The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-07-28
copyright by W. G. Chapman1

received when child, had been an
invalid al! her life.
The detectives researches convinced
MIN that the robbery had been COM
mltted while the money was in transit
between the two towns. Also it was
perfectly clear that careful arrange
ments had been made beforehand by
the thleVes, because the facsimile
boxes had been prepared in advance;
the cord used to bind the false boxes
was government cord, and the govern
ment seal was so cleverly initiated
mat the forgery could only be de-
tected after close inspection. All of
which proved conclusively that there
was traitor in the camp. From the
moment that he had gathered up the
details OF the affair he had set
watch upon the movements of the
eight men who had travelled with the
treasure from Moscow to st. Peters
burg. The gendarmes belonged to
Moscow, and had returned, and though
watched carefully had done nothing
to arouse suspicion The four govern
ment officials were also watched, but
no sign came from them.
Five weeks after the robbery q fe-
male peddler left St. Petersburg by
the Moscow train. She did not book
to Moscow, however, but to a place
called Vishni Volotchok, about mid
way between the cities. She bore with
her a big basket, containing stock
OF slippers, boots, shoes and sabots.
In due course she reached her destina-
ton and proceeded to the residence of
landed PROPRIETOR named Ivan Goloy-
min. 1t was almost dark when the
old woman reached the house where
she tried to sell some of her wares to
the servants, but was not successful.
Then she pleaded illness, and with
true Russion hospitality the servants
took her into the great kitchen and
made her up bed by the stove. AS
she had Tot recovered her health the
following morning she was allowed to
remain, aud stayed for three days, at
the end of which she returned to St..
Petersburg. Another fortnight slipped
away and rs Danevitch had not given
any sign 20 the chief that he was
making progress, that official grew
impatient, and visited the minister of
finance.
II regret, your excellency,' he said,
that we have made no discovery re-
garding the treasury robbery Dane
witch does not appear to have accom-
plished anything, and l am of the
opinion that the case should be placed
In other hands"
The minister shook his head. no"
he said CURLY; Il am opposed to any
change being made, ! have full con-
fidence in DansYitc .And.--hx- the
way. on next Thursday there Is to be
q wedding in the Church of st. Sophia.
A daughter of one of my subordinates
Is to marry Peter Golovnin, the son
of wealthy landed proprietor. Curl
ously enough, met Danevitch last
night and he asked me If was 60
ing to the wedding, told him no,
that / had no invitation; whereupon
he expressed surprise that my subor
dinate had not paid me the compli-
ment of inviting me. At the moment
l did not attach any importance to
the remark, but on bordering over 1t
! fancy that Darevitch had deep
motive in what he said. At all events,
l shall go to the wedding on the
chance that something strange may
occur"
The marriage In question was rather
grand affair. Peter Golovnin, the
bridegroom, was q good-looking young
man of about six and twenty. The
bride was two years younger, with
pretty features, but suffering from
some affection of the spine which had
cruelty distorted her figure. Her
name was Olga, and she was the only
sister of Briazga, the government
clerk in the finance department, who
was present during the ceremony.
The minister of finance was also in
evidence. but nothing unusual oc-
cured. Suddenly Briazga, espying
the minister. approached him and
said:
"You honor US, sir, by gracing the
ceremony with your presence. We are
comparatively poor people, and felt
that 1t was too humble an affair to
ask you to come to 1t. But now that
you are here. trust you will join the
: luncheon party at my house?"
The minister excused himself on the
score Of business engagements; but
FIVE minutes later. when Briazga had
left him, and he was going out of the
church, Danevitch came up to him.
Il saw you talking to Briazga," re-
marked the detective.
did you? Where were you? l
didn't notice you in the church"
Perhaps not. but l wasn't far
away. Briazga has invited you to the
luncheon, as l thought he would. AS
you were present your subordinate
couldn't very we'll avoid asking you.
Nevertheless, he doesn't really desire
your presence. /. however, would like
you to 90. little drama may be en-
acted in which YOU can play part"
Knowing Dapevitch as he did, the
minister realized that he must have
some good reason for making this
simple request. and without asking
further questions he sent note to
Briazga, stating that he had changed
his mind ard would be present at the