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.?-s^aWi-v?.: ? - tttttt?"f ttttf t tttt ttti? ftatttt t t < ??THE SPUR !:ff:l ?. ^ ? HP .G Bj ?4sh!ej *Wbo ' OO ?? f - ? H /,,*,% v copyright, not, .?'.,?>. ' ' ~ ?--*??* i A A M?\nanaj BY CHARLES B. ! '?* Y ! KTUERJlfOTi 1,4 0? .j i*-.-; . - -^.^?f??????????????? ????#?#???#??< _ :?:>?^0^*;.:'?0?$?':}':::??::?^F???> CHAPTER III. THE PALL OF THE QUATRE-Z-ARTS. 1IK? they came to the ?nil of the etri-vt. they feuml inori.* lights nini ? livelier re-ion; but. for Paris, it wus m>t much to boast of, and cabs were scarce. At last, however, they \v?*re able to wnylay *on empty vehicle, into which DarreU assisted the la?ly of tbe brown eyes. Where would monsieur wish to go? It was the cabman's question, and DarreU seemed not to hoar IL "You were on your way"? he began and paused. "To the Place Blanche," said the coachman. "Ah, yes," responded' DarreU. "We will go to the Place Blanche." He took his place in the carriage and became immediat?>Iy aware that his companion was shivering pitifully. As the night was unseasonably warm, this phenomenon re?tulr??(i an explanation. "You are ill?" he asked. "Frlght?*n?*il." sbe ?nswereil. "I am quaking with terror. Absurd, now that It is all over!" And then she bur-vt into tears. we*"p iDg with a perfect ?elf abandonm??tit which he was sul?eiently ex*H?rie*K?ed to recognize ns the l>est possible re? lic/. ll?*r I'.ilniness In tbe first min? utes of their acquaintance had been astounding ami doubtless had beca no less so in tbe terrible scenes that had p***eeeded her extraordinary r?*?cue. Darrell now saov at what expense It had been maintained. ?Toiieolation and t??n?l??rnees are in? separably connected, ami before Dar r<?li was really aware of it he wae holding her hand anil caressing It as innocently as if she bad been a hurt child. Then suddenly she was a wo? man again, and be was a man of the world restrained by all tbe barriers of con ven t tonali tj. ***l am not often so weak." she ?aid. "You would be surprised to know what I have borne without a t?*ar. Hut I have no Intention of burdening you with my sorrows. Help me through a few more minutes until I bave formed a plan, und then I will relieve you ab? solutely of all ?are of inc." "Surely there must be some one with whom you would wish to communi? cate," be ?aid. "There are a few feo whom I would send word." she repli??d. "but unfor? tunately I do not know just wlur?? they are. ?.Vrt.unly they ran In? of in, to DM this night. ?????????, It is dle ngrvt'.-ilih' to mention the liiiiinistattce, but I am al?solut?lj without inooey. I bail a j.ursi* eontaining u ?tttSJl tumi, but it is ?run??. Th.?:?.? is 1.1,?:,? ;;t tin bouse ivliw?? I I.a\i ?,.??? living, but I ?laro not vit.it it. for I think the Rus? sian agents an* Ignorant of tin* faot that 1 dwelt th??r??. and 1 would not ?lir?*?'t tb?*ir attention to my irien-ls. l'orhaps tomorrow I <*^in setul word." "I v\ .11 egxae to manage that," said DarreU, "ami In the meant I me let me say in tin? gentlest way that money ?I. es not ?Titer into ? his problem. 1 stfl a leaf**? p?H'k?'tful, and of course you an* mor?* Ihan wen-mne to all you may ?.*?*?'. As lo th?* night, we could ride in ibis ?*ab till daylight if in sary. but I woiihl rat lier ??? should have tOOt, and as to that 1 have a plan. 1 have some friends at tin* students' ball?Mr. and Mrs. t,onion. Ameritan?? and very ni???* people; preeisely the sort for an emerg??in?y such as this. 1 ha ? a card for the ball. It was my inten? tion to go. but I changed my mind. And now fate has cliang?*?l It for nie in tbe other direction. If you wouldn't mind waiting in this carriage near the Moulin Kong?*, I might go in ami con? sult Mrs. t .onion. JSbe is a person of ?expedients." "You cannot ask h?*r to take any in? terest in me." said tbe girl. "BtnO does rot know m?\ and I bave no means of making mys?*lf truly known to you. The circumstances of our n??*eting are a poor guarantee in such a matter." "There is. however," sai?! DarreU. "such a thing as instinctive recognition of liulividual character. I have tOtm* "I am Vera Shevaloff." good snd bad women, very many of both, aud I have seen women of birth and breeding and others wbo lacked those advantages. Such being the case, though I have known you lees than an hour, 1 am not troubled by tbe small? est doubt. I shall tell Mrs. Gordon ex? actly what has happened; I shall tell her precisely what I believe of you, and then, if I know her"? "What can she do? She cannot take me to her home.