Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-16
CHAPTER XIII (continued.)

10y NA1&aI J I'm ALI (COuLluu6Q.J
Hardy was motioned to a seat;
which he took, and then was infinitely
questioned by both officers, the old
gentleman acting as interpreter and
taking voiuminous notes. The qles-
tons concerned Hardy's nationality,
the place Of his birth, the length of
time he had been in Japan, his busi-
ness III Russia, his destination, and
80 on. His passport was examined
and taken charge Of, with the promise
that 1t would be returned to MIN in
the morning, and then he was asked
II he was satisfied with his treatment
80 far, and;if th.-e was anything the
authorities could dc for him 10 the
last question he replied ilIE'the mega
tive. Then the two officers arose and
shook hands with him and he started
for the door; but Just as he was pass
Ing out, "a Reconsideration came into
his head and his sense of humor was
aroused. 49,
There is one thing the authorities
canSdo for me, he said.
The officers were delighted and thay
bowed their acquiescence.
Tell them" he said to the old man,
that they can use their influence with
mine host here to get a clean towel
for me. If necessary, let them invoke
the entire power of the Russian gov
eminent to that end"
The interpreter hesitated moment
and then translated. The faces Of the
officers flushed and darkened, but they
ordered the Boniface called. They
spoke few words to him and Hardy
departed. A minute later his door
was opened and an incredibly filthy
towel was pitched into the room.
The next morning Hardy took his
place in the railway train bound north
through Siberia for Khabarovka, on
the Amur. He had obtained first
class compartment andlsat waiting for
the train to pull out on schedule
time, eight O'clock.
The hour arrived but the train did
not move. A quarter-past, and still
there were no signs of departure. At
last, impatient, he arose and stepped
out into the long narrow hall that ran
the entire length of the car. An in
telligent-look Russian was pacing
up and down, and him Hardy asked
In the best French at his command:
What is the matter? Why do we
not start?,'
"On attend replied the Russian;
"they are waiting fer the Princess Ro-
manovna, -ah! here she comes now"
The American looked from the win
dow. A droshky was driving up, and
in It sat a tall, slender and exquisite
ly GRACEFUL woman, fairly smothered III
costly flowers that fined re carriage
and were piled beside her on the seat.
Her face was of the purest Russian
type, her complexion was marvellous,
her eyes were laughing blue and her
hair was of the color of ripe wheat.
Half a dozen young officers, in natty
uniforms, and riding spirited horses
accompanied her.
BY Joyep sighed Hardy, but she's
a thoroughbred and beauty, tool"
The Princess tool> plenty of time
for her adieus, after which she Ian
guidiy and gracefully entered the
car. The officers brought her flowers
in to her, and descended to the plat
form, where they stoou in an adoring
AMI sorrowf,ll group their caps in their
hands And then, her fHighness, the
Princess Romanovna being aboard,
the train started slowly on its five
hundred mile journey to Khabarovka.
CHAPTER XIII
The journey into Siberia was be-