The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-13
w ednesday Evening

AT the sound of such names as these
| was almost appalled, at the outset.
The character Of the .dowager empress,
as much as her rank, rendered her unap-
proachable. Pobiedonestzeff, tho bigot,
was not likely to be traitor. The
grand duke was an unknown quantity,
as far as [ was concerned, but it did
not seem very probable that a person
age in his position would prove accessi-
BILE to a bride.
It never does to despair too soon. I
put the question which long experience
of the dark side of human nature has
rendered habitual with me-
Has the grand duke any vices9''
He CANDLES good deal in the
Yacht club
drew breath of satisfaction. Of
all men the gambler is the easiest to
corrupt, because to him alone money is
everything, and because there comes
is not to be had.
"Who are his gambling compan-
ions9' was my next question.
The ambassador named several Rus
sian mobiles Of high rank, among whom
the leading spirit seemed to be a Prince
Boris Mendelief. I was going on with
my inquiries when his excellency
checked me. ss.,ca.
IT have told you enough, it seems
to me, to enable you to go on by your
SELF In the meantime / am the am
bassador of the sultan, not his secret
service agent, and I wish to know moth
ing that might compromise me-
respected his scruples, tho they were
such as some Russian diploma lists would
scarcely have understood, and proceeded
to form my own plans for making the
acquaintance of Prince Mendelief.
Fortunately the Russians are as I'M
suspicious in private life as they are
suspicious in politics. My skill as a
bridgeplayer, a game in which | have
no living superior, proved ready pass
port into the gaming circles OF Pete ),
myself sitting at the same cardtable
with the intimate of the grand duke.
1 was lucky enough to lose consider
able sum to him, which paid with q
good grace, and he could not do less
than invite me to his house,. L &C.
cepted the invitation with an eager
ness which must have struck him as
gether. Over bottle of champagne |
became confidential. / avowed myself
to be moneylender, as well as con
cession hunter, and. limited that 1 should
be prepared to pay handsomely for IN
PRODUCTIONS to clients of high station.
Mendelieff took the bait like hun:
cry pike. He was the first to mention
the name Oh Inc gldnu uuhS, ,uouOIA0oa
knowing that his imperial highness
would be only too pleased to meet such
an accommodating person as appeared
to be. A bargain was struck, and
Mendelieff promised to let me know as
soon as he had arranged for my re-
ception by his august patron.
The meeting took place in the
prince own house. Cards were pro
! duced, the stakes were exceedingly
b;frb nd rat nSt WI
won steadily, while the losses of the
grand duke were severe enough to dis
turb his good humor. Mendelieff art
fully seized the right moment to pre-.
sent me as friend in need, and to take
off the rest of the party, leaving us to-
= gether. 1%.- al.
1 The grand duke lost no time in put
ting me TO the proof. .~ =.
+ You*areFa banker, are you not, NJ
de sSarthe9' DE Sarthe was the name
under which I had crossed the frontier
cat least, [ represent some import
ant financial houses,'' I replied.
ooh, spare me that kind Of thing
) his imperial highness returned impa
tiently, '1et us take the usual comedy
much you are prepared to lend me.'
II do not know how much you want
!. sir, but I have any. sum. up to 1nillio1
rubles at your SERVICE ...,.
The grand dukes eyes sparkled.
HM. de Sarthe, you are a friend in
deed!' he exclaimed. "But what
are your terms for this advance?'
"As far IS your pocket is concerned
nothing. I do. not even ask that thi:
loan shall ever be repaid.' "
He stared at me for a moment il
establishment. Then all at once hi
expression changed, and his voice
/ dropped to a whisp-1. ..a.'
affair Of the secret service. You ar,
: offering me bride, SUPPOSE
Y 81 do not come from the third sec
y ton, if that is what your high1fess