Adventure Magazine Cover — page 15: what you’re looking at

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Forward coat: They were like as two cups, and if neither was an Englishman, then the En- glish at the palace might not have hatched -the plot. I smacked my thigh and whis- pered in Edward’s ear. ‘Your Honor’s pardon, but that girl is the one who tried to get into John Paul’s lodging last evening. An old crone was with her, and the American gave them money to go away. Somebody must have given them more money—the pretty spar- rows!” This surprized the Englishman, and he looked as if he did not know which fork of the road to take. “The deuce!”’ He took snuff and added carelessly to Borol. ‘This Anna Mikha- lovna—lI think I’ve seen her. A friend of Besborodko’s perhaps?”’ “Not at all, Lieutenant. She’s a farm- er’s daughter—lodged with a priest near the cathedral last night.” “Ah.” Edwards glanced at the silk cloak. ‘Then she couldn’t have come begging at the rear-admiral’s quarters late m the evening.” “Impossible.” I stepped forward. ‘She was there, only dressed differently.” Borol shook his head impatiently and ordered some of his men to escort Anna to the inn. Edwards needed no more words to show whether I had told the truth. “Ensign,” he remarked, “this is not a flash in the pan—it is serious. The American entered the Russian service on the Empress’ pledge that he would have a free hand and sole command of the Black Sea Fleet. He is a Chevalier of France and a friend of Lafayette. Who stirred up this hornets’ nest at his heels?”’ Now those who had sent Borol had picked a man with a good sword arm but a sluggish brain. He chewed his mustache and barked out: ; = take it! You English have cooked up the whole thing.” Edwards started as if he had been touched with a whip. “What a knowing fellow, egad!” he drawled. ‘‘Upon my word, Count Borol, you must know us better than we know ourselves. Deuced quaint, I swear, to fancy that because we do not count Admiral Jones among our friends we would think up a foul plot and bait it with a farmer’s daughter. Unfortunate, very—that it should 3 be necessary to prove to you by example that the English strike in the open.” And his eyes glittered, just like the time when he had caught me smiling at him. Quite happy, he was, because the ensign had given him offense. A strange folk! “T thought—”’ Boro] was beginning to be sorry he had talked so much, but he was in for it now. _ “Indeed! It may be necessary for you to think twice. A man of your high intui- tion, Count Borol, must realize that by accusing the English officers of Petersburg of a blackguardly intrigue, you cast some slight aspersion upon me.” He bowed, very elegant. “Of course you will give satisfaction at once, and as the challenged party, the choice of weapons is yours. Do you prefer swords or shall we say pistols? Necessity compels us to dispense with seconds.” It was clear to me that the Englishman’s temper would brew trouble for us. If there was a duel, and some one was sliced, the enemies of Paul Jones would have good reason for calling him to account, since dueling was forbidden. To make matters. worse, the American, when he learned what Edwards was about, insisted on meeting Borol himself. And, knowing of the plot against John Paul, I could see that Borol was well content; if he wounded the ad- miral, high influences in Petersburg would free him from blame; if John Paul cut him up the American would be made to suffer for it. A plan came into my head and I stepped forward. ‘“Borol,” I said, “God has given you a long arm but a short wit. had come begging of the admiral. Now I say that you lie.” And I added other plain words for the soldiers to hear, so that their leader’s ears began to burn. “Dog of a Cossack!’ Borol was beside himself with rage. “I’ll have you strung up > by the thumbs and your hide cut up for whips.” “Oho,” I thought, ‘‘when the cock crows ' loud he is in his own barnyard.” Carefully this time I counted over the troopers and found there were seven with the ensign included. But my Tatars had» heard nine horses, and if two others had come with the company they must be in hiding in the trees beyond the firelight— Co NOOK A while ago you would not believe my word that the girl C©