Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17

CATCHING had been passed. and far away
on the fiat horizon Spottswood could see
the loom of smoke by the Neva, where
Peter the Great had decreed that his capt.
tai should stand.
Spottswood threw himself back in his
seat and wondered what he would find
at the end of his journey. Mildred mad
warned him not to come. and he had
come. She had said that danger would
await him. Well, danger had menaced
him several times in his comparatively
short life, and he had always pulled
through. and he could see nothing par
tcularly alarming for an American citi-
zen in the Russian capital, even though
the latter were more than ordinarily dis
turned. Anyway, he wanted to see Mil
dred
Dear girl" he murmured She can't
help seeing conspiracy and sudden death
everywhere in Russia-thats her Russian
half. And she can't help wanting home
and love and peace-that's the American
half of her Mildred Wossonossinski-
Heavens, what a name. Who could be al
together normal with such an appellaton
Thank goodness it can be changed, and
I'm going to change it." II beg your
pardon, sir"
The man in the seat opposite-his sole
companion in the compartment-was ad-
dressing HMM English, too, though
with a foreign accent.
Your pardon, SIR he said. You are
American"
Spottswood nodded.
II have that honor" he answered.
80, Then you surely sympathize with us
Russians who are struggling for free
aom?" The tone was questioning;
We'll, yes l suppose i do-in gen.
sral sort of way-though l can't say
Bympathize with many Of your methods,
returned Spottswood, coolly.
The man waved his banda small, we'll
formed hand SDOtttSwOOd noted.
We fight fire with fire." he answered.
"At least you share our ideas of liber-
ty.". A note of anxiety was apparent in
Spottswood stared at him sharply.
Look here" he said. who the dick
ems are you-a police spy or a nih1list!
Dnly I'd like to know who I'm talking
The others voice trembled.
II am a messenger of the people" he
said, ''and / am in deadly peril. You may
have noticed that telegram was handed
me moment ago at Gatschina.'
Spottswood nodded.
We'll, that telegram was a warning
The police have learned of my coming
and will arrest me when the train stops
at ST. Petersburg. They will take me to
Jail and murder me-unless you save me-
Up
There is no one else. Sir. 1 inplore
you to help me. More hangs on this
than you know. The lives of hundreds
Of women and children-perhaps the fate
of a nation-hangs on your action SIT:
VIII you exchange hats, overcoats and
passports with me?"
''Will / what,-Not on your tintype."
Spottswood spoke strenuousy. ION my
word. this is coming it a little too strong.
I'm sorry for you. my friend, but l can't
see that l am called upon to involve my
self In any nihilistic schemes for your sake
much less to plunge into them like that
This is not nihilistic scheme" protest
ed the stranger. eagerly. 1T Is not even
revolutionary. You read of the massacre
of the Jews at Bialystok recently. Well,
ganized and directed by the government,
and I have proof that a similar massacre
Is intended in few days at another city.
I am taking these proofs to Mr.. Sobriski,
who will present them to the duma in the
hope that he may be able to avert this Sec
md massacre. The police wish to take