The Argosy, August 1905 — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

pea Biat grt awa to-morrow.” je ¢ er six o’clock in the morn- ere awakened, however, by a thumping on the main door, Ss CHAPTER XV. THE “ LITTLE FATHER’S ” CHILDREN. As the knocking continued, Gridley rose and, being already partly dressed hurried to the door and opened it. A man, heavily muffled in a fur over- coat, quickly entered the room. * Close the door,” he said abruptly. As the visitor rolled down his collar, iridley recognized Worenkenski, the president of Kenck’s society. Gridley held out his hand, and Worenkenski grasped it perfunctorily. '“ Anything wrong?” asked Gridley, with a sudden feeling of apprehension. “There is likely to be if you do not keep close under cover,” the other an- swered. ** You have been traced to this > - street, and nearly every house for three minutes’ walk on each side of you is watched by spies.” “On what charge will they attempt to arrest us?” “The assassination of Sviokon.” Gridley’s face grew pale. * All of us?” he gasped. ime ~iour said tersely. “Ts it known, then? ” “ Only to Casimir and Verbanovof, I think. The formal charge will not be made until after you are in custody. You were recognized at Tver. In Heayen’s name, how did you get past Bologoe t ” “ Verhanovot Gridley stopped. “Our passports were not examined there,” he went on. 3 Worenkenski looked at Gridley sharply, then rolled up his collar again. “Do not leave the house or be seen at the windows under any circumstances,” he said. “If all goes well we may ar- range to have your comrade 5s » “ Lankirk ?” * Ave, that’s the man I mean. We may arrange to have him see some repre- sentative of your embassy to-day. You- Worenkenski a3 i turned abruptly, and, ~ he - amy —_ ~ ™ ~. THE BLACK SMUDGE. without further ceremony, left the room, - The woman who had admitted them to the house served the little party with a light breakfast. Her manner was sul- len, and when Gridley attempted to im- prove her temper by offering a couple of gold pieces to her, she refused them with a contemptuous gesture. “You are my man’s guests, not mine,” she said. “I’m no servant who is to be paid with money.” Shortly before ten o’clock there was another series of knocks on the door. When Gridley opened it he saw a man, in the Sunday dress of a workingman, standing in the hall. “ A letter for Monsieur Gridley,” said the man. Gridley tore open the envelope. ee was a letter that read as fol- ows: The bearer will conduct you and your friend to a place where I am awaiting you with a representative of your em- bassy. Leave the princess and made- moiselle where they are. You will have passports in time to start to-night. W oRENKENSEI. Gridley turned to Lankirk and gave him the note. The foreman nodded, and in a few moments both men had slipped on their overcoats, said a few encouraging words to the two women, and set off after the messenger. Their conductor led them down a stairway in the rear of the building, and thence through several alleys to a street that ran at right angles with that in which they had their lodging, As they emerged into this, four policemen suddenly seized them by the arms. Both men turned upon the captors and fought desperately. The street was erowded, and from the throng that surged toward the struggling men there suddenly leaped a brawny man in a fur- lined coat. “They are our brothers! Quick, my friends—release them!” The speaker was Worenkenski. Ina thrice the policemen were thrown down and trampled underfoot. Weren- kenski caught Gridley by the arm. “Why did you leave your rooms?” he demanded with flashing eyes. ee ‘hen Sa “> The American thrust into his hands, -s “~ s 3 . _— ya” - * » 5 ad @ =! =