The Green Forest tribune., 1915-10-08

my own ends!"
 1 Not only do I repeat that, Baron oberg," l said quickly. But l also aiiege that it was at your instigation that in Siena the operation was per. formed upon the unfortunate girl which deprived her of speech and hearing"
 l He laughed again, but uneasily, 1 forced laugh, and leaned against the edge of the big writing table near the window.
 Well, what next?" he inquired, pre- tending to be interested in my allega- tions. What do you want of me?" l q desire you to give Mademoi- selle Heath her complete freedom" l said.
 1 But her future is not in my hands. The minister in Petersburg has de- creed her removal to Saghalien as a person dangerous to the state."
 You have posed in England as the uncle of Elma Heath, and yet you here hold her a prisoner. For what reason?" I demanded.
 She Is held prisoner by the state for conspiracy against Russian rule not by herself personally"
 Who enticed her here? Why, you, yourself Who conspired to throw the | guilt of this attempted murder of the 1 generals wife upon her? You-you, the man whom they call The Stran- 1 gler of Finland!' But l will avenge l the cruel and abominable affliction you have placed upon her. Her se- cret-your secret. Baron Oberg-shall be published to the world. You are her enemy-and therefore mine!"
 Very we'll" he growled between his teeth, advancing towards me 1 threateningly, his fists clenched in his | rage "Recollect, m'sieur, that you have insulted me. Recollect that I am governor general of Finland"
 If you were czar himself, I should not hesitate to denounce you as the tyrant and mutilator of a poor. de- l fenseless woman"
 1 And to whom, pray, will you tell 1 this romantic story of yours?" he | laughed hoarsely. 'To your prison walls below the lake of Kajana? Yes, l M'sieur Gregg. you will go there, and l once within the fortress you shall never again see the light of day. You threaten me--the governor general of Finland!" he laughed in a strange high pitched key as he threw him self into a chair and scribbied some. thing rapidly upon paper, appending his signature in his small, grabbed handwriting.
 q do not threaten" said in open defiance, "I shall act.'
 And so shall l." he said with an evil grin upon his bony face as he plotted what he had written and took it up, adding: "In the darkness ano silence of your living tomb you car tell whatever strange stories you like concerning me. They are used te idiots where you are going," he added grimly.
 "Oh! And where am I going?"
 Back to Kajana. This order con signs you to confinement there as dangerous political conspirator, as ont who has threatened melt consigns you to the cells below the lake-fol life!"
 I laughed aloud, and my hand sought my wallet, wherein was that all-pow erful document-the order of the em peror which gave me, as an imperia guest, immunity from arrest 1 woulc produce it as my trump card.
 Next second, however, I held my breath, and I think must have turned pale. My pocket was empty! M. wallet had been stolen! Entirely ant helplessly I had fallen into the hands of the tyrant of the czar.
 We faced each other. and looked straight into his gray. bony face. ant answered In tone of defiance:
 "Ah! you surely do not think that l after ten years service in the British to Finland upon this quest-woult dare to face the rotten and corrupt officialdom which Russia has placed within this country-without first talk ing some adequate precaution? No baron. Therefore I defy you, and leave Helsingfors tonight"
 You will not. You are under ar I rest"
 | l laughed heartily and snapped my fingers, saying: Before you give me over to your police, first telegraph te your minister of finance, Monsieur dc Witte and inquire of him who anc 1 what am''
 ] "I don't understand you" You have merely to send my name and description to the minister ane ask for reply" said. "He will give you instructions--or, if you so desire ask his majesty yourself"
 And why. pray. does his majest, concern himself about you?" he asked 1 at once puzzled.
 You will learn later. after l an confined in Kajana and your secret ss known in Petersburg"
 What do you mean?"
 T mean," said. "T mean that havs taken all the necessary steps to bs l forearmed against you The day | an