New-York tribune., 1905-06-04

the coffee.
TO be concluded nert .Smndayl
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters
FRANK ARMSTRONG, a young British army
officer, who had acquired an intimate knOwl-
edge of the Russian language and customs, was
home in London leave where he renewed his
acquaintance, begun IN St Petersburg, with the
Earl of Nalletort and his wife, Lord CarlinghaIn
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 Valletorts' home at
Ascot, Armstrong found that the Russian Prince
Boris Melnikoff "a Little Czar") counting
Ermyntrude. with whom he was In love but dared
not aspire to so high above him socially. When
out riding, bomb thrown at MelnikoH, who
escaped uninjured, however, though he was en-
ragged at the loss of opal talsman that he wore.
Armstrong found the opal. and curious to note
that it bore side three golden tTangles, or
pyramids the same design he had seen the
handle of a knife owned by the Russian at the
Anarchists Club. When he returned it to Melni-
koff, the latter appeared anxious that all knowledge
London, Armstrong encountered at the station the
same Russian at the meeting, and accosted
him. Melnikoff explained to Ermyntrude that
there was tradition that when the opal was broken
his family line would cease to exist. The Russian
whose name was Ivan Stephancvltchl introduced
Armstrong a young woman named Natushka,
whom he called his sister, who, he SAID, was the
plighted wife of Menikoff. The body OF a Russian
woman, tied with Cords was found IN pond near
where Melnikoff was assailed. When Armstrong
told Melnikoff of meeting the Russians, the Pilnce
displayed considerable trepidation but sald ne and
Ivans ward not his sister, and that foolish
marriage compact for him (MelnikOf) and the girl
had been made in their infancy by their parents
Melnikoff's valet lured Armstrong into vacant
house in London, and left him there locked IN
Frank escaped, and departed for Ango-lndla,
where he was assigned to work with a boundary
commission a letter from Carlingham announced
that ErInyntrude would marry Melnlkof; that
Carngham the Earl and Ernyntrude were going
to spend the winter the Princes estate at Ban
nofka: and that the girl found murdered In the
Ascot pond was named Vera Sassuhtch. Arm
strong caught one of his servants copying hls
letters The latter explained that he had been pad
to copy all letters containing the name OF Melnkof
Boris at Bannofka, begged Ermyntrude to marry
him at once on the plea that his promotion to the
governorship OF the Province prevented his going to
England A Russian. Vladimir Sassuiltch VINO
secretly entered her apartment, informed her
that his daughter Olga Sassulitch was married to
Melnikoff. and that the Gar had declared the
marriage morganatic. Ermyntrude refused to
marry Boris Ermy yntrude warned anony-
mously not to visit the Dukhof Monastery; but
disobeyed the hint. O. the way home the party
was 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 Carin CHAM asking for meeting
This was answered by Melnikoff, who replied that
CarIingham away on shooting EXCURSION
Frank was followed about Moscow by RUSSIAN
! spies and was joined In Moscow by aiadi1hr
Sassutch He agreed to meet the latter at Saratofl
! Ermvntrude discovered that she was virtually a
prisoner in Melnikoffs palace. Lord Valetort wrote