*' DarreU turned more directly toward her. From the brightly lighted street Xitgre sexos a glow ???jBciept to Uloial nate the Interior of the carriage, and the girl's face was ?clearly defined. "Why cotT he asked. "My friends have nothing to fear from the czar's spies. The fact that you are persecut? ed and pursued will merely make them the more anxious to befriend you. They are not afraid of anything, and, as for annoyance, heaven help the man who tries to annoy Robert Gordon. I have known bim a good many years. Therefore I say to you. Why not?" "There is no reason whatever," she aald, looking him straight in the eyes. "I am Vera Sbevaloff, tbe daughter of a prince. 1 am of the bouse of Kon ?tantln of Stavropol." "Stavropol!" exclaimed Darrell. "Why are you surprised?" "Because I have receutly met Ivan GetchikofC, eon of- the governor gen? eral of the province," answered Dar? relL "I saw him this afternoon In tbe company of Ladislov, tbe man whom I believe to have been tbe coachman of your prison on wheels. It cannot be that Getchikoff assisted him In tbat ?enterprise?" "If It was be. I did not recognise hlin," ehe replied. "I ?doubt. lnde?ed. whether I should know Ivan in broad daylight, and this man 1 scarcely saw at all." "1 think b? would be above such work," said Darrell. "The Getcblkoffs are proud." she ?aid. "but cruel ss wolves. They are all powerful In Stavropol today, both In tbe city and the province. It la probable that I should have been taken there for some form of trial, though as to that I am merely making a guess. I have no means of knowing what wonld have been done with me except that I should eventually have been aent back to Siberia." "Sont back!*? exclaimed Darrell. ?"Have yam bei?n th??re?" "I accompanied my father," she an P\v??re?l calmly. "Upon th?* downfall of my family four year? ago ho was exiled, and my mother and myself chose to share his fate, though we might have avoided il. As to what we ???G????-(*?1. tlu're are uow many lu>?>ks whi?-h ?losoribe tbe long Journ?'y and the horrors that are reserved for tho.-.?? who t?ur\lve it. My motlu?r lived more than two years after v? e rea? ?hod tin prison settlement to which ?MTB ven? us? signed; my father, ?MM months lon? ger. In Stavropol, tny friend, the:?? 1m a ?cathedral w hieb my father built, and within it is u tomb of white inarid??. The snows of Siberia, arc whiter than the marbh*. ami perhaps my father ami my mother ?Bleep as well in one piace as unothcr. I^et us not think of It." "Hut von:" exclaimed DarrelL "You escaped V" "I was released." '"Tlu'n how can you be sent hack?" "l?c?aus??."' said Vera, extending a white hand fr?mi the !"?>l?is of tlie cloak Into tin- light and holding it olinche?l ?? a p???uliar manner, "in order to avoid a fute worse than Siberian exile I drew? a knif?? into the heart of Nicholas Gorskl, governor of tlie district." "Thank God'" gasped Darrell in vol? unta rily. Tha order for my release bail al ready arrived," Vera continue?!, "and Gorski ?hired not suppress or <h?lay it. I knew what must happen the instant th:?.f 1 heard of the arrival of the onh-r, ami so I ptvpared the knife for myself. Bat cinumstances ma?le It possible for me to sheath It elsewhere than In my own lm-ast. It was all very fortunan?. I am told that six months bod elapsed and I was far from Siberiu before the ?susph-iou ar?)s?? that I bad struck him down. His ?hath was a tnjBtniJ. Even now, if I were disposed to deny It In a fair tribunal, tbe act could not be prove?l. That is why I shall never be openly arrested outside of Russia." "You came to Paris?" "Eventually, yes. But I have be?en In many parts of Kurope, even In Stavro? pol, ?though that was a great risk, for ' the Getcblkoffs, who plotted and ac- ' eomplishe?! my father's destruction, I wouhl make short work with me. I went to obtain funds that he had hid? den, and I was successful. Since com- ' log to Paris I have harbored with ni? hilists, and that is why I am unable to sei'k any refuge tills night If I am on object of pursuit upon ray own ac? count, I must not attract the hounds toward another quarry. Now you have I my story. Shall you tell It to Mrs. ' Gordon'.