By NICHOLAS CARTER, The Celebrated New York Detective. Crime of a Countess

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 375, 8 June 1889, Page 6

By NICHOLAS CARTER, The Celebrated New York Detective.

Crime of a Countess

O 15, Tlio American DovCelivc and the Russian Nihilist.

CHAPTER IV. THE KSCAPE. For a moment the two swords wcvo pressed s ilently together. Then there was a quick flash and the officer's sword was wrenched from his grasp and fell with a ring on the waxed floor. In another moment he had measured his length by the side of his companions. 4 Close by nay side now, countess,' whispered Wat. He put out the light in the ball and they were in darkness. Then he unlocked the door, and took the key out as he did so. The instant the door was opened tho men outside rushed in. - 'Rights upstairs,' cried Wat, in imitation of the'voice of the man he had crossed swords with. Almost as ho spoke ho drew the countoss with him and darted out, locking the doov on the outside. As he had expected, the carriage of the Countess Alzamoff was waiting" in front of the house. He placed Vera in it and then turned to the driver, and said : ' I am to drive the countess to a certain place, and you aie to remain here,' f But'Do you dispute with the countess?' 'No ; but ' ' Get down at once. ' The man got down. • Now give me your coat and hat. Tho countess must not be seen with a diiver out of livery. ' The exchange was made with an appearance of calmness on Wat's part that he did not feel, for he could hoar the police making an effort to open the front door, and he knew it would not be mote than a minute before they would run down to the lower door. * You stay here, too,' he said to the footman. Then he mounted the box und seized the reins. None too soon either, for ab that moment the police ran out of the lower door, and with a shout of rage commanded him to stop. Wat knew very well that it was a great risk to run, but he was determined to save the countess if possible. He whipped the spirited horses, and-they started off on a run just as the police in exasperation fired their pistols at him. In anticipation of such a thing, he had ducked his head, and the shots passed harmiesly over him. The danger was by no means over, however, as he very well knew. Every soldier in Russia is a policeman, and the streets of St. Petersburg are at all times full of soldiers. Secretly their sympathies are with the ' oppressed people, but Wat knew they would | nob dare to show it at any time, and as he was too evidently driving the carriage of an aristocrat, he would be unlikely in any case to have any help from them. He turned the first corner in safety and might have gone farther had nob the shots of the police attracted some soldiers, who came running from that very direction. There were four of them, who without a moment's hesitation threw themselves in front of the galloping horses. Wat knew from the way the horses tugged at ohe reins that they would need no further urging, so he leaned over the dashboard and with a whirl of his whip cut the men over the faces. The men, half-blinded, were thrown over in the mud, and Wat spun along, once more sate. All the commotion had, however, begun to attract a larere crowd, and the streets were filliog with people. It wa3 obvious that he could not go much farther without being obliged to drive over and probably seiionsiy injure somebody, a course which would only damage the cause of the countess if she should eventually be captured. He therefore drove right up to where he saw the crowd thickest and there stopped and hastily dismounted. He opened the door of the carriage and drew the trembling countess forth. ' Make way for us, those who love their country !' he whispered. The appeal was well directed. A passage was opened and immediately closed behind them. Wat, supporting the countess, led her hurriedly down the street. They readied the next corner in safety, and, turning that, felt a measure of security. 'Have you strength enough to walk the remainder of the way?' ' Yes, my brave friend ; but what a risk j-on are running for me.' 'Never mind the risk if you have the strength. Indeed, we are safe now. 1 To avoid the appearauee "of ' running away, they moderated their pace, and Wat threw off the coachman'& coat and hat. They could hear the hue and cry behind them s«-ill ; bub Wab, with the cunning of the fox, doubled on his tracks, and instead of going away from the house, approached it by the other way, and remained in the vicinity until he felt sure th it the pursuit had taken the police well in the other direction. Then he leisurely sought a cab and was driven to a. distant point of the city. From there he led his companion bo the house she had spoken of. It wan a poor litfcle home, bub the miotress of it did not forget that she owed what bheie was of it to the countess. The good little creature would not consent to remain under the root until she had made the woman understand what a risk she was running in harbouring a fugitive from the Government. The devoted Pole merely bowed and said that it was only at such times that she could show the gratitude she felt, and that she hailed this chance to prove hers. Having made provision for the countes?, it was time for Wat to think of his own case. He was too certain to be known under his own guiso to make it prudent to so about as he was, so he asked for a room where he might alter his appearance. When he came out of it he was a respectable gentleman of middle age, and plainly an American. ' Stay here, countess, unless either I or i Ivan come for you.' ' Do you believe then that Ivan is free ?' 1 1 think it is more than probable. If I had nob thought so I would not have made such an effort to keep you in freedom.' 'I do nob understand.'

'It is merely that I do nob understand myself. I mean that ifc seems necessary for Ihe success of Countess Alzamoflf's plot that you should be in prison while Ivan is freo. Why, I do not know, but on general principles I have thwarted hor.' ' How good you are to me. I shall never forget it.' • Wait until I have united you and Ivan, and you are in a country where you may dare to breathe in safety.'

