Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
CHAPTER XIII.
Entrapped.

AhIANPPSN-
Prince Ivan Lernontoff came to consider
the explosion one of the luckiest things that
had ever occurred in his workshop. It's
happening so soon after he reached st.
Petersburg he looked upon particularly
fortunate. because this gave him time to
follow the new trend of thought along
which his mind had been DETECTED by such
knowledge as the unexpected outcome of
his experiment had disclosed to him. The
material he had used as a catalytic agent
was new substance which he had read
OF In a scientific review, and he had pur-
chased small quantity OF 1t in London
II such a minute portion produced results
so tremendous, he began to see that man
with an apparently innocent material In
his waistcoat pocket might probably be
able TO destroy naval harbor, so long as
water and stone were in conjunction. There
was also a possibility that small quantity
OF ozak, as the stuff was called, mixed with
pure water, would form a reducing agent
for limestone and perhaps for other min
erals, which would work much quicker
than If the liquid was merely impregnated
with carbonic acid gas. He endeavored to
purchase some ozak from Mr.. Kruger the
chemist on the English quay, but that good
man had never heard of 1t, and a day $
search persuaded him that it could not be
got In St. Petersburg, SO the prince in
duced Kruger to order half pound of 1t
from London or Paris, in which latter city
Il had been discovered. For the arrival OF
Ii4lS OTQGT llie prince waited with SuGn pa
thence as he could call to his command. and
visited poor Mr.. Kruger every day in the
hope of receiving it.
One afternoon ne was delighted to hear
thai the box had come, although Ii had not
yet been unpacked.
Il viii send 1t to your house this even
ing" said the chemist. There are a num-
Der OF drugs in the box for your old friend
Prof Potkin of the university, and he Is
even more impatient for his consignment
than you are for yours. All. here he is"
and as he spoke the venerable PotIin him
self entered the shop.
He shook hands warmly with Lermontoff
who had always been favorite pupil Of
mis-, and learned with interest that he had
lately been to England and America
cannot you dine with me this evening at
haif-past So, asked the old man. There
are three or four friends coming. to whom 1
shall be glad to introduce you
Truth TO tell. professor" demurred the
prince, Il have friend staying with me-
ana don't just like to leave him alone"
Bring him With you. bring him with you f."
said the professor, but in any case be sure
you come yourself l shall be expecting
You Make your excuses to your friend if
he does not wish to endure what he might
think dry discussion, because we shall talk
nothing but chemistry and politics"
The prince promised to be there whether
his friend came no. The chemist here
Interrupted them, and told the professor
he might expect his materials within two
hours
And your package" he said to the
prince. l snail send about the same time.
( Lave been very busy, and can trust no
one to unpack this box but myself"
You need not trouble to send It, and in
any case don't wish to run the risk of hay
ing II delivered at a wrong address by your
messenger. / cannot afford to wait so long
as would be necessary to duplicate the or
der. I dining with the professor to-
night, so will drive this way, and take the
parcel myself"
Perhaps. said the cherist. at would be
more convenient If I sent your parcel to
Prof. Potkin's house?'
No" said the prince. decisvely Il shall
call for It about 3 o'clock"
The professor laughed.
We experimenters, be said never trust
each other so they shook hands and part
ed
on returning to his workshop. Lermontof
bounded up the stairs. and hailed his friend
the lieutenant.
Il say Drummond I'm going to dine to-
night with Prof. Potkiu of the university
my old teacher in chemistry His hour is
half-past 5. and I've got an invitation
for you. There will be several scientists
present. and no women; VIII you Gomez
I'd @ good deal rather not" said the
Engltshman. I'm wiring into these books
ard studying strategy; making plans for an
attack upon Kdonstadt."
Well you take my advice, Allan, and
don't leave any of those plans round where
the ST, Petersburg police will find them.
Such q line of study is carried on much
safer IN London than here. You'd be very
welcome. Drummond. and the old boy would
be glad to see you. You don't need to
bother about evening togs-plain living and
high thinking, you know. I'm merely going
20 put on clean collar and new tie, as
sufficient for the occasion"
ia rather not so, Jack, II you don't
miEd. II I'm there you'll all be trying to
talk English or French, and so I'd feel my
self rather a damper on the company. Be
sides, ! don't know anything about science
and I'm trying to learn something about
strategy. What time do you expect to De
backf"