Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-07-11
form a disagreeable duty, which your
highness will make much easier by
paying attention to my requests"

form a disagreeable duty, which your
highness will make much easier by
paying attention to my requests"
"Am I under arrest?"
II have not said SO, Prince Ivan"
"Then I demand that the gates be
opened that I may return home, where
more important business awaits me
than talking to q stranger who refuses
to reveal his identity"
II hope you will pardon me, Prince
Lermontof. I act, as the i%svoshtchik
has acted, under compulsion. Ny iden-
tity is not in question. l ask you for
the second time to accompany me-"
"Then for the second time 1 inquire,
am I under arrest? If so, show me
your warrant and then 1 will 20 with
you, merely protesting that whoever is
sued such a warrant has exceeded his
authority"
81 have seen nothing of a warrant,
your highness, and I think you are
confusing. your rights with those per-
tanning to individuals residing in GER
tain countries you have recently WIS.,
ited."
"You have no warrant, thenT
Il have non I act on my %superior's
word and do not presume to question
1t. May 1 hope that you will follow
me without a further parley, which is
embarrassing to me and quite unhelp-
full to yourself? I have been instructed
to treat you with every courtesy, but
nevertheless force has been placed at
my disposal. I am even to take your
word Of honor that you are unarmed,
and your highness is we'll aware that
such leniency is seldom shown in st.
Petersburg"
"Well, sir, even If my word of honor
failed to disarm me your politeness
would. I carry a revolver. Do you
wish til"
eff your highness will condescend to
give it to me-"
The prince held the weapon, butt
forward, to the officer, who received it
with a gracious %salutation.
"You know nothing Of the reason for
this actionY
Nothing whatever, your highness."
where are you going to take mel"
ga walk of less than three minutes
will acquaint your highness with the
spot"
The prince laughed.
ooh, very WE'LL" he said. May 1
write a note to a friend who is wait
ing up for me"
II regret, your highness, that no com
munication whatever can be allowed"
The prince stepped down from the
vehicle, walked ~diagonally across a
very dimly lighted courtyard with his
guide, entered that section of the rec
tangular building which faced the
tNeva, passed along a hall with one gas
Jet burning, then outside again and
Immediately over a gangplank that
brought him aboard a steamer. On
the lower deck a passage ran down
the center of the ship, and along this
the conductor guided his prisoner,
opened the door Of a stateroom in
which candles were burning and a
comfortable bed turned down for occu-
pancy.
II think your highness will find ev-
erything here that you need. If any
thing further is required, the electric
bell will summon an attendant, who
will get it for you"
Gam / not to be confronted with
whoever is responsible for my arrest?'
II know nothing Of that, your high
ness. My duty ends by escorting you
here. l must ask if you have any
other weapons upon you"
"No, 1 have not"
"Will you give me your parole that
you will not attempt to escape?"
81 shall escape if l can, Of course"
'Thank you, e~xcellency," replied the
officer as suavely as If Lermontof had
given his parole. Out Of the darkness
he called a tall, rough looking soldier,
who carried a musket with a bayonet
at the end Of it. The soldier took his
stand beside the door of the cabin.
Anything else?" asked the prince.
Nothing else, your highness, except
good night
ooh, by the way, 1 forgot to pay my
cabman. Of course it isn't his fault
that he brought me here"
81 shall have pleasure in sending him
to you, and again good night"
Good night" said the prince.
He closed the door of his cabin. pull
ed out his notebook and rapidly wrote
two letters. II of which he addressed
to Drummond and the other to the car.
When the cabman came, he took him
within the cabin and closed the door.
Here" he said in a loud voice that
the sentry could overhear if he liked,
chow much do 1 w you?'
The driver told him.
"That's too much, you scoundrel!" he
cried aloud, but as he did so he placed
three gold pieces in the palm of the
drivers hand, together with the two
letters, and whispered:
Get these delivered safely, and I'll
give you ten times this money If You
call on Prince Lermontof at the adj
dress on that note"
The man saluted, thanked him and
retired. A moment later he heard the
Jingle of a bell and then the steady
kI,.oL - 80, .,f- 49,