Part 13 (1/2)

They looked after hi that evoked a chorus of laughter froh I doubt if the man who appeared to be the object of theircuriously serene and aloof about hiht my berth, and turned in at once, for I was dead tired

I slept soundly through the long hours while the train rushed onwards through the night; and did not wake till ere nearing the gri I dressed, andand every table occupied, until I reached the extreme end of the car, where there were two tables, each with both seats vacant

I had scarcely settled rabbed by an excited individual, who tried to haulof abuse, in a mixture of Russian and Gernantly demanded an explanation I had to shout to make myself heard He would not listen, or release his hold, while with his free hand he gesticulated wildly towards two soldiers, who, I noere stationed at the further door of the car In an instant they had covered me with their rifles, and they certainly looked as if they meant business But what in thunder had I done?

At that sauarded doorway,--the tall officer who had interested ht

He paused, and evidently took in the situation at a glance

”Release that gentleman!” he commanded sternly

My captor obeyed, so promptly that I nearly lost no back into the seat fro to eject me The soldiers presented arms to the new-coone out of hiy and explanation, which the officer cut short with a gesture

I was on my feet by this time, and, as he turned to ies, Monsieur The other tables were full, and I had no idea that these were reserved--”

”They are not,” he interrupted courteously ”At least they were reserved in defiance of ive me the pleasure of your company”

I accepted the invitation, of course; partly because, although it was given so frankly and unceremoniously, it ith the air of one whose invitations were in the nature of ”coly than ever I knew that he nito; though a nized Seen in daylight he appeared even hts of the station His face was as handsoh the chin was concealed by a short beard, bronze-colored like his hair, and cut to the fashi+on set by the present Tsar His eyes were singularly blue, the clear, vivid Scandinavian blue eyes, keen and far-sighted as those of an eagle, seldom seen save in sailor men who have Norse blood in their veins

I wonder now that I did not at once guess his identity, though he gave me no clue to it

When he ascertained that I was an American, who had travelled considerably and was now bound for Russia, he plied me with shrewd questions, which showed that he had a pretty wide knowledge of social and political h he had never been in the States

”This is your first visit to Russia?” he inquired, presently ”No?”

I explained that I had spent a winter in Petersburg some years back, and had preserved very pleasant memories of it

”I trust your present visit h you will probably perceive a great difference Not that we are in the constant state of exciten papers,” he added with a slight say city it was, 'Paris by the Neva' as we used to say We--”

He checked himself and rose as the train pulled up for the few ht salute turned and passed through the guarded doorway

”Can you tell me that officer's name?” I asked the conductor, as I retreated to the rear car

”You know hi the tip I produced

”I don't know his name”

”Then neither do I,” retorted the man surlily

I saw no more of my new acquaintance till we reached the frontier, when, as with the other passengers I was hustled into the apartlirille_, that, with its aruard, is the actual line of demarcation between the two countries Beside him trotted a fat little man in the unifor familiarly