The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-01-11

pocket 1t mi fStit SppoVe fatal.
Tips eyes opened vide. sSs
30, Tins. have no time for xpla,
nation Goodshy.' 4. I
And returned to my prisoner.
Boris was pacing up and down the
room, and, in a hoarse voice. said: & 8
Y ut is all up with me. The smash
was bound to come. The man am
serving bought his title in Italy. ]
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
gave way to temptation. l was con
Quoting a shalr.tlpsy gentleman to his
carriage. His portfolio, full Of bank
notes. was hanging out of his pocket,
ana 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 d
confession Of my crime, promising not
10 denopnce me SO long as l served
him faithfully. The next day l dis
covered that he was a dangerous ad'
yenturer; he has come to Paris for q
big coup that he supposes will briDG
him in a lot Of money"
"Why. then. did he steal that pen
dant, most difficult undertaking,
where he ran a terrible risk"
81 have asked myself that question
several times. l am inclined to think
he was short Of money. On the other
hand, he is a strange men. Danger
attracts him, and I would not be sur
prised IL the very difficulty Of the
thing tempted him"
Heaving sigh, he added:
II don't care what becomes of me
Monsieur Goron. II I but get out Of
that mans clutches"
The baron had gone to Nice, aud
Boris gave me his address.
I had telegraphed to Nice to keep an
eye upon him until my arrival. ]
waited until he returned from the club
to bis hotel, and then informed him
that he would have 10 come with me
to Paris, to answer the charge Of hav'
ing stolen a jewel.
He eyed me for a moment with q
slight lifting OF the eyebrows.
II must warn you, Monsieur Goron."
he said, "that you are risking your po.
sitton by arresting me on such pre-
posterous charge"
II take the risk"
lie did not utter a syllable when we
overhauled his luggage, nor when we
searched his pockets. And all the way
to the capital he remained silent.
At the Police Prefecture he made
formal protest against his arrest,
and then drove with me and an official
10 his apartment. which had been kept
under observation. Except the famous
fur coat l found nothing Of interest be.
yond quantity Of correspondence
and a heap OF documents-chiet1y 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; and a
couple Of hours later she and Uncle
Jerome came to my Office in great
alarm to tell me that they did not
want to prefer,a charge against the
baron.
Hooked at them IN amusement.
"Yes," they said, speaking in excited
tones, this case must never come to
trial. We dare not face the scandal"
what scandal" I shouted.
"The scandal in the press. Why. We
should become the laughing.stock Of
all ParisL"
"You surely cannot expect me-" I
steruly returned. ito enter into such
considerations. I think myself lucky
in having caught that fellow, and no
certainly shall not escape. Moreover,
you do not seem to be aware that even
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.
was asked TO call at once on the
examining magistrate on an urgent
matter and. with grim smile, he
handed me q document.
It was demand from the Russian
Government for the extradltion OF a
so.called Baron s. on a charge OF
forging bonds. swindling, and bribing
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:
81 have a 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.
/ trust you understand me?"
1t 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. 1t was decided not to proceed
against the baron in connection with