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Show SYNOPSIS. Frederick Hardy, a. fashionable Boston Society man, lost his wealth, was jilted by a girl and sent by a friend to take nharge of an American Trading Company On his journey through Store in Russia. he met Stapleton Neville, supan They agreedsus-to posedly Englishman. Because of go together to Russia. picious circumstances they were several times molested by the Japanese. Hardy was arrested and found upon his person were papers showing maps of Jap forts. Hardy was proven guiltless. On a train he met Aisome Sano, daughter of a Jap merchant. In Neville's shoes Jap founda pictures of forts, proving him to be Russian spy. Hardy departed for Rus-sl- a on a steamer, which was wrecked shortly afterward. He was rescued by a Russian steamer. On reaching Vladivostok he was well treated. He started for Siberia, meeting Princess Romanovna tm the train. Hardy boarded a vessel for Amur. Hardy showed the princess his expertness as a rifle shot. The steamer was stranded. The princess and her maid were attacked by Chinese. Hardy saved their lives. The princess thanked Hardy for his heroism. Manchurians fired upon the craft. Hardy slew their chief. Burning arrows were hurled upon An attempt was the Pushkins decks. made to board the vessel. The attacking Chinese were repulsed. Romanoff sneered at Hardy's solicitude for the princess. Stanka a messenger, sent for help, was nailed to a cross on the shore. To put an end to the awful torture Hardy himself his put Stanka out of his misery, takingmenown life in his hands. Forest fires to volunteered aced the vessel. Hardy Refused permission he go for help. to swim jumped overboard and started Rowith the princess distress message. manoff was angry at Hardy for his brave efforts to rescue the princess. He wooed He said her in his own savage way. Hardy had made love openly to a Japanese girl. Help came and the princess was rescued. Hardy journeyed on a raft. he took Arriving at Ills destination of the trading companys busicharge ness. Hardy received a letter from a social leader in Boston and another from Aisome. Hardy took lessons in Russian of a Jew, thus connect'ng himself in a way with that race. Hardy received a letter from the princess, thanking him for his bravery. Hardy's teacher w?a in He employed Wang as danger of death. went to Moscow, where servant. Hardy R e was invited to call upon the princess. He started for the palace home of Princess Romanovna. Hardy aroused unaccountable jealousy of Ins Korean boy by on announcing that he was going to callwho the princess. He engaged a cabman drove him to a large house on a poorly lighted street. After entering the house, Hardy discovereu that it was a resort of nihilists who supposed he was Felix come to tell them of a powerlul exHulin plosive he had discovered. The real arrived and denounced Hardy as an impostor. The nihilists determined to kill Hardy in order to protect themselves. Finding an unloaded revolver in his overcoat pocket, he pointed it at Hulins bomb, which lay on the table, and swore to blow them all up together if they touched him. Holding the nihilists at bay. Hardy started to leave the room when the police were heard at the outer door. Hulin threw his bomb, killing several policemen, the nihilists fled and Baruch the Jew, suddenly appeared and led Baruch conducted Hardy to the cellar.' Hardy through an underground passage to another house, from which he boldly emerged and returned to his hotel. Hardy visited the princess, contributed to the fund for the relief of the victims of the nihilists. He gave more than Romanoff had. The latter, entering the room, him. Romanoff struck openly insulted Hardy, w ho challenged hnn to a duel. The Russian accepted. Preparations for the duel were made. The princess asked Hardy to spare Romanoffs life. purposely missed Romanoff, but Hardy was himself wounded. Hardy was placed In the hospital. He sent his servant to the duel scene for a cuff button of Romanoffs, which he purposely shot off, rather than violate the princess' wish. This he sent to her. Hu-il- CHAPTER XXXVIII. ' I Murder and Mystery. Hardy was able to leave the hospital on February the first and return to his quarters at the hotel, where he was much more comfortable, for the hospitals of Moscow are inferior to those of other European cities of equal size. He was pale and weak, but his appetite was good and he was gaining strength rapidly. Though he had come in the duel, to all apoff second-bes- t pearances, yet his countenance had taken on a look not In any way characteristic of the man who has been beaten or cowed by punishment. There was something new In his eyes, and there was an expression about his mouth that suggested rather the man who has fought a mental fight and won. In his conversations with Wang he avoided all mention either of the princess or of her cousin. His only desire was to close up the business in Moscow and get back to Stryetensk as soon as possible