In Russia.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume IX, Issue 1197, 21 February 1902, Page 4

In Russia.

Having lost the address, and not remembering the name of the person whom I had visited three days before 1 called on a Frenchman who had bten my guide in been my guide in St. Petersberg and I asked him : “ Do you remember the name and the address of the person at whose house I went on the day following my arrival iu St. Petersburg “ Not exactly he answered, I can take you to a person who will be able to direct you.”

And at once he took me to the office of a high Russian official whom ho knew, and who was connected with Mr lileigels, the perfect of police. We wero received in a handsomly furnished room with flowers and a samovar on a table iu the centre. Bookcases filled with papers were hidden behind tapestry in the corner. Several gentlemen, well dressed, shook hands with us aud began to talk, absolutely as if we had been in a club-houso. Typewriters could be hoard also, yet it was hard to rea'is ■ that wo were in a police bureau. After exchanging compliments my friend said: “ This gentleman has been in St. Petersburg hut a short linn and ho would liko to know the name and address of a person whom he visited on the day following his arrival. He has forgotten " “ Why, certainly 1” answered the functionary with a smile, “ at. once. . . . Lot mo see, Mr X , arrived a few days ago, hotel X —,

coming from Z— —-, docket 2086. Thero we are 1" and taking a slip of paper on his desk lie continued, in a most natural way : “ Throe days ago, sir, you wont out at 2.45, took cab 7604 ; you were with an officer, amt you spoko in French about the Boer war. Twenty minutes later you reached the Saint--I,saac church, which you visited; from thoro you wont for tea to tho house of Madame de M , to whom you explained tho plan of one of your articles ; then you returned to your hotol with cab No. 8790, and yon gave vour ‘ Schweitzer ’ (janitor) twenty ‘kopecks ’ to mail for you a letter to France, and if you would like a synopsis of this letter ” Haying this he was looking for another slip of paper. I was litimfounded I Bo much precision, a watchfulness so constant ami unceas-

ing, and tho “ sans gono ” with which I was told of my most secret conduct, left me absolutely speech less | And my astonishment knew no bounds when 1 learned tbat anyone could obtain for ono coht tho address of any inhabitant of the city. “ Yon aro surprised,” said the functionary, laughing. “ You got used to it and ho gratetul to us for the security wo guarantee you.” —Echo de Paris.