The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-11-08

stand us, too. and stop playing at as
sassins and conspirators. But once
in a while habit is too strong for them,
and something happens"
"As 1t happened to Amaroff"
"Yes-as II happened to Amaroff."
at was "A political crime?"
Eyes"
And the reasons?"
"They have the advantage of sim
plicity. Amarof was a member Of
the Russian secret-service. detailed
to mix with and observe the Nihilist
refugees. The Car enters Paris in
two days, and when the Car travels
the political police Of all the capitals
are kept on the run. suppose
Amaroff showed an excess of zeal
that made his absence from London
desirable Anyway. he was found
dead, and the Russians reasonably
conclude it is the Nihilists who killed
him"
"who were those men in the
studio?"
1.-THE big fellow was Nicolin, the
head of the Russian service over here.
/ don't know a better man in his pro-
fession nor one with fewer scruples.
The other two were assistants They
came down to the Yard this morning
with a request that they might search
the studio for certain private papers
which Amaroff had and which belong
ed to them. So we fixed the appoint
ment into which you have just walk
ed"
"And they finished their search?"
"You heard them say So"
Exactly: but why. then. did they
want an impression Of the studio
key?"
He turned upon me with q sudden
impotence in his eyes.
What do you mean" he asked
told him of my arrival. and what
had seen from my post behind the
curtains of the doorway. He did not
speak when ] had finished. but sat,
putting at his short pipe, and staring
out over the horses ears. So We ar
rived at our door.
"If you have further news tonight
will you call in before going to bed?''
I asked him as we stood on the pave.
ment.
IT cannot promise you that. have
some important inquiries to make in
the East End this evening, and do
not know when I shall return"
suppose ] looked depressed at his
snH4n1 % n
lonely evening in my rooms with such
a mystery in course Of solution out.
side, seemed oddly distasteful to me-
"It is rough district, as you know
he said, watching me; "but would you
care to come along?"
"There is nothing should like bet
ter" answered simply.
"Well-it's against the regulations;
but they allow me some license. Be
ready at nine, and I will call for you.
Wear old clothes, cap and scarf
round your neck to hide your collar.
Is that UNDERSTOOD"
"Yes." | said, and so 1t was settled
between us.
We were punctual in our meeting,
and trotted eastward over the roads
we had covered on the previous day.
When we stopped it was at a narrow
rift in a wall of mean dwellings. We
dismissed the cab and threaded our
way down the alley. which opened out
upon a miserable square. The houses
that surrounded it had once been of
some pretension. In a simpler age
merchants had doubtless lived there,
men who owned the tall ships that
had lain in the river near by. But now
the porticos had crumbled, the iron
ratings had bent and rusted, the plas-
ter had fallen in speckled patches
from the walls. In the center a few
ancient trees still dragged on a dis
consulate existence. It was silent
place where wheeled traffic never
came. And when, through an upper
window, a woman suddenly poured
forth shrill abuse upon drunken man
clinging to the ratings, each oath
rang loudly in the furtive silence.
AS we paused at the mouth OF the
alley, a tall man, with a dropping yell
low moustache, brushed by us; and
when we turned into a beer-house at
the corner he followed us, standing a
little apart in an angle Of the bar.
There were half a dozen men and
women-of the life wreckage Of the
great city-sitting on the benches; but
before the inspector was served with
the drinks he ordered, they had whis-
pered one to another and melted
away. AS the last one skunk through
the door, Peace beckoIed to the tall
man. who Joined us.
"Well, Jackson" he said, you can't
hide your light under bushel in
Stepney, that's certain"
I'm afraid not, SIR" he grinned.
"Leastways not in Maiden Square,"
"Well, have you found the place?
Oh, that is all right" for the man had
glanced at me with brief suspicion.
This Is Mr.. Phillips. who has been
of much service to me in our little
affair; let me introduce you to Ser.
jeant Jackson. Mr.. Phillips"
I shook hands with the serjeant,
who said that he would take glass
of beer.
"And the placer" asked Peace. when
we had seated ourselves on corner
- 80 A.. xuo- ~