The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-02-20

WOmdu SIAODSO 10 inc ne2It. On u
piece of paper pinned to her dress the
following lines were scrubbed In pen
Gil:
This woman. wrstched Spy in the en-
ploy of the Russian police, has for q long
time past watched young men and girls
studying at the Paris universities. Two
girls who recently returned TO Russia
were. on that womans information. ar
rested at the frontier. and have not been
heard Of since. There are. we know. 9TH
er female spies now carrying on their ne
farious work In some OF tbs French wa
terfng places, and their turn win soon
come.
THE police are investigating the AFFAIR.
which has created q tremendous sensation
among the Russian students here"
There was a moments silence when
had finished, and then two or three
of the guests remarked that 1t was q
terrible business. The count remained
silent. He soon after went to bed,
and followed his example.
The next morning after breakfast I
sat outside the hotel smoking my.
cigarette. The guests were at the
springs or strolling about, while the
countess had gone on one Of her usual
peregrinations. Toward two the count
appeared. and, passing me. gave me
one Of his formal mods. / went up to
him.
Pardon me-" said; 81 owe you an
apology for interrupting you some
what rudely last night; but l took the
liberty OF stopping you from launching
into what looked very much like q
diatribe against the Russian authori-
ties. You were apparently not aware
that political spy was sitting within
yard of you"
"a spy" he gasped.
Eyes, a spy, in the person Of that
good-looking girl, Mile. Eugenie Arco.
So, now. you will perhaps accept my
apology"
IN. Guibert," he laughed, II don't
know whether to challenge you to
fight or to ask you to do me the
honor to lunch with me today"
There is no necessity for either"
replied. Il am only too happy to
have rendered you a slight service"
How did you know she was a spyT
he asked. Have you any proofT
mo, only strong suspicion. But we
shall now have proofs"
The head waiter was standing at
the door,
81 have not seen Mile. Arco this
morning" I called out to him. II hope
she is not ill.,
She has gone away" the man re-
piled. "She left early this morning"
The count looked puzzled. We
walked little way down the road.
and then said:
II had my doubts about that girl
from the start; she Is a bungler, a
novice in the business. Fancy her
suspecting me, native of Brittany, of
being a Russian Nihilist! Political
spying is dirty work; but IL you do 1t
you must do 1t well or 1t becomes dan.
gerous. especially to the spy. And
| that Is why I tried to knock the fear
into that young creature by reading
out that paragraph last night"
Eyes, about those unfortunate girls.
| Poor things!"
Reserve your pity for another oc
casion, count. invented that story
I'M. Guibert!" he cried. Il compli
ment you on your perspicacity. May
I ask what your profession Isl"
| II am q commission agent"
"Well," he laughed. "you would have
made a fine detective"
| You are very kind. But for every
bodys sake it will be we'll not to men
ton this affair"
| The count nodded assent.
After the spy incident the count b.
came very friendly and talked freely
| to me on many subjects.
The countess undoubtedly neglected
her husband.
Visitors kept pouring In, many Of
them members of the so-called 'smar,
set" I did not like the appearance Of
several of the newcomers. and was
glad my cure was drawing to an end
Then a remarkable incident occurred
The countess had gone on one O!
her excursions with her male and fe
male followers, the organizer Of the
party. as usual, being Rene Soudier
Bright, witty, excelling In all sports
Soud' n was adored by the women and
popular with the men, except with th<
count. The latter disliked him cor
daily, and rarely or never spoke u
him.
The party had left after luncheon
and was not expected back before
O'Clock. At three In the afternoon. Al
[ returned from a walk. / saw tn
count walking up and down In from
of the hotel. Something evidently haa
gone wrong. The moment he saw mi
he gripped my arm and led me- to
secluded spot In the garden.
I'M. Guibert," he began In an q
cited tone which he tried hard to COZ
troll: I'M. Guibert, you proved yourself
very shrewd when you dealt with tina
Russian girl. Allow me to apply t
you for advice. My wife's pearl mech
lace has been stolen. Do you min
accompanying me up-stairs?
The apartments the count occupies
In the hotel consisted Of drawing
| room. his and his wife's bedroom. an
lthoir two dressing-rOomS Maria tn