Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-02-05

mon impostor and would fight for
his control over the wavering mind
of Nicholas. And Paul was not among
friends. He knew the selfdeluded
vanity of those who are tricked.
which makes them the more insistent
in defense of the impostor. He turned
to Clothilde.
"Clothilde, as you love me, tell me,
do you believe that the spirit of the
Tsar really appears to Nicholas?'
"As l love you, am sure of it,
Paul" she answered. 20 Paul,
know that you are here to fight
against the league, to show up
Apollodorus, the impostor, as you con
slider him. Paul, indeed it is no i'm
posture, and in very truth Alexander
ILL., makes himself manifest to his
SON."
For the first time Paul was stag,
gered by this calm faith in the monk
he began to feel himself upon the
brink of the unknown. The matter
was assuming a more serious aspect
than ever before,
He ran over his instructions in his
mind His duty was to convince
Nicholas that Apollodorus was an i'm.
postor That would turn the weak
minded ruler from his allies and des-
troy the league for ever. He must,
then, catch the man when he was ca.
pering round the seance room in the
guse of the late Tsar. He could do
no more than that; If that failed to
suffice, he would fail in his mission,
Clothilde seemed to realize the pur-
pose of his journey.
PAUL" she whispered, you will be
sadly deceived if you intend to break
up the seance meeting, Promise me
you will do nothing until you are con-
vlnced that it is fraudulent"
81 promise you that, Clothilde." Paul
answered, and at that moment the
dinner came to an abrupt end by the
rising of the Tsar. The brethren
stood up from their benches and
marched out in order, leaving the
Tsar and his retinue alone with the
head monk and Apolodorus.
Then, since the affair was a matter
Of routine, by reason Of frequent re-
petition, no words were spoken. but
the whole party filed out In the monks
wake and entered a large, square,
vault-like chamber, at one end OF
which black curtain had been drawn
in front of a sort of dais, a platform
containing a dark cabinet and chair.
In front Of this were chairs In rows
several deep, into which the Tsar and
his courtiers sank while the head
monk bowed his head and intoned
prayer. Then, bowling solemnly, he
withdrew, leaving Apollodorus to per-
form his feats.
The monk addressed the Tsar,
What he said Paul could not. Of
course, understand, but he saw how
thoroughly the man dominated the
mind of the monarch and impressed
himself upon the courticrs.
From behind the curtain came
low muttering sound, gradually in
creasing in intensity. with broken
words in deeper tones interjected as
By an alien voice. Then draught
blew back the curtain till it bellied in
to the face of the Tsar. Nicholas
drew back with stitied shrek; a
moment later the curtain was as sud
denly withdrawn, and, as the Tsar
subsidized. a huge figure Of man
glided from the cabinet and stood be-
fore the company. his arms raised as
in benediction,
DO you believe? Do you believer"
whispered Count Gabel eXcitely in
Paul's ear. And Paul, looking, owned
that he had never seen a clearer re.
presentation Of the late Tsar than
this spectral figure with the gaunt
cheeks, gray beard, and mighty arms
stretched out over the company. The
Tsar had fallen upon his knees, the
courtiers followed suit and somebody
among the audience was singing
Russian hymn. 1t died away; the
figure still stood motionless before
the curtain; then Nicholas arose weak
ly and, prostrating himself upon the
lowest step, held communion with the
figure, which bent over him. Only the
whispers of their voices were audible
in the room.
The eyes of all were on the pair.
All watched, all wondered; perhaps Of
that assembly half believed and hard,
ly one was wholly sceptical. Paul
slipped, unnoticed, out of his chair,
and edged his way toward the front
row, Immediately behind the PROSTATE
sovereign.
A candle flickered in one corner
and the light fell clearly upon the
face of the tall figure. Paul was
amazed. This could not be Apollodo-
rus-some confederate, perhaps, but
never that ascetic little man.
A voice whispered in agitation on
one side of him. Others took up the
words. Hands clutched at him. Paul
did not understand that he was sit
ting In Nicholas's chair. At any mo.
ment the monarch might rise and
come back and perceive this intruder.
They laid hands violently upon him,
and Paul, thinking his purpose had
been discovered tore the dark lantern
from under his coat and flashed it in.
to the face of the figure. He had
planned to begin instead with the cal
cium, but this proved equally etlica'
cious,
Far everybody was upon his feet
shouting as Paul, leaping forward his
lantern light flooding the room,
grasped the tall man by the flowing
draperies he wore and whirled down
the steps with him and into the midst
Of tho guests. simultaneously the