El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-04-06

D
why, the stuff not only weighs a
I ton. but it's worth a cool 100000"
: the manager exclaimed. You can't
! get It out OF Russia without having
I some one taking it away from you
without an even by your leave Good
I Lord. man. You ought 70 know your
I Russian better.
But the Yankee engineer consulted
the railway officials and learned that
the Trans-Siberian express would
leave on its weekly trip for Vladivo-
stock on the next Tuesday. as sched-
uIed. Seemingly the express was the
only thing IN al Russia running on
schedule.
Mr.. Diapers wife and three chill
dren and their luggage were ready
10 leave at any time.
The engineer that afternoon was In
earnest conversation with the min
lister OF railways By dint OF bring
ing to bear the influence Of Russian
friends and powerful argument that
contained a subtle implication that
the American embassy was deeply IN
terested in getting his possessions
home, Mr.. Draper secured the extra
ordinary privilege OF a reservation OF
three whole compartments on the ex-
press. The minister could scarcely
have done better for himself.
Il might say that I am in effect
courier Of the embassy, and might
go SO far as to say that my shipment
is one Of embassy docum ents.' said
Draper, otherwise I should never
presume upon the valuable space OF
the express" The minister OF rail-
ways was a democrat. but had been
trained in the Russian diplomatic
school Hence his response TO the
suggestion OF the engineers -diplo-
matte" representation
Guards Suspicious OF BoLsa-
Came Tuesday Mr.. Draper saw his
family safely installed in one OF his
the Nikolai station Then he sum
moned a drayman and ordered the
fellow 10 90 20 the English-Russian
bank for nine boxes which were to
be shipped on the express In the
boxes. OF course. were the 21,000
ounces Of platinum Two million dol
lars worth Of a metal that the whole
world was seeking. on an unprotected
dray on the main street Of half crazy
Petrograd was enough TO start the
heart Of the Statue Of Liberty beating
loudly.
Station guards waXed wroth at the
Idea OF his heavy boxes taking up the I
space OF two whole compartments.
While the boxes were small. meas I
uring approximately two feet In I
length, width and depth. they were Q
exceedingly heavy. The heaviest box
weighed $50 pounds; the others less, /
according to the amount OF platinum I
IN each
Fortunately there was plenty OF
time for convincing the guErd that I
the boxes contained embassy docu-
meuts." Persistent repetition OF these }
two magical words, together with lib
eral tips finally induced them to 4
boxes were loaded into the compart-
ments.
Fears German Agents.
Then followed an appreheusive walt /
for the express to start at $3.50 o'clock
The suspense prompted Mr.. Diapers
Imagination Had the German secret ]
service agents who held positions in !
every bank and business
house Of Russia got wind OF the ship \
ment? If they had. the coup was Ger
tain OF failure For they would move \
heaven and earth and not even stop f
at murder 70 prevent the platinum 1
from leaving Russia Finally the !
station gong sounded and the express !
started.
II was a long. long way to Vladivo-
stok and the chances were 100 TO one 4
against his reaching there with his 4
treasure but Mr.. Draper smiled, /
rubbed his hands cheerfully. and 4
Winked with significance at his wife. I
For PetrOgrad was eliminated as a
source OF danger. The Wilhelm
strasss men IN the Russian capital
were now free to find out all that
they might about mis- platinum Tele-
graph communication was democrat
zed- There was no heading him off.
From that time on his avoiding OF
The two compartments was obvious
% his fellow passengers He went 70
his meals leaving them unmatched
ae turned into HIS berths at night In
he next compartment with the boxes
jut Of sight and sound. and the com
lsrment doors unlocked
A Fortune UnEuarded.
All the while. the 100000 worth
y platinum remained Unmolested in
he two compartments. Every pas
Iengsr on the train was eognizant
hat the American was the custodian
4 the nine boxes IN plain view Of all.
Is long as no one attempted TO lift
he boxes, however he felt fairly safe.
The suspense, however, was nerve
'acking- At any Siberian town a ]
and Of ignorant soldiers might spoil
he coup in a clumsy outburst OF pas
ion II his boxes had contained
.old the engineer would not have
zen so concerned It was easy for
.merica TO get 100000 in gold, but
ct the same amount OF platinum.
Nine days OF weary, monOtonous
rayel were thus experienced. The ex-
Is every day as It passed through the
Isolate country. Then came Irkutsz,
ear Raikal lake. in the lower part Of
IBERIA The city was completely in
he possession Of two regiments Of
berty crazed soldiers.
On the arrival Of the express. the
alton was jammed with the newt
bic mob Of Irresponsible soldiers.
lclzily there were enough coaches in
le yards to supply the demands OF
lose who wished to get away from
-kutsk. They contented themselves
fth simply communicating the en-
Inc Of the express. After strenuous
forts. the railway officials procured
Mother engine and the express went
! its way.
At Irkutsk disturbing rumors OF the
spredatious OF the Chinese bandits
ATanchuria were heard. So that.
hen the Manchurian boundary line q
as reached. 1Ir. Draper was not the &,
lly anxious passenger. N
Here at the boundary station was q
.e customs Inspection that the en- ~
neer had dreaded from the begin b.
ng Of the perilous trip A work v,
an had been newly appointed to the
lsitiOn Of inspector and he proved fl
be exceedingly officious. e1
Il cannot accept embassy docu- ol
ents' as a declaration Of the con II
nts Of your boxes" the inspector in
sted. All the while the Yankee di
God in the corridor blocking the II
an from handling the boxes. Ia
NY superior wiz not be satisfied b,
It'll my report" he went on II
Very well; 90 and get your su- 10
rior." Mr. Draper retorted with the
most uonchalance. III
off went the inspector in search OF N