-" "Most certainly," answered Darrell, I "and tin? sooner tbe better. I am only , sorry that you cannot go with me Into the ball, but unmasked it would not be ? best. 1 am afraid to leave you alone in the carriage." "It is Impossible that they shouhl have followeil me," she said. "I shall i not be alarm???!." Darrell glanced out of the cab win? dow. "We are in the Ruo Blanche," he j said. "It is the Church of La Trinit? | that we have just passed to the left there. It is a matter of five minutes now. By heaven, I wish It were rot necessary to leave you!" "I think it would be best for you," ? ?said she, "to leave me forever. I am j a dangerous companion for .you or for your friends. It is monstrous that I should permit you to interest them In rn??. Why is It not best that I should take the hint you have given me and: ride in this cab all night ?" "Alone?" cried DarrelL "If I am to desert you in that way, let the driver take us to tbe river first I am not the ; man who could live after sueh treason. And* besides, you haven't any money to pay the fellow in tbe morning, which reminds me that I must lend 700 some, for it isn't safe to be without It In Par? is for a minute." "I cannot take It," protested Vera, and while they were disputine' upon ibis point Jhe_ carriage rolled gut Into ' the Place Blanche snd presently stop? ped amid a press of vehicle? before the portals of the Moulin Rouge. Dsrrell directed the cabman to go on a little way. and then aligbted. Imme? diately he was aware of two figures, man ami woman, wbo were hurrying toward him. Tbe man was frocked like a gray friar, with cord and cowl; the woman wore a fawn colored domi? no, and she twirled a mask by it? cord 6he had abundant dark brown hair, and she was tall, like Vera. Her ?com? panion was a six footer, and he looked a giant In his gray robe. *'I beg your pardon," be said in Eng lieb. "Are you done with the cab? All these are engaged." "You leave the ball early," ?aid Dar? reU, without answering the question. "Is it less Interesting than usual?" "We say goodby to Paris at sunrise,?* the young man replied. "Isn't that beastly? We have Just time to get to our lodgings and finish packing. You are an American, aren't you ?" "Tee," replied DarreU, "I'm an Amer? ican, as yon are, and I'm In a bit of a fix also, a? yon are. You want a cab, and I want to go Into the ball with my friend, but we can't do It without cos? tume?. If we don't get any, 1 shall be obliged to go hi alone, and she will wait In the cab; so you can't have it If, on the other band, you will sell me your frock?are you dressed completely under It?" "Oh, yes. I'm dressed all right." "And a? to tbe domino? Could It be ?pared?" "How funny G exclaimed tbe young woman, with a laugh. "But everything happens in Paria Certainly your friend can have the domino. Some? body spilled a glass of bock on the back of it"?and she turned to reveal the stain?"but If your friend doesn't mind that'*? "Tbe stain Is an advantage." replied DarrelL "What says tbe monk?" "My frock Tor the cab:" cried the friar. "It Is youra." Darrefl ?-X?te-stet? that he must pay the worth of the ?dresses?indeed much more?and he succeeded in forcing tbe young man to accept a sum that was pmbably an agreeable addition to his exchequer. Thru tbe two women got into tbe cab, aud It was Vera in mask and ?lemino who got out. Meanwhile 1 ?anvil in the shadow of the vehicle had slipped the monk's frock over his beati. "I lui ve made her a present of my cloak." whfsp? re?l Vera. "She fancies that I am a millionairess upon a trilling escapade. She will ehang?? her ??pinion nlvout my wealth when she views tbe cloak by daylight. It has seen hard servi'?!?." "I might giv?> tbe gentleman my op ?-?ra bat," replied D.invll, "or your hnmlcrtffs. But the latter I vain?* too highly as a souvenir, and the fornmr, closed, lies easily in tbe Uisuui of my gown. Aud now for cabby." 11?? beckoned to th?* driver, wbo climb? ed down from tin* box. "Fifty francs for you." said DarreU, "and as much more tomorrow ??veiling If you are discreet Do you under? stand? You will forget everything. Call there at C tomorrow." lie gav?> the man his cani, upon which was written tlie address of a club. "Why do you bribe him?" asked Vera. "If any successful attempt is made to ?p?? you." r?*plie<l 1 ?anvil, "this man will be found, aud if that hap? pens 1 want to know of tt Meauwbile tinse costumes art* great luck." The unfiiH'k??l monk leaned from the cab window ami gave directions to the coachman. Vera ami DarreU, turning away, wavi'd tlnir bands in farewell. The portal of the Moulin Rouge was beset by such a throng that Darrell and his e?>!ii'>aul?in pass?d through un? noticed. But a monu'iit later, as they worked their way out of the press, a conpl?? dr?