The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-09-25

pen to know It Z" ,s.lt sSg8
II have been there" answered Aksa.
koff. sThat Is where the big Sister.
son cement works arethere's moth
Ing else at Sulja; but 1t is only. a few
miles from Firaspool, which is some,
thing Of a town. You know Dmitri
rAnatovitch?" .s;:: VI. Is 4,
mo, do not; but know he. is the
managing director of the works. !
Eyes; he is q sort Of king Of snlja
permit myself to guess that you will
have some business with him? asked
the Russian, pleasantly pleasantly
that the question did not appear In.
quisitive.
Eyes, perhaps" replied Norman. do
you know him, well?''
81 have known him all my life said
Aksakoff, with a gesture of aversion,
as it seemed; but did not volunteer
any information about Anattovitch.
do you think there viii be any diff.
ficulty In getting from Odessa to.
Sulja?' Norman asked.
Il think not; but, as you remarked
ent. You noticed, probably, that I
said nothing when you referred to
these disturbances?"
Yes, observed it."
Il am glad you had the tact not to
continue on that subject when you
saw it was not congenial to me" said
Aksakoff. '"It is not good for Rus
SLAMS, health" he continued, with
smile, "to discuss Russian affairs any.
where on the continent, especially on
such train as this; for there are
Russian spies everywhere-here, on
this train, one may be sure. And the
Russian government does me the IA
vor of taking deep interest in me.
l am Liberal, you see; and, there
fore, am suspect. l don't mind say
ing this to you; an: Englishman, and
now when we are alone. About your
journey from Odessa to Sulja. Ordi-
narily you would have no trouble, and
you may have none; but your best
plan will be to consult the British
consul"
Il had thought of him. said Nor
man.
Il shall be back in Odessa within
few days for the reopening of the
university" said Aksakoff, land should
you still be in the city on my return
I shall be glad to do anything can
for you. 1t is possible that 1 might
be of some assistance"
Norman thanked him heartily, and
soon after they separated for the
night. Next day Aksakoff was tact
turn and evidently sought to avoid
talking to him-facts which the Rus
sian explained. when an opportunity
presented itself, by stating that he
did not think it desirable in Nor
man't own interests for them to be
seen much together, for he was afraid
that they would be watched, and that
this might initiate against the sue
cess of Norman's journey to Russia.
Norman lost sight of Aksakof on their
arrival in Constantinople.
Norman had prepared himself for
some bother on landing at Odessa, but,
recalling what he had read Of the
power of the rouble in that country,
had no real difficulty in getting ashore
or in reaching the hotel which the
tourist agency had recommended to
him.
Then he paid visit to the British
consulate, where he heard much more
of the disturbed condition Of the coun.
try, and was told of the killing Of the
landed proprietor and Of the destruc-
ton of his mansion not far from Sui
ja-which have already been men
toned in this narrative. There was
disaffection, it was announced, among
the workmen at Sulja itself, and
strike had already been or was about
to be declared. He was advised not
to leave Odessa, and warned that If
he did it would be at his own peril.
In fact, the consulate washed its
hands of HIM. Which is too much the
way of British consulates generally.
Ito Be continued.)