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About The gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925 | View Entire Issue (April 8, 1915)
15 HOME AND FA KM MAGAZINE SECTION SERIAL. The Secret of the Night By Gaston Leroux TIIIIII.I.IVU JIISiKIIV STOIIV (IP m SVIIV IXTKICIE IIV OTKD KREXCH Al'THOB. HOME AND FARM MAGAZINE SECTION SYNOI'MS OF I'KfcVlOl'S ( IIAI'TKKS. ViunB Joseph noulatabtlle. ostensibly a reporter for a Paraiaian newspaper, hut. In fact, a defective of renown, is called to Russia by t!ie t'zar to pave the lite ot Lienors! Trebassof (Keoiior KeudrirovUchl who has btn-n cnnJemmHl to itoatti by the Nlhllim. He is received by the tlon eral's eier-falihful antl eer-wat, -brill who, .Modnme Treliassof Matreiut i'ctro ina i. He meets Nau-ha, the General's daughter hv a pr.'Vtuus mariiae. Vle General is Bt hi villa, surrounded by a few fatthl'ul tiiends. Itoulelabille lains of t lie first two attt-mpta asaimn the Itfe of the General front Waiiame Trebassnf. One of Koulet ahille's flrft actions Is to dismiss thg seeret polite nuarUli.K tlie villa, Houletabllle nears of the third -attenuipt on the Gen eral's life, hy means of a clockwork bomb set in a vase of flowers on lib table. It was frustrated bv Maitame TrebasRof, who was slUhtlv inlured by the explosion. The detective Ifxirns that Natcha is In love wllh Bcrls, but also is very frrendJy to wards MidiS'-l. He learns the secret of the nitrlit the terrible nightmares that are experienced by the aged General. Natacha fs suspected of complicity In the plots afininst the life of the Gcnernl. but Kou- letabllle stoutly atllrms nis belter in ner inno'nce. Though a great warning tells Koulet'iMlle that his ward, tho General, will be dead In 48 hours, the detective suk- ests a promenade by the sea. unattended. Natacha absents herself during the prom enade on slight cause. v THE transparence of the iky and the transparence ot the null blended their two unrealities bo that one could not note here the horizons met. Roiiletnbllle looked at the view and looked at the General, and in all his young vibrating soul there was a sense of Infinite sadness, for he recalled those terrible words In the night: "They have ione Into all the comers of the Russian land, and they have not found a single corner of that land where there are not moanlnes." "Well," thought he, "they have not come into this t-orner, apparently. I don't know anything lovelier or happier In the world." No, no, llouletnhille, they have not come here. In every country there is a corner of happy life, which the poor are ashamed to approach, which they know nothing of, and ot which merely the sight would turn famished mothers enraged, with their thin bosoms, and, if it is not more beautiful than that, certainly no part of the earth is made so atrouioua to live in for some, nur bo happy lor others as in this Scythian country, tho boreal country of the world." .Meanwhile tho little group about the Generals rollius-chair had attracted at tention. Some passer-by saluted, and the news spread quickly that General Trebassof had come for a promenade to "the Point." Heads turned as carriages passed. The General, noticing how much excitement his presence produced, begged Matrena Petrovna to push his chair into an adjacent bypath, behind a shield of trees, where lie would be able to enjoy the spectacle in peace. He was found, nevertheless, by Koupralne, the chief of police, who was looking for him. Ho had gone to the dntclia and been told there that the Qenerul. accompanied by his friends and the young Frenchman, had gone for a turn along the gulf. Kou pralne had left his carriage at the datcha, and tnkeit the shortest routo after them. Ha was a fine man, large, solid, clear eyed. Ills uniform showed his fine build to advantage. He was generally liked in fcit. Petersburg, where his martini bearing and his well-known bravery had glveu him a sort of popularity in society, which, on the other hand, had great disdain for Qomisovskl, the head of the secret police, who was known to be capable of anything underhanded, .and had been accused of some times playing into the hands of the Nihilists, whom ho disguised as agentB-provocatetus, without anybody really doubting it, and he had to fight against these widespread po litical suspicions. Well-Informed men declared that the death of tho previous "prime minister," who had been blown up before Varsovle station when he was on his way to the Tsar at I'etcrhof, was Gounsovskl's work and that In tills he was the Instrument of the party at court which had sworn the death of tho minister which Inconvenienced it. On the other hand, everyone regarded Koupriane as Incapable of participating in any such horrors and that ho contented himself with honest performance of his obvious duties, confining himself to ridding the Btreets of Its troublesome elements, and sending to Siberia as many as ho could of the hot heads, without lowering himself to tho com promises which, more than once, had given grounds for Hie enemies of the empire to maintain that it was difficult to say whether the chiefs of the Russian, police played tho part of the law or that of tho revolutionary party, even that the police had been at the end of a certain time of such mixed pro cedure hardly ablo to decide themselves which they did. This afternoon Koupiinne appeared very nervous. Ha pnid his compliments to tho General, grumbled at his Imprudence, praised him for his bravery, and then at once picked out Iiouletabille, whom he took aside to talk to. "l'ou have sent my men back to me," said ho to the young reporter. "You under stand that I do not allow that. They are furious, and quite