The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-02-14

whom l had interrupted in the middle
OF his speech, gaze at me with any
thing but pleasure
Last night" l read. 1.-The police
were called to a house in the Rue
Delambre, in the Montparnasse quar-
ter, where, in bedroom on the fifth
floor, they found the body of young
woman stabbed to the heart. On a
piece of paper pinned to her dress the
following lines were scrubbed in pen
Gil:
This woman, a wretched spy in the en-
ploy of the Russian police, has for long
time past watched young men and girls
studying at the Paris universities. Two
girls who recently returned to Russia
were. on that Woman's 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 me-
farlous work in some of the French wa
terlng places, and their turn will soon
come.
The police are investigating the affair,
which has created a 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 it was a
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-" l said; Il owe you an
apology for interrupting you some
what rudely last night: but I TOOK the
liberty Of stopping you from launching
lE.o what looked very much like a
Afatribe against the Russian authori-
ties. You were apparently not aware
that a political spy was sitting within
yard of you"
"A spy!' he gasped.
Yes, a spy, in the person Of that
good-looking girl, Mile. Eugene Arco.
SO, now, you will perhaps accept my
apology"
IN. Guibert," he laughed, Il 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 slight service"
How did you know she was a spy"
he asked. Have you any proof?"
NO, only strong suspicion. But we
shall now have proofs"
The head waiter was standing at
the door.
Il have not seen Mile Arco this
morning." | 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 a little way down the road.
and then said:
Il had my doubts about that girl
from the start; she is bungler, a
novice in the business Fancy her
|'suEpecting me, a native Of Brittany, OF
being Russian Nihilist! Political
spying is dirty work; but if you do it
you must do it we'll or it becomes dan
gerous, especially to the spy. And
that is why tried to knock the fear
into that young creature by reading
out that paragraph last night
~.l1
Poor things!"
Reserve your pity for another oc-
casion, count invented that story"
m. Guibert!" he cried, Il compli.
ment you on your perspicacit. May
Task what your profession ISL"
II am a commission agent"
Well" he laughed. you wouio have
made a fine detective"
You are very kind. But for every
body's sake it will be we'll not to men
ton this affair"
The count nodded assent
After the sly incident the count be.
came very friendly and talked freely
to me on many subjects.
The countess undoubtedly neglected
her husband 1t vas plain that a cool
head waiter. who occasionally hon
ored me with his confidence. informed
me that the lady was OF humble ex-
traction The count had met her
while she was companion to a widow
and had fallen violently in love with
her
Visitors kept pouring in, many of
them members Of the sO-called smart
set" l did not like the appearance of
several of tile newcomers, and l was
, glad my cure was drawing to an end.
Than a remarkable incident occurred.
The countess had gone on one of
| 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 Il was adored by the women and
popular with the men, except with the
count. The latter disliked him cor.
| daily, and rarely or never spoke 70
him.
/ The party had left after luncheon
, and was not expected back before Z
!, o'clock At three in the afternoon, as
; I returned from walk, l saw the
count walking up and down in front
! of the hotel. Something evidently had
gone wrong. The moment he saw me
he gripped my arm and led me to q
secluded spot In the garden
: IN. Guibert," he began in an ex
cited tone which he tried hard to con