Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21

Ascot, Armstrong found that the Russian Prince
Boris Melnikoff Ga Little Carr was counting
Ermyntrude, with whom he was in love, but dared
not aspire to so high above him socially. When
out riding, bomb was thrown at Melnikof, 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
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-
kof, the latter appeared anxious that all knowledge
of it be kept secret When he started back
London, Armstrong encountered at the station the
same Russian seen at the meeting, and accosted
him. Melnikoff explained to Ermyntrude that
there tradition that when the opal was broken
his family line would cease to exist. The Russian
(whose Ivan Stephanovitch) introduced
Armstrong to young woman named Natushka
whom he called his sister, who, he said, was the
pghted wife of Melnikoff The body of a Russian
woman tied with cords, was found III pond near
where Melnikof assaiied. When Armstrong
told Melnikoff of meeting the Russians, the Prince
displayed considerable trepidation; but said he and
Ivan were of the same house, that Natushka was
VANS ward, not his sister, and that a foolish
marriage compact for him (ielnikofD and the girl
had been made in their infancy by their parents
Melnikofs valet lured Armstrong into vacant
house in London, and left him there locked In.
Frank escaped, and departed for Ango-lndia
where he assigned to work with boundary
commission. A letter from Cunningham announced
that Ermyntrude would marry Melnikoff; that
Carlingham the Earl and Ermyntrude 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
O
letters. The latter explained that he had been paid
to copy all letters containing the name of Melniko
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 Sassultch who
secretly entered her apartment, informed her
that his daughter Olga Sassulitch was married to
Melnikoff, and that the Gar had declared the
marriage morganatc. Ermyntrude refused to
marry Boris. Ermyntrude was warned anony
mousy 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 Carlin CHAM asking for meeting
This answered by Melnikoff, who replied that
Birmingham was away on a shooting excursion
Frank was followed about Moscow by Russian
spies, and was joined in Moscow by Vladimir
Sassulitch He agreed to meet the latter at Sarato
Ermyntrude discovered that she was virtually
prisoner in Melnikofs palace Lord Valletort wrote
to Ermyntrude that he and her brothers were pris
oners, but that if she married Menkoff they would
be liberated. Ermyntrude consented to enter the
compact for the sake of her relatives. When the
ceremony about to take place at Dukhof Chapel
the marriage party was attacked suddenly, and in
the melee Ermyntrude disappeared. She found her
self directed through secret door and along dark
tunnel with Frank Armstrong and party of Rus
slams. She went willingly, and finally found herself
in the apartments of Natushka, the woman Frank
had encountered in London.