Holbrook argus., 1912-07-16

"W1n your majesty deign to ride this afternoon?" |
 And suddenly the czar looked up.
 Who art thou?" be asked in excel lent English. --s-...-...
 Your physician, sir" I answered.
 At these words he fell to trembling violently.
 q will not ride" he cried. "It is plot to murder me. have no physi- clan. He Is an assassin. Help mel"
 The flunkies fell back and the blue lined sedan chair began to bob up and down dismally in their midst. l saw soldiers without crane their heads forward to peer into the apartment. Then little man came limping in and, catching sight of me, cried in an affect ed voice:
 Nicolas! Nicolas. mon souveraine! Gu est-ce qu' on fait, donc, avec ce monsieur-ci?" ("What is this man do- i ing here?'O It was Philippe, the char latan. Seize himi" he cried in Rus sian. I understood instinctively. T am his doctor," I shouted in German. But without regarding my cries the funkies rushed at me and seized me; for several moments the czar's chain 1 Der was confused medley of shouts and scuf1ing: then I was outside, i trussed and pinioned and helpless. From within l heard the czars shrill tones in German:
 T will not ride. I will not ride. dreamed that you had put an assassin in the coach with me-
 Suddenly the outer door was flung open violently, and big, blackboard ed man flew into the room as though j propelled from catapult and, with succession of running leaps, dashed into the presence of the czar, heaving the attendant servitors aside like nine pins. It was the Grand Duke Alexis. Following him, all a-glitter with orders, came man in uniform whom rightly surmised to be General Kaulbars. The general stopped to regard me as I lay prostrate upon the floor. But inside I heard the grand duke roaring at his sovereign in his strong bass.
 "What the devils this?" he cried, in English. Wont drive, Nick? I say you shall drive. It's good for you to drive. You shall drive to hell if I command it. Curse you, Nick, are you going to make me lose my temper?" The czar must have sprung at him, for violent fight followed. Somebody shut the door of the apartment with 8 bang. I heard a table overturned and the czar's voice shouting shrilly in Russian. The guards sprang forward, threateningly, but Kaulbars, standing over me, shouted to them in volleying Russian Sullenly they withdrew. And all at once the door opened and the sedan chair came out. Inside, the czar lay, trussed and bound and gagged, only his eyes shining with futile malev- olence. Inc grand duke followed, flushed but smiling. <
 T said thou shouldst ride, Nicholas" !" he cried. "Take him to his carriage, Philippe" he added, as the dapper Frenchman came mincing out. He saw me and stopped, while the cortege went on through the apartment and along the corridor. Who the devil is this?" he demanded.
 "Just what wished to know" said Kaulbars. Speak up, fellow" he con tinued in English.
 T am his majesty's physician" an- swered boldly. Why, these soldiers saw me enter in his company" Kaulbars translated and the soldiers apparently confirmed my statement. Then why are you not with his ma. jesty?" the grand duke demanded. Because in his fit of madness he | refused to drive, and told his funkies
 to seize me-oF 1t was Phil-that little
 Frenchman," I cried angrily. T tried
 to make him drive-as you did" But I succeeded" said the grand duke. metioning to the men to unite
 me. When had regained my feet he ' continued smiably:
 Herr Doctor, is 1t still your desire !. that his majesty go driving?"
 Tt is,'' answered.
 !, Then, if release you, you will i. doubtless gladly ride after his coach ,, and see that he does not take too much
 air?" he asked.
 , Besides" said Kaulbsrs, though the equery who attends him has orders
 to unbind him should the violence sub I side, he may fear to lay hands upon l. his sovereign. Will you not accept ten f thousand apologies, Herr Doctor, and :. ride after your illustrious= patieut?''
 And see that he returns before the !. night air chills him." added the grand F duke.
 | Would I? Let me but set eyes upon 3 the czar's coach and I would warrant 1 that the auteerat shou.d not return be : fore the following evening, Rather !. would I urge on the horses into the : depths of the forest of Finland. For 3 should he return, in his condition of mind, knew well that he would be , completely docile toward the grand k,-f,, S,,I