CHAPTER Y. IK I TIE TOILS. Wat was perfectly well awaro that ib would nob be safe for him to go to any hobel that night, for such is the Russian police system that they can control the actions and pu 1 ; under surveillance whom they please. He was noc to spend the night on tho stioefcs for all that, however. He knew frum experience where to look for lodgings, o v en in St. Petersburg. He slept none tho worse for having aided a pretty countess to escape from her enemies, and woke the next morning roady to do more for her if it lay in his power. He had no hope of keeping her long from the eyes of the police, for he knew that she must soon be found. What he did expect to do was to establish her innocence and the guilt of the Countess Alzamoff. before her hiding-place should be discovered. The first thins; for him to do was to seek the American Minister and acquaint him with as much of the truth of the matter as he should deem prudont after an interview with him. At nine o'clock — a very early hour for such business — ho proceeded to bho American" Legation and asked for the minister. • He is not in the office yet, but the secretary ia horo. ' '' I will see him if he will permit ib.' The clerk returned bo say that unless the Jbusiness was urgent the secretary would ask him to M'ait. ' Please tell him it is of the utmost importance.' ' You may walk right in then.' Wat went into the secretary's office, and, without waiting for him to begin the conversation, said : 'Excuse my urgency, and do not lake it amiss if I ask you bo let me see the minioter. ' ' He is nob here yet. ' ' When will he be here V ' ISTot until ten o'clock.' 'This a very important matter. One of life and death, in fact. Ihuvo come all the i way from New York to at! end to ib. lam well accredited bo the minister.' ' Come with me then to his house. It is irregular, bub I must bake your word for ib that your business will not wait.' Twenty minutes later Wat stood in the presence of the United States Minister. ' You have urgent business with me What is it ?' f Please read my credentials. Here they are. ' The minister took them and read them carefully. They were so satisfactory that he said, cordially : 'So you are a detective. What can Ido to serve you ? You may rely upon any aid in my power.' Wat had been studying him and hadmade up his mind to trust him. ' I will tell you all I know myself about the matter,' he said. And thereupon he told him all he had learned and what he suspected. ' Why, what a dreadful affair !' exclaimed the minister. 'Are you sure of your statements concerning the Countess AlzamoftT 'Sure? yes, bub I cannot prove them yet.' 'I know her as well as the Counte-'s Kadolinski, and ib is hard for me to credit what you say. ' ' The results must speak for themselves. You can easily ascertain if what I have told you is not in the main correct.' ' Yon have the papers establishing tho nationality of young Horwibz.' ' Here «.hey are.' ' We can ab least see that he has a fair trial, a thing I am sorry to say he would hardly get if he were not an American.' ' But he is probably already liberated.' j ' True. Then what cm we do V ' Pretend we do not suspect it, and go to the Minister of tho Interior just the same. Perhaps we can find out somethinpeabout the case. ' 'II is early and the action is irregular, but if you wish we will go at once.' Wab asked nothing better, and together they went to the Minister of the Inteiior. That functionary recehed them graciously, and in response to the inquiry about Ivan, smiled and said : 'The grounds for his arrest were of the best, but we have since had his innocence clearly established, and he was liberated yesterday.' 'Thank you. And he will be permitted to so about as freely as before. ' Oh, no. We have exerci-ed our discietion in the matter, and he has been sent with an escorb to the frontier.' 'Forbidden to return to the country?' ' Precisely. 5 ' Then of course I shall have no more need to look out tor him here,' said the American Minister, pleasantly. ' I should think not, unless he should take it into his head to return. Oh, by Hie way, do you know that an American gave us a great deal of trouble last night ?' ' Kow was that ?' ' We tried to arrest the real culprit in the Bazaro lF affair — his sister, in fact; and a young American, a mere boy they tell me, interfered and aided her to escape.' « Indeed !' 'Yes,' said tho minister, indifferently, •' but we have her in custody now, and I don't think she can escape us again.' ' I had heard a rumour that she was suspected of this horrible crime, but I could not believe it.' •It i^ true. She i 3 a nihilist, you see, and capable of anything.' 1 She looks incapable of it.' • Looks don't count for much. She' 3 more Pole than Russian, anyhow.' •Wlcu will her trial come off?' asked vVat. A slighb smile passed over bhe minister's face at this question, and he answered, with a shrug : 4 When it is convenient. Ib is nob import/an b, since the papers found in her house conclusively show her to be in league » with the nihilists.' ' May I ask wrab her punishment will be ?' ' Under the circumstances, the knout, probably.' lOh !' ci'ied bho shocked American Minister. • You cannob mean ib !' exclaimed Wab, a shudder of agony thrilling him at the bare thought of that delicate, beautiful creature being subjected to such a horrible fate. The Russian lifted his eyebrows ab bhese expressions of horror, and Wab saw that they had made a mistake. He turned to the American Minister with a quickly-formed resolution in his mind. ' Will you tell his excellency that I am well accredited to you.' In manifest surprise the minister did as requested. The Russian merely bowed in a distant way. • Will your excellency grant me a private interview ?' • To what purpose V

' I am in possession of information of great importance to your government.' * I havo ovory reason to believe he speaks the truth.' The American Minister instead of being offended at Wat's request for an interview at which he should not be present), was good enough to second his request. Tho Russian Minister acceded with no very good grace, and the American Minister left them together.

