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Show course, as alleged by the writer, and childish and unwarthe rantable demands of the islanders. Well," he commented, even this 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 was in the air. Men were talk-nexcitedly 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 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 Well, Wang, said Hardy, you were right, after all, and the Japanese have attacked. I have heard some 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 czar's navy, and the Pallada, a cruiser. The Russians are very Indignant, naturally, but they should save their feelings. The Japanese have only be- SYNOPSIS. Proderlrk Hardy, a fashionable Boston Society man. lost his wealth, was Jilted a girl and sent by a friend to take of an American Trading Company tnarge tore in Russia. On his Journey through I span he n et Stapleton Neville, supposedly an Englishman. They agreedsus-toBecause of go together to Russia. circumstances they were several ?lclous molested by the Japanese. Hardy was arrested and found upon his person were papers showing maps of Jap forts. Hardy was rroven guiltless. On a train fee met Aisome Kano, daughter of a Jap gierchant. in Neville's shoeshimJapto found be a of forts, proving tlctures apy. for ilus-si- a liaray deported on a steamer, which was wrecked He was res ueJ h shortly afterward. Russian steamer. On reaching Vladivostok he uus well treated. He si tried or Siberia, meeting Princess Romanovna so the train. Hardy boarded a vesstl for Amur. Hardy showed the prinef a hs ospertness as a rifle shot. The steamer was stranded. The princess and her gtaid were attacked by Chinese. Haidv lives their The princess thanked Saved Manchurians for hts heroism. red upon the craft. Hardy slew their Chief. Burning arrows were hulled upon ths Pushkins decks. An attempt was made to board the vessel The attacking Chinese were repulsed. Romanoff sneered t Hardy's solicitude for the princess. Stanka a messenger, sent for help, was bailed to a cross on the shore. To put an Dd to the awful torture Hardy himself his put Stanka out of his misery, taking own life In his hands. Forest fires menaced the vessel. Hardy volunteered to for help. Refused permission he umped overboard and started to swim with the pr.ncess distress message. Romanoff was angry at Hardy for his brave efforts to rescue the princess. He wooed He aald fear In his own savage way. Hardy had made love openly to a Japanese girl. Help came and the princess was rescued. Hurdy Journeyed on a raft. Arriving at hla destination he took charge of the trading cotnpany'a Hardy received a letter from a social leader In Boston and another from Aisome. Hardy took lessons in Russian of a Jew, thus connecting himself in a way with that race. Hardy receivedhima letter fn m the princess, thanking or his bravery. Hardy's teacher was In of death. He employed Wang as danger A servant. Hardy want to Moscow, where lie was Invited to call upon the princess. Me started for the palace home of Princess Romanovna. Hardy aroused unaccountable Jealousy of his Korean boy by announcing that ne was going to call on lha prtneess. He enguged a cabman who drove h;in to a large house on a poorly lighted street. After entering the house, iHardy d.s overed that It was a resortHu-ti-of silhillsts who supposed be was Felix come to tell them of a powerful explosive lie had discovered. The real anHulln Imarrived and denounced Hardy aa postor. The nihilists determined to kill In to themselves, order Slardy protect binding an unloaded revolver In his overcoat pocket, he pointed It at Hulln's bomb, which lay on the table, and swore to blow them all up together If they touched h m. Holding the nihilists at bay, Hardy started to leave the room when the police were heard at the outer .door. Hulln threw his bomb, killing podeemen, the nihilists fled and led gun. the Je.v, suddenly appeared and Baruch conducted Within two weeks after the breakvJlardy to the cellar. Hardy through an underground passage Ho another house, from which he boldly ing out of the war, during which time emerged and returned to Ids hotel. Hardy many disastrous blows were struck at visited the prim ess, contributed to the guild for the relief of the victims of the the naval prestige of Russia, Hardy He gave more than Romanoff was ready for the long railway jourmlh'lists ad. The lat.er, entering the room, him. Romanoff struck ney back to Stryetensk. Insulted topenly 1 lardy, who challenged him to a duel, compartWang secured a first-clas- s ihe Russian accepted. Preparations ment for his master, and second-clas- s for the duel were made. The princess asked H. rdy to spare Romanoff's life. accommodations for himself, and the Hardy purposely missed Romanoff, but two drove to the great terminal stawas him mli wounded. Hardy waa placed He sent his servant to tion, which commodious building they Sn the hcrpital. he duel scene for a cuff button of found crowded with officers of every which he puiposely shot off, the princess wish. rank, military officials and Red Cross rtther Ilian violate This he sent to her. nurses hastening to Vladivostok and fey g v bual-siea- s. sev-wr- al Ba-tru- CHAPTER XXXVIII. Murder and Mystery. was able to leave the hospital on February the first and return to hla quarters at the hotel, where he waa 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 bad taken cn a look not in any way characteristic of the man who has been Jbeaten or cowed by punishmeut. There was something new in his eyes, and there v. as an expression about his mouth that suggested rather the man who has fought a mental fight and won. In hi3 conversations with Wang lie 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 ats soon as possible got back to the warehouses and the groat 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, 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 e of large orders of goods, he made suggestions, he worked till all ihours of the night, relieving his principal of the labor of correspondence rand bookkeeping. In addition, he was a cheerful and even amusing companion, whose brain was fertile in delicate little attentions that made Hardy's enforced detention in the hotel It S3 irksome. Meantime, letters from Emery and other advices were insistent to the affect that war was inevitable. On the morning of the 7th Wang came Into the office and laid a paper down before Hardy, pointing, without a word, to a double-leadearticle with "scare" headlines. JAPAN ENRAGED Hardy buz-xls- val-uabl- g mark-manshl- way station, facing the desolate, snow-covere- you, away. 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 Wang. 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 be left alone with this stranger? Let me 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 boys 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 War 3 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 boy, I do not know where he Is, further than that he is In prison in St. Petersburg charged with a terrible 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, what 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 spoken of, said the princess. Her hands were still clasped behind her back as she stood gazing fixedly at Wang. "My acquaintance with him would lead me to have the same opinion, were it not for this terrible accusation, so strongly substantiated by evidence. She was talking with this wonderful boy as though he were an equal. And do you believe this accusation Shame upon you, who love him? Does not your heart tell you you! that he is innocent? It was now the Romanovnas turn to grow pale and stagger, as though she had been struck a physical blow. How 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 thing. 