The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-04-28

"Open!" shouted the h0rsemen OUTSIDE
Open in the name of his Majesty"
Felix and / sprang up facing each
other, 1..l, ..'....
eve are entrapped" i
In an instant our guide Felix made
dash for the door of the inner room
where Elma had retired, but next second
he reappeared, gasping in Russian !
"Excellency! Why, the door is open!
The lady has gone!"
"Gone!" I cried, dismayed, rushing
into the little room, where ] found the
truckle couch empty, and the door lead
ing outside wide open. She had actually
disappeared!
The police again battered at the oppo-
site door, threatening loudly to break it
in if it were not opened at once, where
upon the old wood-cutter drew the bolt
and admitted them. Two big, hulking
fellows in heavy riding coats and swords
strobe in, while two others remained
mounted outside, holding the horses.
| &"Your namesp demanded one of the
fellows, glancing at us as we stood to-
gether in expectation.
Our host told them his name, and
asked why they wished to enter.
"We are searching for woman who
has escaped from Kajana," was the re-
ply. "Have you seen any woman here p
"No," responded the wood-cutter. 1--WE
never see any woman out in these
woods"
The police officer strobe into the inner
room, glanced around to make certain
that no one was concealed there, and
then returning to me asked, "Who are
your
"That is my own affair."" / answered.
The mystery Of Elma's disappearance
while we had slept annoyed me. She
seemed to have fled from me in secret.
Yet could she have received some warn
ing that the police were in search of
herr She was deaf, therefore she could
not have been alarmed by the banging
on the door.
-Four identity is my affair."" declared
che man with the fair, bristly beard, an
average type of the uncouth officer of
police.
"Who is your chiefp ! inquired, as
sudden thought occurred to me-
"Melnikoff, at Helsingfors."
"Then this is not in the district of
Aboi" N/
mo. But what difference does it
make! Who are your"
Gordon Gregg, British subject" re.
piled.
Sand you are the drosky.driver from
Abo," remarked the fellow, turning to
Felix. Exactly. as l thought. You are
the pair who bribed the nun at Kajana,
and succeeded in releasing the English
woman. In the name of the Car, I ar
rest you'll" 'F
The old wood.cutter turned pale as
death. We certainly were in grave peril,
for ! foresaw the danger of falling into
the hands of Baron Oberg, the Stranger
OF Finland. Yet we had satisfaction
in knowing that, be the mystery what lt
might, Elma had escaped.
And on what charge, pray, do you
presume to arrest me-" / inquired as
coolly as l coula. ,..
For aiding a prisoner to escape"
Then l wish to say, first, that YOU
have no power to arrest me; and. acc.
ondly, that If you wish me to give YOU
satisfaction, l am perfectly willing to
90 SO, providing you first accompany me
down to Abo." ...
1T is outside my district" growled
the fellow, but ] saw that his hesitancy
was due to his uncertainty as to whom
really might be.
u desire You to take me to the Chief
OF Police Boranski, who will make all the
explanation necessary. Until we have
an interview with him, refuse to give
any information concerning MYSELF |
But you have a passports"
drew it from my pocket, saying
1T proves, l think, that my name is
what have told WOMB