CHAPTER VI. SHE IS TO BE KNOUTED. Now,' said the Russian, curtly, ' please to state your business.' 4 I am the American who assisted the Countess Radolinski to G3capo last night.' ' And you have the impudence to say this to my face ?' The Russian was furious. 4lf I tell you this it is in order that you will have the more confidence in what else I say.' 4 You will be wise to speak very eloquently in your own behalf ?' An attendant interrupted here to say : ' General Grosser awaits your excelloncy's time. ' 4 Ask him to stop here' The attendant bowed and the mm ; ster turned to Wat with a peculiar smile. ' Here is one who will be glad to meet you.' 4 And I shall be glad to meet him.' Wat knew that the visitor was the chiof of police, the shrewdest detective in Russia, and he ielt sure of a more reasonable treat- , uient from him than from the minister. 1 Well,' demanded tho minister, as the general entered, ' have you found that presumptuous Yankee detective yet f 1 No, your excellency j and since he has disappeared so completely so far, I am free to confess that 1 am not likely to find him.' 4 Then I can help you, for I have found him. Thero ho is.' Grosser looked keenly at Wat, and answeied : ' Your excellency has done well.' ' Question him,' said the minister. 4 Pardon me,' interposed Wat, coolly, 1 but lam not here to bo questioned. lam here to make terms.' General Gresser said nothing, merely eying Wat searchingly. The minister, however, smiled maliciously, and retorted : 4 Since you are here, you will do as I say, and not as you wish.' Wat shrugged his shoulders and looked with a quiet smile at Grosser. ' Well,' said the minister to Gresser, ' will you not proceed with your questions?' 1 Will you be good enough to remove your disguise?' said Gresser to Wat. Without a moment's hesitation Wat took off his whiskers and wig that covered his head and face. The minister stared in amazement ; but Gresser, with an unmoved countenance, only said : 'It is tho same. May I inquire of your excellency how he came to be here V 1 He came with the American Minister, and after asking a private interview had the audacity to tell me he was the man who aided in Radolinski's escape.' 'Am I at liberty to question him in my own way ?' 'Certainly.' ' You say you came hore to make terms. What terms ?' * May I ask you a few questions before answering ?' 4 Yes.' * Is Ivan Horwifcss at liberty ?' 'Yes.' ' And on his way to the frontier, forbidden to return ?' 'Yes.' ' The Countess Radolinski is really in your hands ?' ' Captured this morning early in the houso of a Polish woman, in the so-called Polish Court.' 4 Was it through the intervention t>f the Countess Alzamolt that Ivan was liberated Y 'No.' 'But it seems to me,' intorposod the minister, ' that it is he, not you, general, j that is doing the questioning.' ' Yes, your excellency, but he questions so well that I like to answer him.' 4 Oh, well, as you please,' and the mystified minister subsided. Wat saw that the astute chief of police understood something of his motive in putting his questions, so ho resumed with renewed confidence. 4 Who was it procured the release of young < Ilorwitz ?' 'If you don't know thab, you lose just so much of my con Sconce.' Wat reflected a moment, and then ventured : i '3 1 w.is the Count Chcrnigoff ?' 'Yes.' ' Do you really believe that the Countess Radolin&ki is guilty of either murder or connection with nihilistic plots ?' ' Tho case against her is very clear.' ' His excellency tolls me that she ia to be knoutcd. When will that bo done ?' The general exchanged a glance with the minister and then answered, slowly : ' In fi\o days.' The blood seemed to freeze in Wat's veins. ' Heaven help the poor creature ! ' he cried ; ' she is as innocent as a child of the least wrong. 4 1 suppose,' retorted Gresser, coldly, 4 that you have something more than mere | assertion to oiler in support of your statement V In good tiuth Wat had not, and he .was a3 alive to the weakness of his position as' anybody, but he was not the sort to give up a" fight, the stake of which was so awful in . its consequences to tho countess, whose cause he had espoused with the fervour of a generous heart. 4 Not a great deal, and \et enough, I fancy, to have an effect on you.' ' Let me hear it.' 'The countess is believed guilty of her brother's murder simply because she had something to gain by his death ?' 4 And he was found dead in her house.' ' As for that, it is rather in her favour.' ' How so ?' 4 If she had killed him she would have chosen pome other place than her house for him to die in.' 4 Grant it. How about what she would gain in the event of her getting him out of the way ?' 4 She has enough without his money for ono thing ; but what would weaken the foice of that argument more than anything else would be the discovery of some person who had much more than she to gain by his death. ' 4Ah !' ejaculated Grosser, looking interested. 4 And do you know such a person ?' 'I think I do.' 'His name.' Tor the present that is my secret.' ' Oh, well,' said Gresser, indifferently, ' if you talk of your secrets, we may as well end the interview. 5 4 Oh, no, general, you don't think so any more than I do. I have my terms to make, and if I toll you oHI I know I shall no longer be of, any use to you. 5 The general smiled and said : 4 You are sharp, I see.' *My business, general. lam a detective, you know.'

