The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Standald Bank of Banada HEAD OFFICE. TORONTO. G. P. REID. A general Banking business trans- acted. Drafts issued and collections made on all points. Deposits re- ceived and interest allowed at cur- rent rates. [men-use allowed. on Savings Bank de- posits of $1 and upwards. Prompt uttoutiou and every facility aflox‘ded customers living at. a distance. Agencies in all principal points in On- tano, Quebec. Manitoba, United States and England. UNDERTAKING PRICES CUT Furniture . . . JACOB KRESS. A Dainty Effect MacFarlane 6: C0. C§pital Authorized.. .32,000.000 P‘Ad Up ............ 19m9m0 Reserve Pu ud ..... .. 850.000 FOI‘ r r“ All Paper Trimmed Free 0! Cost Implement Agency? AVING purchased the stock ol Mr Charles McKinnon, and rented his warerooms, we beg re- Ipoctfnlly to intimate to the public thnt we will be found at the old land with n full line of Farm Sup- plies including DU RH AM AGENCY. FARM LABORERS wishing employ- nén: can be put in communication with good tumors by enquiring of- us. US'I‘ ARRIVED a large shipment f Cutters which we ere bound to ell at right prices. Cell and see us. . P. SAUNDERS in wall decoration is often ” just misSwd" by selecting the wrong colorinas, or buying paper that doesn’t quite harmonize with the carpets and furniture. Our stock is large. new and varied. Our judgment is good and our advice is free. 1903 designs are here; choicest lines we ever handled. Worthy wall papers here; choicest l handled. Worth at worthy prices. DRI'MHSTS AND BOOKSELLERS That is sure to please can always be purchased here. Agricultural, Domestic and Dairy Implements of all kinds. Also a First Class Hearse always in connection. Em~ bahuing a spaciaity. THE SAVINGS BANK. Machine ()il. Harness Oil, A 3:10 Grease and Hon! Ointment, go to Good horses at reasou‘ble prices alwus at hand. 'HN CLARK, Jr- DEERING The Harnessmuker ‘, M A DURHAM. ONT. .NAGER CHAPTER XV. NESLEROV xxows ms Hams. BOUT the time Governor Nesle- rov was rousing himself from a deep slumber which had not refreshed him after the ball, Jansky, superintendent of police. was groaning and muttering in his own et- forts to wake up. He knew he was awake. but the ettect of the heavy drug was still upon him. Itzig, however. having succumbed to a lesser quantity than was taken by Jansky. was sooner awake and had been relieved by the day guard and gone to his own qua-r- _ -_I_....I \C‘OJ aw“- â€" . v tors. The first question Neslerov asked was for Princess Olga. When he learn- ed that she was still sleeping, he went to see Jansky. “’\‘V;b;1'tfiisvtbe matter with you?" he asked. “You seem to be ill.” “I do feel rather m," said Jansky. “I don’t know when I felt like this.” “V.- "Y'oBâ€"}§ére drunk; that’s all. You were drunk when I left you. Did you drink any more?” “1min making the round of inspec- tion I discoxemd Itzig asleep and a bottle of wine half gone. I drank the restf’ OF G v W RAbLU @ fig â€"â€"-==â€"_â€"â€""â€"By AJ'hley Town, fig: 1.232% Copyright. 1901. by Charles B. Ethertnaum $25: iéi-iéi'fi .‘v‘v “Itzng asleep! At his post! And this danger near us?” A w“â€"-Hâ€"_ -â€" “I’ooh! The girl suspects nothing.. A girl of her age. even though she be a princess. could not dissetnhle so well. 1 tell you Olga suspects nothinv.” “Then why is she here?” “Well. she is eccentric. as you know. and it is quite possible that she would like to he the wife of the governor of Tomsk.” Neslerov laughed. “She would like to kill him. rather.” “Even so. she does not suspect.” “But this thing of ltzig heing asleep at his postâ€"we must exmnine into it.” "The poor devil wanted his share in the festivities. I suppose. We must not deal too severely with him. He eer- minlv «lid not steal the wine. Some tainly did not steal the wine. Some one must have given it to him.” “'Whu? I must find that out. But. since he has lwvn :lsit‘t'p. you had bet- ter vxnmim 11w prismu-rs." “'l‘hvy :n'v the-n» all right. How vould thP)’ hv utht‘lWVisv." "Hut yuu know what it nwans to me if Hwy vsrupv." “Escape! 