The Mission of Poubalov — page 234: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

230 POUBALOV SUCCEEDS. that you have erred in detail and believed me deceiving you when I was doing my utmost to put the truth before you; but itis impossible for me to be straightforward. Mr. Strobel has said that his deliverance is due to me; that is true, but no credit is due me for generosity or nobility of conduct. What I have done in the way of searching for him and restoring him to liberty, has been done entirely in accordance with my nature. My desire to appear well in your eyes might lead me to vain reflections on what my nature might have been if the circumstances of my life had been other than they were, but past cir- cumstances cannot be changed and nothing can palliate the fact that long practice as a detecter of stealthy criminals — has made me habitually devious in my methods.”’ ‘‘Mr. Poubalov,’’ Clara began gently, but the Russian would not let her utter the deprecating words that were on her lips. **I could not change my methods,’’ he said, ‘‘and more- over, there were circumstances connected with this mat-— ter that made it impossible forme to take you fully into my confidsnce. Don’t you recall how I refused to answer, or evaded your questions? I would not lie to you, and I could not tell you the truth, for I was charged with a message from the czar to Mr, Strobel and to none other could I give it, and not to him unless I were satisfied of certain things, which, until Litizki’s attempt upon my life were in doubt.”’ ‘‘You must have suffered keenly,’ said Clara softly; ‘tell me all now if you can,”’ ‘‘His imperial majesty, whom God preserve,” resumed — Poubalov, ‘‘saw fit to effect a complete restoration of the estates of the Strobel family, which had been confiscated — on account of supposed treason, and to recall all the mem- bers of the family from exile. There was but one doubtin his august mind, and that related to your lover, Ivan. If he were engaged in sending pernicious literature to Rus- sia, or in any other way fomenting the Cn that affects some of our people, the decree of restenrs: | =