Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-21

ENDED IN SMOKE.

xtremely hard nut to crack. Setting
nut Immediately for London was one
4 tie most astute Of Russian politi-
al suspects. This man was 90 keen
Icented that whenever he or his BE-
ongings had been overhauled BY the
,olice at st. Petersburg the officials
lad always been met by bland but
ynlcal smile, and had found nothing
But In spite Of his mild protest. the
,oNte shrug Of his shoulders and slight
fitting Of bis eyebrows. there was BE-
lind his exterior a master mind that
directed the organization Of the whole
evolutionary movement Of modern
Russia.
This man tonight was leaving Paris
sos London, and was known to be
on his person the key to .
most complicated cipher to be used BY
,ecret societies corresponding between
London and st. Petersburg. Once 10
thanks to perfdlous Albion,
the harborer Of all criminals and poiit.
cal refugees. no hand could touch him
without a long and fumbllng legal pro-
cess not at all in accord with the plans
Of the Russian police, who wanted sur
er and swifter measures adopted.
Just after the Tranco-Russian entcn'
tie the Paris police bureau was the
more anxious to cover itself with glory
in the eyes of the Russian secret de-
partment. 1t was to be a fight f0r
life. The man had taken all the pre-
cautions in his power, and the police
had to make their plans accordingly.
The little journey of the man on this
one night had the honor of having a
special map of the route drawn by the
police officials. But dotted in red on
the familiar route from Paris to Ca
lajs were certain marks which meant
a great deal to the police who read
them The end of all this was 10
discover where the man who was trav-
cling had hidden his secret document
and to fitch 1t from him.
At the Care du Nord a police officer
attired as railway porter, in assist
Ing the traveller with his portmanteau'
substituted another similar In appear
ance. A second spy, at a given signal
was to snatch from him his gold
headed cane. Perhaps he carried the
cipher sewn In the lining of his hat;
the police must see to 1t. A party OF
card sharpers were to travel with MIN
rs far as Rouen, and during a precon'
certed struggle his hat was to be
Knocked out Of the window. From
I,ouen to Calais two more police spies
male and female, were to travel wit!
him.
There was as much attention paid II
thls one man travelling between Paris
and Calais as II he had been the c2nl
of Russia travelling incognlto II
France. And the man knew 1t. But
brave man though he was, he saw tina
the French authorities meant to stol
at nothing to gain their ends H'
carried his life in his hands. Surel,
they would not rob him Of that. \
dead man can tell no tales, and HI
laughed to think how securely his SO
crct was hidden.
The cipher that was worth half
million roubles to the Russian govern
ment was written with invisible Ink
and was contained on a piece of TISSUE
paper some four inches by two inches
SQUARE Fifty times during the Jour
ney had the police spies, but the!
knew 1t not, set eyes on the docu
ment.
Hardly had he alighted at Calai
when a laborer carrying a plank o.
timber, narrowly missed by a few
inches striking Vt against his head
He grew white as he thought OF thing
he knew Of the methods of the Frencl
police. But he set his teeth, and l
there was one man In Europe VIII
could carry his mission through It wa
this man.
A blind man coming along the stree
led by a boy, suddenly struck him
blow between the eyes. The assault
Nas so sudden that for a moment b
Sas stunned. On recovering a crow
sad quickly gathered. The blind ma
seas bleeding from the mouth, and
dozen witnesses cried aloud that h
had tried to strike down the wretche
bsggar. The beggar himself cried OF
most loudly Of all. A couple Of gene
armes marched him of with the bel
gar, the cloud Of witnesses followln
In their train.
In the police Office he regained h
composure. He smiled when the of
Ger In charge read over to him ii
accusation OF the beggar, To do tn
officer Justice he treated the accuse
with marked respect. They met Q
common ground. 1t was duel Of q
compllshed fencers.
"A chapter Of accidents, NJ. lie d
recteur," laughed the prisoner.
"A busy life, monsieur, has Its da
GERS" returned the other.
The messengers passport was in Q
~ ..,hu,ittad biu,ca1f IN