The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-04-14

Wang. "My acquaintance with him
would lead me to have the same opin-
ion, were 1t not for this terrible accu-
sation, so strongly substantiated by
evidence"
She was talking with this wonderful
boy as though he were an equal.
"And do you believe this accusation
you, who love him? Shame upon
you! Does not your heart tell you
that he is innocent?"
1t was now the Romanovna's turn
to grow pale and stagger, as though
she had been struck physical blow.
"How dare your" she cried; you
insolent boy! Did he tell you that l
loved him? But no! He is gentle
man. He could not do such a thing.
But something, though it cannot be
my heart, tells me that he is inno-
cent"
Then something tells you right"
said Wang, quietly, "for he did not
kill your worthless cousin. killed
him!"
"You-you killed him." Her ex-
preston, as she said these words, de-
noted perplexity, quickly followed by
pity. you poor boy!" she cried,
"your sufferings have affected your
mind. Those little hands have never
committed murder-and such ter
rible murder!"
Listen" said Wang, "and you will
understand and believe. The Prince
Romanoff hated my master from the
beginning of his acquaintance with
him, because he could not make him
his tool. In Japan, where the prince
came as spy, he attempted to throw
suspicion on Mr.. Hardy, but did not
succeed in getting him into any seri-
GUS trouble. His hatred was increased
on the Amur because it was my mas
ter who saved your life, and not he.
The affair of the duel, in which the
American figured as the real hero by
sparing his life at your request,
changed his animosity into a resent,
ment which Mr.. Hardy's death alone
could have satisfied.
81 overheard the prince talking in
the station at Moscow with two of his
associates. He mentioned the name
of Hardy with murderous hate, and
shadowed them for two days. ]
learned that the prince was planning
to kill my master. They were going
to have the coach in which he was
travelling blown up with dynamite and
the rumor spread that mistake had
been made, as has happened before
and that the explosion had been in
tended for the car containing Roman
off and some of the mobiles. I over
heard the words, This Jew must die!
and knew that if noble like Ro
MANOR had determined on the death
Of man without powerful friends he
would accomplish his end. I could
not expose them, for how could the
word of a boy like me, a despised
Korean, stand against that of the
Prince Romanoff. So, to save the life
of my master, / killed Romanof.
crept into his compartment at night
when he was sleeping in a drunken
stupor and thrust a stiletto into his
| heart. He sighed-a long sigh
shuddered, and kept on sleeping"
who are your" asked the princess
you who, for love, have done this
dreadful deed of hate?"
"I am Aisome Mosuro, known in my
own country as Aisome, the Fox. an
supposed to be cunning, brave, heart
less and patriotic to the last drop ot
blood in my body. I am in the secret
service of my country, and have beer
one of it's most trusted agents.
speak many of the languages of Eu
rope and all the dialects of China
And yet l am woman-just WON
an, who, at the chrismal touch of q
mans lips, find my whole nature
changed, and am ready to give up al
for him, friends, country, individuality
yes, even life itself, happy only if
can be near him, can serve him, car
hear his voice! I-when think of II
all, am ashamed of myself" sobbet
the girl, pressing a handkerchief tt
her eyes, "but cannot help it. I an
even now asking you to save me, Il
you can, for his sake. / can never
see him again. He will know now
that 1 am not Wang, the Korean boy
and, besides, my hands are stained
with blood. But he would be dis
tracted if he knew that l were in the
hands of the Russian authorities; he
would be unhappy all his life if they
were to kill me. For he loved Wang
though he has forgotten poor Aisome
l am asking you to save me for his
sake, and let me go away to my owl
country. You do not despise me, d.
you, and you do not fear me?"
II neither fear nor despise you," re
piled the princess, sorrowfully
though I shrink with horror from
your dreadful deed. You are won
an and a sister, and 1 will save yol
if l can, for l believe you. Alas!
knew too well my cousins revengfu
and violent nature. Listen! I shal
see the czar and use my woman's wit
to clear Mr.. Hardy without giving th'
name Of the actual perpetrator. an
going to Port Arthur to take charg'
of hospital there for our sick ant
wounded heroes. You must remain
here in my house till / return from ST
Petersburg, and then go with me t.
the sea coast, whence I will send yo1
across to Japan. I believe that MI
Hardy would wish this, and there i
nothing I would not do for his sake
within honor. But II / find that 1t 4
necessary, in order to save his life
TO tell my name? Then tell II
and I shall be here to say that yo1
speak the truth"
CHAPTER XII.
i