Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Old Peddler

we had passed, the place was a f1ourishing one,
and seemed quiet enough, though here again,
as at Wilma and Riga, there was something
onlinous in the air.
We put up at the best inn in the place, where
we found fresh horses waiting under the
care of couple of men in uniform. There
a telegraph wire to Zostrov, and Mishka had
sent word of our coming | learned later that
when the Grand Duke was in residence con-
slant line of communication was maintained,
with relays of horses for carriages or riders be-
tween the castle and the railroad
had wondered when Mishka told me the
arrangements for the journey, why earth
motor cars weren't used over this last stage;
but when found what the roads were like,
when there were any roads at all, | guessed it
was wise to rely on horses, and on the light and
strong Russian travelling carriages that go gaily
over the toughest track, rather than on the best
built motor procurable.
The landlord of the inn lean old man
with greasy earlocks and long beard. He
welcomed us with cringing effusion and gave
us of his best. The dinner table, set in the one
bedroom we were to share, so that we might
dine privately and in state, was spread with a
cloth, which, though grimy to degree, was of
fine damask, and displayed forks, spoons, and
candlesticks of solid silver. The frowsy sheets
and coverlets on the three beds were of linen
and silk.
Evidently Moses Barzinsky was a wealthy
man, and his wife, fat dame with beady
eyes and preposterous black wig, served us
mented her on it when she brought in the
samovar; for here in the wilds it didn't seem
to matter about keeping up my pretended
ignorance of the language. She was fattered
and assumed quite motherly air toward me;
she didn't cringe like her husband. As sat
there, slipping my tea and chatting with her, !
little guessed what would befall the comforta-
ble homely, good tempered old lady very few
days hence Mishka listened in disappearing
silence to our interchange of badinage, and,
%1I H.
grumbling protest
You are very indiscreet," he grunted.
why do you want to chatter with thing like
that"
He jerked his pipe toward the doorway.
Mishka despised the cigarette which, to every
other Russian l have met, seems as necessary
to life as the air he breathes, and when he
hadn't cigar fell back on distinctly NAL
odorous briar.
Why in thunder shouldn't talk to herr"
demanded. She's the only creature I've
heard laugh since got back into Holy Russia.
1t cheers one up a bit, even to look at her.
You are fool' his complimentary
retort. And she is another like all women, or
But l tell you once more, you cannot be too
cautious. You must remember that you know
no Russian You are only an American who
has come to help the Prince while away his
time of exile by trying to turn the Zostrov
muzhiks into good farmers. That in itself is a
think it may keep him out of more dangerous
mischief"
WHO are they? l wish you'd be bit
more explicit" l demonstrated. He did make
me angry sometimes.
That is not my business, he answered
stolidly. my business is to obey orders, and
one of those is to bring you safely to Zostrov."
COULD not see how my innocent converse
ton with the housewife could endanger the
safety of either of us; but had already learned
that it was useless to argue with Mishka.
We smoked in silence for some minutes while
unused over the strangeness of my position. /
had determined to return to Russia in search of
Anne; had hailed Mishka intervention, seized
the opportunity provided on the Grand
Dukes invitation, as If they were God-sent.
And vet here / was, seemingly even farther
from news of her than had been in England
playing my part as helpless pawn in game
did not understand in the least.
The landlord entered presently and obse-
quiously beckoned Mishka to the far end of
the room, where they held a whispered con-
versation, which tried not to listen to, though
| could not help overhearing frequent refer
ences to the Mayor and the Commandant of the
garrison. From my post of observation by the
window had already noticed great number
of soldiers about though whether there was
anything unusual in the presence of such a
strong military force !, of course, did not know.
Mishka crossed over to me. : am going out
for time You will remain here?"
"IIl see. Perhaps I'll go for stroll later, "
/ replied. 1t had occurred to me that he re-