Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-04-06
CHAPTER XVII.

NN
emily been %transacting business
M on the Vassili Ostrov, which
Al the travelled reader doubtless
knows as the northern bank Of the
Neva. a part Of st. Petersburg.
He was %recrossing the river, not by
the bridge. which requires a DOTTED hat
by reason of its shrine, but by one Of
the numerous roads cut across the ice
from bank to bank. He duly reached
the southern shore, ascending to the
Admiralty gardens by a fight of sand
ed steps.
A girl had crossed the river in front
Of him at a smart pace. She now
slackened her speed so much as to al
low him to pass her. Karl Steinmetz
noticed the action. He noticed most
things, this dull German. Presently
she passed him again. She dropped
her umbrella, and before picking it up
described a circle with tia maneuver
remarkably like a signal. Then she
turned abruptly and looked into his
face, displaying a pleasing little round
physiognomy with a smiling mouth
and exaggeratedly grave eyes. 1t was
q face of all too common a type in
these days of cheap education litera-
ture-the face of a won,anly woman
engaged in unwomanly work.
Then she came back.
"Your name is Karl Steinmetz,' she
said grayely.
THAT is the name by which 1 am
known to q large staff of creditors"
replied he.
IF you will go to No. 4 Passage
Kazan. at the back of the cathedral,
second floor back room on the left at
the top of the stairs, and go straight in
to the room you will find a friend who
wishes to see YOU" she said as one re-
peating a lesson by rote.
"And who are you, my dear young
lady:'
IL am no one. l am only a paid
agent"
"Ahw
evil you go?" asked the girl.
Probably. l IN curious and not
nervous. Did he-or is it a she, my
fatal beauty-did it not name an
hour?"
Between now and Z O'clock
THANK you"
"God be with your said the girl,
suddenly wheeling round and walking
away.
Without looking after her Steinmetz
walked on, gradually increasing his
pace. In a few minutes he reached the
large house standing within iron gates
at the upper end of the English quay.
the house Of Prince Pavlo Howard
Alexis.
He found Paul alone in his study. In
a few words he explained the situa-
ton.
what do you think it means?" ask.
ed the prince.
Heaven only knows"
"And you will go?'
"Of course" replied Steinmetz. 81
love a mystery, especially in st. Pc.
tersburg."
II had better go with you.'' said
Paul.
"Gott! No" exclaimed Steinmetz. ~
must go alone
Back in time for dinner?' said Paul.
II hope so. l have had such mystic.
r1ous appointments thrust upon me be-
fore. 1t is probably a friend who wants
a hundred ruble note until next Mon
day"
The cathedral clock struck 6 as Karl
Steinmetz turned out Of the Nevski
Prospekt into the large square before
the sacred ediice. He soon found the
kaZan passage-a very nest of toy
shops-and, following the directions
given. he mounted a narrow staircase.
He knocked at the door on the left
hand at the top of the stairs.
Come in" said q voice which caus-
ed him to start.
He pushed open the door. The room
was a small one. brilliantly lighted by
a paraftin lamp. At the table sat an
old man with broad, benevolent face.
high forehead, thin hair and that smile
which savors of the milk of human
kindness.
You" calculated Steinmetz. ste
pan"
Eyes. Come in and close the door,
He laid aside his pen extended his
band, and. rising, kissed Karl Stein
metz on both cheeks after the manner
of Russians.
"Yes, my dear Karl. 1t seems that
the good God has still a little work for
Stepan Lanovitch to do. got away
quite easily In the usual way, through
q paid evasion agency. l have been
forwarded from pillar to post, like q
prize fowl, and reached st. Petersburg
last night. I have not long to stay. !
am going south. I may be able to do
some good yet. I hear that Paul is
working wonders in Tver."
What about money! asked Stein.
metz, who was always practical.
"Catrina. sent 1t. the dear child!