Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-07-07

ing. Great Heavens! Is 1t possibie?
"Ah. Then there was sucn a per-
son."
She bit her lips You have surpris-
ed me into an admission" she said
Yes. | may as well confess 1t. -FOUR
canon was known to me. And he Is
dead. you say"
so have heard"
She lay back in her chair and drew
a deep breath. Poor faithful fellow.
she said. He has paid dearly for his
fictitious spiendor, his borrowed plum
age. Your news is news indeed
1T is true. them Osborne inquired,
that the Cars ex-valet born mimic,
bearing a strong personal resemblance
to his master, (which with the addition
OF a little makeup became absolutely
completely. was allowed to personate
him on various occasions7"
1T is quite true" she answered. THE
late Car Alexander II. met horrible
death in 1881. His son has been stern
ruler; he has never conceded reforms
lest they should be attributed to fear.
Personally, Alexander III. Is a brave
man, but his councillors and wife pre-
vailed on him to employ Tourganoff,
and he acceded. For years the imperial
policy has been to over-awe would-bc
conspirators by a show OF confidence
and even carelessness. and Tournagon' s
devotion made the thing possible
IF that is true" Osborne said heavi-
ly, II fear that the rest OF my inform
ants story is true also; and that we
may take 1t for granted the poor fellow
has been assassinated.'
Il cannot guess how you came to
know all this, Mr.. Osborne. do not
speak OF the assassination, but OF the
russ itself. The thing is regarded as
profound State secret"
Il know II, Lady Emilia. because /
have a paid agent here. The rouble
will do almost anything in Russia. This
profound secret"
rs known to both OF us, OF course" y
she interrupted. but must forbid you
to ask me how came to know It,
IL should not think of asking such a
question" he replied.
And you will do WELL" she added In
a lower voice, "to keep your knowledge
to yourself. Personally ap fond Of
playing with edged tools. 1t Is like
gambling, a form OF excitement; but l
believe that very stringent methods
would be employed by the bureaucracy
to stamp out all knowledge Of this Sc
cret, not only for the reasons you have
given, but for many others"
Il can understand that" Osborne re-
piled, Il am told that half the old no.
bility (the boyars who are noble by
birth not merely by official title) would
be disaffected II they knew how often,
at the semi-private functions OF the
Court ceremonial, they had kissed the
hand OF the ex-valet. while his master,
who was ready to face the bomb and the
dagger, took refuge from boredom be-
hind his servants personality.
Her ladyship was now regarding rs-
borne critically. But you" she said
you who know so much. what can you
possibly desire to learn from me?"
In spite Of himself the colour mounted
to his brow and his fingers locked them
selves together nervously. as he answer
ed, Il wish to know who have been
arrested for this crime, and what the
fate Of the prisoners has been, or is to
be-"
"You are interested in all these pris-
oners par example, or In one only"
There was a certain metallic ring In
her ladyship's voice as she put the ques-
ton.
'In one only" he answered, in broken
tones. That is to say, am interested
in one individual who may possibly
have been arrested"
Let us narrow the field of inquiry"
she said, with a sudden touch OF impat-
fence. as this person whom you seek
a man or a woman"
"A woman, Lady Emilia. God help
her,"
There was slight pause. Her lady
ships face had undergone a complete
Transformation. No one to see her now
would have recognized the Lady Emilia
of half-an-hour ago. The reckless flow
o. raillery. the graceful abandon or
pose, the glances pointed with inartic-
ulate challenge we're all discarded. Il
have been in danger OF making myself
ridiculous" she said to herself
1T seems to me" she remarked pres
emily. that one part Of the inquiry
which you propose should undertake
must be very futile. The fate Of all
those arrested d foreeone conclusion.
Is It not7s