The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-09-18

me nOtnlnS OI ulm, i Sdlu viii us
satisfaction.
How can / when / know nothing,
excellency?" was his response.
l felt certain that the fellow was not
speaking the truth, for l had noticed
his surprise when | had first uttered
the mysterious nobleman's name.
"As | have already said, excellency.
| am DESTROYS of atoning for my in
suit, and will serve you in every man.
ner / can. For that reason | 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 a difficult one.
know your police methods in Russia
too WELL" laughed.
Il regret that much as l desire, /
dare not appear to have any connec-
ton with your quest. But | will d.
rect .Hu. Indeed, | will give you a
person to take you to her. If l could
find the man, you might go today. Yet
it 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 well, / 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. / shall keep
the appointment"
And after seeing her. you will OF
course keep your promise of secrecy
regarding our little misunderstand-
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.
1t was an unusual thing for such a
high official as the chief of police to
visit one of their guests in person. II
he desired to interview any of them,
he commanded them to attend at his
office, or they were escorted there by
his gray-coated agents.
/ think | must have waited half an
hour on the quay when my attention
was suddenly attracted by the rattle
of wheels over the stones, and turning
saw an old closed carriage drawn
by three horses abreast, with bells
upon the harness, approaching me
rapidly. When it drew up, the driver,
burly-looking, fair-headed Finn In a
huge sheepskin overcoat, motioned
me to enter, urging in broken Rus
sian:
Quickly, Observation-Disclosures
must not be Scent"
And then the instant / was seated,
and before l could close the door, the
horses plunged forward and we were
tearing at full gallop out Of the town.
After five miles or so, the driver
pulled up and descended to readjust
his harness, whereupon l got out and
asked him in the best Russian l could
command:
"The chief Of police has given you
directions?" l asked.
His high excellency has told me ex-
actly what to do" was the mans an
swer, as he took out his huge wooden
pipe and filled it. you wish to see
the young Lady,"
YES" l answered, ito first see her,
and l do not know whether it will be
necessary for me to make myself
known to her. Where is she?"
Beyond Nystad," was his vague an.
swer with a wave of his big fat hand
in the direction of the dark pine for
est that stretched before us. I'VE
shall be there about an hour after
shutdown"
The short day quickly drew to a
close, the sun sank yellow and watery
over the towering pines through which
we went mile after mile, a dense, in
terminable forest wherein the wolves
lurked in winter, often rendering the
road dangerous. When night drew on
we changed horses again at a small,
dirty posthouse in the forest, at the
edge of a lake, and then pushed for
ward again, although it was already
long past the hour at which he had
said we should arrive.
Time passed slowly in the darkness.
I suppose must have slept, for was
awakened by light shining into my
face and the driver shaking me by the
shoulder. When reused myself he
placed his finger mysteriously upon
my lips, saying:
Hush, your high nobility, hush!
Come with me. But make no noise. II
we are discovered, it means death for
us-death. Come, give me your hand
Slowly. Tread softly. See, here is
the boat | will get in first. We shall
not be heard upon the water. So"
And the fellow led me, half-dazed,
down to the bank of a broad, dark
river which could not distinguish-he
led me to an unknown bourne.
CTO BE CONTINUED1