The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-05-20

"Then l demand that the gates be
opened that l may return home, where I
more important business awaits me I
than talking to a stranger who refuses
to reveal his Identity
Il hope you will pardon me, Prince I
Lermontoff. I act, as the isvoshtchik
has acted, under compulsion. My iden- |
tity is not IN question. l ask you for
the second time to accompany me-"
Then for the second time / inquire. /
am 1 under arrest? If so, show me
your warrant and then 1 will go 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 / think you are
confusing your rights with those per-
tanning to in~ividuals residing in GER
tain countries you have recently Wis
tied"
You have no warrant, them
81 have none. l act on my superior's
word and do not presume to question
/ it. May hope that you will follow
me without a further parley, which Is
embarrassing to me and quite unhelp-
/ full to yourself? 1 have been instructed
/ TO treat you with every courtesy, but
i nevertheless force has been placed at
my disposal. l am even to take your
word of honor that you are unarmed,
and your highness is well aware that
/ such leniency is seldom shown in st.
/ Petersburg"
well, sir, even If my word of honor
faile- to disarm me your politeness
would. I carry a revolver. Do you
wish it?'
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 action?''
Nothing whatever, your highness."
"Where are you going to take me?"
"a walk of less than three minutes
will acquaint your highness with the
spot"
The prince laughed.
ooh, very WELL" he said. MAY 1
write a note to a friend who is wait
ing up for me-"
81 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
Neva, passed along 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.
Il 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
Am l not to be confronted with
whoever is responsible for my arrest?"
Il know nothing of that, your high
ness. My duty ends by escorting you
here. 1 must ask if you have any
other weapons upon you"
mo, l have not"
''Will you give me your parole that
you will not attempt to escape?'
81 shall escape if 1 can, of course"
''Thank you, excellency," replied the
officer as suavely as if Lermontoff had
given his parole. Out of the darkness
he called 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, forgot to pay my
cabman. OF course it isn't his faul
that he brought me here"
II shall have pleasure in sending hin
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 wrot,
two letters one Of which he addressed
i to Drummond and the other to the car
When the cabman came, he took hin
e within the cabin and closed the door.
e Here" he said In a loud voice tina
: the sentry could overte ear If he liked
/ chow much do l owe your"
The driver told him.
e That's too much, you scoundrelr' b.
) cried aloud, but as he did SO he PLACED
{ three gold pieces in the palm of tn
drivers hand, together with the tw
u letters, and whispered:
Get these delivered safely. and II
> give you ten times this money If 20
IL call on Prince Lermontoff at the az
!, dress on that note"
N The man saluted, thanked him an
~ retired. A moment later he heard th
Jingle of a bell and then the stead