The Washington times., 1903-02-01
CHAPTER VI.
By Order of the Gar.

By Order of the Gar
After Paul Dagmar, alias Serge Mas
Ion, left the apartments OF his brother
on the eventfuI morning of the 10th Of
April, Captain Dagmar donned his Cos
sack uniform. and then. forbidding his
servant Sasha to disturb him, he locked
his door, and paced up and down the
room, stopping only at intervals TO take
a fresh cigarette from the silver case
and light it. Every football on the floor
beneath caused him to start and turn
uneasily toward the door He should
have gone that morning 10 report to
Colonel Jsroslav, but be was unable TO
summon sufficient courage to do so.
After the breach Of honor Just cont
mitted he hesitated TO enter the pres
ence Of his superior officer. Not until
the dawn Of another day could he feel
at ease, and even then he knew that the
sting Of conscience would remain. He
regretted having yielded so readily 70
the demands of his brother. and yet min
gied with his remorse was q certain
lightness OF heart that it was ali over
at iast-that the necessity for playing
double part was ended. Paul would
escape. and absence would soon dim the
memory Of his notorious deeds. The
closet skeleton of the Dagmar family
would never stalk forth to horrify St
Petersburg society.
yes, the sacridce-even Of honor
was we'll worth the end" he reflected,
and presently he became more com
posed and went out to dine at cafe
nearby on the Nevskoi Prospekt.
He returned at 3 O'Clock with the sat
isfed feeling OF one who has dined well.
and tried, with the aid OF a good cigar,
to become absorbed in a new novel.
The book proved Interestingly was the
work of a noted French fictionist-and
Captain Andre was soon held captive
by 1t beyond his hopes He did not
hear the sound of wheels that stopped
before the house shortly after 3 clock
He heard nothing. in fact. until tramp
ling noise rang through the hall. and
then he sprang to his feet, dropping
book an cigar
The door was flung open without cere-
mony, and tall, bearded man in the
uniform Of police entered. Behind him
were three other men in plain clothes
and in. the background Sasha was Wis
ibIe, his face white with dread
After the first terrible shock of sur
prise Captain Andre faced the intruders
with a proud, calm bearing Only the
pallor Of his cheek betrayed the agony
IN his heart.
What do you want, Grodekof?" he
demanded, almost ferceIy.
He knew the man well. Many time
he had given him orders for the arrest
OF various persons. Now the tables were
reversed.
i am sorry to say that I want you
replied Ggodekoff, whose huttering voice
showed how painful was his mission.
Perhaps you know why It is a very
unpleasant affair, but I an confident
that you will be axle to explain all. It
is not that am responsible for your ar
rest. I am acting under higher orders
Explain yourself, GrodekoH," said
Andre impatiently His surprise was
not feigned. He was at q loss to divine
what had happened. HAS Paul betrayed
me?" he wondered
Inspector JaTosIav was murderousIy
assaulted at an early hour this morn
ing" replied Grodekoff slowly. The as
sassin gained admittance by a stamped
order, and after committing the deed he
escaped by the private exit The in
spector had given orders that he should
not be disturbed, and no one ventured
to enter the apartment until half an
hour ago. Colonel JarosIav was found
lying back Of his chair with a fractured
skull. The assassin had been gone for
hours. Tho inspectors recovery IS al
most hopeless"
Grndekon paused and Looked at Andre.
The latter was standing in the same at
titude. His teeth were clinched and the
veins on his forehead stood out like
whiacords.
Go on" ne mutterCt hoarseIy.
a charred paper was found on the
floor" resumed Grodekoff, keeping his
eyes fixed keenIy on Andre. 1T had
evidently blown of the fire. The writing
on the paper was IegibIe. It was an or
der for a passport in the name Of Mich
olas Pashua. II was dated this morning
and bore your sigma ture.
Again Grodelson paused and looked at
Captain Dagmar inquiringly
Go on said Andre, not moving a
muscle.
Nicholas Pashua will be arrested"
continued GTodekon, IF, as is believed to