Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1911 — Records MICHAEL of DANEVITCH [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Records MICHAEL of DANEVITCH

by GEORGB T. PARDY

iTue laics & .Russian becret bervice ’ bg GEORGB T. PARDY

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The Wiles of Madame Dubois It was a gloomy afternoon in the latter part of November. A thin, drizzling rain was falling, and the yellow lights of the street lamps glowed murkily through the heavy mist Michael Danevitch, driving slowly along the Strand, stared through the dirty window panes of a hansom, and inwardly commented on the depressing influence of the London atmosphere. He had come to the British capital in response to an urgent message dispatched to St Petersburg by the Russian ambassador to the court of St James, requesting the presence of the famous investigator at the earliest possible moment The detective had lost no time in answering the summons, and immediately on disembarking from the steamer, hailed a hansom, and ordered the Jehu to take .him to the Russian embassy. the ambassador at this time was Count Borolosky, a gentleman who was not only, distinguished as a diplomatist, but as a scholar. He was “ widower, and one of his attaches was his eldest son, Ferdinand. The count and his son were very popular amongst all classes of society, and being wealthy, they dispensed their hospitality in princely fashion. On arriving at the embassy Danevitch was shown to an elegantly furnished reception room. In the course of a few minutes, a tall, handsome young fellow entered the room, and Introduced himself as Ferdinand, the count’s son. “You haven’t seen my father yet,” he remarked. “I am sorry you have to wait a little while, Mr. Danevitch, but just before you arrived the count had to grant an audience to a cabinet minister. I don’t think he will be long, though. Did my father tell you in his letter why you are wanted?*' “Only that it was an affair of state in which my assistance was required,’’ responded the detective. “Well, it’s very Important, and no less mysterious,** remarked Ferdinand. “But with your wonderful ability, I have no doubt that the problem will be solved.” Danevitch glanced at the young fellow sharply. There seemed to him to be the least suspicion of a sneer accompanying the implied compliment to his skill. Before he could make a suitable reply, the door opened and a liveried footman entered, and announced that the count was ready to receive his visitor. Danevitch rose and followed the man. He Was ushered Into a large chamber, where a tall, distinguished looking man with Iron-gray hair was seated before a desk strewn with papers. In this august personage Danevitch recognised- Count Borolosky, who greeted him cordially.

"I gent for you, Mr. Danevitch," said the count, “In the hope that you may prove of service In recovering for me some highly Important documents which have mysteriously disappeared. I may at once tell you that the papers are a secret draft treaty between Russia and this country, and from a political point of view are of great value. They were to have been transmitted to St Petersburg by a special courier two days hence. But though I saw them safely locked up on the night of their disappearance they have vanished as utterly as though they had been converted into thin air. I employed the best detective talent that could be secured here, but up to the present, not the slightest trace of the missing documents has been discovered. There is no doubt whatever ag.to the papers having been stolen with asinister object. The treaty is. framed against Austria, and some one in the pay of the latter country has carried them off. ,And the theft may be the means of causing serious complications between Russia and her neighbor, even If It does not ultimately lead to war." "How long Is it since the papers disappeared?” asked Danevitch. “Nearly four weeks ago," replied the count “They were abstracted from my dispatch-box between the hours of midnight and eight o’clock in the morning. So far, no use has been made of the information thus obtained; that much I have been able to make certain of through my spies. Austria would have acted at once had the government of that country become aware of the contents of the treaty. This leads me to believe that the thief Is not in the Austrian employ, but secured the papers with the intention of speculating on a probable reward from the parties Interested. Evidently the person possessing them hah not yet received what he or she considers a fair financial offer for the Information they contain.” , "Where was the dispatch-box kept?” "In my bed room. I carried it there myself, when I retired for the night. I am absolutely certain that the papers were* Ip the box. I had occasion to open it a few minutes before retiring, and glanced over the contents. I then locked-the box and placed the key, which was one of a bunch, in a secret drawer in my escritoire. The

