The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-12-27

Tips eyes opened wide.
mo, Tips: I have no time for explar
nation. Good-Ry."
And I returned to my prisoner.
Boris was pacing up and down tho
room. and. In hoarse voice. said:
1T Is all up with me. The smash
was bound to come. The man I am !.
serving bought his title In Italy. I
met him three years ago In Moscow.
In club where ] was one OF the at
tendants in the baccarat.room. These
Russian clubs are bells. One night I
gave way to temptation. was con-
Quoting half-tipsy gentleman to his
carriage. His portfolio, full OF bank
notes. was hanging out OF his pocket,
and I took It. thought nobody was
| near; but Baron s. had watched
me. He told me to come to his rooms
that night, and forced me TO write q
confession OF my crime, promising not
to denounce me so long as I served
him faithfully. The next day dis
covered that he was a dangerous ad-
venturer; he has come to Paris for q
big coup that he supposes win bring
him in a lot OF money"
why, then. did he steal that PEN
dant, most difficult undertaking.
where he ran terrible risk?"
Il have asked myself that question
several times. am inclined to think
he was short OF money. On the other
hand, he Is a strange men. Danger
attracts him. and would not be sur
prised II the very difficulty OF the
thing tempted him"
Heaving q sigh, he added:
Il don't care what becomes Of me.
Monsieur Goron. II I but get out Of
that mans clutches"
The baron had gone to Nice, and
Boris gave me his address.
, had telegraphed to Nice to keep an
eye upon him until my arrival.
waited until he returned from the club
TO his hotel. and then informed him
that he would have to come with me
to Paris, to answer the charge OF hav-
ing stolen jewel
! He eyed me for a moment with a
slight lifting of the eyebrows.
| Il must warn you. Monsieur Goron,"
he said, that you are risking your po-
siuon by arresting me on such o pre-
posterous charge"
Il take the risk"
| He did not utter a syllable wden We
overhauled his luggage. nor waen we
searched his pockets. And all the way
TO the capital he remained silent.
l. At the Police Prefecture ne made
a formal protest against his arrest,
and then drove with me and an official
TO his apartment, which had been kept
under observation. Except the famous
fur coat found nothing of interest be-
yo1d a quantity OF correspondence
and heap OF documents-chiefiy in
Russian-which / sealed In his pres
ence and took back to the Prefecture.
On the following morning the baron
was to be confronted with Boris.
I had informed Madame H that
Baron s. had been arrested: end q
couple OF hours later she and tTucle
Jerome came to my office in great
alarm to tell me that they did not
want TO prefer a charge against the
baron.
looked at them in amazement.
Yes" they said, speaking in excited
tones. this case must never come to
trial. We dare not face the scandal"
What scandal?" shouted.
"The scandal in the press. Why, We
should become the laughing-stocH OF
all Paris!"
You surely cannot expect me-"
sternly returned. ito enter into such
considerations. think myself lucky
In having caught that fellow. ard he
certainly shall not escape. Moreover,
you do not seem TO be aware that oven
your Withdrawing the charge would
not further matters as far as you are
concerned, for the case is already in
the public prosecutors hands"
They whispered together, and left
But 1t was written that this affair
should be fraught with surprises.
I was asked to call at once on the
examining magistrate on an urgent
matter. and. with grim smile. he
handed me document.
It was a demand from the Russian
Government for the extradition Of a
so-called Baron s. on a charge Of
forging bonds. swindling, and br,bing
state officials.
1t meant transportation for life.
The baron's nerves nearly gave way
when this news was communicated to
him. But he made violent effort,
and, turning TO me said:
II have request to make OF you.
Monsieur Goron. Do what you can for
that poor wretch Boris. He has moth
ing to do with this Russian business.
l trust you understand me?"
II spoke we'll for the man that In
this hour OF trouble he thought OF the
humble companion whose ruin he had
worked.
Things altogether underwent an odd
change. II was decided not to proceed
against the baron in connection with
the jewel robbery. as It was doubtful
whether. owing to Madame H--'s at
titude. conviction could be obtained.
After the usual formalities the baron
was handed over to the Russian off,
Gals. and twenty years transportation
fell to his share.