The Mission of Poubalov — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

A DANGEROUS MAN. o8 Clara’s heart sank heavily, but she that knew that she could trust Paul. **“May I tell you something?’’ she asked, and he fol- lowed her into the dining-room. There she hurriedly re- peated the substance of Poubalov’s discourse, laying es- pecial stress upon his warning relative to distrustful Nihilists. *‘It’s a splendid argument,’ said Paul when she had fin- ished; ‘‘I suppose you were attracted by his very frank- ness in admitting that he isaspy? That was a character- istic move. Mind you, [never had trouble with Poubalovy; I wouldn’t know him if I saw him, but I know about him, He is a very prince of spies, a past-master in the art of deceit, and many, many shrewd men have been the vic- tims of his seeming candor. You may be sure he masks some villainy beneath his frankness, for he never was known to do a disinterested act.’’ _ ‘**He spoke as if he were here upon some mission,’’ sug- gested Clara. | “Certainly, but he wouldn’t tell you what that mis- sion was. That it had to do with Strobelis certain. I don’t want to alarm you unnecessarily, Miss Hilman, but Poubaloyv is a most dangerous man. It may be well for us that you have faced him, though we must necessarily have discovered his presence soon, and to see him is to suspect. We atleast know where to look. Litizki is an impressionable, excitable man, but he may beright, never- theless. I am sure that you can trust him, whether or not there is anything in Poubalov’s nihilistic suggestions. And as to that, I don’t believe there is—not with him about. Plenty of false notions prevail about the Russian revolutionists, and it would be to Poubalov’s interest to arouse dread of them in your mind. Anything to distract attention and suspicion from himsolf.’’ They returned to the front room. Litizki had recovered from his excitement, and was more like his customary, depressed self, but though he spoke quietly it was with bitter emphasis and strong conviction. CORNICIOOKS (C(O