The Argosy — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

BY RIGHT OF SWORD. 29k Did this mean treachery? Or had Olga been arrested? Could she be in the hands of the Nihilists? Or what? A thousand wild thoughts flashed through my mind as I stood for a minute thinking what I ought to do first, and trying to decide where to look for her. | Then I recalled my meeting with Devinsky near my rooms. I dashed out and ran to Essaieffi’s rooms to find out all he knew about Borlas, as he had recommended the man to me; and to learn whether he would be likely to be bribed to’ do such an act of treachery as now seemed possible. But my friend was out. Leaving word for him to come at once to me I went to Madame Tueski and questioned her. She equivocated, suggesting that I was feeling her power ; and with the utmost difficulty I drew from her that, for all her hints, she knew nothing. I ran then to the Prince Bilbassoff, but he was away. I hurried next to the princess ; she knew nothing, but was full of sympathy and offers of help. I wanted news, however, not offers of help; and I rushed back to my rooms, on my way to the police, on the off chance that Borlas had returned. He had not, but in his place there was something much more important. A rough, wild looking countryman was standing at my door, holding the bridle of a shaggy pony that bore sigus of heavy traveling, and the man had been trying vainly to get into my house. He addressed me, asking where he could find Lieutenant Petrovitch, and then gave me a slip of paper from Olga, which read : Am suspicious and sending this back. If anything wrong follow me. O. I then questioned the man closely, and he said that his wife was called to the window of a carriage toa young lady who was ill. When she had re- covered, she gave his wife a handkerchief.. In it was the message and a sum of money, with a request that the paper should be brought to me at once. ‘This had occurred at Praxoff, about ten miles out on the north road. In less than a quarter of an hour I was armed and mounted; and a few minutes saw me free of the city and flying at full gallop in pursuit. | I knew the road well enough, owing to my long residence as a boy in Moscow, and I now put my horse to its utmost speed and made straight for the house where Olga had seen the peasant woman. 1 found it without the least difficulty and got a description of the car- riage, horses, and postilion ; and I questioned the woman as to every word Olga had said to her, and who was in the carriage. From what she said, I judged it was Borlas, and that the two were alone. I stayed no longer than was necessary to hear all the woman had to say, and then I rode on, still at full speed, asking right and left as I went for tidings of the carriage. ‘The trail was broad enough for any one to follow for some miles, and then I came upon information that gave mea complete clue to the whole matter. | Reining up at a wayside inn, I put the usual questions, adding that the lady was my sister and that I was an officer in the Moscow Infantry Regi- ment. The landlord came to me instantly. Eomichook (S(@)