Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-04-27
CHAPTER XIII.

S1AlA LIN AAl1l.
"HE table d'hote of the Hotel de
Moscou at Tver had just be-
gun. A Russian table d'hote
is anything but hilarious in
Its tendency. A certain number of
grave faced gentlemen and a few
broad jowled ladies are visibly con-
strained by the force Of circumstance
to dine at the same table and hour.
and that is all. There is no pretense
that any more sociable and neighborly
motive has brought them together. In
Heed, they each suspect the other of
being a German or a nihilist, or, worse
still, a government servant.
The table d'hote Of the Hotel de
Moscou at Tver was no exception to
the general rule. In Russia, by the
way, there are no exceptions to general
rules. The personal habits of the ma
tive of Cronstadt differ in no way
from those of the cars subject living
In Petropaylovsk, 5000 miles away.
Around the long table of the host
Were seated at respectable intervals a
dozen OF more gentlemen, who gazed
stolidly at each other from time to
time, while the host himself smiled
broadly upon them all.
OF these dozen gentlemen we have
only to deal with one-a man of broad.
high forehead, Of colorless eyes, of a
masklike face, who consumed what
was put before him with as little
noise as possible. known in Paris as
'that Vassili," this traveller.
NJ. Vassili was evidently DESTROYS of
attracting as little attention as circum-
stances would allow. He was obvious
~ doing his best to look like one who
travelled in the interest Of braid or
buttons. Moreover. when Claude de
Chauxville entered the table d'hote
room he concealed whatever surprise
he may have felt behind a cloud of
cigarette smoke. Through the same
blue haze he met the ~Frenchman's eve
a moment later without the faintest
twinkle Of recognition.
These two worthless went through
the weird courses provided by a cool
protesting a knowledge of French
cuisine without taking any compromis-
ing notice of each other. When the
meal was over Vassili inscribed the
number Of his bedroom in large fig
ures on the label Of his bottle of wine.
after the manner Of wise commercial
travellers in continental hotels. He
subsequently turned the bottle around
so that Claude de Chauxville could
scarcely fail to read the number, and.
with a vague and general bow, he left
the room.
Before long a discreet knock at the
door of Vassilis room announced the
arrival Of the expected visitor.
"Entrez" cried vassili. And De
Chauxville stood before him.
"a pleasure" said Vassili behind his
wooden face, that I did not anticipate
in Tver."
"And consequently one that carries
its own mitigation. An unanticipated
pleasure, my friend, is always mop
perfume. l make no doubt that you
were sorry to see me-"
"On the contrary. Will you sit?"
II can hardly believe" went on De
Chauxville, taking the proffered chair,
"that my appearance was opportune-
OA IAS p1AuS1p1C, Id, Id, LudL d uOWcT
growing out of place is a weed! Cen
tlemen Of the-eh-home Office prefer.
I know, to travel quietly" He spread
out his expressive hands as if smooth
ing the path Of M. Vassili through this
stony world. "Incognito," he added
guilelessly.
"One does not publish ones name
from the house tops" replied the Rus
sian, with a glimmer Of pride in his
eyes, Especially if it happen to be not
quite obscure; but between friends. my
dear baron-between friends"
"Yes. Then what are you doing in
TverT' inquired De Chauxville. with
engaging frankness.
"Ah, that is a long story! But I
Will tell you-never fear-I will tell
you on the usual terms"
"And they are?" inquired the
F%renchman, lighting a cigarette.
Vassili accepted the match with a
bow and did likewise. He blew a
guileleas cloud Of smoke toward the
aingy ceiling.
'Mxchange, my dear baron, ex-
change"
"Oh, certniniy!" replied De Chaux.
willie, who knew that Vassili was in all
probability fully Informed as to his
H90Uements past and prospective. ~
I'm. going to visit some old friends In