rightly. You have given publicly as explanation of their departure a departure which has naturally aston ished, stupefied tho GeneralB friends the suspicion of their possible participation in the 'last attack. That Is abominable, and 1 will not permit It. My men have not been trained in the methods of Gounsovski, and It does them a cruel injury, which I resent, for tluit matter, personally, to treat them this way. But let that go, as a matter ot sentiment, and return to the simple fact Itself, which proves your excessive im prudence, not to say more, and which In volves you, you alone, In a responsibility of which you certainly have not measured the Importance. All In all. I consider that you have strangely abused the complete author ity that 1 gave you upon the Emperor's orders. When I learned w hat you had done I went to find the Tsar, as was my duty, and told him the whole thing. He was more astoniHliod than can be expressed. He di rected me to go myself to find out just how things were and to furnish the General the guard you had removed. 1 arrive at the isles and not only find the villa open like a mill where anyone may enter, but I am informed, and then I see, that the General is promenading in the midst of the crowd, at the mercy of the first miserable ven turer. Monsieur Iiouletabille. I am not satisfied. The Tsar is not satisfied. And, within an hour, my men will return to as sume their guard at the datcha." Rouletabllle listened to the end. Xo one ever had spoken to him In that tone, lie was red. and as ready to burst as a child's balloon blown too hard. He said: "And I will tako the train this evening." "You will go?" "Ves, and you can guard your General all alone. I have had enough of it. Ah, you arc not satisfied! Ah, the Tsar is not satis fied! It is too bad. No more of it for me. Monsieur; I am not satisfied, and I say good-evening to you. Only do not forget to send me from here every three or four days a letter which will keep me Informed of the health of the General, whom I love dearly. 1 will offer up a little prayer for him." Thereupon 'he was silent, for he caught the glance of Matrena Petrovna, a glance so desolated, so Imploring, so desperate, that the poor woman inspired him anew with great pity. Natacha had not returned. What was the younisgirl doing at that mo ment? If Matrena really loved Natacha she must be suffering atrociously. Kou priane spoke: Roulotabille did not hear him, and he had already forgotten his own anper. His spirit was wrapped la the mystery. "Monsieur," Kouprlane finished hy say ing, tugging his sleeve, "do you hoar me? 1 pray you at least reply to me. I offer all possible excuses for speaking to you in that tone. I reiterate them. I ask your pardon. 1 pray you to explain your conduct, which appeared imprudent to me but which, after all, should have some reason. I have to ex plain to the Emperor, WH1 you tell me? What ought I to say to liie Emperor?" "Nothing at all," said Rouletabille. "I have no explanation to give you or the Kmperor, or to anyone. You can offer him my utmost homage and do me the kindness to vise my passport for this evening." And he sighed: "It is too had, for we were just about to see something interesting." Kouprlane looked at him. Rouletabllle had not quitted llalrena Petrovna s eyes, and her pallor struck Kotiprianc. "Just a minute," continued the young man. "I'm sure there is someone who will miss me that brave woman ihere. Ask her which she prefers, all your police, or her dear little domovoi. We are good friends already. And don't forget to pre sent my condolences to her when the terrible moment has come." It was Kouprianc's turn to be tioubUd. He coughed and said: "You believe, then, that the General runs a great immediate danger?" "I dn not only believe it, monsienr, I am sure of It. His death is a matter of hours, the poor dear man. Before I go I shall not fall to tell him, so that he can prepare himself comfortably for the great Journey and ask pardon of the Lord for the rather heavy hand he has laid on these poor men of Presnia." "Monsieur Rouletabllle, have you discov ered something?" "Good Lord, yes. I have discovered some thing, Monsieur Kouprlane. You don't sup pose I have como so far to waste ffty time, do you?" "Something no one else knows?" "Yes, Monsieur Koupriane, otherwise I shouldn't have troubled to feel concerned. Something I tave not confided to anyone, not even to nry note-book, because a note book, you know, a note-book can always be lost, I Just mention that In case you had any idea of having me searched before my departure." "Oh. Monsienr Rouletabllle'." "Eh, eh, like the way the police do In your country: in mine too, for that mRtter. Yes, that's often enough seen. The police, furious because they cant hit a clue in some case that interests them, arrest a reporter who knows more than they do, In order to make him talk. But nothing ot that sort with me monsieur. Ton might have me taken to your famous 'Terrible Section,' I'd not open my mouth, not even hi tho famous rocking-chair, not even un der the blows of clenched fists." "Monsieur RouletabiUe, what do you take us for? You are the guest of the Tsar." "Ah, I have the word of an honest man. Very well, I will treat you as an honest man. I will tell you what I have discov ered. I don't wish through any false pride to knep you In darkness about something which may perhaps I say perhaps permit you to save the General." "Tell, me. ' I am listening." "Uut.it is perfectly understood that once I havo told you this you will give me my passport and allow me to depart?" "You feel that you couldn't possibly," in quired Koupriane, more and more troubled, and