New-York tribune., 1905-05-07
10 be continued nerf Sndayl
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters

FRANK ARMSTRONG, a young British army
officer who had acquired an intimate knowl-
edge of the Russian language and customs,
home In London on leave, where he renewed his
acquaintance, begun in st. Petersburg with the
Earl OF NaietoTt and his wlie, Lord Carhngham
their son, and Lady Ermyntrude their daughter.
The party attended lecture at the Anarchists
Club, where they conversed with Russian in the
audience AT party at the Nalletorts home at
Ascot, Armstrong found that the Russian Prince
Boris Menikoff "a Little Car counting
Ermyntrude, with whom he in love. but dared
not aspire to one 50 high above him socially. When
out riding, bomb thrown at Melnikoff, who
escaped uninjured, however, though he was en-
ragged at the loss of opal talisman that he
Armstrong found the opal and was curious to note
that it bore one side three golden triangles, or
handle of a knife owned by the Russian at the
Anarchists Club. When he returned it to Meni-
kO the latter appeared anxious that all knowledge
OF 1t be kept secret. When he started back to
London Armstrong encountered at the station the
same ItuSSan seen at the meeting, and accosted
him. Melnkot explained to Ermyntrude that
there a tradition that when the opal broken
his family line would cease to exist. The Russian
(whose name was Ivan Stephanovltchl introduced
Armstrong TO a young woman named Natushka
whom he called his sister, who, he said, was the
woman, tied with cords, found in pond
where MenikOH aSsaIled. When Armstrong
told Melnikof of meeting the Russians the Prince
displayed considerable trepidation; but said he and
Ivan were of the same house. that NatuShka
Ivan ward, not his sister, and that foolish
marriage compact for him (Melnikoff) and the girl
had been made IN their infancy by their parents
Menikoff's valet lured Armstrong into vacant
Frank escaped and departed for Ango-India
where he was assigned to work with a boundary
commission A letter from Carlingham announced
that Ermyntrude would marry Melnikof; that
Caringham the Earl and Ermyntrude going
to spend the winter on the Princes estate at Ban
nofka; and that the girl found murdered in the
Ascot pond named Vera SaSsuitch. Arm
strong caught of his servants copying his
letters. The latter explained that he had been paid
to copy all letters ntaining the name of Melniko
Boris, at Bannofka, begged Ermyntrude marry
him at once, the plea that his promotion the
governorship of the Province prevented his going to
England. a Russian. Vladimir Sassulitch who
secretly entered her apartment informed her
that his daughter Olga Sassulitch married to
Melnikoff, and that the Gar had declared the
marriage morganatic. Ermyntrude refused to
marry Boris. Ermyntrude warned anony-
mously not to visit the Dukhof Monastery; but
disobeyed the hint. On the way home the party
attacked. and her father and brother disappear
ed. evidently having been taken prisoners. Arm
strong reached Moscow on his way home, and sent
a telegram to Carn CHAM asking for a meeting
This was answered by Menikoff, who replied that
Carngham was away on a shooting excursion
Frank was followed about Moscow by Russian
SPIES and joined in Moscow by Vladimir
Sassutch. He agreed to meet the latter at SaratOf
Ermyntrude discovered that she was virtually a
prisoner in Melnikoff's palace