The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-13
By Hairs Breadth; a
Thrilling Tale of Adventure
CONTINUED from Page l Part -

the house was only one of several lars nc
kept in different parts of the city Tor the
purpose OF changing his DISCUSSES when on
his way 10 or from the bureau. When ne
came out IL was by back exit leading INTO
another alley behind, and now II was In ths
garb of petty shopkeeper that he retraced
his way 10 more aristocratic regions 80
much store did he set on preserving the Sc
eret of his connection with oftcialdom that
he always took the precaution OF double
change before approaching the bureau.
His own residence, where he lived openly
the life OF Paul Nolhorth-man or birtn,
the Michael Strasse and even here he
went through the pantomime OF ringing the
bell and parleying with the conndentlal
opened 10 him. Had watchful eyes been on
the m&ster of the house they would have
seen nothing but shabby tradesman APP
plying for an admission that was tardiIy
granted.
Once inside, volborth FASTENED TO his
dressing room and set about metamorphos-
ing himself into his own proper person pre-,
paratory TO the last look round suggested
by the chief of the Third SECTION. While
downing the clothes of Russian gentle
man, he busted his brain with mapping out
the few hours al his disposal.
Yes" he thought, as he surveyed MINI
self in the glass, 1.-The fair Palitzin must
have visit, if some seemingly more i'm
portant ones are left unpaid. L am due 10
offer her my respects socially, even were
there no other reason. BAH is isn't a rea-
son, and yeti don't know. There is ssme-
thing vague and shadowy about that wom-
an-an atmosphere, shall call tg-that
stimulates my instincts. and my instincts
have yielded reasons before now. Tarasch,
he added aloud to the grave man servant
who was aiding his change of attire. did
you take that note 10 Captain Dubrowski
of the Imperial Guard?"
Il did, monsieur, and the captain begged
you 10 excuse him, was the reply. re was
too pressed to write a note being up TO the
eyes in preparations for his departure with
their Majesties tomorrow. He desired me
TO say that he was engaged to dine at the
Princess Olga Paltzin's tonight"
To ascertain that, my Tarasch, was the
object of my invitation TO him. said Vol
berth to himself He trusted this man i'm i'm,
that not till an hour before he started
would he confide the fact of his own APP
preaching departure.
He placed a sprig OF gardenia in his but
ton-hole, fiicked speck of dust from the
silken lapel of his frock coat and. taking
his hat and cane from Tarasch, descended
into the street. No one would have dreamed
that the wel-groomed Russian gentleman
of the modern -'Frenchfied" type was the
most trusted agent of the secret police,
starting on the first stage of the most ter
rible responsibility ever confided TO man.
In age, perhaps, nearing forty, clean-shav-
en-, save for a carefully-trimmed mustache,
and with face showing, TO marked de-
gree, when in repose, the impressive cold
ness of his race he would never have been
credited with his most deadly attributes
an alertness that never slumbered, a swift
disregard for feeling that never spared.
In word, Paul Volborth's success had
hitherton been due to devotion TO duties
for which, by temperament and choice he
was pre-eminently fitted Had he loved his
work less, he would still have done his
work well from sheer ability; welded 10 IL
he was, he became the most potent fac
tor in the councils of the Nihilists, who had
to make allowance in all their schemes for
an unseen force that seemed ever in their
mdst-penetrating their secret souls and
yet utterly untraceable.
To such a man the sensation OF being 'all
at sea-" and that at such crisis as the
on his knowing the set OF every undercur-
rent, came as a bracing nerve tonic. While
dressing, he had rapidly surveyed the rev.
dictionary combinations in the capital, and
he had decided not TO fritter away his few
/ hours in fishing waters already well ex-
plored. Rather would he act on the theory
which he had impaired to Granovitch, and
try for a thread to the new grouping
listed
Take me to the house of the Princess
PalitZin,' was the instruction he gave to
the droschki driver, who drew up in re-
Spouse to his hail.
A few minutes later he was mounting the
staircase of splendid mansion on the
Great Morskaia, escorted by two Swiss
lackeys in the canary and red Palitzin liv-
cries Arrived on the first landing, he was
conducted some way down corridor hung
with priceless art gems to a curtained door
which the senior servant flung wide, at the
same time announcing the visitor.
All Monsieur Volborth. truant and man
of bad faith. So at last. after many days.
you deign to visit poor me?" was the play
full greeting accorded TO him by lady who
came forward with outstretched hand.
only five days, princess, said Volborth,
raising the hand TO his lips with easy gal
lantry. But you are right-to me, at any
rate the days have seemed as years" Here
he became conscious that the room had an
other occupants man standing at one of
the windows gazing down into the street
Volborth had the knack of seeing without
looking, and he added quite naturally, and
WlthC ut allowing his hostess TO perceive
that the sight of the silent figure was the
cause of the addition, II have been very
busy, and l am only here now because
am come to make my adieus.'
You are leaving Petersburg, then? All
gay one, for Paris, without doubt?' said
the princess with no more semblance of in
terest than politeness required.
For Paris later; but tomorrow for VII
emma in the train OF their imperial Males.
ties said Volborth. speaking rapidly, so as
to gain the advantage of surprise. Con.
graduate me, my dear princess; / have
been appointed recorder of their Majesties
wanderings, and am to travel en- suite"
For the fraction of a second a CLEAN
blazed uD in the fine eyes Of the princess
though il might well have been due TO what
was as ii stood, an interesting announce.
ment. Then she broke into ripple of merry
! laughter
You are one of fortunes spoiled chill.
dren, she said gaiIy. Il do indeed, con.
graduate you, and their Majesties also
With such a bright butterfly as our owr
Paul for its historian, the journey will
surely yield no tragic records. But am for.
getting my duties. Let me present TO YOU q
friend of mine from America. travelling FOR
pleasure. Colonel Delaval, come here anC
make the acquaintance OF one already dis.
tinguished and about to add to his laurels
This is Monsieur Volborth, who is about e
accompany the Emperor on his tour
She had been conversing with NOlborth in
French-the language of polite Petersburg
But in addressing the man at tho window
she spoke in Russian, and in obedience tC
her beneSt he turned towards the room
presenting the broad, horid face of tn,
American who, not two hours before on the
steps of the Third Section bureau had ac-
costed the seeming Russian moujk in Eng
! lish.
Deep waters thought Volborth. who
! had recognized his fellow-visitor the mo-
ment he entered. IF he knew our Ian
guage, why did he not use it then? II is
curious. too, for an American TO speak
| Russian and not French"
The two men bowed and were soon in the
! thick of an animated conversation tn.
Tsar 5 tour. the American evincing a nat
ural but exceedingly ill-informed curiosity
about the topic of the hour, and the prin-
I cess Ginning in with light Dersifiage.
/ She was a striking personality-the Prin-
! cess Olga Palitzin, daughter OF one OF Rus
/ sias noblest houses. Though she must have
! been fully twenty-seven years OF age, she
] had kept a rare almost child-like, fresh
ness of complexion. Her features were fine
/ and clearly cut, and her face knew how L
vary it's expression according 10 the feel.
! full lips and steel blue eyes that gazed in.
] tently and yet gave no sign of how much
they could comprehend.
! All her movements were graceful, and she