*sse?l us sailors, ihe woman's costume being like the man's In tbe mlnut??st ?letail. accosted them with merry badinage. "We knew you weren't going away." said the woman. "You were afraid of drinking too much wine." "Mistaken identity." laughed Darrell in Vera's ear. "I hope our friends were well behaved, for their reputation has pass???! to us. Now to find the Gor? dons. What a lark! And I told Gor? don tills afternoon that I would never have any more fun!" ? wild outburst of applause suddenly arose upon their right, and the crowd eddied and swirh^l as all sought places of advantage from which to look down upon the dancing tloor. Darrell felt Vera's hand on his arm; she seemed to be drawing bim forward. "Do you care to see it?" be asked. "Why, yes," said s1r\ "since we are here. What are they doing? I know nothing of these granii entertainments. 1 was too young to see much of such fet?*s as we hail in Stavropol. There is a place from which we can see." And with tbe words she stepped nimbly ahead of him, securing a re? markably good position. "It is the procession," sal?l he, stand? ing close behind her. "I did not ex pivt to see it at this hour. It repre? sents the entry of a Roman conqueror into a capture?! city of Assyria." "It is like a scene in a theater!" she cried. "See the painted palaces! How beautiful, and with such an air of antiquity! There is the conqueror in his chariot. There are tho warriors and the captives. It is magnificent!" She turned and looked up at Darrell, and he noted how her eyes were shin? ing through the mask. There bad been music. It ceased and then burst forth again in delirious melody, which was instantly caught up by the throng upon the floor. The pro? cession bad passed around the circle, winding among the painted palaces, in .whose windows could be seen men and women In the ancient Assyrian cos? tume, copied with great exactitude from the memorials of that vanished era. Dancers were crowding upon the floor. Quadrilles formed as If by magic. One caught glimpses of fa? mous men in tbe world of art, and among them, dominating the scene, were the beautiful women of that world, the famous models, garbed in costumes the most magnificent or tin most simple, some shod In gold leath er, others barefoot, soni?? shining with Jewels, others g.irlumkd with cheap posies daintily put on. . Aud tbev ml saug tilL the voice* drowned the great orcn?eetm ??3 tb roof rang with the song. "What Is itr? asked Vera. "I have heard It In tbe street." "It Is 'L'Heure Charmante,' the lat? est craze of tbe Qusrter." replied Dar? rell. "You know It. tbeu?" for she hail begun to sing. "Tbeu why not? It is in the air." He added bis own strong and clear voice to hers, and they sang together lustily. Suddenly the people on their left veered toward the dancing floor. Vera turned quickly, her eyes burning Ue nodded, and their hands were clasped together. Another moment and these two, so strangely uu-t. were dancing among the revelers?this woman with tbe scars of fetters on ber wrists, this man who was alive because a bullet fired half an hour before aud meant for him had gone astray. It was In har? mony with the night's adventure tbat they should dance and sing together in this mad throng that whirled them hither and thither, aimless as fate. The music stopped with an abrupt crash of the Instruments and a break of the voices from song to shouting, then to silence. AU looked toward the highest gallery, where appeared Lucia, ?cclalmed the favorite model and uow proudly perched upon a pedestal She was small of stature, and her beauty was not of the type that "carries" to a great distance. Her costume, however, was wonderfully effective. She wore a gown of pale green, brocaded with trises, and she held in her hands a, yel? low veil so variable In quality under the lights that It seemed to waver round her body like a tongue of flame. A famous artist made a quick aketch of her as she stood there, and then the oldest of the students, a giant dressed like a gladiator, gave her his hand, and as she stepped down from the pedestal he kissed her on the forehead, as if to typLfy the reveren?ce for beauty In the hearts of all that vast assembly of Its worshipers. Applause rewarded him, end then the band struck up once more ? "L'Heure Charmante." A tUuisand voices seized upon tbe strain, the dau ' cers whirled away into new measures, ami upon the instant Darrell said in his companion's ear: "There an? the Gordon?*.** He liad ii??M-rie?l his friends at the ?edge of tlie lower gallery. "We must hurry."' he ad?!ed, "or they ! will ?SBCnna us." Then suddenly, "Ipoii my word. I am glad that we ?lanced;" "I. too." she replied. "It is something for me to have known this life if only "l':l.r Vnliiscum," H'liit III fora moment. But I am ?ashamed to go to your friends. It Is like ?analng a fa vor. 1 am too proud." "We ask mithing." returned l>arrcll. "not ev??n aiivlce. We ???????:> tel! our amusing little story for th?'ir greater joy in the midst of this IHBIIJIIIBlllll It is a favor that we ?