INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS rivvvvvvvvv^ The Czar's Spy time to time "he~gave information a# the dead "body In his arms, poised it I to persons who possessed ?a!uab!# for a moment on the vessel's side, and jewels, and thus shared in the pltmdej then, with a hoarse laugh of triumph, obtained by those on the yaefct. heaved it into the sea. There was a I "From Italy we traveled on to Betw splash, and then we were alone. 'And lin, thence to Petersburg, and back t® you!' he cried in a fierce voice—'you The Mystery of a Silent Love I who have spied upon me—you will follow! dreary Helsingfors, journeying ARTER'S quickly as we could, yet never allow* By Chevalier William Le Queux The water there will close your ing me opportunity of being witfc chatter mouth!' I shrieked, begged, ONVENIENCES and implored, but his trembling handa strangers. Both my ears and tongue Author of "THE CLOSED BOOK" Etc. were very painful, but I said nothings were upon my throat. First he He was surely a fiend in a black coat, dragged me to my feet, then he threw ILLUSTRATIONS by C. D. RHODES and my only thought now was how td me upon my knees, and at last, with HOME, For the escape him. From the moment whe% that grim brutality which characterizes that so-called dentist had ruined my him, he directed me to go and get a Copyright by the Smart Set Publishing Co. SCHOOL, oi mop and bucket from the forecastle hearing and deprived me of power stranger was a liigh "Russian official he would allow me a year in which to speech, he kept me aloof from every* and remove the dark red stains from or OFFICE. to whom I had once been introduced make up my mind. the chair and deck. This he actually one. The fear that I should reveal at the government palace at Helsingfors, "A week later, while living in the forced me to do, gloating over my horror everything had apparently growti to the Privy Councillor and Senator palace at Helsingfors, I overheard a haunt him, and he had conceived thai as I removed for him the traces Paul Polovstoff. They were smoki»g conversation between the governorgeneral terrible mode of silencing my lipg. of his cowardly crime. Then, with togther, and were discussing in and his son, which revealed to his hand upon my shoulder, he said: But the true depth of his villainy wag Russian the means by which he, me a staggering truth that I had never 'Girl! Recollect that you keep tonight's not yet apparent until I was back !u Polovstoff, had arranged to obtain suspected. It was Oberg himself who work secret. If not, you shall Finland. plans of some new British fortifications had denounced my mother to the die a death more painful than that "On the night of our arrival fcf J$/ at Gibraltar. From what he minister of the interior, and had dog has died—one in which you shall called in his son, who had traveled said, it seemed that some Russian 1 made those cruel, baseless charges experience all the tortures of the with us from Petersburg, and is woman, married to an Englishman, a against her! Then I discerned the damned. Recollect, not a single word writing again demanded that I «hotil# captain in the garrison, had been impressed reason. She being exiled, her fortune, —or death! Now, go to your cabin, marry him. I wrote my reply—a fita* into the secret service against as well as that of my father, came to and never pry into my affairs again.' refusal. He struck the table angrily her will, but that she had, in order to r»e. The reason they were scheming "A great sensation was caused when with his first and wrote saying that pave herself, promised to obtain the for Michael to marry me was in order the body was discovered. The squad* I should either marry his son or Spreader Tube photographs and plans that were re* to obtain control of my money, and ron was lying off Naples about a week Then next day, while walking alcn$ Photolibrary Paste quired. I heard the Englishman's then, after the necessary legal formalities, after the Iris had left, and while we out beyond the town of Helsingfors, name, and I resolved to take s&rne I should, on a trumped-up were there the body was washed up as I often used to do, I was a?reete$ charge of conspiracy, share the same steps to inform him in secret of the rear Sorrento. At first but little notice upon the false charge of an attempt intentions of the Russian agent. fate as my mother had done." was taken of it, but by the marks upon the life of Madame Vakurof? Carter's "The infernal scoundrel!" I ejaculated, "Presently the two men took fresh on the dead man's linen it was discovered and transported, without trial, to th$ when I read her words, while cigars, ascended 011 deck, and cast that he was Polovstoff, one of the terrible fortress of