the lock was partially damaged. In fact, to some extent the lid was forced. I don’t know whom to suspect, but the robbery must have been committed by some member of my household. There were about a dozen persons, exclusive of the servants, sleeping In the house on the night of the theft” “It goes without saying that the traitor must belong in your own camp,” remarked Danevitch thoughtfully. “It will be necessary for me to have a list of all the people who, were in your house on the night of the robbery, and I must make their personal acquaintance.” “But that is almost out of the question,’* remonstrated the count “If I were to introduce you to them their dignity would be wounded, for they would think that they 'were all under suspicion.” “Which as a matter of fact they are,” responded Danevitch calmly. “That is rather a sweeping statement” retorted the count haughtily. “There is my son, for instance. I couldn’t suspect him, not to mention several Intimate and dear friends of mine.” “Have you made ft known to all your suite that these papers have been stolen?" i "No. With the exception of my son, my confidential secretary, and my business secretary, nobody in the house knows anything about it” , "Well, count in spite of what you have said/l repeat that it will ' be necessary for me to make the acquaintance of every person In your suite, as well as every member of your household. But I shall know them . without their knowing me. I must be your guest for a day or two, and you may rest assured that I will not betray myself.”

/.“•.-do not like the scheme,” replied the count uneasily. “It seems to me that It Is hardly in accordance with my honor—” “Pardon me,” Interrupted Danevitch. “If I am to handle this case, I must do so In my own way. Should yon not care to assent to my plans, I can only return to St Petersburg, and report at the home office that there is nothing further to be done." Count Borolosky frowned. He was not accustomed to dealing with men of Danevitch’s type. Those surrounding him were subordinates who dared not dispute his will in any particular, and the habit of command had become second nature to him. But he knew enough about the great detective to be aware that what the latter said was final and to the point. And as a matter of fact his political future was bound up In the recovery of the stolen papers. To be recalled from his post In disgrace would be a decidedly unpleasant alternative, and it was best to choose the lesser evil by countenancing the detective’s plans. “Have your own way, then,” he said. "What do you suggest ?” "First, I would like to see your bedroom, and the position In which the box was placed on the night of the theft." .

"I will take you there myself," responded Borolosky. Leading the way, he ascended a private staircase, and conducted Danevitch to his bedroom. It was a large chamber, furnished richly, and with great taste. The room was about thirty-eight feet, long, with several recesses In it It was lighted by four windows, all on one side. The bed stood between two of these windows. At one end of the apartment was a dressing and bathroom; but they could only be reached through the main At the othey end a door gave access to a smaller chamber, which the count stated was his son’s bedroom. The floor of both rooms was covered with a rich, thick carpet, which deadened every footfall. The count’s bed was a heavy old-fashioned four-poster, draped with silk-lined curtains. Any one lying In the bed would have but a limited view of the room. The dispatch-box had been placed on a table that stood against the wall, and between the bed and Ferdinand's room. Danevitch ascertained that the count always locked his door after his valet de chambre had retired, and ho kept a light burning all night But strangely enough, on the night when the papers were stolen, the door was not locked. When the count went to his room he was very tired, for he had had an excessively fatiguing day. On attempting to lock his door after his valet de chambre had gone, he found that there was something the matter with the key. He was too tired to let this trouble him. He looked into his son’s room, bnt he had not come up yet So the count got Into bed, thinking his son would not be long, and when he heard him, he intended to call out to him. However, he fell asleep, and slept soundly until he was awakened by his valet bringing him his morning coffee. He did not discover that the box had been tampered with, until he was fully dressed, and about to go downstairs. On making the discovery he rushed to hl* aagg room, but Ferdinand was sleeping

ayaH fAii **■*“ w it hl tO th bad been In Borolosky’s service for many years. AU the other servants were Russians, with the exception of the chef, who was a Frenchman, distinguished In his own particular line. Satisfied with hie examination of the bed-chambers, Danevitch returned in company with the count to the latter’s room, where Ferdinand was sitting waiting. 1 "Well, what success have you had?” Inquired the young fellow. : “None. Have you any theory of your Own?” .' ■, “Only this,” returned Ferdinand. “Some one tampered with the lock of the count’s bedroom, so that the door could not be secured. Of course, the person who did so was either bribed for that especial purpose, or he was the party who stole the papers.' As to who that person was, however, I haven’t the faintest suspicion.” “Nor have I at present,” remarked Danevitch. "But there is no telling what the future may hold.” ■ “What are your plans?” asked the count’s son curiously. “I have made none as yet," replied Danevitch evasively. The tone In which he spoke Indicated that he did not care to be questioned further, and the- young man said nothing. Intimating thaV he would return In the course of two hours, the detective took his leave, but in about twenty minutes Borolosky received a note from him asking for a flve-mlnutes’ interview alone. The count came at once to the ante room room, looking somewhat surprised. "I came back for a special purpose,” said Danevitch. “You lunch, I believe, in an hour and a half from now?’’ ' “That is so.” ““““ “Then I shall return when you are

