Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-18
CHAPTER Y.

JANSKY, SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.
"a 0ESLEROv lay in his palace in
AAS Tomsk. slowly recovering.
4 His heart was filed with rage.
and he longed for vengeance.
His closest coaadant now was Jan.
sky. who. owing to his meritorious
conduct in the apprehension of 50 great
gang of conspirators as the Paul
poffs. was promoted at the request Of
Neslerov to Il post where he could as
sist his superior in his plans and ambi'
tions.
He had told Jansky the story Of the
ride from Moscow, and it was Of course
colored to suit his purpose. Jansky had
received his commission-the first i'm.
portant one since his arrival at Tomsk
to watch the American and find an
opportunity to wreak vengeance.
About twenty miles from the city Of
Tomsk was the village Of Tivoloffsky, a
small mining town peopled by convicts.
To this town the Paulpoffs had been
sent. Vladimir was useful in the
mines. With his tremendous strength
he could do the work Of two. and in his
simple obedience 10 the mandates Of
his superiors he never uttered a COM
plaint The old people did menial work,
cooking for the convicts who had no
families or cleaning in the houses Of
the officers.
This new life came hardest upon the
old people, and it was their sufferings
that made Vladimir curse under his
breath.
One day Jansky entered the room
where Neslerov sat or half reclined.
"Well, what is it? see you have
something TO say" said Neslerov.
Il have. your excellency," replied the
superintendent of police. ut concerns
him-your enemy"
"The American"
"Yes. | have obeyed your commands
he has been constantly watched. And
at last we are in position TO strike"
Neslerov sat up straight.
w udl. 1ell llc " OuSc.
1T Is not yet revealed what the mans
object Is, but he and the Paulpoffs are
plotting again"
"The Paulpoffs"
"They and the American. He has
visited them twice. 1t was o.erhearc
that he and Papa Paulpoff had lona
conversation about picture
Neslerov glanced at a 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, II know what the
object is If you do not. Listen care.
fully now to what l say. 1t is quite
possible the American has discovered
the existence of the original Of that
picture you see there. 1t is small
medallion, probably in a locket. II
was lost some years ago by member
of my family and bears relation to
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.
stand?"
81 understand nothing"
"That picture, IL 1t is the one I mean,
must be brought to me. The Ameri'
can, If he proves to be interested in II,
must know or suspect something | dc
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
ter even here. He ought to be placed
where he can do no more mischief
~ begin to understand" said Jansky
grimly.
He 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
pof1 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 short time be-
fore. Mamma Paulpoff 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; was at
PERM" faltered the trembling old wo-
nan.
II am quite we'll aware that you
were at Perm, old woman, and also
that conspiring son Of yours. 1t show
ed the mercy Of the czar that you re.
ceived no worse punishment. This Ia
heaven compared to what you de-
served"
1--WE had done nothing, your excel.
lency."
What! You still persist in that lie!
You were all in the game, and you are
still at 1t, let me tell you."
ut is not sow walled the old woman.
having visions of horrible punishments
Of which she had heard.
"Don't tell me-" said Jansky, bran
dishing a whip he carried. The other
two did the same, but their whips were
heavier.
The old woman crouched against the
wall.
Don't lie to me again." thundered
Jansky. "I have been watching you
every day since you came to this place
say you are still conspiring."
"It is not so! l swear it in the name
of God!' cried Mamma Paulpoff.
Pains in the Back
Are symptoms OF weak, torpid or
.x,o~,nk condition of tba ki1ppyS Or