Kajana, some* of Regulation from Jack, who had been looking over themselves in the long cane chairs highest Russian officials, who had, it the horrors of which you have your* Bottle my shoulder, escaped a fierce and forcible amidships. Still all curiosity to hear was said, been warned on several occasions self experienced. The charge against vow of vengeance. further details on the ingenious piece by the nihilists. It was, therefore, me was necessary before I could b$ Mucilage "The baron took me with him to of espionage against my own nation, concluded that his death had incarcerated there, but once within, it Petersburg when he went on official I took off my shoes and crept up to a been duei to nihilist vengeance. was the scheme of the governor-gen,* business, and we remained there nearly spot where I could crouch concealed "The real reason why the baron eral to obtain my consent to the mar* BOSTON a month," the narrative went on. and overhear their conversation, for riage by threats and by the constant spared my life was because, if I died, N fWWM! "While there I received a secret message the Italian night was calm and still. my fortune would pass to a distant terrors of the place. He even wenf from 'The Red Priest,' the unseen They talked about affairs in mainly so far as to obtain a ministerial orde? cousin living at Durham. Yet his and unknown power of nihilism, who Finland, and with some of Oberg's for my banishment to Saghalien ansf manner towards me was now most has for so many years baffled the police. expressions of opinion Polovstoff ventured brought it to me to Kajana, declaring polite and pleasant—a change that I I went to see him, and he revealed to differ. Suddenly, while the felt boded no good. He intended to that if in one month I did not eonsenf to me how Oberg had contrived privy councillor lay back in his chair obtain my money by marrying me to he should allow me to be sent to exile. to have my motherv banished pulling thoughtfully at his cigar, there While I was in Kajana he kne-w tha§ his son Michael, whose evil reputation upon a false charge. He warned me was a bright, blood-red flash, a dull his secret was safe, therefore by ever? as a gambler was well known in against the man who had pretended to report, and a man's short, agonized means in his power he urget? me i$ Petersburg. We traveled back to Finland Photolibrary be my father's friend, and also told cry. Startled, I leaned around the consent to the odious union. in the autumn, and in the winter Paste in me that he had known my father intimately, corner of the deckhouse, when, to my he took me to stay with his sister in "All the rest is known to yos—tLC® and that if I got into any abject horror, I saw undfer the electric Nice. Yet almost daily he referred Providence directed you to me my Bottles further difficulty I was to communicate rays the czar's privy councillor lying to that tragedy at Naples, and threatened deliverer, and how Woodroffe -foHowed with him and he would assist Bideways in his chair with part of his me with death if ever I uttered you in secret, and pretending to face blown away. Then the hideous me. Oberg took me back to Helsingfors a single word, or even admitted that 1 my friend, took me with him to Peters* a few months later, and in summer truth in an instant became apparent. had ever seen the man who was his burg. He had learned of my we went to England. He was a The cigar which Oberg had pressed rival and his victim." from the barcn, and intended to marry upon him down in the saloon had exploded, marvelously clever diplomatist. His "Last June," commenced another me himself. But new that aii ie ovet tactics he could change at will. When and the small missile concealed paragraph, "we were in Helsingfors, it appears to me like some t«rrib!$ I was at school he was rough and brutal inside the diabolical contrivance when one day the baron called me dream. I never believed that so -mucfe had passed upwards into his in his manner towards me, as he suddenly and told me to prepare for a iniquity existed in the world, or that was to all but now he seemed to be brain. For a moment I stood utterly journey. We were to cross to Stockholm men could fight a defenseless wemaij endeavoring to inspire my confidence stupefied, yet as I looked I saw the and thence to Hull, where the with such double-dealing and cruel ins by treating me with kindly regard Iris was awaiting us, for Mr. Leithcourt genuity. Ah! the tortures I «ndure4 and pleasant affability. and Muriel had Invited us for a in Kajana are beyond human coccspt "In London, at Claridge's, we met summer cruise to the Greek islands. tion. Yet surely Oberg and Woods my old schoolfellow Muriel and her We boarded the yacht much against