Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

TetOrf d.
What law have broken?" demanded.
You were running away.
VII ~
Because Their, was woman in it-a lady
an Englishwoman Of Allerican-who called
out to me to help her."
Who the woman?"
How should know?" asked blandly. /
remembered what Won Eckhardt had told me,
that the police had been on Anne's track for
the last three years. If the peril in which she
was now placed was from the revolutionists, as
it must be. could not help her by betraying
her to the police.
You say she was English or Americana
Why do you say So!"
Because she called out in English, Help
Save mel / heard the words distinctly. and
started to run after the droshky. Wouldn't
you have done the same in my place? guess
you're just the sort of man who'd be first to help
beauty in distreSSi'
This was sarcasm and sheer insolence. /
couldn't help it; he looked such brutal little
beastl But he took it as a compliment. and
actually bowed and smirked, twirNng his mus
tache and leering at me like satyr.
You have read me Alright, monsieur" he
said quite amiably. so this lady was beauti-
ful?"
We'll. 7 can't say. / didn't really see her:
the droshky drove off the very instant she
called out. One of the horses had been down.
and / was standing to look at it, | explained.
responding automatically to his more friendly
mood. | wanted to get clear as soon as posi-
BILE: for knew that every moment was precious.
Il Just saw hat and some dark hair"
Ozark. Ell? Should you know her again."
al guess not. / tell you didn't really see
her fac"
How could she know you were an Amer
ican?"
/ shrugged my shoulders. Perhaps she
can speak any language but English"
What is this?" he held up the handkerchief
ard shifted at it.
IT was family perfumed How we'll knew
that perfume. sweet and elusive as the scent
of flowers on 4 rainy day!
"A handkerchief. 1t fell at my feet, and l
picked it up before started to run
1T is marked A.; p. Do YOU know anyone
with those initials?"
Those beady eyes of his were fixed on my
face, watching my every expression. s.nc. knew
that his questions were dictated b. some i
mite purpose.
brains in an effort of recollection. Il do
think Why, yes. there was Abigail Parkinson.
Job Parkinson's wife, most respectable old
lady knew in the States-the United States
of America, you know"
His eyes glinted ominously. and he brought
his fat bejeweled hand down on the table with
bang "You are trif1ing with mel
Pm not" assured him. with an excellent
assumption of injured innocence. You asked
me if knew anyone with those initials, and I'm
telling YOU
Il am not asking you about old women on
the other side of the world. Think again
Might not the initials stand for-Anna Pc
trovna for instance!"
So he had guessed, after ALL who she wasi
Anna whati Oh-Petrovna. Why. yes. of
course they stand for that: but it's Russian
name, isn't it! And this lady was English, or
American"
He was silent for minute. lingering the
handkerchief, which l longed to snatch from
the contamination of his touch.
"A mistake has been made. as now perceive.
your release might be accomplished without
much difficulty"
He paused and looked hard at my pocket
book.
Il guess if you'll hand me that note case it
can be accomplished right now" / suggested
cheerfully.
passed him a note worth about eight dol
lars and he grasped and shook my hand eff
fusively as he took it.
Now we are friends-hefns" he exclaimed.
Accept my fluctuations at the so happy con-
clusion of our interview. You understand well
that duty must be done, at whatever personal
cost and inconvenience. Permit me to restore
the rest of your property, monsieur. This only
| must retain" He thrust the handkerchief
into his desk. "Perhaps-who knows I'VE
may discover the fair owner and restore it to
her"
His civility was even more loathsome to me
than his insolence had been, and wanted to
kick him; but didn't. l offered him ciga-
rette instead, and we parted with mutual bows
and smiles.