The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-12-29
Chapter "a
SURPRISE FOR CURT

"uAD no trouble with Nichols:
IL didn't have to 60 farther than
the telephone book to place him, -
continued Baldwin. "He's lived here
in Vancouver NEST Of his life, ind.
McGill graduate. star captain over.
seas, got q VIC. at vimy. For the last
ten years he's been with 4 city con.
struction company. Their head archi.
tect now. Bachelor quarters at the
Frasier Club. Nothing out Of the or.
binary about him that l could dig
up. and I've been digging some"
'What about the other person."
"I've got you Z bang-up lead to
work on. Just talked to . couple Of
Nichols friends who've met her
several times. Her names volkov.
Sonya Volkov. Lives in Victoria,
teaches in private school, and's
secretary for the Emigr6 Society Of
Canada. That's all l was able to find
out, but I've located = party here who
knows her very well, and ! think he
can give you q lot Of details about
her. Shall I zip around for you In the
staff car? Good. I'll be there in
twenty minutes"
Volkov, Sonya Volkov-Curt re-
peated the strange name to himself
as he went back to-the porch. At
least he knew he name now, and
within an hour he was going to find
out something about her life. her
background. After that she could
never quite vanish from him.
He rejoined Marlin outside. While
they waited, AK remarked casually:
did you know that Layton, the
head Of the Provincial Police. Is 60
ing to be relieved this coming fall?''
rs that 50? Who's taking his
placer"
"You."
Curtis cigarette dropped from his
fingers. ~"
III you want it. I've been doing
some quiet investigating and I know
the lay OF the lanu. A dozen political
hangers-on are after the job. but the
Premier doesn't want that kind. He
phoned me yesterday and asked
when you could come to SEQ him for
q personal conference. I can tell you
positively that IL you want the job
I've got enough support lined up to
swing It for you.
"No-" hs waved Curtis Interrupt.
ton aside-"don't thank me. I'm
not doing this because you and
happen to be friends but because
consider you the best available man
for that job"
Curt wanted nothing to do with
the offer, fine as 1t was. He saw It az
another attempt Of duty to keep him
from returning to the far NORTH:
another Of the invisible bonds that
were being thrown around him. But
still hs did not refuse It outright,
then and there.
Baldwin came, and they started
down town. Parking in . section Of
dingy stores, Baldwin took him mn q
creaky stairway and Knocked at an
apartment.
A young man. stocky haxel-eyed
foreigner. opened the door, saw
them. and bowed politely.
"Meester Baldween3 My fader he
expect you and your freund. Kun in,
pliz."
He led them into . small sitting
room and stepped out to get hia
father.
TURT glanced about the room
~ Everything IN It breathed o.
Imperial Russia-ths ikon Of Holy
Mary. . sword above Z bookcase, 4
cheap autograph Of Nicholas II, 4
Kremlin snow scene. Z samovar on
the table. It was typically the dwell.
Ing Of IN emigr6. living In poverty,
futilely hoping that some day the
old order would b resurrected from
it, grave and they could return "a
homeland. estates, ease.
An old man came IN the room. fol.
lowed BY tho son. His hair was white
his thin face ravaged With furrows
Curt Judged him close TO eighty. HI
was astounded later 70 learn that
tho man was only flfty.ssvsn.
Baldwin introduced: "v'eodor Pie
khanov. want you to know my com,
Tade. Mr.. Ralston. He 10 the one o.
whom ! spoke"
The old Russian bowed graciously
ana made them welcome Curt pitied
him. His hand was bony, he looked
90 tired and despairing. and his syei
seemed 70 hold some great fear ID
their depths-msmoriss. probably
OF that horror trail out Of Siberia.
He preached bio psrpose care