• Go on, then.' ' Do you really care anything about the murder? Is it not rather" the suspicion of being a nihilist that makes the countess' case such a serious one V ( Suppose that is so ; what then ?' 'Nihilistic papers were found in the countess's house V 1 Yes.' 'Ihey showed that the countess was concerned with the nihilists, that the death of Bazaroff had been fixed on, and other things, eh ?' •Yes.' c What other thingß V The eenoral and minister exchanged glances." ' So smart a person as you ought to know that without asking.' ' And so I do,' answered Wat, with a [ gleam of triumph in his eye. ' The papers you found contained nothing of the slightest value beyond what regarded the countess herself.' Again the two Russians exchanged glance?, and even tho minister began to regard Wafc \\ ibh some respect. And Wat knew that he had made a lucky guess. llf fchafc were so, what of it ?' demanded the general. '1 don't need to tell you, but I will. Suppose Bazaioff had gained some knowledge of nihilistic plots ; supposo a woman he loved was implicated ; suppose that Woman loved another man than Bazaroff ; suppose the man the woman loved did not love her, but did love another woman ; suppose that Bazaroff- told the woman he loved that he knew she was a nihilist, what then V 1 Well, what then ? The question was indifferently enough pub, but Wat did not fail to see that he had made an impression. ' Why, it seems to me,' he went on, f that the woman would have to kill. Bazaroff or consent to love him.' , : <. - t vVell V : |r " , ' Well then, since she could not love him, and must kill him, what a grand scheme it would bo to niako it appear thab her rival with the man she did love was guilty of the very things she herself was guilty of. Suppose, in fact, thab she could ab once &eb rid of the man who knew too much and the woman who stood in her way ?' • You have supposed a very pretty case, but you have proved nothing.' ' Come, sir, you ought to deal fairly with me. You know that proof in such cases is most difficult.' • What do you propose ?' ' That you withold sentence or punishment from the Countess ftadolinski until I shall have .sufficient time to produce my proofs of her innocence.' ' How long do you want?' ' Give me a month.' 1 What is your interest in this matter?' • I was hired by the father of Ivan Horwibz to come here and clear his son.' • The son is clear.' ' Well, in the course of my investigations I discovered the circumstances I have narrated to you under the form of suppositions. I met the Countess Radolinski and became so interested in her that I promised to save her. I want to keep my promise ' Once more the two Russians exchanged glances, and the minister spoke this time. ' You may haA'e the assurance you ask for as regards the Countess Radolinski, and you may not only have the % time you ask for, but we will give you ahy aid in our power. Do I meet your views, general ?' 'Exactly.' ' May I see the countess ?' ' Whenever you wish, and she shall be transferred to commodious and comfortable quarters at onco. ' . ' And will you permit Ivan Horwitz to re' turn to the country V 'If it will aid you.' 1 It will.' ' Then I will send a telegraphic order after him.'

CHAPTER VII, ivans letter to vbua. Ahmed wibh a specialorderfrom the goneral, countersigned by tho Minister of the Interior, Wat hastened first to the house of the countess, and there found but one piece of news of any interest to him. The countess's faithful Polish nurse had received a note from somebody that moraine and had not been seen since. As it was in anticipation of a note from Ivan being sent there that Wat had visited the house, he now hurried to the Polish Court, and had no difficulty in discovering that the nurse and letter were both there. She readily gave him the letter, and he went at once to the police headquarters to learn if the telegram to Ivan had reached him in time to prevent him crossing the frontier. He put that question to General Gi'esser, and the latter, with a peculiar smile, handed him tho telegram. It road : 'Thanks to General Grosser. I shall return to America at once, Ivan Hokwitz.' • Rather hard on your theory,' remarked Gresser, dryly. Wat studied silently for a moment, and then asked : 8 Is the telegram genuine ?' 'Read this.' j Wat took another telegram and read it. ' Gave Horwitz the order and he refused, with an appearance o£ bitterness, to return. I did not urge it. Ciiernigofk. 1 ' Chernigofi'?' said Wat reflectively ; ' and what is he doing with the young man ?' ' He has a special mission in Franco, and is on his way thither. * He has command of the escort merely as a mjtiser ( of form.' ; " « Is ho a.-fcyussjvorfchjs man ?'-• <,> -• 'Yes. Have you any "reason to^croubtr it-?' , • -<»• ' '• '■,!>' ' None.' ' Why did you ask ?' ' It was he who procured Ivan's release.' fHe was the special agent appointed to inquire into the matter.' •Ah ! Well, I will go now and talk with the countess. Will you mind nob telling her ot hei lover's action ? I may want to use the knowledge in some way.' 'She shall know nothing from ua. ' « Thank you.' 'By tho way, is nob your theory at all impaired by Horwitz's action ?' 1 Not at all ; but it makes me modify my views somewhat.' It was ovidenb to Wat that Grosser held back from him information bearing on the matter, but he gave no sign of thinking so. When he reached the prison where the countess was confined, he found her as comfortable as she could be under the circumstances. After telling her as much of shat had happened as would be likely to choer her drooping spirits, ho handed her the letter he earned, and watched her as she read it. At sight ot the handwriting she trembled and flushed with happiness. She tore open the envelope eagerly and unfolded the letter. At the very first she war ted and stared wildly at the paper before her. Then she caueht her breath, and, pressing her hand upon her heart, read on. She read through like one petrified, and then, with a piteous wail, let it fall from her hand and sank in a heap on the floor of her prison, moaning : • Oh, how could ho do ifc ?' Wat caught up the letter, and, without compunction, read it through.

