The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-02-21
THE STORY OF
AMAROFF THE POLE
(Continued.l


of us were over the wall. dropping
into a ragged shrubbery Of laurel. We
groped and stumbled our way through
the growth of bushes until we emerged
en- a grass plot Then l understood
We were at the back Of Amarof's
studio. On one side where we stood
was the clubhouse, its sloping roof
reaching up to the long windows un'
der the eaves-the upper lights, as
sculptors call them. And even as
looked there came through these WIN
dows flicker of light, an eye that
winked in the darkness and was gone
We crept softly forward until we
reached the shadow of the Clubhouse
1t was rooted with rough tiles, which
came to within seven feet OF the
ground. Fortunately, they did not
project out from the wall Of the build
ing.
You must help us up, Jackson
Peace whispered, land then go round
to the door, which l see at the back
there. If they make bolt that way.
hammering on the door as If you were
dozen men. Now then. take me on
your shoulders"
He scrambled to the roof like cat.
Lying fiat he thrust out hand. A
hoist from the sergeant, and l landed
beside him. We waited a few mo-
ments, and then commenced to work
our way up the roof. From its upper
angle l found that the greater part
Of the interior of the studio was with
In our observation.
The moonlight that drifted through
the opposing panes flooded the center
Of the studio with soft light, in the
midst of which the bust in bronze
rose darkly upon its pedestal. A min
ute, and then the eye Of light winked
out, flickered, explored the pools of
shadow, and finally steadied on the
wall as three men moved from the
room beneath us, following one by
one. A second lantern came into play,
and before our eyes commenced a
search such as I could have hardly
credited, SO swift, methodical and
thorough were it's methods. The cush-
Ions were probed with long pins, the
cracks of bare boards, and the nails
that held them in position, were stud
led each In turn, the plastered walls
were sounded inch by inch, the locks
of desk and drawer were picked with
the ease of mechanical knowledge.
We heard it before the men below,
the faint patter, patter on the road
outside of runner In desperate haste.
The footsteps grew silent, and in the
pause there must have come sound
audible to them though not to us, for
the lantern slides were shut down
like the swapping of teeth, and the
men vanished into the gloom. Only
the moonlight remained, bathing the
Nero in its gentle beams. l glanced
at Peace. His expression was one OF
beatific enjoyment, but his whistle
was at his lips.
/ could not see the entrance door
so that the struggle was welln1gh
over before I knew it was begun. The
stranger fought hard, as l judged
from the scuffling thuds. yet he raised
no cry of help. Then the eyes of the
lanterns glowed again and they led him
into the center of the studio with the
CLINT of steel marking the handouts
on his wrists. 1t was Greatman-the
fox that had run into the den of the
wolves!
And so. mon ami, you play double
game"
It was not until he spoke that | re-.
allied that could hear what went
forward within. The big ventilators
above me were open, and Nicolin-for
1t was he-did not modulate his voice.
1T is you that killed him." cried
the prisoner. raising his fettered
hands. you that have betrayed me-.
Murderer and liar that you are"
His frail body shook to the furv
that was on him; but the Russ,ar
laughed in his black beard. stroking Il
with his hands.
Il had almost forgotten" he said
1T may be that you have some cause
of complaint against me. But now
that you are here, you win doubtless
be kind enough to save Us trouble.
Where. my good Kroll. are the bombs
hidden?"
do you think I shall tell your.
Remember, Amaroff is dead. Thev
viii not go to Paris now. Do not be
foolish. Show me the hiding plaza.
and no harm shall come to YOU"
NO"
Then you will return to Russia
The Odessa forgery win carry you
there by English law-but, remember.