Gilpin observer., 1905-08-17
CHAPTER v.-(contInued.)

my dear sir, you are very welcome,
believe me. My son in his letters
from Asia had already spoken of you
in terms which show his high regard
and esteem, and believe me, 1t would
have been a matter of sincere regret
had you not given me an opportunity
of expressing my thanks in person.
Karsicheff!"
The general had been observing the
scene and approached.
you remember meeting General
Cobb at the American minister's?"
And the ice thus broken, General
Cobb was soon introduced by the
count to most of the celebrities pres
ent, and particularly to those with
whose fortunes we are more immedt
ately concerned.
It was now approaching half-past
eleven.
General Karsichen, leaving the
American enjoying a tete-a-tete with
Baroness Won Rhineberg. who, after
vainly endeavoring to converse with
the stranger In French and German.
had fallen back on English, walked
across the room in obedience to
glance from his wife, who had just
rejoined her daughter.
ut Is true, papa, and will Colonel
Nazimoff not arrive to-night?" asked
Olga, as her father approached.
"Oh, not SO bad as that; the train
is late. that is all. Why do you per-
sist in speaking of your future hus-
band as Colonel Nazimoff. Olga? He
was Alexis to you before. Surely
nothing" and Karsichef paused,
looking his daughter full in the face.
A servant approached as General
Karsicheff spoke, and bowing respect
fully said: Pardon, your excellency,
but gentleman from 203 desires to
see you"
"2O3!"
Radaloff's Official number on the
private lists of the ministry of police.
"Olga. remain with your mother; !
will join you presently" and SO saying
Karsicheff followed the servant from
the room.
He had forgotten Olga's rather cold
expression, Colonel Nazimoff;" had
forgotten the half-fornfed thought that
began to take shape in his mind; had
forgotten Olga herself-everything but
Radaloff, the man upon whom all de-
pended now.
The servant led the way to a small
apartment adjoining the library,
opened the door, and General Kar-
sicheff and Radaloff we're face to
face.
In few brief words Radaloff told
of his discoveries; of how in the
Baroness Won Rhineberg's house he
had found the evidence which connect
ed her secretary, Ivan Barosky, with
the Nihilists. and as he spoke he ex-
hibited the documents taken from the
secret drawer in the desk. One was
a copy Of the interdicted Geneva pub
lication. and the other!
Could Karsicheff believe his eyes?
A list of one hundred and sixty-three
names of Friends of Russia!"
The great prize! with this in his
possession he had 1t in his power to
strike Nihilism death blow. and by
the immediate and simultaneous ar
rest Of all whose names were on the
paper there was reason to believe
that he could stamp out the revolu-
tionary fires in st. Petersburg at once
and forever.
What wonder that when Constan-
tine Karsicheff entered the salon
again he seemed transformed. There
was an energy in his step. frmness
in his voice, and glitter Of triumph
in his eyes that spoke volumes.
''At last" he kept repeating to him
self, as If finding pleasure in the
words; "at last l can do something"
To-night-before another dawn
he would deal Nihilism such blow as
would destroy 1t: he would make all
Europe ring with his praises as the
great official OF the empire who had
saved the czar!
AS his i-zuginatlon pictured the
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