' The shameless fiends !' he ejaculated. 'If you have really done thia thing, Ivan Horwitz, I will hunt you to a worse prison} than that to which you would consign thi3 poor, loving e;irl.'

CHAPTER VIII. 1 ALL IS OVER BETWEEN US !' With pitying tenderness Wat lifted Vera from the floor and pub her into a chair. Then he once more, and with greater care, read the letter. ' Madam: It will be a waste of words to explain why I say to you that all is over bo! tween us. I am now a free man, and will return at once to America. 'Ivan Horwitz. ' What can ib mean V moaned Vera. ' Is this Ivan's writing ?' 'Yes.' ' Look more carefully. Ib may be only a trick.' Vera took the letter, and with swimming eye? studied ib. llt is his writing. I know it iy.' ' Have you any obhor letter of his ?' Vera mechanically drew one from her pocket and handed ib bo Wab. Ib was a love-story, filled with the spirit of devotion, and breathing at once nobility of soul and greatness of heart. • Either the same man did nob write the two letters, or he has boon persuaded of something bo your prejudice.' ' How could ho belicvo evil of me, and I loving him so ?' Wab was examining the letters with an export eye to determino if the handwriting was the same. 1 They are written by the same hand,' he said, at last. ' Alas ! yes.' ' BuL this letter is not dated, nor ia its J addressed to you, except on the envelope.' j ' You are right,' she cried eagerly. * Oh, find me some comfort in bhab !' ' The ink with which it }s written is more than one, even two days old.' 1 Are you sure ?' ' Positive., Why, it is at lease as old as the ink on your letter.' ' Oh ! then I comprehend.' , The little countess, with a sudden revulsion of feeling, sprang up smiling through her tears, and took tho letter from Wat's hand. ' What do you comprehend ?' ' Why, don't you see,' she cried, ' this is the letter he sent to her when he discovered what a bad woman she was.' ' But he says he is a free man and is going to America.' The countess blushed charmingly. ' Oh,' she answered, ' he came'to bid me good-bye before he went away, and — and ho changed his mind.' Wat laughed outright. ' And after that he was a free man no longer.' 'But, oh!' exclaimed "Vera, with a shudder, ' what should I have done if you had not been here to explain to me ? And, oh, how wicked she is !' ' Well, you must let this be a lesson to you not to believe aiiything against Ivan unless he tells you it himself. I must be bus} 7 , so that I may nob have time to see you often ; bub you may confidenbly look forward to boing set freo before a very long time Will you try to be happy in your imprisonment ?' 1 Oh,> I shall not mind it very much as long as 1 feel sure that it will come out all right in the end.' ' And do you feel sure?' • With you for my friend, yes.' ' Now you arc flabtering me. I shall have to go,' laughed Wat. 'Be of good cheer, and don't lose faith in either Ivan or me.' ' I won't,' promised the little countess, And Wat left her wibh a smile on his face bhat faded away as soon as bhe door was closed behind him. 'Now,' he muttered, 'now for an encounter with the tigress, and an effort.to tame her.' He hastened to the house of the Countess Almazoff, and made his summons. She was nob at home, tho footman said. ' When will she be home ?' ' I don'b know.' • Where has sho gone?' ' None of your business.' The words as well as the smirk on the fellow's face were insolent. 4 Can you read ?' demanded Wab. • I think so.' 1 Then read that.' Wat handed him the special order of the Minister of the Interior, and the man read ib with a blanching face. ' I did not know you were io the service,' he faltered. ' When will the countess be home ?' ' I don't know, sir. Not for a long time.' ' How long ?' ' Several months, maybe.' ' What ?' 'That is what she said, sir. Her steward is to have the house closed at once.' ' Where has she gone ?' ' 1 am not certain, sir. ' Where do you think ?' ' I heard her maid say something about Paris, sir.' ' When did she go V ! ' Last night, by the train that leaves j about eleven o'clock.' 'Mischiof, mischief, mischief !' muttered Wat, turning slowly away. ' You won'b report against me, sir, will you ?' pleaded the footman. 'No.' A few minutes later Wab was once more in the presence of the chief of police. • Well ?' queried the latter, wibh bhe same peculiar smile which had mad,e Wat ur.qasy before. .. ... „ ' On 1 what 'train did Ivau Horwitz leave?, here ?'> demanded.Wab. 'Eleven o'clock.' > Grosser smiled as if he knew why Wab a&ked the question. 'B'm!' muttered Wat. • Has your theory undergone any change since you left me ?' • No" change of consequence.' • How about Ivan's letter of farewell to his Vera ?' ' You know aboub bhab, then V 'Do you suppose we let letters reach political prisoners without first reading them ?' 'You think from that lotter, then,' said Wab, ' that Ivan really loves the Countess Almazoff?' ' Well, he cerbainly aebs so. He not only writes the letter, bub he and the countess take the same train away from here.' ' Suppose he did not send tho letter ?' ' Suppose he'did ? One of our men took the letter from his own hand.' 'Are you sure?' ' Positive.' ' Did you see the letter ?' ' No, but I have a copy.' ' Here is the original. Will you do me the favour to look carefully at it ?' Wat handed him the letter. Grosser read it, examined ib, turned ib over, and read ib again. Then he gave Wab a pecular glance, and ejaculated : ' Is ib his writing ?' 'Yes.' ' When was it written ?' ' When he broke off wibh the Countess Almazoff.' t ( Gresser gave a sharp, angry tap on his bell. •Is Petroff here V he demanded of the attendant.

