WHEN THE EMPIRE CRASHED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 8

WHEN THE EMPIRE CRASHED.

By Arthur w. marchmont I .T -

Author of *V < " When I was Caar ” * ’s* U&u Without a itsmory,” etc., etc. *

CHAPTER Y. THE HAUL OPENS. My first task after leaving Count Koslov was to find rooms, and I was lucky enough, to seemre just what i wanted in the Square of St Peter not far from Countess Palinski’s house in the Nevskaia. It was on the first floor, had two useful fitments—a telephone and an emergency exit down a lire ladder at the back; while the caretaker’s wife was able to give me such small attendance as I should need. Then I returned to Melsome’s and went very- carefully through my belongings.' I discarded everything that could connect me with myself, even to such linen as was marked and all clothes having my tailor’s tabs. T

knetr that prying eyes might be set to search my rooms, and that- it might, oe ratal to have even a single rink connecting Rate Henshaw with Karl Stein. Tins took a, long time, because it involved the purchase of certain clothes and no end of trifles such as Stein won Id b© likely to possess. I believed in doing the thing thoroughly, too; so that it was not until late in the afternoon that T got settled in my new abode and had arranged matters to mv satisfaction. I dined again at the Hermidor on the a chance of meeting Kellerman and possibly Avola; but neither of them was there; so I wrote a line to him, giving him my address,. and left it under cover at the Countess Palinskvs asking her to forward it. As I was now Stein and had cut the painter with myself, it wasn’t of any consequence whether I was shadowed or not, so I wag only amused when on turning out of the Nevskaia I thought that some one was following mo. He was a fairly good hand at the business, and although I zig-zagged about somewhat erratically, lie was clever enough, to keep in touch-with me without at any time making himself too conspicuous. I put him down as one of the police who had noticed that I was a stranger and thought it necessary to keep me under observation. There were probably thousands of undesirables in Petrograd at the time, and the police were naturally enough interested in their movements. At the same time it was just as well to have a word with him, so after

an hour or so I made tracks for my flat, let myself in, shut the door, and waited for him to have time to come up to get the number of the house. Then I _ opened the door again and caught him in the act. “Come inside, friend, you’ve none too much light for writing,” I said quite pleasantly. He turned to hurry off without replying, so I popped after him and touched flhim on the shoulder. ' “'Why all that haste? You’ve been following me for an hour or more, and can’t bo in such a hurry. 4 ’ “ I don’t know what ou mean,” he stammered, rather taken aback. T wagged a finger at him and smiled. “Try the truth, my friend- You’ve roused my curiosity, you know. Com© in and have a drink and a cigar. I live her©. No- 5. Mv name’s Karl Stein, from America. What’s yours?” and I linked ray arm in his. H© wriggled‘in the effort to break away, repeating the trot about not understanding me. “You may _as well com© quietly, or I shall just pick you up and carry you in.” “ I’m sorry. I’ve made a mistake. That is all, [ am sorry.” “Don’t apologise. Not the slightest need. Tm glad to make your acquaintance, I’ve only just com© to the city and want to get to know a few people, especially any one who has shown such clinging solicitude about my doings as you have;” and T led him up to my room, plumped him into a chair, gave him a cigar, and poured him out a drink- Ho was a, gaunt, shabby-genteel, cadaverous creature.

looked half-starred, and relished the drmk. “Now, I’ve told yon my name, so what's yours?” Iran Ostrov,’" ‘ ‘ And what- are you, and who told you to shadow me?" I am of the secret police and was told to follow you.'' “ That's a. heap better, Iran; and why follow me?” “I do not know. It is not my business to ask,' - ' ‘'Well, you’re pretty spry at your job. Til give yon that credit. And I’ve no doubt you’re a rery decent fellow ; btrt it’s rather a rotten business, 1 should think. Is the pay good? You don’t look much like it.” “ None too good, sir. I have a wife and family, and the war has made everyth inn dear, and food is so scarce,” ho said, throwing up his hands. “Family cares, eh?” “It is bard to see your little ones crying for food when the cupboard is empty,” he replied with a very genuine sigh of trouble. “ This any coed to yon?” and I held out a ten-rouble note. His eyes gleamed, longingly. “ Yon are trying to bribe me, sir?” he queried suspiciously. “ Not I. Take it if you like. Pm sorry for yon; that’s all. Buy something for your children with it- You can go now if you wish.” He stared at the note and then at me in absolute bewilderment. “ But you want something in return for it?” he stammered, as if afraid to touch the note. “ There is no reason, why you should give that to me.” “ True.' But as I happen to have plenty and you seem to have mighty little, it pleases me,” I said with a reassuring smile.. “ You are an American?” “I’ve told you my name’s Stein.” ” But yon must, have some object.” he said fixing his eye;; on mo, as if to read it my face- Then he lapsed into thought, angering-, his cigar nervously. and glancing now at me and now at the note. Twice he seemed as if about to say something, but each time he checked the words. At last he picked up the note, rose and went to the door. “You say T can go?” “Certainly. Just as soon as you like. Good night.” “Good night sir;” and he wont out and shut the door. (To lie continued.)