after a moment of hesitation, "you couldn't possloly tell me that and yet re mit In?" "No, monsieur. From the moment you plnee mo under the necessity of explaining each of my movements and each of my .acta, I prefer to go and leave to you that 'responsibility' of which you spoke Just now, my dear Monsieur Koupriane." Astonished and disquieted by this long coiiYcrsa).i,on- between Itbuletabille aml the Head of Police, Matrena Petrovna continu ally turned upon thein her anguished glance, which always insensibly softened as it tested on KoulctaoiUe. Koupriane read there all the hope that the brave woman had in the young reporter, and he read also In Rouletabille's eye all the extraordinary confidence that the mere boy had in him self. As a last consideration had he not al leady something in iiand in circumstances where all the police of the world had ad mitted themselves vanquished? Koupriane pressed Rouletabille's hand and said just one word to him: "Remain." Having saluted the General and Matrena affectionately, and a group of friends in one eourteous sweep, he departed, with thoughtful brow. During all this time the General, en chanted with the promenade, told stories of the Caucasus to his friends, believing him self young again and re-living his nights as sub-lieutenant at Tiflis. As to Natacha, no one had seen her. They retraced the way to the villa along deserted by-paths. Koupriane' g call .made occasion for Athanaee Clcorgevitch and Thaddeus.'and the two of ficers also, to say that he was the only honest man in all the Russian police, and that Matrena Petrovna was a great woman to have dared rid herself of the entire clique of agents, who are often more revolution ary than the Nihilists themselves. Thus they arrived at the datcha. The General inquired for Natacha, not understanding why she had left him thus during his first venture out. The schwitzar replied that the young mistress had re turned to the house and had left again about a quarter of an hour later, taking the way that the party had gone on their prom enade, and he had not seen her since. Boris spoke up: "She must have passed on the other side ' of the carriages while we were behind the trees. General, and not seeing us she has gone on her way, making the round of the island, over as far as the Barque." The explanation seemed the most plausi ble one. "Has anyone else been here?" demanded fatrena, forcing her voice to be calm. Rouletabllle saw her band tremble on the handle of the rolling-chair, which she had not quitted for a second during all -the promenade, refusing aid from the officers, the friends, and even from RouletablHu. "First there came the Head of Police, who told me he would go and find you, Barinia, and right after, His Excellency the Marshal of the Court. His Excellency will return, although he is very pressed for time, before he takes the train at 7 o'clock for Krasnoie-Coelo." All this had been said In Russian, natural ly, but Matrena translated the words ot the schwitzar into French In a low voice for Rouletabllle, who was near her.. The Gen eral during this time had taken Rouleta bllle s hand and pressed it affectionately. as if, in that mute way, to thank him for all the young man had done for them. Feodor himself also had confidence, and ha was grateful for the freer air that he was being allowed to breathe. It seemed to him' that he was emerging from prison Never theless, as tho promenade had been a little fatiguing, Matrena ordered hiln to go and rest immediately. Athanasc and Tliaddeua took their leave. The two officers were al ready at the end of the garden, talking coldly, and almost confronting one another; like wooden soldiers. Without doubt they; were arranging the conditions of an en- counter to settlo their little difference at once. The schwitzar gathered the General Into his great arms and carried him into the veranda. Feodor demanded five minutes' respite before be was taken upstairs to his chamber. Matrena Petrovna had a light luncheon brought at his request. In truth, the good woman trembled with impatience and hardly dared move without consulting Rouletabille's face. While the General talked with Ermolal, who passed him his tea, Rouletabllle made a sign to Matrena that she understood at once. She joined the young- man In the drawing-room. "Madame," he said rapidly, in a low voice, "you must go at once to ee what has hap pened there." He pointed to the dining-room. "Very well." It was pitiful to watch her. "Go, madame, with courage." ; "Why don't you eome with me?" "Because, madame, I have something to do elsewhere. Give me the keys of the net floor." "No, no. What for?" "Not a second's delay, for the love of Heaven. Do what I tell you on your side, and let me do mine. The keys! Come, the) keys!" He snatched them rather than took them, and pointed a last time to the dining-room with a gesture so commanding that she did not hesitate further. She entered the dining-room, shaking, while he bounded to the upper floor. He was not long. He took only time to open the doors, throw a glance Into the General's chamber, a single glance, and to return, letting a cry of joy escape him, borrowed from his new and very limited accomplishment of Russian, "Cara cho!" fTo Be Continued.) Beacon Burner FREE FITS YOUR OLD LAMP, 100 Caadla Power lanaefit pure white light from tkemwne) coal oil. BeaU either ens or elrtririty. COSTS ONLY 1 CENT HW 6 VUtS 5 We want one person in each locality to 1 utVinm -( ran wtVt nrw RllfttrmaVB. tTmke advmiter$ro of our Special Off er to I secure a ueaeon nnrner rns, nnw Itodty. AUJiNTS WAfTlBJJ. HOME SUPPLY CO.. 108 Home Bid.. 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