roffe will obtain their weli-jnerSte£ dfts father—a friend of Oberg's—and in my will, yet I was powerless, and dare Berts—if not in this world, then la response to their invitation went for not allege the facts that I had already world to come. Are we not tavsgM W a cruise on their yacht, the Iris, from established concerning our fellow-guests. Holy Writ to forgive our Carter's enemiesf Southampton. Our party was a very Muriel and I, it seems, Therefore, let us forgive." Handy Glue Pencil pleasant one, and included Woodroffe were taken merely in order to blind $ and Chater, while our cruise across the shore-guards and customs officials There my silent love's strange »t&rf the Bay of Biscay and along the Portuguese as to the real nature of the vessel, ended. A bald, straightforward coast proved most delightful which went safely out of the channel, tive that held us all for some mommtM One night, while we were lying outside was repainted and renamed the Lola, absolutely speechless-^-one of Libson, Woodroffe and Chater, together ontil her exterior presented quite a strangest and most startling s&tories with Olinto, went ashore, and when different appearance from the Iris. ever revealed. they returned in the early hours of "The port of Leghorn was our first She watched every expressioa sfmy the morning they awoke me by crossing place of call, and for some reason we countenance, and then, whica fea$ the deck above my head. Then I ran purposely upon a sandbank and finished reading and placed my heard someone outside my cabin door were towed off by Italian torpedo tenderly about her slim waist, sh# working as though with a screwdriver, boats. Next evening you came on raised her beautiful face to mine to r®. unscrewing a screw from the board and dined, Muriel and myself ceive the passionate kiss I ki woodwork, this aroused my interest, having strict orders not to show ourselves. upon those soft, full lips. and next day I made a minute examination 'jD We, however, watched you, "This, of course, makes everytMjif of the paneling, where, in one and I saw you pick up my photograph plain," exclaimed Jack. "Polovstoff I part, I found two small brass screws which I had that day torn up. Then was a very liberal minded and upright that had evidently been recently removed. Immediately after you had left Woodroffe, official who was greatly in the favoy Carter's Therefore I succeeded in getting Chater and Mackintosh went the czar, and a serious -rival tsj Df hold of a screwdriver from the ashore and were away a couple of Office Photolibrary Paste for the Oberg, whose drastic and merett&s$ carpenter's shop, and next night, hours in the middle of the night. Just methods in Finland were not ex&eity when everyone was asleep, I crept before they returned the baron rapped approved by the emperor. The barc»& Press out and unscrewed the panel, when to at the door of my cabin saying that was well aware this, and by ff*e of my surprise I saw that the secret he must go ashore, and telling me to geniously enticing him on board tb# cavity behind was filled with beautiful dress and accompany him. He would fris he succeeded by handing t'ast$ jewelry, diamond collars, tiaras, never allow me the luxury of a maid, small bomb concealed In a. cigar—$ Stationery Store necklets, fine pearls, emeralds and fearing, I suppose, that 6he might nihilist contrivance that had probably turquoises, all thrown in indiscriminately. learn too much. In obedience I rose been seized by his police in Fmia&d.—* and dressed, and when I went forth in freeing himself from the rival w&a "I replaced the panel and kept careful he told me to get my traveling cloak was destined to occupy his post." watch. At Marseilles, where we and dressing bag, adding that he was "Yes," I said with a sigh. uTh& called, more jewelry and a heavy bagful compelled to go north, as to continue mystery is cleared up, it is true, y«$ When Everyone Was Asleep I Crept of plate was brought aboard and the cruise would occupy too much my poor Elma is still the victim/11 Out and Unscrewed the Panel. secreted behind another panel. Then time. He was due back at his official &nd I kissed my love passfentAggfip baron, in a paroxysm of rage, shake I knew that the men were thieves. iuties, he said. As soon as I had igain and again upon the lips, "Well, one hot summer's night we his fist in the dead man's face and cry finished packing, the three men returned THE END. with a fearful imprecation: 'You to the vessel, all of them looking were lying off Naples, and as it was dark-faced and disappointed. hound! You have plotted to replace a grand festa ashore and there was me in the czar's favor. You intended Woodroffe whispered some words tp to be a gala performance at the