The Ely miner., 1914-01-23
The ESSay0n
Statue
copyright. 1918. by W. G. Chapman
An Audacious Hazard Of Nikolai Independent Agent
Related by His Lieutenant Summers
BY H. M EGBERT


ABOUT his imagination, when tragedy
turned comedy and success was not
purchased by tears. The case of the
Essayan statue well illustrates the
tighter side Of Nikolai's nature.
Everybody in Boston came to
kuow Essayan after he formed the
famous combination in corn. He must
have made millions; and from the
humble pest OF editor of little rev.
oiutionary Armenian sheet, he became
one OF the city's leading bankers.
simultaneously his views underwent
4 change, as Nkolai discovered when
ae called on him.
"What?" shouted Essayan Con
tribute fifty thousand dollars to the
evolutionary party? You must be
crazy"
Six months ago." said Nikolai
thoughtfully. you were bawling for
Fengeance upon Russia through the
columns Of your newspaper, and beg
sing subscriptions from your Armeni-
an compatriots against the tyrant of
your country
Essayan stroked his paunch, chuck
ing.
Maybe l did," he admitted. But
now l am a millionaire. My views
have changed"
Nikolai looked round. We were
seated in Essayan's private museum,
IN which he stored his statues. Es-
sayan had gone in for culture His
collection must have been worth mil
lions. Treasures of Greece and Rome
adorned his galleries; there was an
original Venus of PraXiteles, a
dermes by Phidias; bas-reliefs and
friezes had been stripped for the bank
er from many an ancient temple. Nj
kOlai frowned angrily.
You must have spent five millions
on that collection of yours" he said
Twelve millions" said Essayan
at that. They tell me that my Hermes
hadn't head. They tell me that
they're just as valuable when every
statue has some part missing. I don't
understand it mgself-but they cost
twelve millions"
Nikolai led ham on to talk of his
new hobby. 1t was evident that the
Armenian tosk only a shadowy inter
est in the art side of his collection.
He did not, in fact, remember wheth-
er it was his Apollo that had the
missing arm or his Jupiter whose leg
was gone But Berg knows" said
the banker. "Berg's my art expert in
London. and what he says goes. He's
sending me sample of old Egyptian
mummies that's going to cost me half
Now. MT. Essayan," said Nikola!.
million"
if you can spare twelve millions for
your confounded art hobby you can
give me fifty thousand for the Arme-
man cause"
Yet I'll wager you that before the
year is out III sell you one of your
own statues out of this gallery for
three times the amount I've asked
you"
mo, you won't" answered the bank
ar placidly. because know you, and
from this moment my museums 60
ing to be bolted and barred and guard
I'd. and nobodys going to enter. See?"
Nikolai could with difficulty restrain
mis- indignation when we were outside.
"The selfish hog!" he muttered. "He
spends twelve millions on that stuff
when fifty thousand would rebuild
those villages that the Russians burn
ed last year. leaving hundreds of his
countrymen homeless. Well, Sum-
xx,sr
amount and teach the scoundrel les
SON"
"'Nikolai," / said, 81 confess that
breaking into bankers house in Bos-
ton does not appeal to me. It isn't
feasible. This is America, and what
can be done in Europe won't go here"
"I1l do the breaking in," said Nj
kolat. "Or, rather, shall be carried
into the gallery in state and requested
20 spend the night there alone by Mr..
Essayan. All you will be required to
do will be to catch the statue in
blanket when throw it out"
knew that some audacious scheme
had already been devised by my COM
panion, but Nikolai refused to deliver
himself of it. The year had several
months to run and for two months we
did nothing. except occasionally to
wander in the neighborhood of the
bankers house. Once we encounter
I'd Essayan as he was leaving his
front door.
Hal" he snorted. when are you
going to sell me my own statue,
whAt?' He led us back into the
house. Look" he said. You shall
De warmly welcomed. gentlemen"
The door that led to the museum
had been secured with iron bars, each
Of which terminated in paddock. Es-
sayan showed US a series of electric
wires.
They communicate with the police
department, the private watchman's
office. my own room, and the fire de-
partment. l shall expect you-soon?"
Some time this year." Nikolai an
swered. Have you got your cargo of
nunmies yet. Mr.. Essayan?"
Next month 1 expect them." an
swered the banker Nov shoe! Go
away. You make me feel tired
On the following Saturday Nikolai
and sailed for England. 1t was on
shipboard that he unfolded his plans.
We must anticipate those mum
mics" he said. "Now, Summers, to
let in light upon your brain, in
tend to enter Essayans house dis
guised as an Egyptian king"