get back to the warehouses and the great water highway that led eastward to the Pacific ocean, to that frontier of the vast Russian empire that lies close to Korea and scowls across the Japan sea at Nippon and its hive of angry, buzzing bees. In the preparations for departure the Korean boy displayed a competency and assiduity that were a revelation even to Hardy. He superintended the shipment to Stryetensk of large orders of goods, he made valuable suggestions, he worked till all hours of the night, relieving his principal of the labor of correspondence and bookkeeping. In addition, he was a cheerful and even amusing companion, whose brain was fertile in delicate little attentions that made Hardys enforced detention in the hotel less irksome. Meantime, letters from Emery and other advices wore insistent to the effect that war was inevitable. On the morning of the 7th Wang came into the office and laid a paper down before Hardy, pointing, without article with a word, to a double-leadescare head lines. JAPAN ENRAGED HER MINISTER LEAVES PETERS-BFRThe mikado, In a fit of race, withdraws Count Kurino from the Russian capital Peppery yellow people unable to conduct The negotiation slvtllzed diplomatic czars calm and dignified course Hardy glanced through the article, which set forth at length the Russian governments reasonable and righteous course, as alleged by the writer, and childish and unwarthe rantable demands of the Islanders. even this Well, he commented, does not mean war. Russia will simply wait she has always been waiting, and the Japanese must strike the first blow If they want war. Wait and see, was Wang's only reply. It was only two days later that Hardy became aware that something extraordinary had happened. Toward evening the city was seized with excitement. Some great, some terrible news was in the air. Men were talking excitedly in the corridors of the hotel, groups were gathering in the streets, hoarsely shouting. Wang was out, so Hardy rang for a bellboy and asked him what was the matter. Matter! cried the boy; the Japanese have captured Port Arthur! They have murdered 100,000 Christians. They have sunk the whole Russian fleet, treacherously, falsely, in the night. The czar will send a great army and kill every cursed Japanese on earth. I am going, Ivan Nekres-sois going we are all going. Curse v the Japanese! My God! exclaimed Hardy as the excited boy left, slamming the door, they are at it in earnest, and the Japanese have struck hard. This means war, indeed. If the Russian navy has been destroyed it means a long war. Wang will be wild. At this moment the Korean entered, but, to Hardys surprise, he was not carried away by excitement. There was a hectic spot on each yellow cheek, and his eyes were burning, but he was said Hardy, you Well, Wang, were right, after all, and the Japanese I have heard some have attacked. very wild rumors. Have you learned anything definite? Yes, replied Wang; what seem to be reliable reports have arrived. The mikado's fleet last night attacked the Russian ships at Port Arthur and sank the Czarevitch and the Retvizan, two of the heaviest battle-ship- s in the czars navy, and the Pallada, a cruiser. The Russians are very Indignant, naturally, but they should save their feelings. The Japanese have only begun. Within two weeks after the breaking out of the war, during which time many disastrous blows were struck at the naval prestige of Russia, Hardy was ready for the long railway journey back to Stryetensk. compartWang secured a first-clas- s ment for his master, and second-clas- s accommodations for himself, and the two drove to the great terminal station, which commodious building they found crowded with officers of every rank, military officials and Red Cross nurses hastening to Vladivostok and the front. Among these, Hardy noticed the gallant, towering form of Boris Romanoff, attired in officer's cap and cloak. The prince was surrounded by a group of officers, with whom he was talking. He noticed Hardy and gave him a look of hate. The American turned his eyes quickly away and busied himself with identifying his baggage and getting it aboard. On the morning of the third day out from Moscow the prince was found murdered in his compartment. He was lying peacefully sleeping in his berth, the last long sleep, with a slender stilletto sticking in his heart. way station, facing the desolate, snow covered plains. In the distance was a miserable peasant with village, thatched roofs. The train luxus, the police, all the passengers, the mortal remains of the murdered prince, were gone. The boy asked a 6tolid faced stationmaster what had become of his and the latter employer, only shrugged his shoulders and turned away. Wang entered the station, sat down on a bench and thought for a long time. Then he came out on the platform and walked up and down for an hour for two hours, after which he entered the station and passed another hour on the bench. Though he had not eaten since noon, he did