The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN I WAS CZAR. “ Show me.” ‘““He knows that the papers will be in either your hands or mine, and ac- cordingly has hurried our marriage.” “T don’t think we'll blame him for that,” I interposed, and drew a glance of love from her. “Then he put out the bait for this long journey for us together a “ But he first opposed your going and wanted me to go alone.” “Yes, knowing it would be useless for you to go by yourself. He was merely working round to his end. He can, of course, deal more easily with us together. Then, see his next step. “ He waits until we are married and pledged to go to Siberia, and then con- trives that the papers are to be sud- denly forced hack into our possession. Mr. Marvyn is to give them to you this morning; we are to start to-night or to- morrow; and he reekons he can watch us so closely after you get them, and until we start, that he will learn what vou do with them.” “I meant to take them with us.’ Helga thought a moment and shook her head. “Very likely he has meant that, too; but I doubt if he would take such a risk. If I read him aright, he will look for his opportunity at the first convenient moment after you leave the embassy this morning. You will have the papers with you, and an arrest and a search would give him all he wants. You see it now?” *‘ And see also that if it had not been for your sharp woman’s wit I should have tumbled into his trap again. You are wonderful, Helga.” “ There is nothing wonderful in such a guess. I know him. The question is what to do with the papers? ” “They shall go to New York,” I said promptly. — “But how?” As if to suggest an answer to her question, Frank Siegel came hurrying into the room, saying as he shook hands: “Can give you just five minutes; been called for and am off for home in an hour. Going to join our people in New York.” Helga and I exchanged looks. 171 “ Leaving ’Frisco? ” “ Yes,” he nodded. “Same people, same papers, different place; that’s all, except that it’s better.” 6 I'm glad. Hope we shall follow you soon.’ “Siberia off, then?” he asked in a matter-of-fact tone. ‘Don’t know yet. By the way, could you take something to my father (for me?” “Those papers ? ” “Youw’re very quick, Mr. laughed Helga. “My dear Mrs. Denver, I’d do any- thing in the world to oblige you; but this 1s a large order. I can’t risk an- other arrest just now. What’s up, Lar- per?” “IT want those papers got safely to New York.” “T can do better than take ’em; tell you how to get ’em over safely. They wouldn’t be safe with me.” “How do you mean?” “Why, get Marvin to send ’em as embassy business.” “ Great Scott, I never thought of it!” T exclaimed. “ Good-by, Mrs. Denver. You’ll like New York, and we shall have times to- gether. Better than Siberia. Good-by, Harper. Thanks for that chance in the prison. Glad now I got out so soon. This cable’s urgent. Good-by and good luck,” and he was gone. ‘American methods are a_ little breathless, Harper,” said Helga with a laugh. “Do you all cut knots as easily.” “ He’s cut this one, anyway;” and then we discussed how I should proceed. We decided to act just as though we were really going away, and to make a show of preparing for the journey. And at Helga’s suggestion we put up a little scheme of our own to frustrate Siegel,” ID any plan which the prince might have | formed. Helga was to go to see after her own matters, and we decided not to meet un- til an hour before the time Prince Kal- kov had appointed to call. Then we were to lunch in our own rooms and not leave them until he arrived. The reason for this was, of course. that his spies might be able to trace our (COL LOOOLK COL