Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-16

well, what is It? I see you have
something to say" said Eeslerov.
II have, your excellency," replied the
superintendent Of police. ut concerns
him-your enemy"
"The Americana
eyes. have obeyed your commands
he has been constantly watched. And
at last we are in a position to strike"
Neslerov sat up straight.
What? Tell me at once"
at is not yet revealed what the mans
object is, but he and the Paulpoffs are
plotting again"
"Ihe PaulpofsT"
"They and the American. He has
visited them twice. 1t was overheard
that he and Papa PaulpofY had long
conversation about a picture"
Ncslerov glanced at painting that
hung on the wall. 1t was the painting
he had taken from the Paulpoffs house
at Perm.
What can he know about the pic
ture:' asked the governor.
81 do not know. That is, as I said.
not yet revealed"
"Jansky," he said, 81 know what the
object is if you do not. Listen care
fully now 10 what l say. 1t is quite
possible the American has discovered
the existence of the original Of that
picture you see there. 1t is a small
medallion, probably in a locket. 1t
was lost some years ago by a member
of my family and bears relation to a
great mystery-the mystery of Gras-
low"
Jansky shut his eyes and seemed to
be thinking.
"Jansky, your life and mine depend
on your action now. Do you under
standt"
Il understand nothing"
"That picture, if it is the one I mean,
must be brought to me. The Ameri-
can if he proves to be interested in it.,
must know or suspect something | do
not wish him to know. There are ways
whereby even an American could dis
appear in Siberia. And, Jansky, Vladi-
mir Paulpoff is most dangerous plot
W N'NI MY. llt OuSll W w HIdC'u
where he can do no more mischief"
II begin to understand" said Jansky
grimly.
lie bowed and left the palace and
rode toward Tivoloffsky
Two days passed, during which jan
sky watched and kept himself in readi-
ness to act. Then, while Mamma Paul
pof was alone in her hut. she heard an
Imperative knocking at the door. Papa
Paulpoff and Vladimir had Just gone
to the mine. Denton, the American
had left the hut but a. short time oe
fore. Mamma Paulpof had been
through so much trouble Of late that
the slightest sound Jared upon her
She turned whittier still and stepped
backward as she saw the dark and
forbidding face of Jansky. Behind
Jansky were two Of the Tomsk po-
lice.
You are Mamma Paulpoff." said
Jansky, slipping his foot in the door
and working his way inside.
II am; you know me; I was at
PERM" faltered the trembling old wo-
nan.
Il am quite well aware that you
were at Perm, old woman, and also
that consprng son of yours. 1t show
ed the mercy of the car that you re-
ceived no worse punishment. This is
heaven compared to what you de-
served"
I'VE had done nothing, your excel
lency."
What! You still persist in That lie!
You were all in the same, and lou are
still at it. let me tell ySu."
at is not SOL walled the old woman,
having visions Of horrible punishments
Of which she had heard.
Don't tell me-" said Jansky, Bran
d'sning whip he carried. The other
two did the same but their whips were
heavier.
The old woman erouched against the
wall.
Don't lie 10 me again." Numbered
Jansky. Il have been watching you
every day since you came to this place
| say you are still conspirng"
1T is not so. swear it in the name
Of God" cried Mamma Paulpon.
Let me tell you. it will be worse for
you II you do not tell the truth. You
arc receiving a visitor who is suspect
ed"
IA visitor. know no one" gasp
ed Mamma Paulpoff.
ooh. do you not? But you were here
when he came. Did he come TO see you
your husband or your SOM
"Nho-Of whom do you speak?" ask
ed the frightened old woman.
"Of whom would | speak save that
accurscd American? He has twice
made attempts upon the life of the gov.
ernor of Tomsk. Yet the governor in
the kindness Of his heart has not mo-
Tested him. But he was warned II a
third attempt was made it would go
hard with him"
"Ah, it is impossible! He is so good
so kind
Good and kind. Ell? In what man
ner does he display it?'
"Oh, he came-he came
The old woman stumbled and houn'
dered 1t had been borne in upon her
understanding by Papa Paulpon that
on no account must she breathe word
to any person concerning the visit OF
which Jansky spoke.
Come, out with it, stormed Jansky.
ale came-I do not know why he
came" murmured the old woman in de-