The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-04-08

= - ~ HtAiA oNk v Z III Gu llt
Importance. All in all, / consider that you
have strangely abused the complete author
lty that l gave you upon the Emperor's
orders. When | learned what you had done
! went to find the Tsar, as was my duty,
and told him the whole thing. He was more
astonished than can be expressed. He di-
rected me to go myself to find out just how
things were and to furnish the General the
guard you had removed. | arrive at the
isles and not only find the villa open like
a mil where anyone may enter, but | am
informed, and then | see, that the General
Is promenading in the midst OF the crowd,
at the mercy of the first miserable ven
turer. Monsieur Rouletahiile, / am not
satisfied. The Tsar is not satisfied. And,
within an hour, my men will return to as
sumo their guard at the dateha.'
Rouletabille listened TO the end. No one
ever had spoken to him in that tone. He
was red, and as ready to burst as a child's
balloon blown too hard. He said:
And | will take the train this evening
You will go?"
Yes, and you can guard your General all
alone. l have had enough of it. All, you
are not satisfied! All, the Tsar is not salts
fled! 1t is too bad. No more of it for me.
Monsieur. | am not satisfied, and | say
good-evening to you. Only do not forget
TO send me from here every three or four
days a letter which will keep me Informed
Of the health of the General. whom love
dearly. l will offer up a little prayer for
him."
Thereupon he was silent. for he caught
the glance of Matrena Petrovna, a glance
SO desolated, so imploring, so desperate,
that the poor woman inspired him anew
with great pity. Natacha had not returned.
What was the younsagirl doing at that mo-
ment? II Matrena really loved Natacha
she must be suffering atrociously. Kou-
priane spoke: Rouletabille did not hear
him, and he had already forgotten his own
anger, His spirit was wrapped in the
mystery.
Monsieur" Koupriane finished by say
ing, Juggling his sleeve, do you hear me?
] pray you at least reply to me. ! offer all
possible excuses for speaking to you in that
tone. l reiterate them. l ask your pardon.
! pray you to explain Your conduct, which
appeared imprudent to me but which. after
all, should have some reason. | nave to eX-
plain to the Emperor. VIII YOU tell me?
What ought I to say to the Emperor"
Nothing at ALL said Rouletabille. Il
have no explanation to give you or the
Emperor, or to anyone. You can offer him
my utmost homage and do me the kindness
to wise my passport for this evening"
And he sighed:
1T is too bad, for we were just about TO
see something interesting
Koupriane looked at him. Rouletabille
had not quilted Matrena Petrovna's eyes,
and her pallor struck Koupriane.
Just a minute" continued the young
man. I'm sure there is someone who will
miss me-that brave woman there. Ask
her which she prefers, all your police, or
her dear little domoyoi. We are good
friends already. And-don't forget to pre-
sent my condolences to her when the
terrible moment has come
1t was Koupriane's turn to be troubled.
He coughed and said:
you believe, then, that the General runs
a great immediate danger?'
Il do not only believe it, monsieur, I am
sure Of it. His death is a matter of hours,
the poor dear man. Before l go l shall not
fail to tell him, so that he can prepare
himself comfortably for the great journey
and ask pardon of the Lord for the rather
heavy hand he has laid on these poor men
of Presnia."
Monsieur Rouletabille, have you discov-
cred something's"
Good Lord, yes, | have discovered some
thing, Monsieur Koupriane. You don't sup
pose | have come so far to waste my time,
do your"
Something no one else knows?"
yes, Monsieur Koupriane, otherwise l
shouldn't have troubled TO feel concerned.
Something | Nave not confided TO anyone,
not even to my notebook, because a note
book. you know, a notebook can always be
lost. I just mention that in case YOU had
any idea of having me searched before my
departure"
"Oh, Monsieur RouletabilIe!'
"Eh, eh, like the way the police do in
your country; in mine too, for that matter.
Yes, that's often enough SEEN The police,
furious because they can't hit a clue in
some case that interests them, arrest a
reporter who knows more than they do, in
order to make him talk. But-nothing of
that sort with mes monsieur. You might
have me taken to your famous Terrible
Section I'd not open my mouth, not even
in the famous rocking-fhair, not even un-
der the blows of clenched fists"
"Monsieur Rouletabille what do you take
us for? You are the guest of the Tsar."
"Ah, | have the word of an honest man.
Very well, / will treat you as an honest
man. | will tell You what l have discov-
cred. ! don't wish through any false pride
to keep you in darkness about something
which may perhaps-I say perhaps-permit
you to save the General"
Tell me. / am listening
But it is perfectly understood that once
| have told you this you viii give me my
passport and allow me to depart?'
you feel that you couldn't possibly" III
n,,;raI Iynunriana ulpra and mona trpnhlrd