-?infer upon them. ?Be-atan!** It prove?l to be easy to evertak?? tbe Gordons, for they IBtUIBCd imtn?'?liate ly to a table and an uiifinislH*d botti?? of wine. The friar of orders gray was a stranger in tbeir eyes as he npproaeh ed them and bowed gravely, as became his character. "Pax voblscum," said he. "And with y?)U also, father," replh-d Gordon. "May I l>e permitted to in? quire?Jack Darrell! Well, upon my soul!" "And Edith!" cried Mrs. Gordon, for as much as could he seen of Vera in mask and domino was not without a suggestion of'Miss iAirrimer. "You are in error," whispered Dor r??ll. stooping besiile her chair. "'Tliis lady is Vera Shevaloff, a princess by right; an exile through Injustice. 1 took her from the ?agent! of the czar this evening, nnd oo? ?>f them, Robert," he added, looking across at Gordon, "was our friend, the pirate, Lndislov." Gordon rose hastily and bowed, while bis wife extended her hand to Vera, for there was a gleam In Darrell's eyes which meant "If you aro my friend, re? ceive her well." ? "And you are tho man who forswore n?lventure!" said Gordon aside. "Well, I am not surprised." "It Is this that is the test" replied Darrell; "ny MMms*euce here. No man can expect vo metate absolutely In the matter of general peace and quietness. The thing Is too dilficult, for tbe house may take fire over bis head while he lies asleep with his hands folded upon his breast But In regard to special acts, most of us still retain the de? lusion of choice. Therefore, In order to set me definitely right In the matter, fate has brought me to this spot Oth? erwise I might have fancied that I was free to decide whether I would or would not attend a ball. Let me dis? miss the notion. I am thistledown in the wind of destiny." "I will give you my opinion of that," replied Gordon, "when I have seen tbe princess without her mask." CHAPTER IV. ? ?CKIMS OF TILE NIHILISTS. R9. BOB GORDON, aa she was generally known in the Ameri? can colony, was a wo? man of broad views and invincible Inde? pendence. Her social position was very strong, being founded fifi t ?strj. bnttreaaed uj^mopex and defen.led" by tact and individuality? the last uamed a great power, for It is the conventional creature, who must do conventional things, while the strong personality wins a measure of fr?eedom. She heard Vera's story, somewhat more fully told than before, yet with nothing of real importance ad ?led to the tale as Darrell had receive?! it Vera mentione?l ?no iinm?-s of friends in Paris and avoided any reference to a reason for her choice of that city as a place of residence, but tbe Impression was strong up?>n Darrell tltat Ids prin? cess was not In the great capital ftir tbe sake of Its climate nor to behold Its many beauties. He felt that this woman's life must be directed by some strong purp?>se. and If its maiuspr.ng had been the ?lesire for vengeance that would have s?-em??d natural. Yet she ha?l denied complicity with nihilism. and Darrell had tuken her word. He must therefore seek some other ex? planation of the mystery surrounding her. in spite of all that Americans know if the various injustices that are rife In Russia, It Is impossible to hoar such a narration as Vera's without a feeling that there is something novel, almost incredible, In it; that men In high sta? tion, surrounded by the attributes of power and dignity, cannot be dragged down In a moment to tbe level of grind? ing, hopeless, unrewarded toil In the mines of a frozen desert; that gently nurtured women cannot be cast out of palaces Into hovels buried in arctic snows. Gordon heard the story with a growing wrath, his elbows on the ta? ble, his head thrust forward, his eyes shining, aud his wife, who showed less emotion, was yet moved to clasp the hand that liad slain the villain Gor eki and to h?'*il it firmly for some sec? onds after thSR incident had been dis? closed. At the last Vera showed signs of the strain involved In the recital, with Its ghastly memories, and so when It was done the others felt an impulse to with? draw her mind from retrospection as soon as possible. "Let us have one more look at the dancers." ?said Gordon, rising. "Tbe sight of such light hearted people will do us goo?l." He turned toward the larger hall as he uttere?! the words, and at that mo nient tata m?-n came hastily up to him. ' You are Mr. Robert Gordon." said one of them, and as be spoke a third man Joined the two. "I am," replied Gordon. "And you are Mr. John Darrell?** "That Is my name." answered the gray friar. "It Is liei loved thnt you have certain Information which is desired by the police." said the officer In a low tone. "Will you accompany us?" "Wiih pi? asur?'