The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1914-04-09


countess finally, "what the object of
Rokoff's persecution could be. 1t is
very simple. The count is intrusted
with many Of the vital secrets of the
ministry Of war. He often has in his
4 possession papers that foreign powers
would give a fortune to possess-se-
crets Of state that their agents would
commit murder and worse than muir
der to learn.
'There is such matter now in his
possession that would make the fame
and fortune of any Russian who could
divulge it to his government RokOff
and Paulvitch are Russian spies. They
will stop at nothing to procure this in
formation. The affair on the liner-I
mean the matter Of the card game
was for the purpose Of Matchmaking
the knowledge they seek from my hus-
band.
"Had he been convicted Of cheating
at cards his career would have been
blighted. He would have had to leave
the war department.. He would have
been socially ostracized. They intend
ed to hold this club over him-the price
of an avowal on their part that the
count was but the victim Of the plot
Of enemies who wished to besmirch his
name was to have been the papers
they seek.
"You thwarted them in this. Then
they concocted the scheme whereby
my reputation was to be the price in
stead Of the counts. Was it not too
horrible? But / happened to know
something Of M. Paulvitch that would
send him to the gallows in Russia if
1t were known by the police of st. Pc
tersburg. dared him to carry out his
plan and then / leaned toward him
and whispered a name in his ear. Like
that"-and she snapped her fingers
che flew at my throat as mailman.
He would have killed me had you not
interfered."
''The brutesr muttered Tarzan.
"Why do you not turn the scoundrels
over to the authorities? They should
make quick work of them"
She hesitated for a moment before
replying.
'There are two reasons" she said
finally. zone of them it is that keeps
the count from doing that very thing.
The other, my real reason for fearing
to expose them, I have never told
only Rokoff and know it. wonder
why it is that want to tell you the
thing that have not dared tell even
to my husband. believe that you
would understand and that you could
tell me the right course to follow.
believe that you would not judge me
too harshly."
IL fear that / should prove very
poor judge, madame" Tarzan replied,
'for if you had been guilty of murder
I should say that the victim should be
grateful to have met so sweet fate"
ooh, dear, no." she expostulated. ut
Is not so terrible as that. But first let
me tell you the reason the count has
for not prosecuting these men; then, If
I can hold my courage, shall tell you
the real reason that I dare not. The
first is that Nikolas Rokoff is my broth
er. We are Russians. Nikolas has
been q bad man since can remember.
He was cashiered from the Russian
army. in which he held captaincy.
There was a terrible scandal for a
time, but after awhile 1t was partially
forgotten and my father obtained po-
sition for him in the secret service.
'"There have been many terrible
crimes laid at Nikolas' door, but he
has always managed to escape punish
ment. or late he has accomplished 1t
by trumped up evidence convicting his
victims Of treason against the car,
and the Russian police, who are al
WAYS only too ready to fasten guilt of
/, this nature upon any and all, have
accepted his version and exonerated
him."
"Have not his attempted crimes
against you and your husband forfeit
ed whatever rights the bonds OF kim
shin might have accorded him?" asked
Tarzan. 1.-THE fact that you are his
sister has not deferred him from seek
ing to besmirch your honor. You owe
him no loyalty, madame" III:
"Ah. but there is that other reason.
IfI owe him no loyalty, though he be
INV brother, cannot so easily disavow
the fear / hold him in because OF
certain episode in my life of which ne
Is cognizant.
.T might as well tell you ALL she
resumed after pause, "for see that
II rs in my heart to tell you sooner OF
later. I was educated In convent.
while there met man whom sup
posed to be gentleman. knew III
tie or nothing about men anu less
about love. got it into my fooiish
head that loved this man, ana at nus
urgent request ran away. WIN Ill.,
We were to have been married. =
~ was with him just three hours-
al, In the daytime and in pubic places
railroad stations and upon a tl ram.
when we reached our desunat,on'
where we were to have Deen malrleu,
two officers stepped up to my escort US
we descended from the tram anu