The citizen., 1901-06-21

My wife had lifted the bracelet and
as women will. for its better inspection
was about to clasp it on her wrist.
Don't. dear said l hastily. I did
not reason why, hut somehow l disliked
the idea of her wearing it.
She put it back in the case ohediontIr
put laughed at me for a superstitious old
hubby. 0'u
hen | showed her the letter and told
her the story of my friend on the hoot
linen she cried little and offered to da.
liver it to the Countess Zalinska. nm ofrer
which gladly accepted. for was hcrin.
hlnS TO look forward to my commission
with some misgivings.
!, nate scenes. My wife likes them. So
the next morning after breakfast She
made careful toilet and prepared to
visit the countess.
gave her tie bracelet and nv bless.
ing and told her how to break the news
gently TO the countess, who might still be
iona OF her old lover, and how to dodge
the count. if such person existed. and IN
| dun the game through on the prctense
I OF calling for subscription for a home
! for lost dogs.
My wife had not left the house many
minutes before jeanette, my sisters maid.
made her appearance at the door of the
breakfast room.
If You please, sir, said she, there's
a gentleman waiting to see YOU Then.
with giggle, ''E's got policeman with
| him. W.
Show him in, and the cop as we'll
sald |. beginning to feel a little uncom-
Portable, for | remembered that I was in
a foreign country.
In minute who should walk in but
Mr., William Smith. The policeman staid
outside with Jeanette. 1t seemed to me
that he knew Jeanette and that he came
as near winking at her as policeman
could
"'Mr. William Smith, believe said /.
rising
Forgive me, Mr.. Gsldrock,' said my
visitor politely, but William Smith is
merely my nom de guerre. l am Johann
hatchachleff of the Russian imperial DO.
| lice
"'Oh, lord" I murmurcd under my
breath. What have l been doing ?
Pleased to meet you. Mr.. Katchachief.'
replied politely. What do you want Of
me-
You remember young man who
shared your stateroom on the Umbria?
"Just a Bit
lie jumped overheard the night be-
fore that vessel reached Queenstown he
continued.
"'That's so,' assented.
What | require to know is, what be.
came of certain bracelet in his posses.
sion?'
"'Thcn you won't find out from me" |
replied rather shortly, for | did not feel
like giving away poor Ladislas' love af-
fairs to trap and Il Russian trap at
that
Look here said he furiously. If you
do not tell me at once. l have an order for
your arrest from the chief commissioner
of the English police
beckoned to the policeman who was
standing at the door with jeanette.
Come here, constable, and see fair
play said l.
The bracelet said /, was placed in
my portmanteau by Mr.. Nadokoif before
he jumped overheard, with a note in
which he asked me to deliver it to a lady
who lives close by here. My wife has
Just gone out for that purpose
Heavens" cried the Russian. Where
does she live? That bracelet is bomb
and was sent by a secret society in New
York as a means to the assassination of
the Countess Zalnska, who is the wife of
the chief of police. Directly the clasp is
snapped
Il didn't wait to think. just streaked
to the door, pushing the policeman in
front of me.
"'Run" | yelled.
eve tumbled down the hall steps and
lighted up Park lane, to the admiration of
the surrounding citizens.
at did not take us long to reach the
countess house.
'The policeman was first, the Russian
second. while was close third.
"The door was opened, and we plunged
in and tore up stairs.
Where's the countess? gasped the
Russian.
"a frightened servant jerked a finger
toward a door.
1--WE tumbled into the room.
"In the countess hands was the brace
let
"She was in the act of clasping it on
her wrist when the Russian pounced
upon it, snatched it from her and flung ii
! out of the window.
"Thcre was a fearful report, followed
by catter of falling glass below.
"The countess had tainted.