The Washington times., 1904-01-24

up the fur lining % his pocket. care
duliy gathering the loose hairs from the
coat. and burning them IN the stove.
Next morning found him az the rail-
way station a quarter OF an hour be-
fore the western express started, saun-
tering up and down the platform. He
was wearing the same shouba. and could
feel the papers clicking against his
knees. Every official that approached
him gave his nerves a thrill and he
looked anxiously for his travelling COM
panion. but no Yeliseyefr appeared. The
journey through Russia was one long
agony. He could scarcely eat. and ali
sleep was impossible Ever on the
alert he saw danger in every sign. He
rudely repulsed ar innocent merchant
from Moscow who made an effort 10
open up conversation with MIN. and
was particularly suspicious OF a beauti
ful demi-mondaine who seemed e,-
trernely smitten with his personal
charms. A residence Of several months
IN Russia's northern capital had con-
WINGED him that police methods are far
reaching and insidious. So he kept 70
himself and had a miserable Journey
in CONSEQUENCE.
"irballen. the frontier, passed. he be
gan 10 feel better. Here at all events he
felt he was on neutral ground. He couId
guess at SOME words in the converse
lions ne heard carried on around him
and the cultural tones OF the German
officials smote his ear for the first time
pietsantlv- For this reason tbs second
half OF his transcontinental Journey was
decidedly more pleaEant than the first.
1t was close on to midnight. Tired
out with fatigue and apprehension.
Strong slept soundly. and was not awak-
ened by the door of his sleeper being
opened till hand was laid on his shout
der.
At first Strong thought it was one OF
the guards coming in to examine his
ticket or ask about his baggage. until he
remembered that he had fastened and
locked the door Of his compartment Sc
curely When he saw it was not an
official in uniform. but man wearing A
long Russian shouba and round astra-
khan cap he jumped 70 his feet Then
iie found revolver pointed straight at
him. Your shouba." said the man
quickly, anu make no noise. / mean
you no HARM Then seeeing that Strong
sat down again on his bed and made no
effort at resistance, with a quick move
ment the intruder Invested himself Of
his coat and took up Strong's.
Strong began TO swear; but the ether
laughed as he slipped the shouba about
him and threw some papers from the
turned-back fur cum OF the sleeve
Don't fuss. Don't fuss. he went on in
fluent English. as his hand went to the
papers, and. feeling them safely be-
tween the lining, was withdrawn. Keep
your mouth shut and say nothing"
Opening the carriage door, he dis
appeared as he came. leaving Anthony
Strong bewildered and nervous
The whole encounter had not taken
two minutes Strong dressed and sat
up He put on the coat, an exact dupl-
+ cate of his own. and found il fitted him
perfectly. Whereupon he cursed the
Russian government inwardly and was
lost In pity for his friends. What
fools. what foOlsi' he unused sadly
ITO think for a moment OF coping with
such a power."
Anthony Strong reached Hamburg.
hardly feeling safe when he got on
board. He went TO his cabin at once.
IL was only few minutes before the
departure of the ship when some one
banged on the door.
Strong could hear his heart beating
He held his breath and got out his re-
volver to be ready for any emergency
that might arise.
open, openi" said a well-known
voice, and when Strong managed in his
excitement TO undo the fastenings Yell
seyem' s genial face appeared before him.
and he felt himself taken in the latter's
arms and kissed effusively. Strong hated
the European fashion and wrenched
himself free. Il have come to thank
YOU. to thank yOui Come on deck.
am so glad / got here in time. l had
a special all the way from Berlin"
Anthony Strong began to wonder if the
after effects of that night in st. Peters
burg would ever cease. His tongue felt
thick his throat dry. Yeliseyeff was so
iubilant. how was he ever to explain
the theft of the papers? His friend
would look at him as poltroon and a
coward The bell was changing for the
departure Of al. visitors. and Yeliseyeff
hurried him &c the gangplank. grasping
his hand in cordial familiarity and sing
ing his praises meanwhile.
You are a bully fellow. Strong-a bull
~ felOwiT he painted in his ear. You
acted nobly! All feared was that you
might put it in one of your trunks
Those you will find on reaching Ameri-
ca. have been ransacked through and
through"
But. my poor friend at last blurted
out Strong. don't you know that-that
the papers have been taken?-on the
train here. Il
Yeliseyen looked amazed and then he
laughed.
oh He scared you. did hei He
scared youi" he calculated between
hearty outlaws Then with another
squeeze. and kiss that was submitted
TO passively. he said in Strong's ear:
1.-The papers are all right. They are in
the hands we meant them for. That
was one of our men,
Then there was a shuttle. wrench.
and much shouting. Anthony Strong
saw Yehseyeff run down the gangway
and wave his hands 20 him. the swish
and whirl of the water drowning his vo-
ciferous farewells as the monster yes
sci began to move.-New York Times.