Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-21

want his passport the next day at noon,
as he was going up the river for a week or
30.
The next day at luneheo when he de-
manded his papers the landlord smiled
biandly and told him TO go ahead, that he
did not need any passport
"But I thought you could not stay more
than twenty-four hours anywhere in Russia
without giving up your passport" pro-
tested Mr.. Cavendish.
The landlord shrugged his shoulders. Il
win tell you what 1 was told at the police
station. They looked up your record. and
they Just smiled and told me to tell you
to go ahead. You are all right. they said.
You don't need any passport for this trip"
But l do not like the idea Of going on
a journey into the country without a
passport. 1 have always understood that
you might as well be dead as be without a
passport In Russia"
II think you viii be quite safe II you
do as you are told" remarked the landlord
with another shrug. II shall not ask for
the passport again. You can do as you
please"
Accordingly up the river Mr.. Cavendish
went without a passport Arrived at his
destination. he found a warm welcome,
his host assuring him that he would have
great sport during his stay, as the shoot
ing was excellent.
I'VE win go around to the club after
dinner he said. amt have a rubber. You
will find everything very comfortable there
and l want you to meet some Of my
friends. AS It may be late before we get
home. suppose you give me your passport
now. and / will send It around to the chief
Of police at once"
II did not bring my passport with me"
The astonishment Of the other man was
evident why, my dear fellow, don't you
know that you cannot stay here more than
twenty-four hours without a passport? How
on earth did your landlord happen to let
you come away without 1T l am afraid
you will have to go back on tomorrow's
boat"
The situation was explained.
But there must be some mistake" Mr..
Jones persisted. They could not have
understood that you were going to stay here
q week. The awkward thing about 1t Is
that the chief OF police is likely to drop In
at the club, and the first thing he will ask
about will be YOU passport 1t is very
dangerous to have anything irregular about
your papers in these mail towns; the police
have so little else to think about
Well" remarked Mr.. Cavendish philo-
sophically, II nave had a lovely time since
/ came to Russia / have always done what
1 was told was the proper thing to do
this with a smile TO himself at the ~recoliec-
ton Of the interpreters advice, and 1 have
absolute confidence that such charming
hosts as the Russians are not going to
make things unpleasant for me at this late
day.
But II the chief OF police orders me to
go back tomorrow l shall certainly go. i
am going to do what 1 am told in this coun-
try. 1 will get my passport and come up
again.
u all my arrangements for the coming
week will be spoiled"
After an excellent dinner. which was
rather clouded by the hosts worrying over
the matter Of the passport and the pros
pect OF his shooting plans being all upset,
his family Joining him in the assurance that
MI. Cavendish could not stay, they went
around to the club and cut into a rubber at
whist. Absorbed In the game, the American
had apparently forgotten all about the pass
port. when his host gave a sudden start
and touched him lightly on the elbow.
fnotioning his head toward the door.
1OOhAAA6 ~ AAAs 1aNGL1uAEn saw n INA
whom he ~instinctively recognized as the
chief OF police, although he was not in
uniform. The officer walked over to a
table and turned over the pages Of a maya
zine from which Kennan's articles had been
BACKED out. evidently waiting until the
whist players had finished the play OF the
hand, 50 as not to interrupt them.
The moment the last trick was turned
and Quilted, he approached the table with
a smile and bowed to those whom he knew.
MT. Jones drew his chair back. coughed,
grew very red in the face and was about TO
stand up and introduce his guest, when the
officer extended his hand.
Mr.. Cavendish, 1 believer Charmed 70
have you visit our little town. PRAY do
not let me interrupt your game. II Won
have time tomorrow. 1 shall be glad TO have
You call on me. I understand you Intend
to be here for a week. Perhaps it may be
longer"
The last sentence made Mr.. Jonea uneasy
He knew something about Russian WAYS
and he advised his guest to present him
self at the police station the first thing
In the morning and have IL over. assuring
him that the officers pollteness was sim
ply company manners. the velvet glove that
concealed the iron hand.
You have been up to something. I am
AFRAID he whispered as they went hom.
from the club. You have been talking
politics to some nihilist. and this letting
you get up here without a passport e q
dodge to catch you where they can whist
you off to Siberia before you know n"
Mr. cavendish did not think so. Hs
realised that his host was an alarmist. AZ
the same time he felt uneasy about that
interpreter. Had some one informed the
poice Of their acGuaintance9 was he
already a suspect3
He was at the police station bright and
early the next morning and found the
chief more than agreeable. Not a vors
was said shout any passport
While the officer was running over anna
places Of interest round Lake Ladoga
which his visitor should see ne happened
to mention the fortress Of sehlusselberx
Mr.. Cavendish had heard OF It. II was
there that they had the cells in which the
water rose an inch a day. so that finally
the prisoners had 20 win for It. ana
eventually found there was not room for
fhelr heaHa hofuraen A..