Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-07-07
CHAPTER I.
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF AN AMERICAN.
~7HE senior member Of the firm
Of Townsend K Burdicl, man
- ilfn Of urnrs of Nindnnills
CHAPTER I.

Of Townsend K Burdick, man.
ufacturers Of windmills,
ESYkNl pumps and other nppurte-
nances Of that nature, was serenely
contemplating in his New York ONCE
ccive from the large sales to be made
by Harvey Irons, their hustling. en-.
ergetic representative in Russia The
last letter written by Mr. Townsend
to Mr.. Irons was to the effect that the
latter's suggestion that a market could
be had in Russia was good one and
for him to use his own Judgment
Thereafter there were no letters sent
between the senior member and the
agent, but cnhlegrnms. mostly convey
ing large orders. frequently came from
Mr.. Irons. and other cablegrams, con-
vcying money, were sent by Mr.. Town
send. Orders came from st. Peters
burg. Moscow and other cities. AS
time went on the increase of business
gave warrant for the roseate hue of
Mr.. Townsend's dreams.
While Mr.. Townsend was contem-
plating his happy future he was star.
tied at receiving the following mes
sage from Paris:
Expelled from Russia Going back an
other way. IRONS.
AS Mr.. Townsend was somewhat
hazy on the subject Of Russia and had
no information as to how Irons had
gone In on his first visit, It can easily
be imagined that Mr.. Townsend had
very little idea OF what the other way
of going back chosen by Mr.. Irons
might be.
He cabled to Harvey Irons as fol-
lows:
What do you mean? Answer at once
TOWNSEND.
He waited in vain for an answer
He became greatly perturbed and con-
ferrcd with his partner.
II tell you. Burdick," he said, "Irons
must be in trouble. can learn moth
ing. There is something left unex.
planned"
There always was" said Mr.. Bur
dick. Irons is man who acts ac-
cording to what he finds on the spot.
We can't sit in New York and tell him
what to do in Russia. II he says he Is
expelled and is going back. he is going
back. Leave him alone"
Il can do nothing else" said Mr..
Townsend. ms l do not know where
he Isl
II do. He is in Russia. Just wait.
You will get big orders from Russia
yet. Irons against the entire police
Of the empire. My confidence in him
Is SO unsuitable ] believe well, I'll
bet you a thousand dollars he turns
up all right with Russian orders"
'I'll not take tho bet. ! share your
confidence. Wen wait"
And so they waited.
Hafiz Efendi sat crosslegged on n
divan watching the passing show
Hahz Ehendi was himself part Of the
show, but this did not concern him.
IIafz was morose.
Curses upon the MuscOvitc" he
muttered as he drew long breaths from
his chibous and watched an elderly
Grusian and his daughter pass by.
1.-THE new law Is In effect and the
bride for the prince not yet obtained.
And Milk. the officer Of the nmeer, will
soon be here to ascertain the truth"
Hafiz Efrendi had not travelled all the
way from Constantinople simply to
witness the fair at Ti1is. HaHz had
made his wealth in tho business Of sup
plying wealthy Osmanlis with pretty
Circassian or Georgian girls for their
wives, and his income had been rudely
stopped by the new order Of the car.
The hated Muscovite government had
interdicted the trade in women which
had made Circussia and Georgia in
famous.
Here was the annual fair at Tifis
under full sway, and all the wealth
ana beauty OF the Caucasus were pres
ent.
Hafs ETendi shook his head, grunt-
cd another curse against the Muscovite
and then. placing his chbouk in tho
care Of Muley, the keeper Of the ba-
zaar, wandered. or. rather. wnddled,
round the gay streets of the fair Fol
some young oflicer. whose uniform, as
well as his accent, proclaimed him to
be from st. Petersburg.
"Ah." said this officer to himself as
he saw the frOwn on the face OF the
Turk. "our friend Hafiz seems indig-
nant. He eyes every pretty woman
with something like greed. III keep
my eye on him"
For Captain Sergius Orskoff was in
command OF the department Of the
service that had for its object the OBJ
liberation Of the slave trade between
the Caucasus and Persia and Turkey.
Men from all parts were ut Tihis. ex-
hibiting in the bazaars rugs and coats
VI rare woods from Persia, silks from
China, costly pipes Of every conceiva-
BILE shape and size carved by hand 10y
the men OF Trebizond, shoes from Mas
Sachusstts. knives from England-in
short. the products of the world were
spread out that those who walked
could see and perchance purchase.
Hahz Effendi turned and saw the
steely eyes Of Captain Orskoff fxed
upon him.
ut is great fair, exccllency." he
said, with his usual Turkish saluta-
ton. 1T is one that brings the world
together"
Good enough; but remember there