The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-13
A Thrilling Tale of Adventure, Dealing with
Life in the Russian Secret Service

b y II e a d n Hill

"a wise precaution, and it shall be at
tended to- said Granovitch. Il will send
for Restofski at once and explain the stua-
ton to him. For yourself, it might be well
If you took a last look round."s
Il shall be busy between now and the
hour of departure tomorrow" answered
Volborth, significantly. II shall see you be-
fore we leave? Good Then, for the present,
farewell. general"
The moment he was over the threshold of
the private room his gait changed to a
shambling SLOUGH, in keeping with his dress.
Passing through the ante-chambers and
hall. he bowed cringingly to several Off
Gals, who were we'll aware of his high po-
sition in the Section, but who treated him
to the stony stare, and in one two in
stances to the curse. they would have ac-
corded to the genuine moujik. 1t was not
likely, but it was possible, that even within
the precincts of the bureau there might be
sharp eyes prying out those whose one duty
1t was to pry.
Volborth passed through the swing doors
on to the broad flight of steps that leads to
the street level, and halfway down he met
a man who was ascending, with the evil
dent intention of entering the building.
The one glance that Volborth shot from
under his shaggy, false eyebrows told him
that the visitor to the Section bureau was
neither a Frenchman nor a Russian, his
somewhat loud tailoring being more sug-
gestive of a British or American tourist
His complexion was florid almost to red
ness, and his clean-shaven face was broad
and good-natured though, as ne stopped
and accosted Volborth, the latter was con-
scious of curious diIatation of the smiling
eyes.
Say. you inform me if this is the
American consulate?" he inquired. in a Ian
guage and accent that left no doubt as to
his nationality.
But Volborth. who, speaking six Ian
guages like native, understood him thor
oughly, merely shook his head, and, grunt-
ing inarticulately, proceeded on his way
With shrug of his shoulder the stranger
entered the swing doors and was lost TO
view.
THAT is either very guileless or a very
deep specimen of the travelling Yankee
muttered Volborth. as he loitered a little
way OF TO see what would happen. "A mou-
Jik, especially one of my forlorn appear
ance, would hardly be expected by a sane
person to speak English. / wonder how
soon he will discover his mistake-if mis-
take il was. All he has been already en-
lightened-and shown the door"
For the American had reappeared on the
top of the steps in the company OF an off,
cial, who by his gestures was evidently
pointing out the desired direction. Having
apparently. thanked his informant the
seeker for the consulate came leisurely
down the steps and became merged in the
throng OF foot passengers on the pavement.
Let me see. said Volborth TO himself
''old Bratski is on duty in the hall of the
bureau. He may be trusted TO do the right
thing and verify that error All, that is
well; there goes the shadow"
rfraff nAf xrfd bad -
the building and had followed in the direc-
ton taken by the American. Having salts
fed himself that the spy OF the Section had
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2, PART 3D.