Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1902-06-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SYNOPSES.  The story ()pees on board an English steamer starting for St. Petersburg. Colonel Long, in disturbed tones, informs his friend Peters that he has just been spealuie, in a gentleman—his double in face, figure and ems. An introduction takes place, and Trubney repreisents himself to be a news paper correspondent, going to see the Tsar , review his troops. He says he is absolutely ignorant of Russian, and -has never been in Russia before, but Peters has doubts about this. The ceremoeial departure of the Tsar is witnessed by the two friends—Trubner again turning up; after which the former drive out to see the Gitankaa, or gipsy singers. The Queen of the night, Shouenette is singing as they enter; and before her encore is done. he signals to Peters, who, deeply attracted, thoueh wondering. responds, and later receives a message from the beauty, and a tiny key. The messengers takes him behind the scenes where, with the key, she unlocks a jewel case revealing a bundle of papers which she presses into his hand.s jest as a loud knocking of the military is heard in the theatre. Peters cleverly escapes. meeting Trubner at the outer door. On his way home he opens the papers, and disoovers that they relate to a projected assassination of the Tsar. He hurries on, but is suddenly attacked by masked wen, and is ou the point of being murdered when soldiers arrive. In the confusion he escapes, and after a disturbed sleep in which he dreams of Trubner trying to strangle him, wanders out foe the police station, to deliver up the papers and save the Tsar. But he meets Bhouanette and promises to give her the packet if she will swear that the Tsar shall not I* assassinated on the 13th. She promises and Ohm he finds that it is already the 14th and that, the letters are not in his pocket! Shouanette laughs off the strange occurrence. Trubner returns to the hotel and greets Peters as if nothing had happened. All three start for Arden in eompeny with a train-load of Russian officers wisoin Trubner contrives to render -antagonistic to Peters, by suggesting that, the latter is the "Posee" repreeentative. He does more— gets off the train with Peters' papers and valise, having got Long to accempany him, "to drink." So that Peters lands up at the terminus alone, without passports. and finds himself an object of deep suspicion. He is greeted bv a myseterious reessaes ,and after getting a lodging, wanders out to Pee the night enehts of the town. He meets Captain Sacha, who had been on his train, eontrives to vex him, and the two box in public, the huge Russian faling before the EngLahman's skill. This provokes the crowd, and Peters is only just saved from lynching by Saelia's generosity. The tw walk eff together. and Peters prevents the assassinsLion of his companion. They then gei to the "Colonel's" house, where Bache is deferred to in all things. Peters &parte with a curious present. and with the goodwill of both men. The next morning the thought flashes into his brain--" Is Seehe, the Tsar?" Peters finds Strouseetto, and in en ruLerview with her tries to clisouade her froth carrY ing out the plot, declaring his love for her. Her answer is that ethe evince, and neks Orel to forgive her for having to cause Peters' death.