Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 82 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

pa soe ‘By no means. I will stay here alone,” said Olaf, politely. .‘‘Here, Nicolai, ride on and wait for us at the next post-house.” Nicolai saluted and re) away toward arsdeot while the Stier Cooeacbe S alelitie gied.ta, be rid of a disagreeable, duty, turned ck to Wilna, leaving Count Strogonoff with a emtshik or driver, and his servant, to | deals an 4 F the swordmaster as best they could. No sooner were the soldiers fairly out of hear- ing than Olaf observed: “Now, my lord count, lef me give you a piece of advice, which is to turn round and go home 72 peace, for I am resolved to be followed no ‘*Get your arms ready, men,” was the only answer of the chief of police, who was trem- bling Niclently but, who still retained his de- te tion, thanks rmina to that mysterious some-. oes behind him, called authority, 2 Jlaf looked up and saw the driver reachi for his carbine, which lay on the box behin him, while the servant who sat beside him was taking his own weapon from his back. In a moment the Dane had covered the driver with a pistol. and the stern command: “Thrown down that carbine.” . Like all spice the man was not for much t an open ht, and he obeyed in a ludicrous uITYy, wing the carbine to the ppround, for there was something in Olaf’s eye that warned him not to try to level his weapon. The man beside him was. also full of nervous excitement, and had got into trouble over the fastening of his gun-sling, when he too found himeslt eovernd by the muzzle of Olaf’s pistol, while the swordmaster said: “ Come off the oe instantly.” The man obeyed and came up to Olaf, who quietly cocked and fired off the carbine, slung as it was, up in the air. , He performed the same operation for the ather weapon, Strogonoff looking on all the while in halpless rage, and then quietly stepped Into the va gobs 9 beside the minister. “* Poshol, yemtshik,” (Go on, driver), he said, sternly, d then away drove the tarantass, with the swordmaster sitting quietly beside the chief of police, who was too bewildered at firs to say a er The servant was left behind on the road, look- ing vig ‘weied after the tarantass, and Olaf smil- ingly observed: my , ‘Come, count, the question has hitherto been whether you should take me back to St. Peters- ‘burg a prisoner. Now you will please to come with me to Grodno, and if necessary to War- saw, to'see his highness.” ‘‘Tnsolent wretch!” began the minister, furi- ously. ‘*Do you that when we get to Grodno m ak She ill let you escape?” | ‘‘ Hush, if you please, not. so fast,” said Olaf, with a deprecatory lift of the hand, ‘‘ Allow me to say in the first place that the expression ‘insolent wretch’ is inadmissible among gentle- men and that I require an apology for it in- itantly. Do you understand?” The chief of police looked at the smiling face of the man beside him and his rage got the bet- ter of his ence. He him was stoutly built and at least thirty pounds heavier than Diaf, All of a sudden he threw both arms tround those of the swordmaster, pinioning. hem to his side and shouted: elp me quick! Get the irons, Peter!” _ The Arieis looked back and saw the situa- on. : The slender, fair-haired swordmaster was a tly completely in the power of the burly thief of police.. | He began to pull at his horses and fumble in his iit for the handcuffs. | Olaf‘on his part did not pretend to struggle. He merely observed, in a quiet way: _" é Strogonoff, if you do not take your hands away you will be so i e next moment the driver heard a dull for it.” Th chud, as of a blow, and looking round saw that, the minister had fi , r had fallen back into the carriage, both hands to his face, which was stream Rube Mr D Olaf was smiling 48 Serenely as ever. : F “As I was observing, count,” he continued, \ranguilly, ‘‘before you compe me to you the Danish L.* the term ‘insolent wretch’ requires an apology, which you will eee on penalty of another skal in a mo- ment. Perfectly convinced that he ht better whipped up his horoed me hile the minister w u while the mi | f po ice sith basi tate the corner of the car- lage : ‘Anyé ne but that. I will fight you, rather.” n The on came in tones of pleased surprise. **T3 it really true that you would rather fight me? I never dreamed that you would do me such an honor, Shall we begin now?’ ‘No, no, [have no weapons,” was the half- stifled reply, as Strogonoff continued to nurse his in: face. ‘Indeed? Then were you not foolish to come -_— --.. * Skal, the Danish term fora butt with the head, iu .. Lich the Dames are very expert and dangerous, \ headless spears, firing at ehcreak a NN eee after me? However, be itso. As you say, you owe me an apology or a fight for the term, *in- solent.»wretch,’and we will have our little affair before the grand duke, when we overtake him,” “Ah, you feel confident because you are an expert, and I am only an amateur,” cried Strogonoff, bitterly. ; ‘‘Nay, nay, you shall not say that, my friend. I aaa not fight you at all, were it not for the old trouble of the wip. it is, I will make the affair equal. I will fight you blindfold with the small-sword, your eyes being free, Is that sufficient odds to give you?” ‘*Tt must be, | suppose,” was the sullen an- swer, and then they came in sight of the post- house, Nicolai, the Cossack, stolid and patient as ever, was standing by the door of the house, hold- ing his horse, but Ivan Dembinski was not to be seen. ‘* Where is the prince?” asked Olaf. Nicolai prepped slightly as he saluted. “The little gentleman would not wait for your mg When I came up, he was dispu- ing with the postmaster about a fresh horse, which he could not get. The postmaster knew my uniform, and the little gentleman called on me to help him geta horse. I papposed it was all right, your nobility, and I helped him; but he no sooner got the animal than he galloped away at full Peet Olaf laugh ery. ** What a fool does fear make of aman,” he ejaculated. ‘‘‘He will get no further than the next station, for they will not give him a horse without a podorozhnaya (order) or the sight of auniform. Well, put in the horses.” The minister of secret police said not a word at this post-house, while the horses were being put to. postmaster saw that something mysterious was going on, but did not dare to in- terfere without positive orders, and so the change was effected, and the tarantass rolled on once more. Strogonoff lay back on the cushions in the corner of the vehicle, revolving new plans of arrest. -He could not depend on soldiers, and the question was, how should he decoy his prey within the power of the police? CHAPTER XXV. GRODNO. THE town of Grodno was all astir that after- noon, for the retinue of the Grand Duke Con- stantine was sojourning in the town, occupying the best rooms of all the large inns in the place. The garrison was full of; excitement over the arrival, and the ies of Grodno were allina flutter, for it was announced that the d duke was to About an hour before sunset, his imperial highness was seated on the balcony of the Gov- ernor’s house, smoking a cigar and looking down into the grand, aTere:, Two troops of ks were exercising there, and his Highness was watching them with in- terest, for Constantine was, above all things, an enthusiast 1n arms. The Cossacks were tilting at each other with ground, and paar Up all sorts of similar an- tics, when the rapi op of hoofs and rumble of wheels was h , and a tarantass dashed — up to the door of the Governor’s house, the chef uttered an exclamation of sur- prise and alarm, as he noted the fur kalpak and white heron plumes of Olaf, the swordmaster. He some one else beside him. In her place were the dark, scowling features of the chief of secret police, Count Stroganoff Constantine Romanoff was trained to self-con- trol, like all princes, therefore he said nothing, though his heart beat fast. He heard the sen- tries below poe Nelel the swordmaster and minister of poe ount from the car- riage and enter the house together, and then his attention was attracted by a single horseman in plain clothes, who came galloping across the square all alone, . ‘‘Tvan!” muttered the grand duke to himself. ‘‘ But where is she? Some misfortune—” He was an tapwnyhes by a violent squabble be- low. Ivan Dembinski was trying to force his way past the sentries, who were refusing him admittance. The sound of his excited voice was plainly audible above the growling tones of the soldiers. . ‘‘'Pell them to let him in, Draukovitch,” said the grand duke to his aid-de-camp. ‘I believe I know the gentleman.” A few moments later, the three men who had been following him in such a manner entered the room, all together. Ivan Dembinski at once began to , but Olaf and Strogonoff meee. pulled out bundles of papers and remained silently awaiting their turns. ‘Please, your highness, I have been scan- dalously treated on the road hither,” began Ivan, petulantly. ‘‘ This man that you ordered to attend .us, abandoned me, and [I was com- pelled to flee to your highness for protection.” Constantine raised his hand softly. “Tt is unnecessary te enlarge, prinee, You nd the whole day in the town, . to rest from his fatigues. its of paper on the, +f | are here, and some one else is not. Is that per- | son safe?” “‘ How can I tell?” asked Ivan, a little sulkily. *““How! Did you abandon her, sir?’ The tone of the d duke was one of rw od amazement, and lvan turned scarlet and - mered: **I did not abandon her. I only escaped death by flight.” ‘Then where is she? A prisoner?” “* Ask him,” and Ivan pointed to Olaf. The grand duke turned round on Olaf with a look of stern inquiry, which was met by the Dane with ect im passiveness. He merely saluted and held out his dispatches to the czar’s brother. Constantine took them and glanced at cover and seal, which bore the imperial arms, ‘Where did you get these?” he asked. ‘* From his. gracious. majesty, the czar,” was the reply, in a stiff military tone. “Why, when did you see him?” ““The day before yesterday, highness,” ‘‘' What!” cried Constantine, in a tone of sur- prise. ‘“‘ Did you not start when I ordered you?” “Yes, highness.” ‘‘Then how came you in St. Petersburg the day before yesterday, sirrah?”’ ‘I was taken prisoner, highness, and brought before his majesty, who was pleased to make me swordmaster-general and send me hither with dispatches for your highness.” The Russian prince looked at the Danish swordmaster for a full minute with a wide- open, threatening stare, under which Olaf never sae a moment, Then he said, in a low, grat- e: ng So you have left my service.” Olaf cast one swift gone at him and made an almost imperceptible sign, which the quick- witted j erstood in a moment. “Very well,” he observed, in a tone of pre- tended coldness; ‘‘ I will answer your dispatches in time, Mr. Swordmaster-General. You can fall back.” Then he turned to Strogonoff. rn ree Goan’, what wg en for af ‘Tre say, your highness, that I come ona raf watt His majesty sent me on with this special ukase, which your highness ean read for yourself, to arrest this man Olaf and recall the dispatches sent by him. This man has defied arrest by exciting the soldiers to sedition, using your highness’s name to make them disobey orders.” The grand duke smothered a smile under his heavy mustache and gravely replied: ? tis a serious case. Let mesee the ukase.” He perused it attentively, and then observed: * This ape you practically unlimited power. You might offer to arrest me under this ukase. What do you want?’ ‘‘The dispatches that this man has just de- livered to your highness, who can perceive that his majesty has been pleased to change his mind as to their delivery.” “But they are delivered.” ‘‘Not till your highness has opened them, which you will not do.” ‘*Why not?’ demanded Co ine, sharply. ** Because to do so is high t ” boldly an- swered the minister, and he looked the czar’s brother full in the face. PS gay sn gy smiled me ~ ee ees aang Kage given while : noff look on with ashy face, feeling that now his cause was lost indeed, when the name of treason had no effect. The grand duke quietly read the letter sent him by his brother and made no of emotion till he had finished. Then his voice trembled ever so slightly as he said to Strogonoff: “You can take these back to his majesty without the trouble of arresting the swordmas- ‘ter. Will that do?’ Strogonoff could hardly believe his eyes as he saw the dispatch which cost him so much trouble actually placed in his hands. ‘“ What am I to understand, your highness?’ BS easel saree pat eres I any tee om any compacts er duress, count,” was ace answer. ‘“‘Il am going back to St. Peters- burg to-night. You and your police have tried my patience too long. here is the Princess Natalie Dembinski?’ The question was so sudden that ev one started, for it was the first time the grand duke had openly mentioned the name of his mis- tress hness, in Wilna, I t ” stammered the ¢ f of police. ‘‘I have not had charge of er. ‘‘ And yet it seems you have chased her, or how do I find you here, and how comes it that her brother ince Ivan, was forced to flee from her? Come forward, Ivan, for it is time that these m es were ¢ up. Where did you leave the princess?” ‘In Wilna, highness. I was driven off by a party of police who killed our us. ‘Where did you leave her, Olaf?’ asked Con- stantine, sudden] on the swordmaster, who stood by with folded arms. - “T left her twice, highness: the first time in “és the charge of Tekli Aga, when I was taken prisoner, eom cbhooks.com