The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-03-11

editor in Paris / am not going to take
part in revolutionary affairs that do
not concern my country to which my
editor replied, You do not have to take
part. You must go to Russia to make
an inquiry into the present status of
the different parties. You will com
mence by interviewing the Emperor.
] said, Well, then. here goes and took
the train.
And you have interviewed the EN-
peror?"
"Oh, yes, that has not been difficult.
| expected to arrive direct at st. Pc
tersburg, but at Krasnoie Coelo the
train stopped and the grand marshal of
the court came to me and asked me to
follow him. 1t was very flattering.
Twenty minutes later ! was before his
Majesty. He awaited me! l under
stood at once that this was obviously
for something out of the ordinary"
And what did he say to you?"
He is a man of genuine majesty. He
reassured me at once when | explained
my scruples to him. He said there was
no occasion for me to take part in the
politics of the matter. but to save his
most faithful servant, who was on the
point of becoming the victim of the
ceived."
Madame Matrena, white as a sheet.
rose to her feet.
"Ah," she said simply.
But Rouletabille, whom nothing es-
capped, saw her hand tremble on the
back of the chair
He went on. not appearing to have
noticed her emotion:
His Majesty added these exact
words: 1t Is l who ask it of you; /
and Madame Trebassof Go. monsieur,
she awaits you"
He ceased and waited for Madame
Trebassof to speak,
She made up her mind after brief re-
Election.
Have you seen Koupriane?
",rhe Chief of Police? Yes. The
grand marshal accompanied me back
to the station at Kra snoe-Coelo, and
the Chief of Police accompanied me to
st. Petersburg station. One could not
have been better received"
Monsieur Rouetabille," said Matre-
ma. who visibly strove to regain her
self-control, II am not of Koupriane's
opinion and I am not'-here she low
cred her trembling voice-"of the opin
ion his Majesty holds. 1t is better for
me to tell you at once, SO that you may
not regret intervening in an affair
where there are-where there are
risks--terrible risks to run. No, this
is not a family drama. The family is
small, very small; the General. his
daughter Natacha (by his former mar
rage), and myself. There could not
be family drama among US three. 1t
is simply about my husband, monsieur,
who did his duty as a soldier in de-
Tending the throne of his sovereign,
my husband, whom they mean to as
sassinate! There is nothing else no
other situation, my dear little guest
To hide her distress she started to
carve a slice of jellied veal and carrot.
You have not eaten, you are hungry.
1t is dreadful, my dear young man. See,
you must dine with us, and then-you
will say adieu. Yes, you will leave me
all alone. I will undertake to save him
all alone. Certainly, ! will undertake
it,"
A tear fell on the slice she was carv-
ing Rouletabille, who felt the brave
woman's emotion affecting him also,
braced himself to keep from show
ing it.
II am able to help you a little all the
same" he said. Monsieur Koupriane
has told me that there is a deep mys-
terry. 1t is my vocation to get to the
bottom of mysteries
Il know what Koupriane thinks"
she said, shaking her head. But If
could bring myself to think that for
single day l would rather be dead"
The good Matrens Petrovna lifted
her beautiful eyes to Rouletabille,
brimming with the tears she held back.
She added quickly
But eat now my dear guest eat
My dear child, you must forget what
Koupriane has said TO you, when you
are back in France
81 promise you that, madame"
1T is the Emperor who has caused
you this long journey. For me, / did
not wish it, Has he, indeed, so much
confidence in you?" she asked naively
gazing at him fixedly through her
tears.
Madame, I was just about to tell
you. / have been active in some inn
portant matters that have been re-
ported to him. and then sometimes your
He has heard talk, too (for everybody
talked of them. madame), about the
Mystery Of the yellow Room and the
Perfume of the Lady in Black"
Here Rouletablle watched Madame
Trebassoff and was much mortified at
the undoubted ignorance that showed
in her frank face of either the yellow
room or the black perfume.
my young friend" said she in a
voice more and more hesitant. you