The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-18
AN APPLE FROM
ST. PETERSBURG
IorIEinaLl

i WAS Euink, aCCenteu tne Cummls'
sion and left on the night train. II was
overloaded with people aiming to e.
cape the terrible events transpiring In
the capital A railroad ctiicIal tapped
me on the shoulder and offered to show
me to seat He took me 10 a car
where there was room for but one per
son. put me N. shut the door and was
OF before could fee him. This aston.
ished me, for had supposed fee was
the object of his attention.
At every station on the route one or
more Of the passengers In my compart.
ment got out TIL at last there was but
one left, young girl. had settled my.
self for a nap, but was still half awake.
when l was conscious that this girl
was rummaging my satchel. l was
about to start up TO prevent her when
curiosity changed my intention, and |
feigned to be sound asleep, The girl
found my passport and seized upon II
eagerly, evidently much relieved to find
It In the satchel. Then she threw Off
macintosh, took a soft hat out Of her
pocket and appeared as man. Rolling
her CASTOR clothing In bundle, she
lowered the window and threw 1t out
1t was not long after this that the
train stopped. the door opened and an
officer put In his head and called for
passports, ltwas critical moment with
the girl and she turned pale as death.
Opening my satchel, hunted for what
l knew she had taken and. not finding
It, endeavored to explain to the officer
that l had left II behind. Meanwhile
the girl had produced It The officer
was sufficiently absorbed In my case TO
hand 1t back to her with but q hasty
examination.
Your passportr' he demanded Of me
severely.
81 think / can satisfy you" said,
and. taking the envelope bearing my
dispatches addressed to the secretary
Of state at Washington, also the seal of
the American embassy, showed 1t to
him. After some words he agreed to
telegraph to St. Petersburg for instruc-
tons, which should arrive before we
reached the frontier. Then he locked
the door and in few minutes the train
started on.
expected the girl would thank me
for what had done, but | had played
my part so well that she really believed
l thought | had left my passport be
hind. Presently said to her in French.
"Mademolselle, you will pass the Dor.
der safely. shall probably be detain-
ed May ask that you will wait for
me at-well, suppose meet you at
Bromberg Co kturn Of my passport
Without v word she came over to
where l sat. knelt before me and kissed
my hand.
Monsieur. you have saved me from
death or worse than death-Siberia."
You are very fortunate In availlng
yourself Of my passport.
'lt is not luck. A clerk in the Ameri.
can embassy informed our club that
you were to depart tonight. You were
shown into this compartment by
railway official who is also a member
Of the club. The compartment was
filled with other members Of the club
to prevent any one else from riding In
1t. The plan was laid for me, in the
hope that | might steal your passport.
Had not found it IN your satchel ]
should have drugged you"
why are you leaving Russian
Just now 1t would not be best to
tell you"
You are right. would rather not
know"
When we reached the frontier the train
stopped, and the officer appeared and
said that he had received a telegram
that at the request Of the American
minister | was to be pc itted to 20 Oh
without passport As soon as he had
withdrawn | looked at the girl. She
had tainted. revived her with q
draft from my mask.
We had not gone far beyond the Dor,
der when from under a shawl on the
seat behind her she produced an apple
lowered the window and was about u
throw the apple out when / stopped
her.
81 think deserve your confidence"
| said. What does this mcan?"
81 must get rid Of It," she gasped
looking at me appealingIy. at is a
bombw
Taking II from her, hurled II with
all my strength into a field. There was
an explosion. The train came to stop,
and every head was thrust out Of the
windows. After examination, the Off
cials, finding that no injury had result
ed, started the train.
Arriving at Berlin, the girl gave me
her address on my promise not to re-
veal 1t, and the next morning | called
on her. She confessed the reason for
her sudden departure from Russia.
II was deputed by our club" she
said, ito kill that terrible man, the
Grand Duke Vladimir. | am the daugh-
ter Of noble, a high official in the gov
ernment, and have access to all except