• Yos, sir.' 'Send him to mo at once.' An alert intelligent -looking officer in citizen's clothes came in answer to the summons. ' Was it you who carried the note from Ivan Horwitz to the nurse of the Countess Radolinski ?' 'Yes, sir. 5 ' Did he deliver ib into your own hand ?' ' Yes, sir.' ' Did ib leave your hands before you j delivered it to the nurse V i ' No, sir.' ' You are certain ?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Do you want to question,' him Gressor asked Wat. 'If you please. Why did Horwitz trust you with the letter V The man glanced ab the general bo see if he was to answer, and receiving an affirmative nod, replied : ' The Counb Chernigroff recommended me.' ' Did you see the letter written ?' •No, sir.' 4 What was the manner of Horwitz when he handed you the letter ?' 1 He seemed very happy.' ' Was the Counb Chernigoff there when you book theletter?' < Yes, sir.' * What was his manner ?' ' He had his back bo us.' ' What was his manner ?' bhundered Gresser. ' He seemed nervous, sir.' ' That Avill do,' said Wat. ' You may go,' said Gresser.

CHAPTER IX. " WAT'S COMPACT, WITH GKESSEK. i ' Well?' demanded" Waf, 4 wh,9,n he arid the chief wero alone together again. ** f Gresser pac3d the room several times before answering. Then he said, slowly i- . 'I lliink I may trust 'you.' „'' ' ,« ' Thank you. I think we measured; each other correctly at our first interview.' 4 You are a foreigner and care only for your client and the countess, is it not so ?' ' Ye?. 1 ' I have the interest of my sovereign afe heart.' 'Yes.' 4 And yet I dare not take any official notice of the facts and suspicions you have opened my eyes to.' • Why not ?' ' Because tho count and countess are in favour in high places. Indeed they are at this moment secret agents of the government in France.' ' Do you see what confidence I put in you when I tell you such a thing? My life is now in your hands.' ' I will not betray you, rest assured.' 4 And will you be as frank with me ?' ' 1 will.' 4 And tell me all you know as well as what you suspect ?' 4At once. In fact it is not much. But this is it. When the Count Bazaroff was dying he accused the Countess Almazoff of having poieoned him and of doing so because he had discovered she was a nihilist.' 4 The Countess Radolinski told you this ?' 1 Yes.' 4 And you believe she told the truth ?' 4 Most certainly.' ' And so do I. And yet it would go for nothing without documentary proof.' 'I know that.' ' Then let us work together, you for the countess and I for the Czar.' ' Agreed. And ib will be odd if tho scoundrels can escape such a combination.' * Let us see where we stand then. Alrnazoft and Chernigoff are safe until you can find some damaging proof againstthem.' 'Yes.' 4 But poor little Radolinski is in the toils. ' ' She will nob mind the imprisonment so thab she is sure of being united with her lover finally.' 4 Ah, but unfortunately she has not only imprisonment to fear, poor girl !' ' What then V 'The knout.' 4 But the minister's promise ?' 'He meant ib, bub he is, as yon must have seen, a man of little force, and ho will be overruled by others.' ' But why should anybody care to urge the punishment of so haimless a creature V ' Almazoff has left powerful friends behind her. And she is determined to see that little creature dead.' 4 But why do you think this ?' , Since you left the minister he has been urged from high quarters to proceed with rigour. ' ' Then vvhafc is to be done ?' 4 Leave it to mo. I tell you this in order thab you may see that I have something to do as well as you.' 'Then you can save her.' 4 I will save her.' 4 Then it is agreed that I am to follow the two and trap them. You are to stand between the countess and harm ?' 1 Yes. Only help me all you can by sending 1 me any information of importance the moment you get any. The more I know, the more influence I have with the Czar.' 4 Can you tell mo nothing about Chernigoff, or the woman, that will be of service to me in hunting tbejn down ?' '1 have nothing at all against them. One thing you ought to know, and that is that the Count Chernigoff. has., been the Mend of Ivn.n, by permission of the go-, vernmenb, ever since the young man has been ia Russia.'- -. > 'That is. important. Hq'w shall I^p.mmunicabe ,wj.fch you when lam in Paris ?' - [_ 'I \vill jgive^ybu a cipher, \yhicb is arranged 1 bn"tw6' "keys. You and I will'hofti one key, and any spying friend of thfe two' will hold thfe-'obhe¥:''V- •' <- ••' '>'-"• """ - • 4 You have eVen to 'guard -the government itself.' ' yes. They have some friend that keeps them posted, that is evident, and we must guard against, him. Ah, he had better have a care. I shall hold the whip one of these days, and then woe to him.' 4 Do you know anything about Ivan that you havo not told me ?' 4 Nothing. But you are just 'as certain as ever of his innocence ?' ' 4 Not quite, perhaps, but I have a feeling that what seems inexplicable now will be cleared up as soon as I have had a chance to talk with him.' 4 Can I do anything more for you ?' 4 Nothing but to have my passport put in order. ' 'Give it to me and I will not only do that, but I will give you another special order, to be of use in expediting your passage out of the country. Don't use ib, however, unless you have to.'