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 boy! 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 beginning 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 succeed 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 sparing his life at your request, changed his animosity into a resentment which Mr. Hardys death alone could hare satisfied. "I overheard the prince talking In he station at Moscow with two of his associates. He mentioned the name 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 tha aijlotdoa had been in- - Wang entered the station, sat down on a bench and thought for a long time. Then he came out on the platform and walkedt 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 stylo-graphi- ficer. It is. Wang what? Just Wang. CHAPTER XL. d CHAPTER XXXIX. Wang as a Witness. This tragic occurrence occasioned tremendous excitement on the train luxus, which was stopped at the next station and surrounded by a band of Cossacks. Here It was kept for three days until a squad of police and detectives could be hurried to the scene Numerous arrests from Moscow. 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. Your name is Wang? s.v'd the of- "Well, her highness consents to see alter all. 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 plains. In the distance was a miserable peasant village, with thatched roofs. The train luxus, the police, all the passengers, the mortal remains of the murdered prince, were gone. The boy asked a stolid-facestationmaster what had become of his the latter only employer, and shrugged his shoulders and turned 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 He murdered in his compartment. was lying peacefully sleeping in his berth, the last long sleep, with a slender stilletto sticking in his heart. What is your nationality I am a Korean. You are in the employ of the alleged American, Frederick Courtland Hardy? 1 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 doan? Very well. How do you know that he is an American? III ER MINISTER LEAVES PETERSBecause he says he is. BURG The miksflo. in a flt of rage, withdraws Oh, ah! very well. Tell us what Count Kurino from the Russian capital know of the duel which was you 'Peppery yellow people unable to conduct on January 8 between this alfought civilized diplomatic negotiations The zar's calm end dignified course leged American, Hardy, and his highHardy g.anced through the article, ness, the Prince Boris Romanoff. Speak inch set forth at length the Russian the truth, or It will be the worse for government's reasonable and righteous you! d 1 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 The Prince Was Surrounded pale, as he saw the drift of the ques- - tions. "None at all! But this is incredible. We shall find means of making you speak the truth. Repeat those threats to us, and be careful that you conceal nothing. He not only uttered no such said Wang, but he even threats, 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 how he employed It on that occasion. "A pretty story, this! laughed the Do you not think so, gentlejudge. men?" Both gentlemen thought exactly as did their chief. "I myself," Insisted Wang, "went to the place of meeting, at Mr. Hardy's request, and picked up the cuff button, which I gave into the hand of the princess, who will, I have no doubt, corroborate my statement. The judge looked sharply at Wang for several moments, and the boy returned the stare defiantly. Lock the witness 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 unaatisfactory witness. He found himself standing alone oa the platform of a small rail by a Group of Officers. and 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 Slaviansky 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 Romanoff. '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 that run foul of the nobility In Russia have a way of disappearing, and God knows what they suffer! But I feel sorry for him, 1 say, for he was a courteous gentleman, and liberal with his tips. 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 butlers disgust. The door was ahut In Wangs face, but he was not left standing in the cold for more than 20 minutes. At the end of that tlms the butler threw wide tha door and announced: tended for the car containing Roman, off and some of the nobles. I oee heard the words, 'This Jew molt (let and I knew that If a noble like Ro manoff 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 the Prince Romanoff. So, to save the life of my master, I killed Romanoff. I crept into his compartment at night when he was sleeping in a drunken stupor and thrust a stiletto into hie He sighed a long sigh heart. 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, heart, less and patriotic to the last drop of blood In my body. I am in the secret service of my country, and have been I one of Its most trusted agents. speak many of the languages of Europe and all the dialects of China. And yet I am a woman just a woman, who, at the chrismal touch of mans lips, find my whole naturs 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 to her eyes, "but I cannot help It. I an even now asking you to save me, 11 you can, for his sake. I can never see him again. He will know now that I am not Wang, the Korean boy, and, besides, my hands are stained with blood. But he would be distracted if he knew that I were in ths 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 me go away to my own country. You do not despise me, do you, and you do not fear me? I neither fear nor despise you, rethe plied princess, sorrowfully, 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. Alas! 1 knew too well my cousins revengful and violent nature. Listen? I shall see the czar and use my woman's wits to clear Mr. Hardy without giving the name of the actual perpetrator. I am going to Port Arthur to take chargs 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 coast, whence I will aend you across to Japan. I believe that Mr. Hardy would wish this, and there ii nothing I would not do for his sake, within honor. But if I find that it la 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 interview. His majesty was standing when Ro manovna entered, looking out of the window on the where stands the huge monolith in honor of Alexander I. He turned, as her name was announced and smiled. She noticed that he was pale and careworn, and that his expression, even as he smiled, was very sad. Her heart 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 h 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 apeak to you of my cousins, Boris Romanoffs, death and to tell you somethin! of the man who Is accused of his murder the American, Frederick Court-lanHardy. You have our deepest sympathy In this matter, my daughter, said his majesty. 1 understand from ths min-iste- r of Justice that you loved your cousin that you were engaged te him. Th princess remained silent (IO BA CONCLUCfiOs) semi-circl- e |
