The Washington times., 1905-01-29
CHAPTER /.
In the Presence of the Car.

order to begin the difficult task that
/ had set for myself. when 1 was star
tied by a sharp summons at my door.
1t opened before 1 could respond, and
a total stranger entered the room.
That he was an officer of that mys-
ferrous force known as the Russian Sc
cret police / had not a doubt, but L
greeted him courteously, pretending not
TO see that there were others with him,
who waited in the hallway.
Il believe [ haze the honor of adj
dressing Mr.. Darlington" he said in
perfect English, making use of my true
name, which. however, was not the one
mentioned in my passports, for l had
crossed the border under the name of
Smith.
1 bowed, and indicated a chair. which
he declined with a wave OF his hand,
but with 4 smile that was as genial as
his face was masterful and handsome.
Perhaps you prefer to be called Mr.
Smith, he continued. 1T is, under
stand, the name that is mentioned in
your papers"
For the present, yes, [ replied
Il regret that L am compelled to place
you under arrest, Mr. Smith. but such
is my unfortunate duty. You will have
to take q short drive with me. / hope
that You will not be detained beyond
Your patience. Take your wraps, and
we will go at once. if you please
Certainly, SIR Shall 1 leave the keys
to my baggage here?"
Thank you, yes; it Will simplify mat
tiers have friends here who viii take
charge of your rooms until you return
or"
lie did not finish the sentence, but
that inimitable smile sflone upon me
again. and somehow treasured me, in
spite of the fact that my perfect knowl-
edge of Russian affairs rendered me
thoroughly aware of my peril.
We were presently in the street, and
driving rapidly away. whittier. did not
know, for my companion pulled down
the curtains so that I could see nothing
of the scenes through which we were
passing. l tried to keep note in my
mind of the turns we made, and to re-
member the street We traversed, but it
was useless. and I was convinced that
my conductors were purposely confus-
ing ne.
This conviction forced upon me an
other: that my escort. the people who
had sent him to me, were informed re-
garding my past. and had somehow
learned that | knew St Petersburg as
well as they did. -
During the drive, which lasted nearly
an hour, we remained prefectly silent.
l knew how utterly useless it would
be to question the man at my side. and
he volunteered not word
At last he pace was increased until
the horses Were on a run through the
streets; then suddenly we flew around
a corner at breakneck speed and
stopped so abruptly that I was thrown
forward on my face, in spite of the
T 1a6 no
same moment, 1 heard a gate c:ang shut
behind Us. and was respectfully hidden
to allght
Night had just fallen when we left
the hotel, and in the grim courtyard
where / found myself after the ride.
there was nothing discernible except the
shadowy forms of my abductors, the
champing. foam-fecked horses and the
somber walls of a huge building which
doomed UP on three sides of me-
But l had very little time for thought.
for my companion took me Familiarity
by one arm and led me forward until
We passed through a door which I did
not see until il swung open before us.
Then it closed as silently and as maei-
cally as 1t had opened, and l was led
onward through darkness that was a b.
soiute, through corridors and rooms al
last emerging upon a dimIy lighted hall.
which seemed almost brilliant by com
parison.
There we paused and waited
This does not seem like prison." |
said
No; but it has often led to one,' he
replied grinnIy "One word of advice to
You. before we proceed
L shall appreciate it Heavens knows
/ need it,
DO not, on any account, ask a single
question during tie experiences of the
next half hour. Forget that there is
such thing as an Interrogation Per-
haps, If you heed what | say, l NAV
have the pleasure of riding back to your
hotel with you
did not have time to reply for a
door opened and we started forward
again. passing from room TO room, each
better lighted than the last. until, final
~. we entered one that was occupIed
mana very large man-was seated al
desk, and he raised his eyes as we
entered his presence
Never in my life was I so astounded
as at that moment, for recognized him
at a glance.
| was in the presence of the Car.
There was a very good reason for my
establishment L had gone to ST Peters
burg in the hope of obtaining an au-
sias, but [ had anticipated some Difficult.
ty in securing ii, nor did l even wish
for it in such forcible and unsought
manner. Is was because 1 desired tc
keep the object of my visit a close
secret that had Travelled incognito. and
as i had impaired my secret TO no livine
human being, / was naturally astounded
that my object should be so quickly at.
tanned
A mental question shot through me
in that instant. when i realized where
I was, In what manner could any per.
son have learned of the true reason TO,
my visit, and if it had not been learned
and transmitted to the Gar, why was
conducted 20 the august presence?
At the same instant 1 comprehendet
that it would be the best policy fol
me to appear not to know in who's,
presence | was, SO l simply inclined M
head in the coolest bow I could master
you speak Russian" b.. demanded