." replied Darrell. "May 1 ask the nature of tlie affair?" "Tho commissary will Infortii you." said the officer. "Shall we c?> at omo?*' Darrell was p??rf??fly willing, his only desire being t?> lead tln?s<? solemn face?! ?l??t?M*t ? ????? us far as in>.-?sihl?? from ???p? Shevaloff. "Pardon me one moment." be said, turning toward ?Gordon, and at that in? stant lie heard on?? of the ?jt?oi'rs whis? per to the spuk? -man of their parly. * -The IftdiBB ar?? Mine. Gonion and Mil?*. Lorriiiur. Americans." Mrs. QonkM also overheard th??.???? won Is. ?u?l sh?? sai?l Instantly: "Kobert will take Miss Ixirrlmer and myself homo, and then lit? will go t?i you. If th??s? men will give us th? n? ?? ?wry information." To this the 1??.?????t of the detectives replied that hts orders were t?> ask Mr. Darrell to m-company him to tin? ??tBtioa en the line Gluck, besiile ?th? OP?!? house, if he should not be there when Mr. Gonion should arrive, th?>re woiihl he no ?lilliculty in learning when? be had g?m??. DniTCU ??d not wait f??r further words. He gave his hand to Vera and the ?Gordon? ?and then hurried away. attended by tin? otAeata who arara kind enough to avoid giving the affair the ajiju aran???? of an arrest. There was a four scat ?ed cab outside, an.l It conveyed the party to tl. tion on the l.ue Glu?-k. He could ex? tort u?) informathui fr?>m his compan? ions upon the way. and, in?l?*e?l, lie mad?' no great effort to doso, being sat islie?l in advan???? that it w ouhl be fu? tili?. In fact, he was ?if ?the opinion tliat the time ?COOld be ln-tter puss?'?l in thinking than In talking. Undoubtedly Lailislov bad made ?some sort of complaint, probably for assault The purpose of the action must be the reonpturo of Vera, for La dislov was not tlie man to ask the law to right any pers??nal wrong so long ns swords and pistols or even bludgeons continued to be procurable for money. Darrell bad no fear either of the public or the private v??ngoanee of "the pi rat?\" He was prepared to Justify his own conduct if necessary, but his first concern must lie to shiwld Vera, it would have pleased bini to do this boblly?to tell the story of the night's adventure precisely as it lia?l occurred and then to defy the czar's agents and all other persons to do their level worst He did not believe that there was any law in France by which she . could be taken from the < ?"onions' house, but he was forced to inlmit, with the utmost delicacy, tbat tbat might depend upon the lady herself. Obviously ?her business in Paris was secret, for otherwise she would have mentioned it There was t?H> much r?a son to believe that It might h?? nihilism under another name. Hut whatever it was, she evidently deslretl to conceal It She was not ready to ?eome out into the open. "Such being the case," said Darrell to himself when be had reached this stage of his meditations, "1 am In a place that is well defined by tbe usag.'s of polite society. I am called upon to lie and lie good and hard by all the prineiples of honor. I don't like lying for its "own sake, but I will do It for* her sake, and I will make a workman? like Job of it" When be hod purebased the costume? of the two Americana It bad come into Dan-ell's mind that they might be of more Important ?service than merely to permit of Vera's entering the hall in? stead of waiting In the carri a g% It amounted to a personation, sinon tbe costumes must have been noticed by many persona, Including the secret po? lice scattered about through the as sembly. Yet there was little chance that the facea of the ??carers, would I be remembered. Tbe monk's h?x>d was nearly as good as a mask, ami the stain of beer on the fawn colored domino was more distinctive than anything that could be note?! of the lady's a?tual personality. As a ni. ans for confusing any possible pur-mers, the go?.vn and 1h*? domino might have served well, though Darrell had not foreseen that they would he m*e?Ied as the matter of a claim of alibi. As to their value iu this regnr?*, Dar? rell ivsolved upon a test. He had a f,i**ory about the three in?*u In the cab with bim. The one who ha?i conducted th?> "arrest" might be an agent of tlie district i'oinmissury of pop.??*, but Dar rell suspected bim of commotion with the central bureau de la surete (the detect iw bureau of Paris?. Tbe iwcond was a man from the precinct iu which Dam II and the Gonloiis lived, and be was there for purposes of identifica? tion. It was be who had said that the la?lies were Mrs. Gorden ami Mies Lor rimer, tbe latter of whom Darrell now bliss?