The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-05-17
THE LAKE COUNTY TIMES.


name" she began.
ct is the name I bear in America,
madam"
do you mind my asking you some
questionsT"
mo. madam. but If you ask me any
thing 1 am not allowed to answer I
shall not reply"
"How long have you been In the
United States?"
"Only a few months, madam"
How come you to speak English so
wellY'
I'm my young days 1 shipped aboard
a bark plying between Helsingfors and
New York.
You are q Russianw
At am a Finlander, madam"
"Have you been a sailor all your
lifeY'
Eyes, madam. For a time I was an
unimportant officer on board q battle
ship in the Russian navy until was
discovered TO be a nihilist, when was
cast into prison. l escaped last May
and came to New York"
What have you been doing since you
arrived hereY
II was so fortunate as to become
mate on the turbine yacht the Walrus.
owned by Mr.. Stockwell"
ooh, that's the multimillionaire whose
bank failed a month ago."
Yes. madam"
But does he still keep yachtY'
mo, madam. l think he has never
been aboard this one, although 1t is
probably the most expensive boat in
these waters. l am told it cost any
where from half million to q million.
She was built by Thornycroft like q
cruiser, with Parsons turbine engines
in her. After the failure captain and
crew were discharged, and l am on
board as a sort Of Waterman until she
is Sold but there is not a large market
for a boat like the Walrus, and l am
told they will take the fittings out of
her and sell her as a cruiser to one of
the South American republics"
well, Mr.. Johnson, you ought to be
a reliable man If the court has put
you in charge of SO valuable a prop
erty."
81 believe I am considered honest,
madam"
Then why do you come to me ask.
Ing $4,000 for letter which you say
was written to me and which naturally
belongs to me?"
The mans face deepened into a ma
hogany brown, and he shifted his cap
uneasily in his hands.
Madam, I am not acting for myself.
l am secretary of the Russian Liberia
ton society. They, through their
branch at st. Petersburg, have con-
Quoted some investigations on your be-
half"
Yes, for which paid them very
we'll"
Johnson bowed.
''Our object, madam, Is the repres-
sion Of tyranny. For that we are In
continual need OF money. 1t is the
poor and not the millionaires who sub
scribe to our fund. It has been dis
covered that you are a rich woman,
who will never miss the money asked.
and so the demand was made. Believe
me, madam, / am acting by the COM
mand of my comrades. 1 tried to per-
suade them to leave compensation to
your own generosity, but they refused.
If you consider their demand unrea-
sonable, you have but to say so, and /
will return and tell them your deci-
sion"
Have you brought the letter with
your"
Eyes, madam"
"Have you read it"
eyes, madam"
"Do you think it worth S1O,OO0?"
The sailor looked up at the decorated
ceiling for several moments before he
replied.
THAT is a question I cannot an
swer," he said at last at all depends
on what you think Of the writer"
Answer one more question. BY
whom is the letter signed?"
There is no signature, madam. It
was found in the house where the two
young men lived. Our people searched
the house from top to bottom surrepti-
tiously, and they think the writer was
arrested before he had finished the let
ter. There is no address and nothing
to show for whom it is intended ex-
cept the phrase beginning My dearest
Dorothy"
The girl leaned back in her chair
and drew long breath. 1T is not for
me-" she said hastily. Then, bending
forward. she cried suddenly:
II agree to your terms. Give it to
me-"
The man hesitated, fumbling in his
inside pocket
81 was to get your promise In writ
ing" he demurred.
''Give it to me, give It to me-" she
demanded. II do not break my word"
He handed her the letter.
'My dearest Dorothy" she read in
writing we'll known to her, ''you may
judge my exalted state Of mind when
you see that dare venture on such a