not feel hungry. Toward midnight a man entered the ticket office, opened the window and lighted a lamp. Wang stepped up to the window. "Do you expect a train? he asked. Yes, in half an hour. Going which way? To Moscow. How much is the fare? The agent told him, and the boy found that he had enough money with him to pay for a third-clas- s ticket and leave a few roubles over, sufficient to buy food. He procured a ticket, and when the train thundered up to the station he boarded It and soon was speeding back to the Muscovite capital. Arriving there after two days I know nothing of the duel which your honor alluded to as having taken place. replied Wang. The boy showed not the slightest sign of fear. His yellow face was flushed, he held his head high and looked the judge defiantly in the eyes. You know nothing of it? roared the latter. Do not attempt to deceive the court. We know more than you think. Did not this Hardy tell you that he had fought a duel with his highness? He told me also that he was an American, replied Wang, "and since your honor intimates that his word is unreliable Make another note witness insolent' did he or did he not tell you that such a duel had been fought? He did. Ah! he did! That he was seriously wounded in that duel as a result of his highness superior coolness and we know. We also are acquainted with the causes of said duel; that his highness was obliged to chastise this Hardy for presumption and insolence; and that it was in accordance with the request of the princess, his cousin, that his highness shot him. All this we know. You must tell us what threats of vengeance the wounded man breathed out against the prince. None at all, your honor absolutely none at all, replied Wang, turning mark-manshi- stylo-graphi- CHAPTER XL. A Princess and a Woman. The Princess Romanovna received Wang in a small library on the second floor. She was walking to and fro, with her hands clasped behind her back, and her lovely brows knit in thought, the while she dictated letters to her secretary. The boy's keen glance detected that she was pale. As he entered and stood by the door, silently waiting, she turned to him eagerly and said; "Well! What Is this communication that you have to make to me? Do you bring me a letter?" "I must see you alone," replied War. There was something in his manner and expression that could not be denied. The princess turned toward her secretary, saying: You may leave the room until I ring for you, Olga. But surely, protested Olga, "your highness does not wish to he left alone with this stranger? Let ine stay, I beg of you, to protect you!" Romanovna smiled. I fear you would be of small protection in case of danger. Besides," glancing at the boy's slight form, "this young man does not look like a dangerous person. Go, I insist! The girl gathered up her papers and left the room at once. Do you know where my master is? demanded Wart In perfect Russian. Your master?" Yes, or my employer, If you will, though I love to call him my master. I mean the American, Frederick Court-lanHardy. "Oh! So you are the Korean boy of whom I have heard his secretary? No, my poor hoy, I do not know where he is, further than that he is in prison in St. Petersburg charged with a ter-- I lible crime, on presumptive evidence so strong that his conviction is almost certain. Was he a kind master to Do you you?" asked the princess. love him very much? Why, wliat is the matter?" Wang turned an ashen color, reeled as if wounded and caught at the knob of a door, No nothing," he gasped, just a little faintness the heat of the room, perhaps. I am all right now. Mr. Hardy is the kindest man that I have ever known and the bravest and truest gentleman that walks the earth." I am glad to hear him so well Her spoken of, said the princess. hands were still clasped behind her back as she stood gazing fixedly at with him Wang. My acquaintance would lead me to have the same opinion, were it not for this terrible accu-sal ion, so strongly substantiated by evidence. She was talking with this wonderful boy as though he were an equal. And do you believe this accusation you, who love him? Shaine upon Does not your heart tell you you! that he is innocent?" It was now the Romanovna's turn to grow pale and stagger, as though she had been struck a physical blow. I low dare you? she cried; you insolent boy! Did he tell you that I loved him? But no! He is a gentleman. He could not do such a tiling. But something, though It cannot be my heart, tells me that he is innocent. "Then something tells you right, said Wang, quietly, for he did not kill your worthless cousin. I killed him!" "You you killed him! Her expression, as she said these words, denoted perplexity, quickly followed by You poor hoy! she cried, pity. your sufferings have affected your mind. Those little hands have never committed murder and such a terrible murder!" Listen," said Wang, "and you will understand and believe. The Prince Romanoff hated my master from the b ginning of his