Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-21
RUSSlA'S SECRET SERVICE
Two Instances Of the Way the Gar
is Served.
REAL LIFE STUNTS SOUND QUEER
American Dentist who HunE n Paint
ing of = DOG Between Two Ina
periaI Portraits-secret Of
travelling In Russia.

ATotAeTh were lnuulHlnk IN dIteT-oluutI lath
about the amount Of money recently ex-
pended for secret service in the United
States and specializing as to the results OBJ
tained az compared TO those achieved In
other countries. One OF the company vol
unteered to give two incidents from his
pefsonal experience which shed light on
the thoroughness OF the Russian system
and also on the petty details to which IL
sometimes descends.
About twenty years ago DR.. Linn was a
famous American dentist in St Petersburg.
He had succeeded TO his brothers practice
and ranked among his patients all the no
billty OF Russia and most Of its royalty.
He was something OF a connoisseur in art
matters and used 20 pick up anything that
struck him as particularly good or repre-
tentative. One day he ran across a very
fine picture OF a 81. Bernard dog painted
by a famous Russian artist, and although
the price was a little steep for such a
subject he thought well enough of II TO
buy It, have IL framed and sent to his
house.
When the picture arrived his Russian
friends soon confirmed his Judgment that
he had found a treasure and he hung II
over the mantel In the drawing room.
adjusting the lights TO show Il off to the
best advantage. That was about 5 o'clock
In the afternoon.
The next morning. Will the doctor was
in his office, a knock came on the door
and upon his giving the usual Russian
command to enter a police officer presented
hin self, brought his heels together, touched
his cap and bowed very politely.
The doctor knew enough OF Russia to be
instantly aware that there was something
wrong, but he conter ted himself with a
smiling good morning." which brought
forth another touch OF the cap In acknowl-
eSgment.
IT beg pardon, DOCTOR" began the officer.
but you have in your drawing room over
en- the mantel a picture Of q dog7"
Rather taken aback by the question and
II stantly imagining that tho picture was
stolen, the doctor could only say, Yes, I
have. What Of it2"
ION each side OF that mantel on the re-
cerses In the side walls" continued the
officer, making motions with his hand as
II pointing out the places referred to, you
have two small pictures. One Of the en-
peror. one OF the empress"
Yes. What OF that?" gasped the doctor,
wondering what was coming next.
II would respectfully suggest. doctor
that 1t is hardly fitting to hang a picture
ofsa dog between the pictures OF the en-
peror and empress" This was said with
another bow and another touch OF the cap.
'sBut the picture Is a work OF art. 1t Is
by one OF the most famous artists in Rus
sia, II Is a masterpiece. ] paid 1000
roubles for It."
1T may be a work OF art, doctor, as you
say, and It may be py the most famous
artist In the world. but II 10 still a dog. 1
shail leave you With that suggestion. II
is nothing more than a suggestion. Good
Another assembling OF the heels. q half
bow, a touch OF the cap and the door was
softly closed behind the retreating figure.
That afternoon Prince ObelinsHy, who
was at that time aide de camp TO the Gear
and also one Of DR.. Linn's patients, hap
pened TO dror in. The doctor told him OF
his experience OF the morning. The prince
laughed lightly and said:
''You know these people, doctor. You
are not a novice In Russian etiquette. II
will not cost you anything to move IT, Take
II down and put II somewhere else. Put II
in here. where all your patients can adj
mire It,"
The next day the doctor was out for a
stroll when he happened TO notice a very
fine reproduction of the latest portrait Of
the emperor. He selected a frame that was
in perfect harmony with the color scheme
OF the portrait and had 1t sent home.
The next afternoon he moved the dog
into his study and hung the portrait of
the emperor In its place. over the drawtng
room mlntel. That was about 2 o'clock.
Two hours later a gentle tap came to
the door Of the doctors office and in re-
Spouse 70 the DOCTORS TO enter
the same police officer appeared, drew
his heels together. bowed. touched his
can and smiled very politely,
THANH you. doctor"
That was all he said. Before the doctor
could recover from HIS astonishmen. the
door had closed again ana bis visitor had
gone.
The other incident shows a different side
Of the picture. Some persons imagine that
one is under continual suspicion In Russia
ana that the officials do everything In their
power TO make you feel that you are
watched and had better behave yourself.
That may be true OF undesirable persons,
those who Indulge IN unkind criticisms OF
the government. but II Is very far from
true OF those who show the same respect
for their host when 1t is a nation that they
would show II It were a woman.
An American who may be called Mr. Cav
endish was about TO visit ST Petersburg in
1880. Before starting from London he sought
"a little advice from a gentleman who was
then acting as interpreter for Spotteswoode.
This r-an was a Pole and had been an
officer IN the Russian army. When his
regiment was sent TO aueil the rebellion In
Poland he went over to the revolutionists
and when they failed he fled.
The first advice that this gentleman had
20 give 20 Mr. cavendish was 10 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. l am
dOubly damned. I am not only a rebel and
a Pols. but a deserter from the army.
Once you admit that you have known me
you are a suspect for the rest OF your life"
The other part OF the Poles advice was
simplicity Itself.
"When you have been in Russia a short
time" he said. long enough to make your
statements appear reasonable. sit down and
write a number Of letters to your friends
In America, in England. IN TimbuctoO.
" will do. Write 10 Tom. Dick and