theater, Get your Hotel Registers, €&&h DONT ORDER YOUR AUTO Until you have seen the to become governor-general of Finland! the baron, after which I went to Leithcourt took a box and the Muriel's cabin and wished her goodby, Books, Journals and Ledgers at You knew certain facts which whole party were rowed ashore. The and we' went ashore, taking the crew were also given shore-leave for you intended to put before his majesty, the Press office. train first to Colle Salvetti, thence to knowing that the revelations the evening, but as the great heat had "METZ" 25 Pisa, and afterwards to the beautiful upset me I declined to accompany the would result in my disgrace and old city of Siena, which I had so downfall. But, you infernal cur, you theater party and remained on board longed to see. One of my teeth gave with one sailor named Wilson to constitute did not know that those who attempt me pain, and the baron, after a couple the watch. We had anchored to thwart Xavier Oberg either die by tt of days at the Hotel de Sienne, took about half a mile from land, and accident or go for life to Ka$ana or me to a queer-looking little old Italian earlier in the evening the baron had the mines!' And he spurned the FULLY EQUIPPED WITH —a dentist who, he said, enjoyed an gone ashore to send telegrams to Russia body with his foot and laughed to excellent reputation I was quick to and had not returned. himself as he gloated over his dastardly •GRAY & DAVIS ELECTRIC (Crystal White} notice that the two men had met be* "About ten o'clock I went below to crime. fore, and as I sat in the chair and gaa "I watched hi? rage, unable to utter LIGHT AND STARTER- try and sleep, but I had a slight attack The modern way of makiwg a I was given to me I saw them exchange single word. saw him, after he Preserves, Jams and Jellies-"part of fever, and was unable. Therefore meaning glances. In a few moments Karo {Crystal White) I redressed and sat with the light had searched the dead man's pockets, FULL STREAMLINE BODY three parts sugar. I became insensible, but when I awoke still out, gazing across the starlit bay. raise the inert body with its awful Makes a richer syrup and retain* an hour later I was astounded to feel tf featureless face and drag it to the bulwarks. Presently from my port-hole I saw a 32 BY 3K TIRES, FOR ONLY fresh fruit flavor. Prevents Czrotalm-Ju a:' a curious soreness in my ears. My tion in Jams and jellies. Then I rushed forward and shoreboat approaching, and recognized Our Preserving Booklet give* the right $600. tongue, too, seemed paralyzed, and in In it the baron with a well-dressed faced him. formulas for all kinds of fm Hi. $enf) fa U—it is free. a few moments the awful truth stranger. They both came on board, "In an instant he sprang at me, and dawned upon me. I had been rendered CORN PRODUCTS REFINING CO and the boatman, having been paid, I screamed. But no aid came. The P.O.Box New York Cit deaf and dumb! pulled back to the shore. Then the man Wilson was sleeping soundly in 161 DeptP*/ "The baron pretended to be greatly baron and his friend—a dark, middleaged, the bows, for the whisky he had given International Machine Co. concerned about me," it went on, "but full-bearded man, evidently a him had been doctored," went on the I quickly realized that I had been the person of refinement—went below to narrative. "Upon his face was a victim of a foul and dastardly plot, the saloon, and after a few moments fierce, murderous look such as I had and that he had conceived it, fearing called to the man Wilson who was on never seen before. 'You!' he screamed, S S S S S S S S S S S lest I might speak the truth concerning watch, and gave him a glass of whisky his dark eyes starting from their the Privy Councillor Polovstoff, and water, which he took up on deck sockets as he realized that I had been for of exposure he lived in constant to drink at his leisure. a witness of his cowardly crime. 'You il Subscribe For The Press fear. To encompass my end would "The unusual character of my fellow-guests have spied upon me, girl!' he hissed, be against his own interests, as he on board that craft was 'and you shall die also!' I sank upon would lose my fortune, so he had silenced ""'11 IHI.I( such that my suspicion was constantly my knees imploring him to spare me, me lest I should reveal the terrible on the alert, therefore curiosity tempted but he only laughed at my entreaty. truth concerning both him and me to creep along and peep in at 'See!' he cried, 'as you saw how he his associates. He was not rich, and the crack of the door standing ajar. A enjoyed his cigar, you may as well see I have reason to believe that from closer view revealed the fact that the this!' And with an effort he .raised