acquaintance with him, because he could not make him his tool. In Japan, where the prince came as a spy, he attempted to throw suspicion on Mr. Hardy, but did not sueieed in getting him into any serious trouble. His hatred was increased on the Amur because it was my master who saved your life, and not he. The affair of the duel, in which the American figured as the real hero by spaiing his life at your request, changed his animosity into a resentment which Mr. Hardys death alone could have satisfied. I overheard the prince talking in he station at Moscow with two of his He mentioned the name associates. of Hardy with murderous hate, and I shadowed them for two days. I learned that the prince was planning to kill my master. They were going to have the coach in which he was traveling blown up with dynamite and the rumor spread that a mistake had been made, as has happened before, and that th erplogjon had been in d j ' 1 CHAPTER XXXIX. Wang as a Witness. This tragic occurrence occasioned tremendous excitement on the train luxus, which was stopped at the next station and surrounced by a hand of Cossacks. Here it was kept for three days until a squad of police and detectives could be hurried to the scene from Moscow. Numerous arrests were made and many of the passengers were questioned separately. Wang was one of these examined. He was taken into a small, bare room on the second floor of the station, where sat a shrewd old man at a pine table. He was flanked by two younger c officers, while a. stenographer, pen in hand, bent over a writing pad. ofYour name is Wang? said ficer. It is. Wang what? Just Wang. What is your nationality I am a Korean. You are in the employ of the alleged American, Frederick Courtland Hardy? I am in the employ of the American, Frederick Courtland Hardy. Be careful, sir, do not be insolent. Do not attempt to amend the expressions of the court. Make a note there witness very intelligent and inclined to be insolent Got it down? Very well. How do you know that he is an American? Because he says he is. Oh, ah! very well. Tell us what you know of the duel which was fought on January 8 between this alleged American, Hardy, and his high-- j ness, the Prince Boris Romanoff. Speak the truth, or It will be the worse for you! Well, her highness consents to see Remember your manners, young man, and If you have any begging scheme, don't Impose on her too much. She has a very soft heart. Wang disappeared within the you, uii.er all. The Prince Was Surrounded pale, as he saw the drift of the by a Group of Officers. three nights of agonizing suspense, during which the ponderous train seemed to him to crawl like a giant caterpillar over the vast stretches of virgin white, he found himself again in the great station and hastened immediately to the Siaviansky Bazar. The clerk recognized him, and from the clerk Wang learned that his employer had been taken to St. Petersburg and there lodged In prison, charged with the murder of Boris Romi d ques- tions. None at all! But this is incredible. We shall find means of making you speak the truth. Repeat those tnreats to us, and be careful that you conceal nothing. He not only uttered no such threats, said Wang, hut he even spared the worthless life of the prince, when he might have shot him dead. This he did out of regard for the princess. as he is a very knightly and perfect gentleman. He shot off Romanoffs cuff button, which he sent to her as proof of his wonderful skill, and of liow he employed it on that occasion. A pretty story, this! laughed the judge. "Do you not think so, gentle- men?" Both gentlemen thought exactly as did their chief. went to I myself," insisted Wang, the place of meeting, at Mr. Hardys request, and picked up the cuff button, which 1 gave into the hand of the princess, who will, I have no doubt, cor- roborate my statement." The judge looked sharply at Wang for several moments, and the boy returned the stare defiantly. Lock the witress up again," he commanded, and the order was obeyed. Wang was kept in close confinement for four days, at the end of which time he was released and informed that nothing further was required of him by the police, who doubtless regarded him as an unsatisfactory wit ness. He found himself standing alone on the platform of a small rail- manoff. The proof against him is clear, vouchsafed the and voluble clerk, and I am sorry for him, though he deserves all he will get. You will never see him or hear from him again. He is, no doubt, at this moment rotting away in a foul, damp dungeon beneath the river Neva, feeding on moldy bread and stinking water, and little of that. Prisoners tiiat run foul of the nobility in Russia have a way of disappearing, and God knows what they suffer! But I led sorry for him, 1 say, for he was a courteous gentleman, and liberal with his tii's." It was now about ten oclock in the morning, and Wang went straight to the palace of the Princess Romanovna. The pompous butler informed him that it would be impossible to see her highness, but vouchsafed to take a note to the princess, which Wang wrote in French, much to the butler's disgust. The door was shut in Wangs face, but he was not left standing in the cold for more than 20 minutes. At the end of that time the butler threw wide the doer and announced; tended for the car containing Romanoff and some of the nobles. I overheard the words, This Jew must die! and I knew that If a noble like Romanoff had determined on the death of a man without powerful friends he would accomplish his end. I could not expose them, for how could the word of a boy like me, a despised Korean, stand against that of tha Prince Romanoff. So, to save the Ufa of my master, I killed Romanoff. 