The Mission of Poubalov — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

00 LITIZKI AT WORK. of their evil machinations, they cherish still their destruc- tive ambitions as applied to Russia; and, Miss Hilman, they stiil keep watch on one another. It would fare ill with any Nihilist in America should he yenture to betray his former associates in any way.”’ ‘I suppose I understand you now’’ said Clara, slowly. “You mean that I must look for Ivan’s enemies among the Russian exiles who live in Boston.”’ ‘‘Or elsewhere in America. ’’ “If he really w_re connected with chem in Russia, he would be the last man to betray them.’’ ‘Doubtless; but would they credit him with such loy- alty? May they not have imagined that, under certain circumstances, he might be induced to betray them? And may they not have conveyed such definite and fearful threats that he found it necessary to disappear?”’ ‘“‘Do you mean by ‘certain circumstances’ his intended marriage?’”’ “No. Imay not mean anything. We shall see some day whether I do or not,”’ ‘You speak ina constant succession of riddles. Why not continue your frankness, and be strictly open with me?’’ Poubaloy lit a fresh cigarette, and after a long scrutiny of the ceiling, responded: ‘That is not my way, Miss Hilman, Iam sincerely try- ing to suggest the clew to your difficult problem.” Clara took her own turn at reflection, and said at last: “If Ivan felt obliged to disappear for a time, in order to escape his enemies, he would have managed to let me know.’’ | “It would seem so,’’ admitted Poubalov, rising; ‘‘and that brings you to your last alternative.” ‘‘Wait,’’? exclaimed Clara, imperatively; ‘‘you bring me to the last alternative as if that were the end of my difficulties. Suppose it to be true that some Russian ex- iles, in a mistaken distrust of Mr. Strobel, : a S tS) tH) @) Ce) 3 Th. FG,