The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-22
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

appeal TO you in vain, said the stranger III
cloak did not board the train, you say, or
approach this carriage? All, well, lhen
owe you as many thanks for the intention
as l should have rendered for the actual
service"
lone of Laura's quixotic escapades,
though on this occasion l think mas
on whom the title Princess" had made an
impression.
1T was like this" interrupted Laura
The princess came to the door. and, art. art,
er introducing herself, begged US TO take
her in, as she being logged by spy
of the Russian police. Just think of 1t! For
no no. earthly reason but that she left st
petersburg in hurry TO visit Nj. worth
in Paris! Ii is really too abomina-
Bile. and If L catch any OF those Third
Section sneaks prowling about Blairgeldle
when the Tsar is at Balmoral ii put our
gilles on to them" And turning TO her
protege, Laura translated her threat into
French. evoking thereby fresh need OF
thanks and a whole battery of smiles, some
Of which overflowed and took in Fortescue.
IF she wants to fascinate me, she may
as well think that she is succeeding, that
rising diplomatist told himself, as he began
10 JOIN in the general conversation that
ensued upon the tyrannies of the Russian
police system. Too well schooled 10 be
astonished for long at this chance meeting,
he was thinking hard how best TO take adj
vantage of It. and he was glad indeed that
lima Nassili had not confided the name or
her rival to Laura. Small scope would
IA
| hancee knew that the dainty figure in the
costly furs was the cause of DubrowskI
undoing.
Naturally the talk ran for while on the
Isars tour, more especially on what the
English travellers had seen of il at Bres-
lau, and Fortescue was a little afraid at
first of some indiscretion on Lauras part.
And, though she abstained-with what by
an occasional solemn wink at him she evil
IDENTIFY thought was most pralseWorthy
caution-from trenching on dangerous
q a he q =
ne could. The princess, who had SHOWN
no particular interest in the journeyings or
her sovereign, seemed much more eager TO
discuss French arts and artists, and was
sparkling, caustic and coquettish by turns.
So far. in all probability, she had a genuine
gratitude and real desire 10 please the
English party who had befriended her.
And all the time, while chatting gaily,
ForteScue waS thinking, thinking, till, with
| his mind made up, he commenced his cam
paign. There was a break in the CONVEX
sation as the train ratified through the sta
| ton of st. Just, and Laura, who had quite
| appreciated his motive in avoiding Breslau
| topics, was never more surprised in her lie
| than when he harked back TO the pageants
| In the Silesian capital. But a still greater
shock was in store for her.
| 1.-The German visit would go down to his
| tory as complete success, but for one re-
grettable discovery, which rumor couples
| with IT. he said at length.
| Yes? And that was-?" murmured the
/ princess sweetly.
THAT an officer of the Imperial staff was
| suspected of giving information and as
| slstance TO Nihfllst conspirators, was the
reply which called into play all Laura's
superb faith in her lover to keep her from
| shouting at him. AS il was, she tried &c
| touch his foot with hers; but, avoiding hel
| eye, Fortescue continued TO address the
| princess, who was regarding him fiXedly
1T was only rumor. so far as / could
| ascertain, he went on, but there's usually
| fire OF some sort at the bottom of such
| ugly smoke as that
| There n hf
noticed that the princess was tapping the
floor of the carriage with her boot-heel
Beyond that she yielded no sign of beine
moved, and when she spoke again it was il
| her singularly even tones.
| Il am acquainted with several officers Of
the staff What was the suspects name?'
| she asked.
"Ah, of that 1 cannot inform you" re
piled Fortescue. His name has not we
| been given to the public"
Laura breathed freely again.
THAT was a diplomatists answer" sh'
thought. Spencer must be playing gam'
when he takes the trouble to wrap up a liz
in truth like that.
And does the rumor include the Officerl
arrest?' pursued the princess. her man
ner betokening that she was already weary
ing Of the subject.
Il heard nothing of an arrest and afte
all the whole thing may be only the idl
gossip of the hotel lObbies, Fortescu'
replied, leaving Laura more mystified thai
ever, and the princess completely apathetic
watching the fleeing landscape. and thel
engaged Lady Metcalf in discussion o
the cuisine at the Grand which tastes
till a glimpse of Boves station presaget
that they were within a quarter of al
/ hour of Amiens
Then she leaned back in her seat, an,
producing sheet of note paper from tn
inner pocket of her fur pelisse. begal
to write slowly and thoughtfully upon i
with a miniature gold pencil-case. By tn
time she had finished. the express wa
81 inn .lx-
Amiens, and she looked across at Fortes
cue. who. with frivolous talk. was second
ing Laura gallant efforts 10 appear uncon
| cerned. The attaches supreme hope wa
that the princess was taking them for
party of thick-headed tourists, and the re
quest that she had to prefer treasured hir
You have been so kind to me, yo
dear English, that am assured that / ma
ask of YOU small favor monsieur" sh
said. Here / have written "A Telegram
| which / desire to dispatch TO a bushes
correspondent at Copenhagen. Would yo
be so good to send il off for me froI
the Office at Amiens station? That wretche
| mouchard at Paris has made me nervou
He might have boarded the train at the las
moment"
Fortescue assented with the utmost polite
| ness, ana she handed him the paper, wit
"a sufficient sum to pay the charges. A
soon as the train stopped he alighted, bu
she called him back.
you know Russian MONSIEUR" she saiC
"Ah then | should explain she proceede
| in reply to his negative. Il have write
the address in French, but in case the
ask you, the body of the telegram is
Russian. That is all, monsieur-au revoi
quickly"
Not till he was in the office and out
sight of the train did he show any interes
in the draft of the telegram, but then hi
first glance at it evoked low whistle.
ITO know Russian is rather a larg
order, and spoke with perfect truth whe
. / denied the soft impeachment" he mu
tered But l know enough about it
know that this is not Russian at all
The address was "a. NJ. Serjov. Post
Restante, Copenhagen" but the body
the telegram bore no resemblance TO an
t European language and it required bl
, little insight OH FOrtescue's part to perceiN
that il a cipher. II was quite shor
! and as there was twenty minutes wait
! Amiens he had plenty OF time TO copy III
original on 10 a form, instead of handin
, | il To the clerk, with tip for making IL
transcript as he had intended.
, Il wonder what felony | am abetting
he thought, he placed the original
, his pocketbook after handing in the forr
| Il could hardly have withheld IT, thougl
That would have scared the birds befol
, | VOlborth has had time 10 lime the twig
On his returning 10 the compartment Il
princess expressed her gratitude cou
| teously, but as one who has the right
command favors, and straightway dismisse
| the incident TO resume her cOnversauC
| with Laura. This had drifted 10 dissert'
| ton by the heiress of Blairgeldie on Il
| proper way TO conduct a grouse drive
e | subject in which the princess showed q
| interest altogether unaccOuntable. till 81
| explained that she was eager to know no
her beloved sovereign the Tsar would
amusing himself in Scotland
Q | "Oh. Wei, You muslin [ take my descri
, ton as applying to a swell like him." Laul
4 H. l.