The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-15

gentleman going to Riga he said Russian;
Passport" growled policeman.
1T has already been vsed" said the steward, and
from his pocket he produced tenrouble
note. "The gentleman does not to be bothered
The PASSPORTS in his trunk have seen to it,
Good" said the policeman. and he raised his right
hand to his at the salute the door slammed to-
the heavy footsteps Gregory
again.
An hour later the soft tapping of the at his
side the faint tremor which thru whole fabric
of the vessel, told him that the steamer
started She had left ST. Peersburg Gregory did
leave behind him his anxieties The steward came with
his usual extraordinary query: "You better, sr?'
and this time he right in and closed the door behind
him.
'You better, Mr. Gregory"
"Alexiff," corrected Gregory.
eff you like, Mr. Alexiff. That was with
the policeman"
Gregory groaned inwardly.
"My price, said the steward, 'Hs hundred pounds,
or-Helsingfors is Russian, remember"
The wretched Englishman too unnerved to
posulate, to demur. pulled his pocketbook
and handed over hundred pound note
"Now, co. said, rose, smirked and
bowed, and slammed the after him.
How the time passed till the steamer touched at Hell
sngfors Gregory hardly knew At night he ventured
on deck wrapped in shuba, feeling that every sailor
looked upon him with eyes suspicion fearing every
thing except the possible At Hesingfors remained
practically under lock and The with
the police took place there The steward into his
when the vessel had left the port.
"rhat was near touch with the police. Mr. Gregory
hundred pounds and Gregory did not dare expostu
late. e.
II time Riga was reached and there came
board, other passengers, Michael Alexif himself,
fresh, buoyant, and without wrinkle of his
face. He did attempt seek Gregory and not
until rung strangers
did he venture the cabin where knew the
ion of his scheme lay
"In few minutes" said, "the passports will be
brought back then you will be happy man again.
He left the cabin hurriedy Greg
pulled his coat and followed tall policeman
bore his large book, pass
ports of the passengers. dull voice,
called them out and handed the the precious
slips of paper in strict rotation There the
of John Gregory, and Aexin stepped
one was there before him. 1t the steward.
"Gospodin Gregory said he, Russian, will
his passport"
Alexn pale eyes dilated, his breath
in hard gasp; otherwise he not move
muscle. The steward took the passport and turning
walked quickly to where John Gregory stood.
II have your passport sir" he said; "see here!"
He handed it to the bewldered Gregory clutched
at it with trembling hands. Then something happened
which took him by He from the vicinity of
companion-way silently Alexiff
PASSPORT" said one of them to him; but Alexf was
dumb.
"Pashport!" growed the man again. -.
Alex opened his dry mouth and tried to speak, but
not before throw open
coat and under coat he saw white jacket
silver buttons of chnovn. He made leap from him
conpanion-way, lodged it,
the side the ship He coil Of
the buwarks and plunged headong into the river
There uproar confusion. The three sprang
the side of the ship and three shots almost
simultaneously boat pulled out from the and
rowed rapidly o spot. were policemen
boat with revolvers, with eyes searching in
direction Gregory stood trembling by the
the steward.
"come" he said; "you too i'll
eold'
Mechanically Gregory followed the steward down into
the cabin
s"That a thing with the policemen" said
steward. "My price is hundred pounds. You have
been very foolish, Mr. Gregory
you mean?" asked Gregory, sulleny.
pity you read Russian" said the steward.
pity you been i'll, could
could heard Of what took place on the Nicoaief
railway ago-dynamite the inepif! pouf!
imperial train blow to atoms. But the i'm
peral couple the imperial train, and
so your friend, Aexff, had made mistake am glad
you got your passport back Mr. Gregory. Keep when
you get England. Have it framed and then
can upon but don't to Russia with that
again. whatever you do, and by all means do not
either as John Gregory Michael AIexiff.'
Chambered Nautilus
Alright compartment ships suggested by
nation shell of this animal
several into which air be