Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1915-09-10
CHAPTER XIII.
1.-THE Stranqler."

Where was Elma? What was the
cause of her inexplicable disappear.
ance into the gloomy forest while we
had slept?
! returned to the hotel where had
stayed on my arrival. a comfortable
place called the Phoenix, and lunched
there alone. Both Felix, the Finn,
and my host, the wood cutter, had re-
ceived their douceurs and left. but to
the last-named I had given instruc-
tons to return home at once and re-
port by telegraph any news of my lost
one.
A thousand conflicting thoughts
arose within me as sat in that crowd
ed sale mapger filled with a COB.
bling crowd Of the commercial men OF
Ado. had, ] recognized, now to deal
with the most powerful man In that
country. and l suffered distinct dis
advantage by being in ignorance of
the reason he held that sweet English
girl prisoner. The tragedy of the
dastardly manner in which she had
been willfully manned caused my
blood to boil within me. / had never
believed that In this civilized TWEEN
tieth century such things could be.
Why she had disappeared without
warning was at loss to imagine, yet
l could only surmise that her flight
had been compulsory. Another very
curious feature in the affair was the
sudden manner in which Michael 30
ranski had exacted his power and in.
fiuence In order to render me that
service.
There was. I felt convinced, some
hidden motive In all that sudden and
marked friendliness. That he really
hated the English had seen plainly
when we had first met, and had only
compelled him to serve me by present.
ing the order signed by the emperor
which made me his guest within the
Russian dominions. Even that docu.
ment did not account for the length
he had gone to secure the release OF
the woman now loved in secret.
could not bring myself to leave
Finland, and allow Elma to fall into
the clutches OF that high official who
so persistently sought her end. No
would go to him and face him.
was anxious to see what manner OF
man was THE Stranger OF Finland
That same evening ! left Abo, and
travelled by rail. to Helsingfors.
At noon descended from a drosky
before a long, gray, massive building
over the big doorway of which was q
large escutcheon bearing the Russian
arms emblazoned In gold. and on en-
tering where a sentry stood on either
side, colossal concierge in livery OF
bright blue and gold came forward tc
meet me.
Following his directions, crossed
| a great. bare courtyard, and, ascend
ing a wide stone staircase, was con
fronted by servant, who took m,
card to Colonel Luganski, who he in
formed me was the baron's private
secretary.
After ten minutes or so the mar
returned. saying;
"The colonel will see you II you will
please step this way" and conducted
me into the richly furnished private
apartments of the palace, across {
great hall filed with fine paintings
and then up long. thickly' carpetet
passage to small. elegant room
where a tall, baldheaded man In mil
itary uniform stood awaiting me.
Your name is M'sieur Gregg" h,
exclaimed in very good French, "ant
! understand you desire audience O
his excellency, the governor general
regret. however. that he never givei
audience to strangers"
The matter upon which desire I,
see his excellency is of purely pri
vate and confidential nature" | said
Tor. used as was to the ways of for
eign officialdom. I spoke with the sam,
firm courtesy as himself.
III ] write the nature OF my bust
ness and inclose II In an envelope, will
you then take II to him." I suggested
He hesitated for short time, twist
ing his mustache. and then reptile,
with great reluctance:
We'll. II you are so determined, 20,
may write your business upon you
card"
] therefore took out one. and on tn,
back in French:
ITO give Information regarding Mis-
Elma Heath"
Ringing a bell. he handed II to tn,
footman who appeared. The respons,
came In a few minutes.