The sun., 1909-02-21
RUSSIA'S SECRET SERVICE
THO INSTANCES OF THE WAY
TIE CZAR IS SERVED.
American Dentist VINO Hung Painting
OF n Dos Between Two Imperial
:; Portraits Secret OF Travelling In
VI, Russia Without Required Passport.

P0rtraHs-Secret OF travelling IN
. Russia Without Required Passport.
A group Of globe trotters were indulg-
ine IN after dinner talk about the amount
OF money recently expended for secret
service in the United States and specu-
ihtlng al to tho results obtained az com
pared 10 those achieved in other coun-
triss. Ono of the company volunteered
TO give two Incidents from his personal
experience which shed light on tho thor
ouRhness Of the Russian system and
alsS on the petty details to which 1t some
times descends.
About twenty years ago DR.. Linn was
famous American dentist in St Peters
bapg. He had succeeded TO his brothers
practice and ranked among his patients all
the nobility Of Russia and most Of the
Russian royalty.
He was something Of a connoisseur in
art matters and used TO pick up anything
that struck him as particularly good or
representative. One day he ran across
a very fine picture Of a st. Bernard dog
PAINTED by famous Russian artist, and
although the price was little steep for
such a sub ject he thou ght well enough Of
IL TO buy IL, have it framed and sent to
his house.
When the picture arrived his Russian
friends soon confirmed his judgment that
he had found treasure and he hung It
over the mantel in the drawing room.
adjusting the lights TO show 1t of 10 the
best advantage. That was about o'clock
in TIE afternoon.
The next morning. while the doctor was
in his Office, a knock came on the door and
upon his giving the usual Russian COM
nand to enter police officer presented
himself, brought his heels together,
touched his cap and bowed.
The doctor knew enough Of Russia TO be
instantly aware that there was something
wrong, but he contented himself with
smiling Good morning" which brought
forth another touch of the cap in polite
acknowled gment
Il beg pardon, doctor. began the officer
but you have in your drawing room over
the mantel picture OF dog?'
Rather taken aback by the question and
instantly ina gining that the picture was
stolen the doctor could only say. yes,
have. What of it9
'0n each side Of that mantel on the re-
CtbotS III IHt elOt Ndllbt tOhtllluCh thC
officer, making motions with his hand
as il pointing out the places referred to,
you have two small pictures. One Of the
Emperor. one Of the Empress
yes. What Of that?" gasped the doc
tor, wondering what was coming.
Il would respectfully suggest, doctor.
that II is hardly fitting to hang picture Of
a dog between the pictures Of the Emperor
and Empress" This was said with an
other bow and touch Of the cap.
"why. the picture is a work Of art Its
by one of the most famous artists in Rus
sia. 1t is a masterpiece. / paid 1000
rubles for it
1t may be a work Of art, doctor. as you
say, and il may be by the most famous
artist In the world, but il is still dog. I
shall leave you with that suggestion. It
is nothing more than a suggestion. Good
morning"
Another assembling Of the heels, half
bow, a touch Of the cap, and the door shut
behind the retreatng figure.
That afternoon Prince OheliEsky, who
Was at that time aide de camp to the Gar
and also one Of DR. Linn's patients.
happened 70 drop in. The doctor told
him Of bis experience Of the morning.
The Prince laughed lightly and said:
You know these people, doctor, You
are not a novice in Russian etiquette
~ will not cost you anything TO move il.
Take it down aud put it somewhere else.
Put it in here, where all your patients
can admireit.'
The next day the doctor was ont for
a stroll when he happened 20 notice a
very fine reproduction Of the latest por-
trait OF the Emperor. He selected frame
that was in perfect harmony with the color
scheme o. the portrait and had it sent
10 his home.
The next afternoon he moved the dog
into his study and hung the portrait Of
the Emperor in It's place, over the draw
ing room martel That was about ?
O'Clock.
Two hours later a gentle tap came at
the door % the doctors office and in re-
sponse 10 the doctors command TO enter
the same police officer appeared drew
his heels together, bowed, touched his
cap and smiled very politely.
Thank you. doctor
That was all he said. BEFORE the doctor
could recover from his astoniShment
the door had closed again AID his visitor
was gone.
The other incident shows a different
side OF the picture. Some persons i'm
ssine that one is under continual sUs pi-
c:on in Russia and that the officials do
everything in their power 10 make you
feel that YOU are watched and had better
behave yourself That may be true of
undesirable persons. those who indulge
IN dnkind criticisms of the Government,
but it is very far from true OF those who
show the same respect for their host
when IL is nation that they would show
Hit were a woman.
An American who may be called Mr.
Cavendish was about TO visit st. Peters
burg in 1890. Before starting from Lon
don he SOU ght little advice from a gen.
tleman who was then acting as inter-
prefer for Spottiswoode This man was
Pole and had been an officer in the Rus
sian army. When his regiment was seni
TO quell the rebellion in Poland he went
over to the revolutionists and when they
failed he fed.
The first advice that this gentleman
had to give TO Mr.. Cavendish was TO the
point. Whatever you do or say in
Russia when you get there do not ever
admit or mention the fact that you ever
knew me. | am doubly damned. q,
am not only rebel and a Pole but a
deserter from the army. Once you admit
that you have known me you are sus-
pect for the rest Of your life"
The other part of the Poles advice was
simplicity itself,
sWhen you have been in Russia a short
time he said, long enough 70 make youI