The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-11-20

was a fear. signs Ot whicn were NJ
once manifested In the anxiety which
distorted his face, the eagerness OF his
demand
.SThe number?" he cried. Tell me
tbe name or the number Of the pris-
oner you desire?"
."Nmmber twenty -nine." Gerald re-
piled
The governor struck the table with
his clenched fist, so that the glasses
ratified
"A million devils curse and blast
you BOTH" he shouted.
He kicked footstool which was
close at hand across the room. Then
he flung himself into an easy-chair and
sat there with his arms crossed, glow
ering at Elsa. The woman gazed at
him as though he had suddenly gone
mad.
"Are you out Of your senses. Ivanr
she asked. Twenty-nine or thirty
nine-what does 1t matter? Is not one
prisoner like another? Who comes to
visit them? Who knows which cell II
emptyf Ban
$50 you thought you were rich for
life, did you, ElsaT the man In the
chair muttered. "Well, you can just
rid yourself of the idea. And as for
you, sir" he went on, with malicious
glance at Gerald, you may think your
self fortunate II you leave this country
as easily as you entered it."
The woman drew a little nearer to
him. There was the look Of q wild
animal In her face.
Listen, Ivanw she cried. "Are you
mad? II Is a fortune which this man
carries In his hand! What Is there
amongst the scum that infests your
prisons Of account against that? You
terrify me. The money Is for US. to
be divided Cash, Ivanl Money to
ELECTROMAGNETIC next day-every
day."
"You fool" the governor retorted.
"Of what use Is money when your
feet bangle in the air and your neck
Is broken? That for you, and dozen
rife bullets in my heart! You are
bold man who came to Russia on such
a mission" he added glowering at
Gerald.
She turned to her visitor.
"What does this mailman meanT
she demanded. "Wh0 Is this prisoner
whose freedom you seek?'
81 do not know" Gerald replied. ~
am only an emissary."
The governor sat up in his chair.
81 will tell you," he declared hoarse-
-Iy. Number twenty-nine Is all the
fortress records say Of him. but his
name is Paul, grand duke Of volostOk.
prince of Tamboff, hereditary grand
duke and ruler of all the provinces of
the DvIna, nephew of Nicholas, the
late tsar, head Of the house Of Ro-
manoff-himself, II the people changed
their fancy tomorrow, tsar Of all the
Russias! There, my woman, now you
know the secretsof my fortress! You
can guess where we might be II 1
traded with this lunaticW
The woman Topped upon the sofa.
She was pale through all her rouge
and powder. Her yellow hair had
broken loose from it's band Of ribbon.
Her dressing gown had fallen away q
little from her ample bust. She sat
breathing heavily for several moments.
Gerald, of the three, was the only one
who kept his head.
Cali that makes for nothing" he
said calmly. "You excite yourself
greatly for nothing. The ROmanon
dynasty is past. There will never be
another tsar in Russia. This young
man has rich friends and they want
him out Of the country. should think
your government would be glad to be
rid Of him"
Gerald's words were not without
their effect, especially upon the
woman.
AFTER ALL" she muttered, "this man
speaks sense. Who cares about grand
dukes, nowadays? There are plenty
of them who have already escaped.
What does one more or less matterf'
"But this one-I have told you who
he Is" the man growled.
The woman was beginning to pluck
up spirit. She scoffed at him openly.
"When the people Of Russia want
the days Of tsardom back again." she
said, "they will find one OF the brood
fast enough. But that day Will mol
come yet. This young man IN your
fortress is Of no account. You are
fool, Ivan. You cannot see the truth
You have not thought to yourself VIVA
ten thousand pounds may mean
Krossneys sat back In his chair BIT
ing his finger nails.
"who are your" he demanded suo
denly. "And where does this none!
come FRONT"
'My name Is Dombey." Gerald re
piled. 81 have admitted to Madam
Francks that / am an Englishman
This money has been collected II
London by friends and relatives OF Tn
young man. The desire for his reieas
has not the slightest political sienin
cance."
"And what the devil excuse can