CHAPTER X. THAPS LA IP FOR WAT. When the two o'clock train left St. Petersburg for Berlin, Wat was on board of it. There was but one other occupant of the compartment with him, and he was a Russian officer. Wat had glanced at him when he came in, but had otherwise paid no attention to him. He had evidently been drinking, but as long as he bebayed himself, that was no business,of Wat's. He did not propose to behave himself, however, hs~ it seemed, for the cars had

hardly started wlienhe drew ot^b a flask of brandy,- and -after -taking" a-dHnk himself, offered the flaßk to Wat. Wat refused as politely as might be, internally wishing that he might have had the luck to have a aoberer companion. At the refusal, the man growled'some thing about unsociable fellows, and "then set himself the task, apparently, of empty ing the flask as quickly as possible. It did not take long, and Wat hoped the fellow would then fall asleep, but instead of doing any such thing, he began to encroach upon Wat's seat. Wat moved, and the man moved. Wat moved again. Themanmoven again, crowding hard upon Wat. Before this Wat had not paid any special attention to him, but on'being thus pushed, studied the man more closely. It was at'once evident that the man was only pretending drunkenness. That being so, there could be but one interpretation of his actions — he was trying to pick a quarrel. But why should he want to quarrel with Wat? He might be merely a quarrelsome fellow, ready to pick a quariel with anybody, but it seemed a great deal more likely that he had a special reason for singling Wat out. He acted, in fact, as it he were working with premeditation. If he really was hired to quarrel with Wat, it would not do to act hastily. With the utmost patience, Wat kept avoiding him, until such time as he had perfected his plan. The officer was a large man, and probably a strong one, bub that made no difference to Wat. His mind being made up, he "suddenly stopped shifting his seat, and the man found himself brought up close against Wat. With the utmost unconcern, Wat 'sat immovable. The bully, taken -aback by this sudden change of plan, hesitated, a moment before lie could make up his mind what to do! : Then 1 He growled. out, with sublime impudence : ' ' What d' you want to crowd me like that for, say?' 'I beg your pardon,' said Wat, with a polite smile ; ' I did not mean to. Do you wish this seat V ' I want any seat I want. ' ' ' Oh !' and fetill Wat smiled pleasantly. ' I thought perhaps you wanted any seat I wanted. 5 1 I'll take any seat I want, too, and th-it's more.' ' Yes, it is a great deal more.' ' What d'you mean by that ?' ' I mean ' — and Wat's smile grew vicious — • that is a great deal more than you are likely to get.' '16 is, eh ? Don't you crowd me. ' And he lurched his great body against Wat, as if he would push him away, At this Wat turned on him swiftly, but quietly, and caughb him by the throat. This was evidently what the man wanted, for, with an instantsobering of.demeanor, he put his hand to his leftj as if to draw a pistol. ' Very slowly, my good man,' said Wat, ironically, at the same time holding the fellow with a grip of iron, and resistlessly pinning him against the opposite door of the compartment. ' Let go of me ! I'll murder you !' gasped the man. 'Oh, no, I guess not,' laughed Wat ; 'at any rate nob until I have a short explanation with you. Stop struggling, you fooL Can't you tell when you've found your master ? Will you keep still V And he shook him unmercifully. ' Don't ! don't. I won't struggle any more,' cried the man, in short gasps. , ' That's sensible. Now, listen to me. You have been hired to do this thing by somebody who is wise enough not to attempt it himself?' For answer the man gave only a sullen growl. * I see you are one of the stubborn sorb, 5 said Wat. ' Well, let it be so j I don't care whether you speak or not. I only want you to understand ono thing — I will make you wish you had never been born if you trifle with me. Do you understand V l Yes.' ' That is well. Now keep to your corner, or look out for me.' And he fairly threw the man away from him. That was the end of the adventure as far as that man was concerned, but the incident served to arouse the suspicions of Wat Somebody evidently had a desire to get him into trouble. Who that somebody was, or how he could have so accurately gauged the movements of Wat, were the subjects of interest. Probably, of coui'se, the somebody was the Countess Almazoff, but if so, then she had spies in a position to know what he had been doing and perhaps what he intended doing. In that case, it behoved him to be on his guard against traps, and also put her off her guard. ( To be Continued. )

