Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-23

the government of the province. on the
other the living rooms of the govern
or's household
The doors upon the left, leading to
the reception room. the governors
room, the great ballroom and the din
ing room, were closed. Two of those
on the right were open. In one room
there was a light, and from it came
the subdued voices OF two men and the
odor Of tobacco. The other room was
dark
The princess remembered these
rooms. She had seen them in her in
spection Of the palace. That from
which came the voices and in which
light was burning was the office of the
superintendent of police. The one next
to it was a smaller room, connected
with the other by door, which was
locked. This small room had been in
tended for an office, but was now used
for the purpose Of storing books, rec
ords, police material and desks. 1t was
part of the suit allotted to the superin-
tendent of police.
Olga stood in the hall and listened.
She heard the name of Paulpoff. With
a nUttering heart she darted into the
darkened room and took up her posi-
ton near the closed door between that
and the office.
The two speakers sat near that door,
with a round table between them, and
upon the table was supply Of liquor
and cigars.
The work Of preparing the palace for
the festivities OH the following night
did not come under the supervision Of
| the police, but all connected with the
palace We're interested. and these two
were the last to retire.
The speakers in that other room were
Jansky. superintendent of police, ard
Inspector Unsgethop.
1.-THE whole thing is a complete mys~
terry to me- said Unsgetlop. speaking
somewhat thickly, having drunk con-
siderable liquor. lit is mystery.
First we receive one command, then
another and we do not know what 10
do. The governor is not wont to act
thus"
You are not the first to have felt
the influence of this great mystery"
said Jansky. The governor is dis
Greet"
ooh. | said complete mystery.
would not call il a great mystery. That
would bring it to the dignity of a cele-
bratcd case"
$50 it is. 1t Is one of the most cele-
brated cases in all Russia"
"That is too much, one of the most
celebrated cases in all Russia. and they
have not been in the dungeons more
than three days. The matter could
scarcely have gone beyond TomSk."
"Nevcrthcless | spoke truly"
"Thcn there is something abont it
do not know. When | reflect, ii seems
of course that this must be the ease
Else why should we receive secret or
ders to apture-arrest if you like-ar
American and convict already punish
ed and-well see that they become lost
to the worldT
Princess Olga gave a gasp as she
heard this.
''Thcre is one thing about it," sale
Unsgethop, who was now getting drunk
enough to be Independent and indis
Greet, IF something is not done soon
shall wash my hands Of it. dom
like the looks of it. or course. on,
might kill blacksmith convict and NJ
inquiry would be- made. but that Amer
an-that is different"
Keep quiet for a few days. Hav,
you not seen that the governor has {
gues,:"
"Yes, beautiful one"
THAT is Princess Olga Of the grea
and powerful Neslerovs. She is dis
:antly related TO the governor. And
since you are Interested. | will tell you
the story rs know it,"
"On, there is story, then. though
So
"1hcre is a story. and it Is one which
the governor would not like to hav
brought INTO prominence while tn
princess Is here The elder brother o
Ncsl"rov married Alexandra, Il cousii
of Princess Olga. This was something
like tweuty-threc or twenty four year
ago. No; l think it must be twenty
five or SIX. Well, they We're we'll mated
those two. Prince Alexis was the hci
to me great estate of Graslov and hi
hereditary title, besides being Primo
Neslerov, was Duke of Graslov.
year or so after this happy marriage
son was born to this couple. lie wa
named Alexis, after his father. II
WAS fine young fellow, SO haV
heard, and grew sturdlly. When h
was year old, or perhaps two. Prime
Alexis died. Now. it so happened tha
the old Duke of GraSlov, who was Still
living, had had II quarrel with Princes
Alexandra. Her branch of the famil
was not friendly to his, and things di
not 90 right, and they quarrcled. JUS
what that had to do with the story
do not know, but am telling you villa
; everybody in Perm knew at that time
AT that time Prince Nicholas, NOV
governor of Tomsk, was fifteen year
of age and was the favorite of hi
father. 1t was commonly reported tina
7 son Inherit the title and estate rattle
than have 1t go to the son of the prin
cess. Anyway, one day, twenty year
ago, the young prince. then about tire
. years old, or perhaps less, was browne
in the Kama. AT least that Is Wha
, was said. The boy wandered ava
from his nurse and walked to til
, river Some Of his garments wcr
, found on the river bank, and it woul