Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-04
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"A couse vour excellency?"
=By Ashley Towne
oopvr,oh., 1901, by Charles B. Etsr.ngton

FOR this great prOuOtlOu. liz Suiei Va
the Tomsk police will have palace. a
large income and will be second only
to myself in power. To obtain that
one must do something worthy
"Oh, If could but win that distinc-
tion"
81 think it even now within your
power"
"You have discovered something"
"Yes-a very nesting place for nj
hillsts."
Good! Give me an idea where this
place is. your excellency. There will
be no more nesting"
"Do you know a forge on the forest
road leading out Of Perm to the south?
"a forge? A horseshoeing place"
"Well, that and all ironworking. 1t
Is kept by a man named Paulpoff."
"Paulpoff, the giant who breaks horse
shoes with his thumbs and forefingers!
The simple minded son Of old Michael!
What has he to do with nihilistsT
"He is their leader" Neslerov said
quietly.
Jansky turned white, whether from
surprise or horror at the devilish plot
he scented we do not know. But he
sat there waiting. The police of Tomsk
needed q chief. The chief would have
palace and large salary.
Yes" continued Neslerov. this Paul
poff. as | accidentally discovered, Is the
leader of a band Of nihilists who meet
there in the shops. CHANGED to pass
there yesterday and overheard a bit OF
conversation between the son and the
old man. 1t seems there Is to be
meeting in a few nights"
"a meeting of nihilists in the shops
of Paulpoff"
Eyes. Now, it has long been suspect
ed that there were many nihilists al
Perm, but the police have not been able
to uncover them. Let me advise you.
Keep this to yourself-a secret between
YOU and me. We will 60 to the forge
and arrest these Paulpoffs. If we find
proof that they are nihilists. they will
20 across the border and you will be
mentioned for promotion. Then the
opportunity will come to me to speak
to the minister of justice for you. and
undoubtedly you will be given to me as
the chief Of the Tomsk police"
Jansky nodded. 1t was not for him
to ask questions now.
81 am ready" he said.
"Tben tomorrow. will make still
further Investigations in my own way,
and we shall be ready to act. We must
both 20 to Perm from here"
Jansky. not being asked to remain
longer, took his departure. And then
suddenly from his repose the prince be,
came man Of quick action. He called
from his estate four men In whom he
knew he could place the most implicit
confidence. He spent some time at his
desk writing. To each Of the four he
gave letter, unsealed. unstamped. but
addressed to each and apparently hav-
Ing been delivered by the hand of 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 Neslerov.
HE was mistaken or he has failed
he said "He would have come If there
was possibility Of success"
AS he spoke the princes horse gal
loped to the door.
Good! Then success Is possible!
said Jansky. grasping the hand OF bis
noble benefactor.
Possible! 1t is certain. Come with
me-"
Jansky's horse was soon by the side
of the steed ridden by the prince.
II made it my business to ride past
the shops of Paulpoff," said the prince
81 met there, just leaving, a man who
was, to say the least, discreditable IL
appearance. 1 spoke to him, and he
was frightened. l saw him crumple O
paper In his hand. snatched 1t from
him. It was message addressed tc
Number Five Of some mysterious cir
Gle, calling upon the person bearing
that name to come to the shops at
certain hour tonight. We shall be IN
time. Let us ride"
1t had so CHANGED that number OF
accidents to horses had taken place
that day on the forest road. Wher
the inspector of police and Neslerov ar
rived, four men were within the shop
their horses standing outside, and al
were apparently in the greatest eager
ness to have their horses shod. Papa
Paulpoff was visibly disturbed by this
sudden influx of the horseshoelng busi
ness, but the giant Vladimir, who new
er refused request If he could help
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 botf
leaped from their horses.
"Seize the old man and the son." sale
Nesleroy. 81 will search these fel
lows"
Poor old Papa Paulpoff turned white
and sank in horror to the ground, sus
pecting what was coming, but Vladi
mir, In whose innocent mind there was
no suspicion, stood gaping at the new
comers.
1T is the prince" he exclaimed
"What have these poor men done. youl
excellency?
| Neslerov did not answer him. HI
turned to the nearest Of the four, wres
tied with him short time, while th'
others showed evidences Of terror, ant
then pulled from his pocket letter.
"Seew he cried, waving 1t in the all
and then showing 1t to the inspector
"It is q message to Number Three!
We have here the five constituting th'
circle"
"Let me read" said the inspector
while Vladimir still looked on uncon
scious of the tragedy that was beinl
played with himself as its center.
The letter simply commanded NUN
ber Three" to attend meeting of tn
circle at the shops at that hour.
The name of Vladimir Paulpoh wa
signed.