The Washington times., 1903-02-01
CHAPTER Y.
A Lost Identity.

A Lost Identity.
Serge Masloff's lucky star was surely
in the ascendant that night In the fall
that followed his assault on Donald the
latter struck the back of his head on
the stone parapet Of the bridge and roll
/ ed over to the ground without sound or
motion.
A CLEAN of satisfaction shone in Mas
lofts eyes He hastily produced a small
vial and bent over his victim. who al
ready showed signs of returning con-
seriousness. for the blow had been a
very slight one.
Maslon opened the viaI-which at once
diffused a strong odor of chIoroform-
and saturating handkerchief with part
Of the contents. he pressed it against
DonaId's nose and held 1t there until
it had thoroughly done its Supplying
work.
A hasty glance showed MasIoT that the
coast was clear, and without hesitation
he stripped of his own wet clothes. and
then with skiIIfuI hands ne Invested Don
aid Of his neat suit of English tweed. A
moment or two later the clever trans
formation was effected. MasIoff stood in
the garments of his victim, and Donald
was arrayed in the Russians weII-worn
suit and light gray cloak.
This last task proved very difficult
for it is no easy matter to put soaking
wet clothes or an unconscious man-but
MasIof finally completed it and surveyed
his work with satisfaction. Both men
were of the same size and build, and the
attire Of each fitted the other perfectly.
The contents of the pockets remained IN
changed with the exception Of MasIon's
purse, which he placed on his own per
son He had in addition DonaIds watch
and chain, and a packet containing banI,
notes. letters Of credit. and, what was Of
more value than all, the Iatter's pass
port
Maslon next examined his victim s
Ieathern travelling bag. which held only
clothes, toilet articles, and a bunch Of
letters and papers.
Then, after applying the chloroformed
handkerchief a second time. he lifted
Donald in his strong arms and placed
him inside the carriage in an upright
position. He closed the door and picked
up the travelling bag.
safe for the present" he said aloud
as he glanced up and down the street
And new for a temporary hiding place
No train leaves for Berlin until 8 o'clock
in the morning II things turn out as /
think they viii I can safely take that
train. It is even possible that I can
venture back to St Petersburg. This has
been a strange nights adventure. To
think that I should meet that man here
and that he should be the means Of
my escape. It IS wonderful. and it VIII
he more marvellous still If he fails to
prove his identity and suffers in my
place. That is hardly possible-and yet
stranger things have happened. Wen. it
viii be so much the better for me"
/ with a glance at the carriage and q
quick scrutiny Of the long, gloomy
/ street. Serge Maslon hurried away in the
direction of the town, and was soon out
of sight,
Barely five minutes later the driver
returned. leading the runaway horse,
which he had succeeded In catching. At
/ first he believed that his passenger had
/ become tired Of waiting and had gone
away, but when he peeped through the
/ carriage door he saw Donald leaning
back on the seat. He called several
times, but received no response,
The poor fellow has gone to sleep. -
he muttered- And little wonder at It.
It's taking me long time to find the
Hotel Moscow-thanks to Ivan Padros-
ky's bad vodka-but I'll soon be there
now"