The Mission of Poubalov — page 181: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

, POUBALOWV’S REVOLUTION. 177 nessey, had returned her photograph, it had been placed for the moment upon the mantel in the drawing-room. The next day she had looked for it, and, not finding it at once, had supposed that Louise or a servant had put it away. Inthe stress of events she had thouzht no more about it; but Poubalov’s call and bareheaded flight had occurred after the return of the photograph, and the natu- ral.and satisfactory explanation, therefore, was that he had stolen it. ‘‘There is one more thing,’* added Paul as they walked along, ‘‘and I suppose it shows that in order to circumvent this man one must have sleepless eyes and untiring vigi- lance. As soon as Poubaloy went to bed last night, I hur- ried out and got supper. It didn’t take me long, for I was anxious to get to sleep, so that I might get up early enough this morning to keep track of him. I rose before six, and took a preliminary peep through my nail hole. Poubaloy had gone, and up to just now, when I left, had not returned.”’ ‘**T think there is nothing lost,’’ said Clara; ‘‘he is to call on me this evening, and your discovery makes it certain that he will come. If you will come out to the house ahead of him, I should like it ever so much if you would follow him when he goes away.”’ They were at Mrs. White’s door, and Paul preferred not to goin. There was nothing more to be said, and it seemed better that he should return to Bulfinch Place, to observe Poubalov’s doings, should he return. Mrs. White, comparatively free from anxiety about her daughter, seemed more than desirous of talking about Mr. Strobel. | ‘‘ T had a letter from Lizzie last night,’’ she said, ‘‘and she told me how kind you were. I’m real glad you went to see her, ’cause it must make you feel so much more sat- isftied to know’ that Mr. Strobel did not run away with her.’ And you know, Miss Hilman, I can’t quite think that the dark gentleman, Mr. Pou— something, has anything to do with it. He seems such a perfect gentleman.’”’ GOMIIGDOOksS (€(0)