The Green Forest tribune., 1915-09-17

., WHo uOW ISSdfueu uue WILL awe.
 T will atone for the insult in any way your high excellency desires." de- elared the official. 'I will serve your excellency in any way he may com | mand"
 His words suggested a brilliant idea. had this man in my power; be feared me-
 We'll, 1 said after some reluctance. there is a little matter in which you | might be of some assistance. If you | will, l will reconsider my decision of complaining to Petersburg"
 And what is that, excellency?" he gasped eagerly
 I desire to know the whereabouts of young English lady named Elma Heath" l said. and I wrote down the name for him upon piece of paper.
 Age about twenty, and was at school at Chichester, in England. She is niece of certain Baron Oberg."
 Baron Oberg!" he repeated, look Ing at me rather strangely, 1 thought.
 Yes, as she is foreigner she will be registered in your books. She is somewhere in your province. but where 1 do not know. Tell me where she is, and will say nothing more about my passport" l added | Then your excellency wishes to see the young lady?" he said collectively, with the paper in his hand. l Yes"
 Tn that case, it being commanded 1 by the emperor that 1 shall serve your eXcellency, I will have immediate in- quiries made" was his answer. When discover her whereabouts, I will do myself the pleasure of calling at your excellency's hotel"
 And I left the fellow, very satisfied that had turned his officiousness and l hatred of the English to very good ac- I count
 l On the morning of the third day aft | CT my arrival at Apo, while sitting on 1 the hotel veranda reading an old copy of the Paris Journal, many portions of which had been "blacked out" by the | l green uniform, entered and saluted l before me.
 Your excellency, may I be permit ted to speak with you in private?"
 Certainly" I responded, rising and conducting him to my bedroom, where l closed the door. invited him to a seat, and myself sat apon tbe sdge of the bed.
 .I have made various inqulrlss," he said, "and I think I have found the lady your excellency is seeking My | information, however, must be fur nished to you in strictest confidence, J he added, because there are reasons why should withhold her where abouts from you"
 | What do you mean?" I inquired R"What reasons?"
 i Weil-the lady is living in Finland in secret
 "Then she is alive!' l exclaimed quickly. ''I thought she was dead"
 ITO the world she is dead" respond ed Michael Boranski, stroking his red beard For that reason the informa tion give you must be treated as con. fidential."
 Why should she be in hiding? She is guilty of no offense-is she?"
 The man shrugged his shoulders but did not reply.
 And this Baron Oberg? You tell me nothing of him." I said with dis. satisfaction.
 "How can I when I know nothing excellency?" was his response.
 1 felt certain that the fellow was not speaking the truth, for I had noticed his surprise when I had first uttered the mysterious nobleman's name
 As l have already said, excellency, I am desirous of atoning for my in- suit, and will serve you in every man. her 1 can. For that reason I had sought news of the young English lady-the Mademoiselle Heath"
 But you have all foreigners regis tered in your books" 1 said "The search was surely not difficult one. 1 know your police methods in Russia too well" laughed. T regret that much as I desire, I 1 dare not appear to have any connec- 1 tion with your quest. But I will di- rect you. Indeed, l will give you a person to take you to her. If I could find the man, you might go today. Yet 1t is long way, and you would not ! return before tomorrow"
 "The roads are safe, I suppose? I don't mind driving in the night"
 The official glanced at the clock, and rising exelaimed Very well, I will send for the man. If we find him, | then the carriage will be at the east. ern end of the quay in two hours"
 "At noon. Very well. I shall keep the appointment"
 And after seeing her, you will Of course keep your promise of secrecy regarding our little misunderstood ing?" he asked anxiously.
 q have already given my word" was the response; and the man bowed and left, much, think to the surprise of the hotel proprietor and his staff. It was an unusual thing for such a icxE Ea;o