Jobbery, and bore a London address. The name signed to the letters was Sophia Dubois. In the same drawer he discovered a photograph of a beautiful woman in the early thirties, with "Sophia” traced in pencil on the back. Among Danevitch’s gifts which had proved of immense help to him to the practise of his profession was a most tenacious memory for faces. Having once seen the features of a man or woman, he seldom forgot them, and the sight of this picture caused him to reflect deeply. Somewhere, at some time, he had seen the person whom It represented, and his lips set firmly as he raised the veil of toe past years In an endeavor to Identify her. Suddenly his eyes flashed and a triumphant exclamation escaped him. He recalled toe arrest of Ivan Nelldova, six, years before, and knew that he had identified the woman of the photograph. She was then the daughter of Nelldova, and when her father was convicted of engaging in a Nihilist conspiracy against toe life of the emperor, toe young woman had also been placed in captivity. Nelldova was sent to Siberia, where he died, but sufficient evidence against toe daughter was lacking, and she was set at liberty. Later, she had married, a Frenchman named Emile Dubois, who had become a naturalized Russian. The death of Dubois a year later left Sophia a charming widow with a respectable fortune. Shortly after her husband’s death she had left St Petersburg, and presumably came to London, where she entered society and made the acquaintance of the Boroloskys. Here, then, was a possible motive for the disappearance of the count’s papers. It was not to be supposed that Sophia Dubois, reared as she had been in a veritable hotbed of conspiracy and antagonism to the Russian government, had ever forgotten or forgiven those who had caused her father’s death- If, as the letters Indicated, young Borolosky had fallen a victim to this siren’s charms, it was easy to deduce that for her sake he would be willing to sacrifice both his own and his father’s honor. The papers Were probably in toe possession of Sophia Dubois. She was cunning enough to know that toe Austrian government would be wlll-

at lunch. I want yon to give your vale,t de chambre instructions to receive me, and at once conduct me to your bedroom, where I am to be left entirely alone for half an hour." ‘ Borolosky nodded. "I don’t pretend to follow your scheme of doing things,” he said, “but since I have promised to let you work out whatever devices you please, I shall comply with your request Is there anything more?” "Does your valet de chambre know anything of the robbery?” asked the detective. • /: •< ■' t ''7. ,0■ ■ "Na He has not been told.” "Then please let him be kept in ignorance," returned Danevitch, “and leave the rest to me.” At the appointed time Danevitch returned to the house, and In accordance with his request, wgs conducted to the count’s bedroom, where he was left by himself. At his very first Interview with Ferdinand the csar*s special agent had been struck with the former’s apparent Insincerity. When he paid the initial visit to Borolosky** bedroom and found that his son’s sleeping apartment adjoined that of his father, he began to think that it was within the bounds of possibility that Ferdinand himself might be the guilty person, or at least in league with the conspirator* who had made away with the paper*. His suspicion was strengthened when, unseen by anyone, he picked up in Ferdinand’s room a small piece of wax on which was a faint Impression of a key. When bls request to be left alone In the room was granted, he made a thorough examination of the son’s apartment. In the drawer of. a cabinet he found some letters written to Russian. They were from,a lady, and addressed to the young man. Danevitch ran his eye over the contents quickly. They Were love missives and contained nothing bearing tn any way upon the

tng to par a heavy price for the information she had thus gained, and was in all likelihood still negotiating for what she deemed the full value of her secret In this way she would be enabled at once to deal a severe blow to the hated government of the czar and supply the revolutionary party with fresh funds. The devotion of the conspirators to their cause, Danevitch knew to be unlimited. Possible death or banishment to the wild wastes'of Siberia counted for nothing in their estimation, when compared with the advantage of being able to strike a single blow for what they considered the sacred rights of freedom. But where was Sophia now? It was In the hope of tracing that elusive lady’s whereabouts that Danevitch again had recourse to z the count, and with the latter’s permission, made his appearance at a dinner given to Borolosky’s .friends. Danevitch was Introduced as a French priest by the name of Paul Verney. The supposed Verney was a smooth-faced man, with flowing silvery hair that gave him a venerable appearance. Having very weak eyes, he wore smoke-colored glasses. His clerical attire was faultless, and from his neck was suspended a little golden crucifix. The dinner party consisted of fourteen persons, including the count’s son and two members of the English cabinet. The French priest proved himself to be a very entertaining personage, and made himself especially agreeable to the count’s son, by whom he was seated. In the course of conversation with Ferdinand. Father Ventey contrived to to ask him if ho had ever met a certain Madame Sophia Dubois. The latter, Verney went on to state, was a Russian lady who had married a countryman of his, and the father had heard that following the death of her husband, the widow had taken np her residence In London,

