is naturally anx- iou5 not to run any risks of this kind with such a prize in view, and he thinks he will be safest in English hands. He asked me to recommend him a perfectly trustworthy person who would go out to the Azores and await the course of events"
 'It is a great undertakings" I said very gravely. Tt almost takes my breath away"
 At first sight it may seem a more suit able venture for man than for a wo-
 
 to arouse suspicion. And in dealing with such society as the Hidden Hand you cannot be too cautious; they have spies everywhere. There could be nothing to excite any one's suspicious in lady lesey- ing England with small party of friends for yachting cruise across the Atlantic. The friends would be people I could trust, who would be under your orders you must be prepared for all emergen- cies-but they would be told as little of the real facts of the case as possible Once out in the Atlantic it would be easy to make your way to the Azores, where Bouteneff Is convinced the ice-bound ves- sel must drift, if it Is released at all"
 Tt seems very hopeless quest"
 Mot so hopeless as an attempt to find Donhoff-and that is the only other thread whereby to unravel the mystery. If the Sonia should fall into your hands and you should find no incriminating doc uments in the Counts luggage, Bout eneff would then send out search party to explore the coast of Davis Strait for some sign of the missing men; but he thinks the other course the more promising, and so do I. If you land at the Azores choose one of the smaller islands, which Is sparsely inhabited, and then your movements will attract little attention Well, will you undertake the commits son?'
 Yes" I said after little considera- tion. though I do not think have ever had more difficult one"
 When money is plentiful most business preliminaries can be arranged with ease and dispatch, and in a week or two I was at sea in comfortable steam yacht. manned by an efficient crew, and accom- panied by my maid and four friends" one of whom. for the sake of appear ances, passed as my brother. These as- sistants were previously unknown to me, but had been chosen by the Chief for their courage and discretion. A hint of treasure-trove had been given them, but they asked no questions being accus- toned to obey blindy. The one I had chosen to pass as my brother in the eyes of the crew, and give them my or ders, was young man of gentlemanly appearance and higher education than the others. He told me he had been Sec retary at one time to a member of Par lianlent with whom he had travelled a great deal abroad, so that he spoke French and German Huently. His name was Richard Pilgrim.
 Spring was breaking in the Arctic re- gfons when at last we sighted the Azores. a cluster of nine islands in the North Atlantic. I had of course, formed my plans as far as possible during the voy- age and after having made as close an