The Mission of Poubalov — page 48: what you’re looking at

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

44 THE AGENT OF THE CZAR. growing agitation; ‘‘if you can give us the faintest light it would be cruel to withhold it.”’ ‘May I hupe that no offense will be taken,’’ said Pouba- — ‘lov, ‘‘if I say that I planned to tell these things to you only? I will be pleased to call at your own convenience.”’ ‘“‘No, no!’’ replied Clara, rising; ‘‘I must know now. Tell me here. Mrs. White, may we step into your dining- room?’’ Louise and the landlady had risen at the same moment, and Mrs. White said: ‘Tf Miss Pembroke doesn’t object, she and I will go out. Only, Mr.—sir, if you have anything to say about my daughter, I wish you would let me hear it!”’ ‘“‘It was not my intention to mention her, madame,’ re- plied Poubalov. Louise went to Clara’s side and kissed her. ‘*You are so brave, dear!’’ she said. Clara gave Louise a grateful look as she and Mrs. White withdrew, and turned expectantly to the Russian. ‘*Pray sit down, Miss Hilman,’’ he said; ‘‘what I have to say may not be as important and useful to you as you hope, but I preferred, and with good reason, as 1 think you will see, to discuss the matter with you alone. It was on my tongue to say that I may have been innocently a part of the cause that sent Mr. Strobel into hiding.’’ ‘““Yes,’’ whispered Clara, eagerly; ‘‘go on!’’ ‘*Miss Hilman, I am an agent of the czar.”’ Poubalov paused as if he expected this announcement to disturb, or otherwise impress his listener seriously, but she merely looked straight at him, as she did when he be. gan to speak. ‘Strobel knew me in that capacity,’’ he continued, ‘‘vears ago when we were in Russia. Has he ever oe you about his life there?’’ ‘A little,’’ replied Clara, very doubtful how much she ought to reveal to this man who represented the auto- cratic, relentless power that had destroyed 4*3 faxtrne-.7F tha Strohaeal familv and mada Tvan himeelf an avila