Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-05
ing been delivered by the hand of a p

ing been delivered by the hand of q pri-
vate messenger.
go with me. do what bid you. and
you will have gold rubles for years
pleasure" he said
Inspector Jansky happy and yet agi-
tated at the result of the conference
with the prince, sat in his office In
Perm on the following afternoon. 1t
was growing late. and he had looked
hours for Prince Ncslerov
HE was mistaken or he has failed"
he said. HE would have come If there
was a possibility of success"
AS he spoke the princes horse gall
Hoped to the door.
Good! Then success is possiblew
said Jansky. graspng the hand of his
noble benefactor.
Possible! 1t is certain Come with
me-"
Jansky's horse was soon By the side
IF the steed ridden by thn pgince.
II made it my business to ride past
the shops OF Paulpoft," said the prince
II met there, just leaving. n man who
was, to say the least. discreditable in
appearance. spoke to him, and he
was frightened. saw him crumple a
paper in his hand. l snatched it from
him. 1t was a message addressed to
Number Five of some mysterious cir
Gle, calling upon the person bearing
that name to come to the shops at q
certain hour tonight. We shall be in
time. Let lis ride"
1t had so Glanced that number of
accidents to III had taken place
that day on the forest road. When
the inspector of police and Neslerov ar
rived, four men were within the shop,
their horses standing outside, and all
were apparently in the greatest eager.
ness to have their horses shod. Papa
Paulpoff was visibly disturbed by this
sudden Influx of the horscshoeng busi-
ness, but the giant Vladimir, who new
err refused request if he could help a
human being, was beginning to make
the shoes. The men did not apparently
know one another, and each growled
continually at the others for being
there.
Neslerov, upon arriving at the shop,
whispered to the inspector, and both
leaped from their horses.
Seize the old man and the son." said
Neslerov. 81 will search these fell
lows"
Poor old Papa Paulpoff turned white
and sank in horror to the ground, sus-
pccting what was coming, but yladi-
mir, in whose innocent mind there was
no suspicion, stood gaping at the new
corners.
at is the prince!" he exclaimed
"What have these poor men done, your
eXcellency?'
Neslerov did not answer him. He
turned to the nearest of the four, wres-
tied with him short time, while the
others showed evidences of terror and
then pulled from his pocket letter.
"See!" he cried, waving it in the air
and then showing it to the inspector.
ut Is Il message to Number Three!
We have here the five constituting the
circle"
LET me read" said the inspector,
while Vladimir still looked on uncon-
scious of the tragedy that was being
played with himself as its center
The letter simply commanded "Num-
Der Three" to attend meeting of the
circle Mt the shops at that hour
The name of Vladimir Paulpoff was
signed.
1T is enoughw cried Jansky. Paul
poff, 1 make you my prisoner in the
name of the carp
1 The young ironworker could, had he
exerted his strength, have thrust the
entire shameless crew from the place
and crashed their skulls together But
even now he did not realize the enor.
nifty of the thing with which lie was
charged.
ATTEND, Paulpoffs" commanded jan
sky, while the prince went through the
pockets of the other three of the circle.
ooh, have mercy" cried Papa Paul
poff, falling upon his knees and clasp
Ing the legs of the prince. I'VE are in
nocent, l swear 1t! Some enemy has
done this thing! The name is not in
the writing of my son, | am certain!
Oh, let me see the letters"
Neslerov made movement as If to
hand the letters to the old man when