A QUEER STORY OF COUNT SCHOUVALOFF.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1794, 20 November 1879, Page 2

A QUEER STORY OF COUNT SCHOUVALOFF.

The following story is told of Count Schouvaloff, tha well-known Russian Ambassador, who at one time filled a high position in the Imperial Detective Police. In 1864 Count Schouvaloff held tha same position aa that now occupied by General Drenteln, whose assassination was attempted by the Nihilißt agents. In that post he had, at certain periods of the year, large drafts of money granted to him from the Imperial Treasury with which ti pay the secret and other police under his orders. These draft"), when received, he waa in the habit of taking to the house of the famous banker, Baron Stieglitz, to be cashed. Upon oue of these occasions he had received the regular draft, the amount being 240,000 roubles, which sum was to bo disbursed among his men ia various amounts. As the amounts to be paid away varied very much, it was necessary to obtain the payment of the draft in notes of both large and small amounts. To collect the required amount the ba ikc-r requested the Count to call in a short peiod, when tha money would bo sorted and ready for bis receipt-. On this particular occasion it was agreed that Count Schouvaloff should call at or shortly before two o'clock in the afternoon. These visits of the chief of the detective police to the rich banker's had long boon regarded by the light fiegerfd brethren of St". Petersburg with eyes of 02vy, as it was well known to them that on thesi visits large sums of money changed hands. The arrangement which had been mado between the Count and the banker had been overheard by an attentive accomplice, and they determined to now make a bold stroke for the money. Shortly before the appointed time of the transfer of the money the bank doors opened and in walked a gentleman, to all appearances Count Schouvaloff, wearing the official uniform—in walk, manner and voice the exact counterpart of the chief of police. The required notes had been carefully counted and arranged, and directly on application of tho supposed Count

Schouvaloff they were handed over with the utmoßt confidence, and the receipt tendered by the pseudo Count. The bank clerk who attended him to the door, and handed to his official custody the precious package, saw a carriage—in every point the counterpart of the well-known official equipage. The servant, the horses, even the fitting?, were well known to him as those of the chief of the police, » n <* not one iota of suspioion entered the head of the bank authorities, as with a graceful bow the supposed august personage took his departure. . Some twenty minutes after the departure of the supposed official, the bank doors again swuDg open, but this time to admit the real Count Schouvakfi, who at on.e advanced to tno hureaux to demand the money for the Treasury draft. On the application being made, both banter and clerks were durafi unded. 'The money, your Excellency I Why you received it but half an hour ago, and here is •your receipt!" Count Schouvaloff saw at once he had been •robbed, and cleverly robbed too, and his acute Intellect told him that not a moment was to be loßt. Assuming a thoughtful attitude for a few seconds, he replied, in a quiet and composed mannor —' Ah ! yes I how thoughtless of me ; I quite forgot it,' and with some short apologies ho left the bank. Among the Russian police, both public and private, it is a standing order to note every movement of the chief of the department, in order that, should he bo required, he can at any moment be found. Leaving the- bank, Count Schouvaloff accosted the first of his men, and inquired : 'Did you see me pass tbis way half an hour ago?' The man, who had, like tho banner and clerks, been deceived by the psendo Count, replied at once, ' Te.s ; you left the bank, and drove to the right.' A second man gave further aid, and si a third and fourth, until at last the Count learnt that he (in duplicate) had been seen to eater an hotel in a side street, aud send away his carriage. Entering the hotel the Count accosted tho landlord with some ordinary question of tho day, and, while thus engaged, one of the waiters entered and stared aghast to see the Count talking to his master. ' Why do you start ?' asked Count ShouvalofL Replied the waiter, 'I have only just left your Excellency at dinner" in No. -ST., and here I find you talking to Monßieur !' Shouvaloff had now the required information, arid he at once entered the apartment indicated by the waiter, and was brought face to face with his duplicate, who, with his assifitant, were just refreshing themselves prior to a journey to lands far distant. On the side table was a black bag containing the nicely-sorted notes, and the wardrobes of these would-be officials. Tho Count saluted his double with a hearty welcome, allowed him to finish the meal which he had so ably earned, and then both he and hij friend were provided, at Government expense, with tourist tickets to Siberia. Their friends have ceased to expect their return.