The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1914-07-09
A RUSSIAN
WAY
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1914, by Associated Lit
erary Press.


tie to some lands in Montana. He re-
turned to Russia, where he died with
out knowing the value Of his property.
A syndicate bought up all the sur
rounding land and wanted that belong
ing to Bogoff's heirs.
As member Of the syndicate was
sent to Russia to put the matter
through. There was just one thing to
be kept secret-Bogoff had paid about
S7OG for property worth over 100000.
! was to get hold of the land as cheap
ly as possible, giving no hint Of It's
real value. Bogoff was native Of the
port Of Narva. on the gulf Of Finland,
and one day I landed there In search
Of Information. | had my passport
and other credentials and anticipated
no trouble, but l was ignorant Of the
way things work in Russia After tax
ing up quarters at hotel I called
upon lawyer to make inquiries and
secure assistance. Yes, be had heard
of the Bogoffs and thought the family
could easily be found. I was to call
again on the morrow and meanwhile
he would gather such information as
he could.
Two hours later the chief of police Of
Narva entered my room with two Of
his men. The astute officer questioned
me for three long hours and was more
suspicious at the finish than at the be-
ginning. 1t was so queer that Bogoff
should have purchased that land, 50
queer that he hadn't reported 1t on re-
turning, SO queer that should make
such long journey to see the heirs,
so queer that / should seek out law.
yer instead of calling at the police sta
tion. ! knew exactly what all this
meant Had I said to the lawyer in
the first place that there was q "divvy"
In the matter for him and for the chief
Of police and two or three other off,
cials all would have gone. we'll.
When the chief realized that could
not be bled he had all my papers taken
to his Office. The police were ordered
to look upon me as suspicious person.
and a detective was detailed to watch
me day and night.
Thinking might carry on the busi-
ness from St Petersburg. ! went to
that city and again called upon a law
yer first of all. He was sharp enough
to realize that the property was Of con-
siderable value, and without any beat
Ing around the bush he told me that he
would find the heir and put the matter
through for the sum Of $4,000. re-
fused to bribe him and as result soon
discovered that no lawyer would have
anything to do with the case, and only
two days had passed before was sum-
moned to the Office Of the chief Of po-
lice. He closed the interview by say
ing that would be shadowed while I
remained at the capital and by advis-
ing me to take no further steps on my
own account to discover the Bogoffs.
had not been provided with money
to bribe any one. l must either defy
the police and work up the case single
handed or return and report failure.
Being firmly convinced that Mrs. Bo-
goff was in Narya, l secretly left St
Petersburg for that town. Securing
rooms in boarding house and disguis-
ing my personal appearance to con-
siderable extent ! prosecuted my in
quiries under one excuse and another
until at length discovered the woman
She was living in her own bone and In
poor circumstances and was rejoiced
at the prospect Of selling the land.
which she remembered her husband
referring to as a poor investment on
his part
I must have the assistance Of a no
tary to make out the papers, and II
was while seeking this assistance that
the police got track Of me again. As
soon as they tnterfered I was baked.
They not only warned every notary In
Narva against me. but the widow was
obliged to take journey and go into
hiding Things might have stopped
there had been cool and placid man.
When found the police bounding me
again / lost my temper and gave the
chief my opinion Of things In general
and Of his own conduct in particular.
was arrested; on what charge never
knew.
AS soon as incarcerated asked leave
TO communicate with the American
This request was refused
vas not allowed books, writing mate
'ials or other food than the regular
prison fare and was, in fact, treated
n all respects as criminal. On the
:hird day the chief Of police sent for
ne and asked If I would leave Russia
+ given my liberty. / replied In the
negative and was returned to prison
Ny threats that the matter would be
thoroughly sifted by our representative
,nly made him smile, and he quietly
informed me that he would keep me In
prison for the rest of my life II need
,e. On the seventh day he sent for
ne again. ! had now changed my
mind. I saw that could be sent or
o Siberia II the officials 30 desired
and that there was NO longer the
lightest hope Of accomplishing my er-
and I therefore answered him that