*?! for her hasty ami almost secret flight from the house. The Paris police art- sure, but slow, though their mili? tary discipline and unquestioning obe? dience, combined with excellent organ? ization, sometimes givo them the delu? sive aspect of rapidity. It might take them a week or even a fortnight to die cover that Vera had replaced Miss Lor rimer. despite the rigid supervision to which strangers are subjected. So much for policeman No. 2 snd bis fortunate error. Passing to No. 3, Darrell made him out to be a member of the force assigned for that evening to the Moulin Rouge to watch tbe mer? ry students and their guests. He had been brought along to testify concern? ing the Gonion party, and Darrell was pleased to observ?* tbat he was gnt.w ing his upper lip an?l cracking the joints of his lung and bony fingers. "Your name, my friend V" cried Dar rell suddenly, slapping the man on the knee. The otl'iecr K.it up so suddenly tbat his long backbone gave forth a snap? ping solimi as from a whip. "Henri Fontaine!" be cried. "Why do you ask 7" "M?*rely from Intcr?*st," replied Dar? rell. "I hnpp?'n?d to have 6?vn you MVWeal times this I'vcning. You re member when th?? b?*er was spilled on my friend's domino'." Pontalne did not r?'ply In words, but his face was well worth noticing. A light shoii?? favorably into the cal?, re? vealing | glance full of "I told you so**?) ?lirei ted by Fontaine t?>ward the chief ?bl?ctive. Dartvll kti?*w that be liad inaile a cent?*r sit<>t and tbat Fontaine must bave already expressed his belief that Darrell nnd th?* lady had been In tin* Moulin Kongo at the time ?if the act of which Ladislov had complained, whatever that ai t might be. Of course there was no certain!?, that the black visage?! rascal had sworn to tbe truth. The cab stopp?*?!, and its occupants audited. As they entere?! the station Darrell was annoyed to observe that th?? detectives surri*und?*d him with a soMU'what ?'lab?rate ?lisplay of precau? tion lest he should ?'scape, and the passage of the party through tbe outer room excit.-d an audible thrill of in? terest?. They entciv?l a privat?? otllce, white Danvli perivi ????? a gray und sol ?lieily officer si'.ited by a tlat topped ?lisk. F.ihind him sat a man who leaned forward as if burled in thought, his ??lbow on bis km*??, his chin In Ids hand. The attitude and the peculiar arrangement of the lights made this man's tac?* a blurred shadow except for his left eve. which, bi'ing turne?! to? ward Darrell. shorn- 1 ..e a Jewel. The tbre?* men wbo bad brought In tba prisoner fell away from bim, hav? ing bini Mamllng alone bifore the ?h s|< in a glaiv of light. Imm?*?liately tin* ?Idwriy otiieer took up a pipar from tbe table ami began to read aloud in a hasty but monotonous tone a fairly ac? curate ?ieseriptlon of John DarreU, A menean, and of his ?lolngs sine?? be had conn? to l'aris. "Sir." said Darrell in his gentlest tone, "this re??ord is very Interesting am! surprisingly correct, but It ttOM n<it seem to explain my presence here at this tini??. Woubl you favor me with a few words on that p?>int7" "The < barge against you." said the otbeer, putting the paper carefully int?> a pile of tln-in, as if to show that It was only one of many ?lamning documents In the case?"the ?barge against you, Mr. Darrell, relates to Captain Serglus Ladislov." "If Captain Ladislov has made a complaint against me," answered Dar "/ would lie.i. to in, it him face to ? ace." rell, "I would venture to suggest that he repeat it in my presence. That is more the mann?*r of my country. I would like to meet him face to face." The officer shook his head, but before be bad denied the request in words the man in the shadow said: "If sueh is your wish, follow me." He arose and walked toward a door f?t the rear of the office, and Darrell followed him. They descended some Iron steps, not too well lighted, and passed Into a long room below the street level. At tbe farther end sat J two poli<*em?n, one upon each aide of ' a large table. Darrell at first s-jpposed that a third oflicer lay upon tbe table asleep and covered with a cloak, but. ' as be approached, the polrceaian wbo? had been seated arose and, apparently obeying a sign, drew away the cover? ing from the recumbent figure. It was LadiaWv who lay there dead. Darrell, after a single glance at t&a? .-.?**;id face, turned hastily to find the man who had l?ed blm to this room, hart he was not to be seen. At tlie foot eat ' the stairs be had stepped back, allow- - ing the American to precede him, ana'? wbst had become of him afterwart?.''