Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
ITO be continued next Sundayl
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters

FRANK ARMSTRONG, 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
their son, and Lady Ermyntrude their daughter.
The party attended a lecture at the Anarchists
Club, where they conversed with Russian in the
audience. At a party at the Valetorts' home at
Ascot, Armstrong found that the Russian Prince
Boris Menikoff "a " Little Czar'O was counting
Ermyntrude, with whom he was in love- but dared
not aspire to 50 high above him socially. When
out riding, bomb thrown at Melnikoff, who
escaped uninjured. however, though he was
ragged at the loss of an opal tahsman that he
Armstrong found the opal, and was curious to note
that it bore side three golden triangles, or
handle of knife owned by the Russian at the
Anarchists Club. When he returned it to Melni-
of it be kept secret. When he started back to
London, Armstrong encountered at the station the
same Russian seen 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 Stephanovitch) introduced
Armstrong to young woman named Natushka
whom he called his sister, who, he said, the
plghted wife of Melnikoff. The body of a Russian
woman, tied with cords, found in a pond near
where Melnikoff assailed When Armstrong
told Melnikof of meeting the Russians, the Prince
displayed considerable trepidation but said he and
Ivan were of the same house, that Natushka
lvan's ward, not his sister, and that foolish ,"
marriage compact for him (Melnkoff) and the girl
had been made in their infancy by their parents
Melnikoffs valet lured Armstrong into a vacant
house In London, and lett him there locked in.
Frank escaped, and departed for Anglo-India
where he assigned to work with a boundary
| commission. letter from Birmingham announced
that Ermyntrude would marry Melnikoff; that
birmingham, 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 named Vera Sassuhtch. Arm
strong caught of his servants copying his
letters. The latter explained that he had been paid
to copy all letters cont aiming the OF Melniko f.
Boris, at Bannofka, begged Ermyntrude marry
him at once, the plea that his promotion to the
governorship of the Province prevented his going
England A Russian. Vladimir Sassulitch, who
secretly entered her apartment, informed her
that his daughter Olga Sassultch married
Menikoff, and that the Gar had declared the
marriage morganatic. Ermyntrude refused to
marry Boris. Ermyntrude warned anoDy-
mously not to visit the Dukhof Monastery hut
disobeyed the hint Ca 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 Carlin CHAM asking for meeting.
This was answered by Melnikoff who replied that
Cunningham was away on shooting, excursion
spies, and was joined in Moscow by Vladimir
Sassulitch He agreed the latter Saratoff.
Ermyntrude discovered that she was virtually
prisoner in Melnikohs palace.