The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-07-30

81 will atone for the insult In any
way your high excellency DESIRES" de-
clared the official 81 will serve your
excellency in any way he may COM
mand."
His words suggested brilliant idea
had this man in my power: he feared
me.
WELL" said after some reluctance.
there is little matter in which you
might be of some assistance. II you
will. l will reconsider my decision Of
complaining to Petersburg"
"And what is that, excellency?" he
gasped eagerly.
of young English lady named Elma
Heath" said. and wrote down the
name for him upon piece Of paper.
age about twenty, and was at school
at Chichester. In England. She is q
niece Of a certain Baron Oberg."
Baron Oberg!" he repeated. look
ing at me rather strangely, thought.
Eyes, as she Is a foreigner she will
be registered In your books. She is
somewhere In your province, but
where do not know. Tell me where
she Is, and will say nothing more
about my passport" added.
"Then your excellency wishes to see
the young LADY," he said reflectively,
with the paper In his hand.
Eyes"
"In that case, 1t being commanded
by the emperor that shall serve your
excellency, will have immediate in
quiries made" was his answer. when
| discover her whereabouts, / will do
myself the pleasure of calling at your
excellency's hotel"
And left the fellow, very satisfied
that had turned his officiousness and
hatred of the English to very good &C.
count.
On the morning of the third day aft
er my arrival at Abo, while sitting on
the hotel veranda reading an old copy
of the Paris Journal, many portions of
which had been "blacked out" by the
censor, the chief Of police. in his dark
green uniform, entered and saluted
before me.
your excellency. may / be permit
ted to speak with you in private?"
Certainly" responded, rising and
conducting him to my bedroom, where
I closed the door, invited him to a
seat, and myself sat upon the edge of
the bed.
IT have made various inquiries" he
I'LL 49,
lady your excellency Is seeking. My
| information, however, must be fur
nished to you in strictest confidence"
he added, because there are reasons
why should withhold her where
abouts from you"
What do you mean?" l inquired.
What reasons?"
"Well-the lady is living In Finland
in secret"
"Then she is alive!" l exclaimed
quickly. II thought she was dead"
ITO the world she is dead" respond
ed Michael Boranski, stroking his red
beard. For that reason the informa-
ton 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." said with dis
satisfaction.
How can I when l know nothing,
excellency?" was his response.
felt certain that the fellow was not
speaking the truth, for had noticed
his surprise when l had first uttered
the mysterious nobleman's name.
las have already said. excellency,
I am DESTROYS of atoning for my in
suit, and will serve you in every man.
ner / can. For that reason l had
sought news of the young English
lady-the Mademoiselle Heath"
but you have all foreigners regis
tered in your books" said. THE
search was surely not difficult one.
know your police methods in Russia
too WELL" laughed.
Il regret that much as l desire, I
dare not appear to have any connec-
| tloH WIFI your quest but i Will III
rect you. Indeed, | will give you a
person to take you to her. II could
find the man, you might go today. Yet
1t is long way. and you would not
return before tomorrow"
"The roads are safe, suppose?
don't mind driving In the night"
The official glanced at the clock, and
rising exclaimed: Very we'll, l will
send for the man. II we find him,
then the carriage will be at the east
ern end Of the quay in two hours"
AT noon. Very well. 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.
Il 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
xvac on upnc,,oI thing FOR cttcb .