Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-05-21


and augured much from the way in
which he had formerly held himself
aloof from the repressive measures OF
his fathers ministers. Fools! As If
the tchin ever died, or its policy could
be changed by the mere replacing of
one royal figurehead by another!
However, the result of all this was
that the Nihilists relaxed their &C
tivity, and for a time there was abso-
lutte repose in the Russian capital.
This repose was broken by strange
and disturbing rumor, which circu-
lated, observe, merely among the ex-
elusive circles Of the court. This ru-
NOR was to the effect that the winter
palace had become haunted.
1T was stated that ghost had been
seen walking in one Of the corridors
at midnight And there were those
who asserted that the spirit in ques-
ton was that of the dead tsar.
"As you may imagine, such a report
could not be long in attracting the at
tention OF the secret police. The result
was very soon apparent.
Never was the marvellous power Of
the police exerted with more crushing
effect. The rumor died out as swiftly
and suddenly as it had arisen. 1t never
penetrated beyond the inner circle of
society, and, above all, never reached
the ears Of single correspondent of
any journal outside the Russian en-
pire. In the Russian press, of course,
1t was impossible for anything to pass
the stern scrutiny of the censorship.
1T is for this reason that the public
Of Europe has never had even an ink
ling of secret of which, outside the
immediate court circle, l am perhaps
the sole possessor. That mere curl
osity is not one Of my failings, you
have doubtless long ago observed. But
in the interests of France / deemed 1t
necessary to penetrate to the bottom
of this extraordinary affair, and cir
cumstances fortunately put 1t in my
power TO do so.
Il was not there in any political
capacity. / was favored in my inves-
tigation by the accident Of my friend
ship with very charming woman, the
Princess Nestikoff, whose SON, Prince
Boris Nestikoff, was an imperial page,
at that time on duty in the winter
palace.
Il had formed the acquaintance of
the princess during my former official
residence at the embassy, and, though
some years had elapsed since 1 had
seen her, she received me with un-
abated friendliness on my return. Do
not, beg Of you, allow yourself to put
false Interpretation on the senti-
ments which subsisted between this
lady and myself. The princess, al
though left widow at an early age,
was a woman Of the most delicate pro
priety, and my attentions to her par
took Of an almost paternal character.
II CHANGED to be dining at her man
sion on the Neysky Prospect, on the
day after the royal apparition was said
to have made its appearance. We were
enjoying tete-a-tete after dinner, be-
fore proceeding to a ball given that
night at the palace. when we were In
terrupted by the arrival of the young
Boris, dressed in the Imposing uniform
Of his office. He was quite lad: In
deed, when had formerly known him
he was a mere child, and had been
accustomed to consider me in the light
OF a father.
He entered the room in which we
were seated more abruptly that was,
perhaps, consistent with his filial re-
spect, but the agitation under which
he evidently labored furnished some
excuse.
Mother he cried out as soon as
he was inside the door. have you heard
about the event of last nightF
The princess. with gesture full of
dignity. drew his attention to my pres
ence.
'Boris!' she exclaimed In a voice
Of reproof. You have omitted to pay
your respects to the baron
The young prince blushed, and has.
tened to make his apologies, with that
grace which he inherite from his par
emit.
Say no more / commanded; 1t is
easy to see that you have something
Of importance which you wish to COM
municate to your mother. with
madame's permission. will withdraw
But this neither of them would
hear OF, both mother and son assuring
me that there was no secret which
they would not intrust to my dis
erection.
1t was then that my young friend
proceeded to disclose the reason for
his sudden appearance, and to astound
us with the intelligence that he was
himself the author of the rumor which
had SO perturbed the society of st.
Petersburg. 1t will, perhaps, save time
II repeat the substance of his story
in my own words.
You must know that the winter nal.
ace is one Of the most colossal build
ings in the world. Whole suites of
apartments In 1t are never used even
but, in order to guard against all dan.
ger from the odious attempts OF the
Nihilists. certain watch is maintained
even in the most deserted quarters of
the palace.
The imperial suite. comprising eight
principal rooms, is traversed through
out its length by corridor which
opens at one end ON the first landing
of the grand staircase, at which point
two of the pages are always on duty,