Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-26

Il believe so. | heard queer tales at Saratoff
It the people cowed, stolid-silent with it ALL.
Queer people here" said Lord birmingham
ain, when babel of voices at the conclusion of
harangue made it possible to speak aloud
Eyes. Look at our friend at the next table"
The to whom Armstrong drew attention
is tall and grossly compacted Take from him
shoddy suit and bowler hat dress him in a fur
p, a sheepskn coat, loose trousers tucked into
g boots-he typical muzhik, peasant of
tile Russia His face was heavy, his forehead
" and deeply lined, his eyebrows bushy and over
nging, while dropping neither lip lent
eming strength to his WIDE coarse mouth. He
is bearded like pard.
g Ye gods! he is picture. The true article, any
W."
" Yes. One wonders how he has wandered here"
Cant you talk to him? l sooner would listen
you than eat"
Thus prompted, Armstrong sought pretext to
dress the uncouth being in whom they inter-
ted. The man took from his pocket square of
hard tobacco p1ucked at his waistband, and
drew forth ugly-looking sheath-knife.
Here was the opportunity. Frank leaned
forward
Let me offer you cigar" he said
The man lifted his head and their surprise
was mutual. 1t was astonishing to the Rus
sian to be addressed in the true patois of his
race by young, gentlemanly Englishman.
But it was even more amazing to Frank to
find how the deep-set eyes illumned the
boorsh lineaments and gave them character,
courage, purpose.
Thank you,' said the stranger civilly,
and the talk began.
Carngham knew enough of Russian to
follow vaguely what they said.
You ask if Demidoff no Prince" on
this mans lips" has told the truth, I" he said,
in voice with the sound of a rasp. mo.
No do that. He can feel there"
and he pointed to his heart; but there are
words that picture it."
But surely urged Armstrong
The other, though putting the cigar, seemed
to find pleasure in carving the stubborn
tobacco. He sliced it on the rough deal table,
and they that the knife would either
cut or stab. 1t was good steel, and the haft
of crinkled horn. On the side of the
handle were cut three small triangular spaces.
/: They showed white against the brown.
/. How can you English believer" asked
the Russian calmly. You have forgotten
for long ages. Danes came here, they say and
Normans; but that was a thousand years
: ago. thousand years ago Russians
happy. We were free tribes, and we
fought and killed. Now, not free,
and neither fight nor kill
He smiled pleasantly. His eyes, great,
glowing, melting eyes, and his smile so kindly
and courteous, redeemed his hangdog ex-
preston. A fanatic this man, perhaps, and
3 a dangerous one for he had restraint and
grim humor in him. Certainly he was an
enigma. He would not be drawn. He uttered
platitudes. and they knew it.
Soon they babe him Goodnight" In
Tottenham Court Road they hailed ham
som; Armstrong; rented rooms were on
Jermyn-st.
81 A funny crowd, commented Lord Carlingham
difficult to reckon up, eh?'
" 1t is the Asiatic strain that perplexes. Differ
ce between a fox terrier and jungle dog, you
ow both dogs; but-there you are. One is of
tame land, the other of the wild"
. Um Did you spot how he used that knife?
emed to be cutting throat with each slashl''