The Government Life Insurance Deparbmtent continues to hold its own in competition with the societies competing on similar lines. The accounts of the operations for the year have been madeuj} and forwarded tg t/ie Government.' -*Thgre is, a- general increase of business under the seveT-fcl headsThe results are considered very satisfactory^ The total increase of funds amounts to £123,985. The amounts. invested on mortgage have increased from £266, QOO to -£ 304,000. The new business shows an issue of 2,957 po^iciesjduring.tbeyearj. insuring anamount of /£785,692. "The" total' numtier of policies 'in force at the end of the year numbered 26,168, insuring a sum of £7,760,252. The premium income of the year amounted to £208,740, while in the previous year it was only £201,904. The - interest income amounted to £73,421 as^ against £66,380 in the previous j'ear. The^ claims paid represent £64,435, in additionto endowment insux'ances of £6,612 andi matured endowments of £2,193. The* gross funds of the institution have increased! from £1,328.493 as at the end oi ISS7 to £1,452,478 as at the end of ,188 S. The total liabilities at the end of the year amounted to £1,482.337, including the funds to credit. Husband (on the way to the station for a brief trip): "Remember, my dear, that absence makes the heart grow fonder." Wife: "Ah yes, John; and if you knew, how fondly I think of you when you are • absent from home I'm sure you'd go away much oftener. 5 ' | Yes ! It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick and Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commenda- * tions from country customers on their excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, ' and Glass, &c. Ladies and gentlerheif J about to furnish should remember ttiab r Garlick and Cran well's is the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Auckland/ , Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor ? Cloths and all House Necessaries. If your new house is ne/arly finished, or you are • - going to get married, visit Garlick ,and „ bran well, Queeri-sbreeb-and Lorne-itreefc, n Auckland. - intending purchasers can haven tk catalogue sent free.

and the plans, etc, were duly forwarded to Wellington. Objection was then made to the size of the bolts in the specifications nnd some other trivial matters. This was remedied, and now the plan had been returned again with a suggestion Ihnt the deck of the bridge be an additional 4 feet high. As the plan was now, the deck of the bridge would bs 7ft Gin above the river bank. If the last proposition from Wellington were adopted it would mean increasing the length of the trestles from 27 feet (as per plan) to 31 feet, and would occasion so much filling that it would exceed the cost of the bridge itself, in fact the biidge and filling would cost at least £450 ; nnd there was no necessity for incuiing this increased expense, as the bridge would be 12 feet above the ordinary high water level according to the present plan. On the suggestion of the Chairman it was decided that Cr Corbett should send a tracing of the plan in accordance with the request of Government, also showing dip of the adjacent country, and pointing out the great and needless expense the proposed alteration would involve. This was all the business at the special meeting.

RIVER BOARD. The Council next sat as Ohinemuri Kiver Conseivancy Boaad, Minutes of the meeting held on Maich 2nd (when no business was done), were iead and confiimed. The bnlance-fheet for the year ending 31st March showed : Receipts, nil ; expenditure, nil. The balance-sheet bad been returned duiy endorsed by the Auditor, u Examined and found correct " (laughter). Resolved that the balancesheet bo adopted .

ORDINARY MEETING, Appointment of Ranger, etc., etc.: At the close of thejjiver Board meeting the Council met in' Coirtmittee to consider the applications for appointment of Ranger, Inspector of Nuisances, etc, After about half-an-hour's consultation the meeting was declared open, and on the motion of Cr Nash, seconded by Cr Moore it was ' resolved that Mr W. Tetley be appointed provided lie resigned his present position of Foreman of Works (which Mr Tetley said he would do). Foreman of Works : Resolved that ap» plications be invited for the position of Foreman of Works, returnable at the next monthly meeting of the Council. This concluded the business.