The Book of All-Power

-tips. He also held certain races in profound contempt, not because he knew the countries, but be

r. Bim required very little inveigling. The truth was, of course, that the gun-man had a supreme contempt for all Russians, whom he had classified mistaken

ut what that bunch will do? No, sir! But I'm powerfully disinclined to associate myself with

pted on the spot, and came down to the stuffy little underground room, expecting no more than to be asked to deliver a lecture on the gentle art of assassination. Not that he knew very much about it, because Cherry, with t

errogated him before, was not present. In his place sat a smaller man, wit

hich struck him was that he was r

ke in perfect English, indicat

ve asked you to come because we have

trouble you with my presence, gents, and----" he looked in vain for the woman he had see

ingsong tone, "does it not make your bloo

anny don't mean any more in my young life than Hennessy, and tyrants more than hydrants. I guess I was brought up in a land of freedom and

but Nicholas p

was the Czar?"

im gaped

mace to emphasize his disbelief in the evide

zar for two thousand p

e back of his head and got up,

said, "and that's

y Bim remained where he stood, surprised to silence, for the face of

wly to the table and dropped into a broken

a crook, but never once have I seen a guy got up like that villai

d stranger. Only three men in the room were in the secret of the newco

"but there are many reasons why you

dn't know me again," said Cherry, "yet I've oblige

osition," said the man.

ously. "I've told these lads before that I am not falling f

ed man c

," he said. "Nicholas, give

ossed to the man on his left, and Cherry Bim, to whom tainted money was as acce

in New York with my experience, tact and finesse. Show me a job that can be done single-handed, with a dividend at the end of it, and I'll s

held up

aid; "was th

nuine surprise, for Irene Yaroslav was well known to them, and it was Irene Yaroslav who stood with her back to the door. She

rael Kensky?

asked face, for he sat under a light and his

ed her, and s

s Israel

ly, as she took two paces and stopped

she asked. "What are

lmost a shout, and yet

own position, if amongst these men

ntion my n

re?" she asked. "And w

ganoff's voice was une

as before her and stood wi

l wait,"

er from Israel Kensky telling me to come here under his protect

omething of his self-poss

Irene. I sent it because I particula

ied to force her way past him, but his str

h a flaming fa

w this villain, who betrayed my father a

n, and nobody moved

English

he stout little man with his grotesque

thlessly, "by this man"--she pointed to Serganoff. "

s for helping you, why, bless you, you ca

r. Cherry's hands went up. "You'll keep out of this and do not interfere," said Serganoff

board, but which a few knew was a safety bolt in case of trouble. The Prince had recognized t

r. She struggled to escape, but the hand that held the key also held the

s man is Serganoff, the Chie

hurrying footsteps. A voice from t

rther door. He dragged her through this apartment, up a short flight of stairs. They were on the level of the restaurant, and the girl could hear the clatter of plates as he pushed her up another stairw

k the door and then he turned

uld recognize me,

ked the girl with heaving bosom.

almly. "Calm yourself, Irene. I have saved you from a great disgrace. Are you aware

n the room but for you,"

heir to your father's estate. Beyond the property which is settled on yo

ed bitterly. "I'd as soon h

happened to-night? An anarchist club in London has been raided, and the Grand Duchess Ire

e knew as well as he in what bad odour her father stood at Court, and

said steadily. "A letter came to me,

m me," he i

nned the rai

nod

ll-known New York gun-man. He is wanted by the police, who probably have him in their custody at this moment. He was brought

ga

n-man's evidence is taken in court, matters

u propose?"

you and hand you over to the police. The second is that you should underta

as si

sibility?" she asked,

selves--as I happen to know, some of the best families in Russia are associated with plotters of this type. As for the American, who might be inclined to talk, in a few weeks he will be

stopped to listen. It was not a thick door, and he could hear Serganoff's voice very clearly. He stooped down to the key-hole. Serganoff had not taken the key out, and it was an old-fashioned key, the end of which projected an eigh

re, for they are instructed to make a complete search of the house. I can either explain that you

e and this she was manoeuvring to reach. He divined her intention bef

useful to me than

will!" said a v

aw Cherry Bim raise his hand and wipe the blood from his cheek, saw the splinter of wood where the bullet had struck behind hi

that door, miss," he said, "

with trembling hands unfastened the lock and stepped into the street. It was empty,

e!" he said. "You wer

but smile a little, for the girl had come out of the door which,

way," she

me he was in terror lest the police should call her back, and desire him to identif

she said. "I can't

the window and gav

e faltered and then covered her face with

ppened?"

er head. Th

that I may get into my suite without Boolba seeing. Will you go on to

ain gave the chan

st of the guests were either lingering ove

he said; "how do I know that you

n spite of h

y which would convince my father if he knew I had been to that horrible place." Presently she said: "My r

, and her figure appeared. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief, and the blinds were

y had had the news be

d mercies! I feared something was wrong. Her Highness wrote to me this afternoon, and I did not get the lett

as he took up the p

le none of us again," he sai

? W

ld man. "He was dead wh

merican?"

said Israel Kensky. "I do not

ss before they met: the mystic, Israel Kensky, Ch