1 crept into his compartment at night when he was sleeping in a drunken stupor and thrust a stiletto Into hla heart. He sighed a long sigh shuddered, and kept on sleeping." Who are you? asked the princess, you who, for love, have done this dreadful deed of hate? I am Aisome Mosuro, known In my own country as Aisome, the Fox. I am supposed to be cunning, brave, heartless and patriotic to the last drop of blood In my body. I am in tha secret service of my country, and have been one of its most trusted agents. 1 speak many of the languages of Europe and all the dialects of China. And yet 1 am a woman just a woman, who, at the clirlsmal touch of a mans lips, find my whole nature changed, and am ready to give up all for him, friends, country, individuality, yes, even life itself, happy only If 1 can be near him, can serve him, can hear his voice! I when I think of It all, I am ashamed of myself, sobbed the girl, pressing a handkerchief tc her eyes, but I cannot help it. I am even now asking you to save me. If I can never you can, for Ills sake. see him again. He will know now that I am not Wang, the Korean hoy, and, besides, my hands are stained with blood. But he would be distracted if he knew that I were in the hands of the Russian authorities; he would be unhappy all his life if they were to kill me. For he loved Wang, though he has forgotten poor Aisome. I am asking you to save me for his sake, and let ino go away to my own country. You do not despise ine, do you, and you do not fear me? 1 neither fear nor despise you, rethe plied sorrowfully, princess, though I shrink with horror from your dreadful deed. You are a woman and a sister, and I will save you if I can, for I believe you. Alaa! ) knew too well my cousin's revengful and violent nature. Listen! I shall see the czar and use my womans wits to clear Mr. llardy without giving the name of the actual perpetrator. I am going to Port Arthur to take charge of a hospital there for our sick and wounded heroes. You must remain here in my house till I return from St. Petersburg, and then go with me to the sea roast, whence I will send you across to Japan. I believe that Mr. Hardy would wish this, and there Is nothing 1 would not do for his sake, within honor. But if I find that it Is necessary, in order to save his life " to tell my name? Then tell It, and I shall be here to say that you speak the truth! CHAPTER XLI. Imperial Favor. The Princess Romanovna was received by his Imperial majesty in a small room of the Winter palace, a room which, equipped with graceful and dainty furniture of the sixteenth century, was a cheerful symphony In a delicate shade of blue. The fact that she was a favorite at court, together with her high connections and her noble descent, through which she even claimed distant relationship with the imperial family Itself, rendered it comparatively easy for her to obtain a private and informal intervie-w- . His majesty was standing when Romanovna entered, looking out of the whera window on the semi-circlBrands the huge monolith in honor of Alexander I. He turned, as her name was announced and smiled. She noticed tiiat he was pale and careworn, and that his expression, even as he Her heart Rmiied, was very sad. went out to him in mingled affection and reverence. She bowed low with exquisite grace as his eyes fell on her, then advanced to where he stood, and, kneeling, kissed his hand. He assisted her to arise, and, still holding her hand, led her to a sofa. he said, and Sit, my daughter, speak freely. There is none of our subjects to whom we will give a more and he indulgent ear than to you, Sit, dropped wearily on the divan. he repeated, as she remained respectfully standing, it is our command. She sat down on the divan, at some distance from him, and turned her eyes on him, waiting for him to speak. You have our permission to proceed, he said. I come, sire, she began, to speak to you of my cousin's, Boris Romanoffs, death and to tell you something of the man who is accused of his murder the American, Frederick Court-lanHardy. You have our deepest sympathy In said his this matter, my daughter, I understand from the minmajesty. ister of justice that you loved your cousin that you were engaged ta him. The princess remained silent. e d (TO BE CONCLUDED.) |