where she was much admired to society. Ferdinand appeared somewhat ill at ease when asked this question, but Varney's demeanor was so innocent and Ingratiating that the count’s son quickly regained his self possession, and replied that he was fortunate to be acquainted with toe lady. Further questioning by Verney elicited toe fact that madame had left England to pay a visit to her old home In 8t Petersburg; and then, as though tired of the subject, toe father turned toe conversation into other channels. Late that night Michael Danevitch restored to his former self, sought an Interview with Count Borolosky, and in the privacy of the latter’s study unfolded to him toe horrifying story'', ofc his son’s treachery. At first Borolosky refused to admit the possibility of Ferdinand’s double dealing; but was stunned into silence when the detective exhibited to him a confession signed by his son, in which the latter asserted that he had stolen toe papers at toe instigation of the woman with whom he had fallen in love. As a matter of fact, Danevitch had relied largely on taking Ferdinand by surprise when he extorted toe confession from him. The device had succeeded, for the count’s son imagined from the detective’s confident bearing and emphatic assertions that he was in possession of much stronger evidence than he really had. It might have been a difficult matter under English law to have procured Ferdinand’s arrest; also such a proceeding would have made toe whole matter public, and probably resulted In some of Madame Dubois' friends conveying to her full details of the affair. Danevitch was anxious to keep her in Ignorance, and If possible, secure her arrest In St. Petersburg with the incriminating documents In her possession. With a view to that end he agreed with the unhappy father that the best thing that could be done was to connive at Ferdinand’s escape to another country. This was done, and the Infatuated young man went to India, where he lived until a year later, when he died of a malignant fever.

Meanwhile no change was manifest In the political attitude of the Austrian government, and it was evident that Madame Dubois had not yet succeeded in disposing of her secret. Danevitch lost no time in hastening back to St. Petersburg, where he put an the resources of his police bureau Into toe work of watching toe movements of madame and her confederates. During the Investigations which followed it became clear that toe members of the revolutionary branch of which Madame Sophia was an active head, were contemplating toe execution of a new and fiendish plot that threatened the destruction of toe czar and his entire cabinet For this reason Danevitch kept his hands off madame. He was gradually weaving together the meshes of a net In which he hoped to catch all the conspirators together, and at last toe night arrived when he resolved to strike toe final blow. Over toe dirty spaces of the Viborg district are scattered squat and tum-ble-down structures. The Isolated streets and alleys of this quarter furnished a rendezvous for the dregs of the populace of St. Petersburg. Gangs of thieves had established their headquarters there. Escaped convicts from Siberia found security In this refuge until new crimes found them out, when they were flogged and sent back into exile. In one of the most remote and lonely streets of toe district there stood a large one-story house, which had long been unoccupied. Its shutters were fiever seen to open, and toe yard, which had not been trodden by human feet in years, was covered with tall weeds. This building had once belonged to a rich usurer, who settled in this resort of thieves for the convenience of trading in stolen goods. The usurer died intestate, and the dlstant relatives had been fighting each other in the courts for years to obtain title to toe property. Every dark night figures could be seen walking uselessly, one by one, through the yard, endeavoring not to leave any traces behind them. Turning around the -corner of the house, they would disappear as If they had been swallowed up by the earth. On this particular night toe house was Immersed, as usual, in complete darkness; only at times a dim light would appear on toe spot where the spectral forms disappeared. The mysterious figures had, In fact, descended into a cellar. ■ There were assembled there eighteen or twenty persons, several of whom were women. The assemblage was made up of disaffected military officers, writers, students, and of toe youth who sought to create a revolution in Russia. The fate of so many of their predecessors, who had for their motto the words, "Liberty and a Constitution,” did not deter them. Chief among the conspirators, and as conspicuous for her remarkable beauty as for her commanding air was toe tall handsome figure of Madame Sophia Dubois. In the center of the cellar stood an empty barrel. Upon it lay an Icon of the Smolensk holy mother, in a silver plate, with two daggers in toe form of a cross. Each conspirator, upon entering. made a low bow before the icon, touched it with hl* Ups and took his seat. The meeting place was rudely furnished. In place of stools and chairs there were empty barrels and boxes, with boards across them. An old bed with a threadbare mattress on it served as a chair for the presiding officer; and here Madam Dubois took her seat when the meeting wasModared open. The woman whose fascination, had lured the younger Borolosky to ruin, addressed the assembly in a speech that was full of fire and energy. She touched upon toe sufferings of their brotherv In exile, epokn of the tyrant