. was a mystery. It was tbe tall offi-ce??" with the grizzled locks whom Darrell. confronted aa be turned. "This le a great surprise to me," saidB he. "ne had been shot In the back,** re? plied the officer. "We have our 11 unsi opinion as to how it happened. 1*n*r? body was brought here, which is ur*r~ iisual. Moreover, as yon asked to ?see him, and It wss so convenient"? He finished the sentence wltb ns shrug of the shoulders. "I know nothing of this," said Oax*~ rell earnestly. "I never saw the mac? until this afternoon"? ? When you had a violent quarrel/?"' added the officer. "Nothing of the kind," retorted Dar?-? rell. "I can bring abundant evldencar to prove that It was the merest trifle." He walked hastily to the table and bent over tbe body, which was clotn?e?o\'. In the coachman's rough garments thafc the man had worn when Darrell had> dislodged bim from tbe box of th* - coach. He turned the corpse upon it? ? face, though shrinking from the touch? of it The clothing had been cut open-? for an examination of the wouud, bat It was not very much soiled with blood. The bullet had struck below the left shoulder blade, and It seemed to have remained in the body. "A doctor has seen this*?" said Dax? rell. "What does he tell you? Honr long ?could the man have lived after re? ceiving t'a? Injury? Where was he found ?' "He was found upon the Rue dfe Richelieu." replied the officer. "Per* baps you may Judge, from the location? how long he survived his Injury." "If you mean to Intimate tbat I to.?? flicted it," eaid Darrell, "you are utter* Ing an absurdity, and the earlier yon ' dismiss the idea from your mind tho ? sooner you will reach a solution olt the puzzle which this crime presents.**' "As you have seen Captain Ladislovv. a?e?cordlng to your request," said the of fl?cer by way of reply. "I would sug gest that we return." He waved his band toward the stalr* way. Darrell bowed and walked in th??? direction Indicated. When they came Into the room above. It was empty-, whereat the officer was certainly sur prls??d, though he endeavored not to> show It. He sat down by the table an?d"t motiotu'd Darrell to a chair near by. "I would like to Inquire"? began th? officer, taking up ? paper from the th?sk. ami then he paused, reading what was written In that ?hicutnent witfe. close nnd Increasing attention. "Ont second thought." he continue?!, laying down th<? paper. "I have decide?! to ask no further questions." "Then," said Darrell, "with your p<er mlssion, I would like to ask a few." "I am not at liberty to answer," wan the reply. "But?yes, 1 will ask one myself. Do you know | Russian wom? an named Vera Sbevaloff ?" "Vera Shevaloff," repeated DarrelV as if weighing the name upon his lipa. "I have never bad the pleasure of h*e ing presented to the lady." The olHoer lx*\ve<l. "Thnt is all." he said. "I crave yonr panlou for having ?letalned you so long." Darrell rose slowly and with as calm a countenance as possible, though the surprise was almost ovenmwering. "I wish you a very good evening," bo en Id. He was permitted to find his own way out of the station. Upon the ??tract, whlb' be was walking towanl the cab stand, be eucountcre?l the de te?-tive. Fontaine. "It was I who cleared you, mon? sieur." K.ihl that Individual. "I testl ?ied that you were Bt the ball." "Tbe truth is mighty and will pre? vail," responde?! Darrell, giving the man money, "but surely there wan some oth?T cause"? "It Is a crime of the nihilists." whis? pered Fontaine. "A iwiper was found, torn and lying on the pavi-ment. uear where the body lay. It was a sort of warrant from tbe czar, and It showed that Lndislov, who was an agent of tbe* Russian secret service, was engaged In making an arrest?a kidnaping, let ua say?when he lost his life. It is al? ways a risk. Tbe puzzle was solved while you were down stairs. Ah, It takes little time for M. Cochefert to . get at the bottom of things." "Cochefert!" cried Darrell. "Chief oX" the bureau de la surete? Was hn there?" . "It was he who sat at the elbow of the commissaire," replh'd Fontaine. "I am sorry tbat I did not succeed in seeing his face." said Darrell. "Uuod night my friend. Kemeuib?>r that 1 have more money wliei-ever you feet tbat you have earned It And listone I would like Information about that p*? per, the warrant of arrest It interest? me. I pay well." "It is a habit of tbe Americans," saUS Fontaine. (TO CONTIXIKD.) in. Popolar Sons. Above the Toices of the spring? We hear this song Monotonous that starts with "plr.g***" And ends ?with "pong?." ?Philadelphia Presa. CAl'SE FOR ftRATITlDE. Sur Noodle?Oh, I'm not such ?%> fool aa I look. Mies Uppish?Then jQBfn a goad deal to be thankful for.?at. Lo-ahn Globe-Democrat.