Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-11-27
CHAPTER EIGHT

the New Russia with the government
sanction. We wish to see the towns,
the farmers, mines. :"
"But 1 don't understand. 1 live a
very solitary life and am not quail
fled to. -"
"You live in a monastery and peo-
pie in high power confided that you
have certain official powers here.
You were recommended as the best
authority on ecclesiastical questions
in the Province of Kazan, where the
prestige of the sanctuaries has a
great influence on the people,"
Serge Narskine made a movement
of impotence.
"You attach too great Importance
to me- If l come to this retreat, it
is because they afford me favor
able place for research work. I am
not inclined to receive unexpected in
reviewers"
The smile faded from Puycassou's
lips. He and the Baron stepped back.
Narskine bit his lip and seemed to re-
consider
"Well, come in comrades, but be
quick"
The two men entered small gar
den on terrace overlooking the Vol
ga. Mechanically, they turned to-
ward the house, but Natskine stopped
them.
eve can talk here" he told them,
indicating bench. "You have your
notebook and pencil! will dictate
rapidly what interests you and answer
your questions if they are short and
precise Commenced"
With the swift brevity of the true
scientist, Narskine dictated to Puy-
cassou. From time to time the re-
porter lifted his eyes from the paper
to ask a question. Narskine's cold,
unfriendly visage intrigued him.
"Where have I seen this man be-
fore?" he wondered. Suddenly, cut
ting short the scientists words, he
cried:
81 have it! Your pardon, Comrade.
was wondering where we had met
before. You bear a striking resem-
blance to an Englishman I know-Sir
Herbert Frawley. You remember
him, Baron?"
"Frawley?" queried the Baron vag-
uely.
Narskine rose brusquely. His eyes
cleaned, like agates, then were dull
again.
you've been in England, Com
1ade?" he asked with feigned negli-
gence.
"Never. This Sir Herbert FrawIey
is in Moscow; that is, he was there
last night. A young man, quite an
accomplished artist, is accompanying
him. I told them of my itinerary
and. :"
Narskine drew his lips together
thoughtfully.
"Comrade, night is coming and my
time is limited. You are, no doubt,
returning to Kazan. Goodbye"
Nervously he opened a door giving
on the towpath and showed the two
men out.
A'Well, Baron" said the amazed
Puycassou, "he's not very friendly"
"Kolossal!" doomed the Baron.
But what an article for the Re-
.publique du Midi"
The journalist got his bearing quick
ly. He and the Baron could see far
up and down the majestic sweep of the
river. By following the towpath they
could reach the town which was about
four versts away.
A light blue motorboat bearing the
name Hydra was tied to the shore. It
was small but comfortable, a roof shell
: tetdng the cockpit.
"Too bad we can't take it," said the
Frenchman, "a rich mans toy. Evil
IDENTIFY the revolution hasn't altogeth-
er wiped out the inequality of wealth.
Coming, Otto?"
The Baron made a gesture of pro-
test. "The Holy Image?" he asked.
"True, we haven't seen the Miracu-
lous Ikon. Well, we have time. Well
walk around the walls and find the
entrance to the monastery.
They returned to Kazan at night.
Puycassou was not angry at arriving
SO late; he had been able to see by the
Tight of the oil lamps people kneeling
before the old ikon. The revolution,
like the winds, only ruffled the sur
face of deep sea. It could change
institutions, but could not hasten the
slow evolution of the spirit.