■ ttrnaflorf' ovtsi VW* I**.-.' we are now on the eve of an.w.. rising that will shako Russia to her* uuuuu«iicß, xjiuva mu»i now, rar complished Without toe Slot the sword and dagger. Ere has passed away toe arch tyrimT.wflt B> join his father, my of the miscreants who> orders. To Brother ■ fallen by lot the task the first machine which he palace. Brother is aft ddle-aged man stood up he presiding officer. "Alt is prepared," he said. "Tomorrow a* six in toe afternoon toe signal wflk be given.” A murmur of approval went round the circle. When ,it had subsided. Madam Dubois agald addressed toe assembly. "This is not all,” she said, smiling. "I, too, will have accomplished something of moment tor the benefit of the society before noon tomorrow. Recently in London It was my fortune to become possessed of certain information concerning plans of the Russian government with regard to a foreign power. For weeks I have waited in order to obtain a fitting price from toe power in question in return for toe knowledge of my secret In the morning an agent from Austria will visit my house prepared to pay over a large amount of money for toe surrender of the documents I hold. The effect of this will be to plunge Russia into a way with Austria. With the government shocked to Its center by toe slaying of Its tyrant heads, and embroiled in a struggle with a powerful neighbor, the path of the revolutionists will be made easy. Already we number in our ranks many adherents who wear the military uniform. When the word is given their weapons will be turned to aid, not destroy, their brothers. The money received from toe Austrian agent I will devote to toe common brotherhood fund. The papers are here.” She held on high a bundle of documents, at the sight of which the brethren broke into a subdued cheer. At toe same moment a dark, thickset man, who until now had remained in the background, pushed forward to where Madam Dubois was sitting. HIS face was partially concealed by a huge woolen muffler and a fur cap that came down far over his brows. Extending his hand he snatched ths papers from the grasp of toe astounded president and backed hastily to the wall. Here he stood silent for an instant, and then laughed aloud as Madam Dubois gave vent to a cry of anger. “There is a tralter in our midst!” she cried shrilly. "How gained he admittance here? Seize him, brothers!” Several men pushed forward at her command, but came to an abrupt-halt at toe sight of a huge steel revolver that glittered wickedly in the stranger's hand. "Stand back, fools,” he roared in a voice of thunder. "The first man that approaches me dies. Your plots are discovered, and I arrest you all In the name of toe czar. Without there, comrades, enter!” - - He raised his hand an Instant as he shouted the final words, and fired a shot into the ceiling. He was answered by a cheer from outside, there was a rush of many feet, the cellar door burst open, and troop of heavily armed gendarmes entered. Michael Danevitch, for it was none other than, the intrepid detective who had penetrated in disguise to the haunt of the revolutionists, gave his orders tit quick, short tones, and the occupants of the cellar were seized and placed in custody. Count Borolosky, mourning over the disgrace that had befallen his name, was roused to something, like thankfulness by the receipt o!Ua message from St Petersburg which Informed him that the stolen treaty had been recovered, and that toe woman who had ruined his son was safe in toe grip of the law. By Danevitch’s clever work, the Nihilist plot for the destruction of toe czar and his cabinet had been rendered impotent. All of the conspirators were given severe sentences for their complicity Ihtoe threatened uprising; and for the wily Madam Dubois there remained the living death of perpetual exile in the frozen wastes of Siberia.

"STAND BACH FOOLS THE FIRST MAN THAT APPROACHES ME DIES"

THE FAINT IMPRESSION OF A KEY WAS ON THE WAX