1 will stake my hvad they cannot osmpo. Why. tu pass out from the dungeons tlwy must upon the iron gate and thv door of the guardrzmm. SH), here is the key to tho guardrmnu door." “Still.” said Noslvl‘ov hesihltingly, “I wish you would makv an exmuinntion.” "Uh, if your omwllvm'y wislws it. I will do so gladly. But I promise you they are there.” Jansky was still stupid from the drugged wine, but he knew what he was doing. lie went to the guardroom and unlocked the door leading to the dungeons. in the passage he obtained a lantern and passed through the iron gate. He went down the stairs and through the ['iassziges, which he knew Well, to the dungeon. He entered and stood horror stricken at the empty ehains hanging on the wall. With fear in his heart he crept back to the stairs. glancing nervously around him, for he knew the strength of the Ameri- can. Neslerov. to whom he went. look- ed in surprise at the ashen face. “Curses upon us all!” said Jansky hoarsely. “They are gone!” Janskâ€"y looked slmepishly at the gov- ernor, and Neslerov lucked at Jansky like an angry wolf. “Gone! Both prisoners gone!” cried the governor. “Is this true?” “Cnfortunatelyâ€"the thing I thought impossible is a fact.” Noslerov’s face was White. “I thoughtâ€"you told meâ€"they were both in chains!” be said, his voice strained and tense. “I did. and it was true. With my own hands I chained them. The. American was in the dungeon at the first landing and Paulpotr was down in the lower cellar. With my own hands I chained them, and I hold the key to the door. The key to the chains still hangs where I placed it. This is a miracle. The men must he devils in human form." “The American is something like a devil,” said Neslerov grimly, “but I doubt if he has supernatural powers. If those chains have been loosened, Jansky. some human agent has done it, and there is a traitor in the pal- “Whom does your excellency sus- pect?” “My cousin Olga.” “That girl! She would no more dare go down In those dungeons than she would enter a den of wild beasts. And how could she learn that they were down there '1" “It is not quite a secret. Some of the servants saw them brought in." “Since the princess came the servants have had enough to do without talking about two prisoners of whom they know nothing. Anyway, how could Olga. who has spent but little time in Russia and none near Grasiov or Perm. ever hear of the Paulpoifs?” ' _ “i know not. But certain it is there is a traitor here. This escape. it escape it is, will cost us dear.” . "“1? escape It Is! It may not be an as cape after all! The chains are old and THE MYSTERY OF GRASLOV given way, Olga, when, late in _Mj_ _ around the passages. I will send for Itzig.” Neslerov was terribly disturbed. He paced to and fro in the police oflice, and his face did not regain its color. He was playing for a high stakeâ€"the high- est stakeâ€"playing for his lifeâ€"and the game seemed lost. U Jansky sent for Itzlg. and he came be- fore them. “You went to sleep last night!” thun- dered Jansky, whose theory was that to obtain the truth from a culprit you must terrify him at the start. :‘You lie!" I went in the guardroom, and you were asleep. I found there a portion of a bottle of wine. Who gave you that?” - - A I “I sweat-'1 did not, your excellency!‘ replied Itzlg, shivering in‘ terror. d '“wI!A bottle of wine! I never tasted wine in my life. Brandy and vodka. plenty, but wineâ€"1 am too poor.” “011,, you did not buy this wine. Some one at the fete gave it to you. Who was it?” H “You are lying. A tray was also there. with dishes. You had your feast and got drunk. Who brought the stuff to you '2" “I know not! I swear I know not who put the wine in my room!” “I swear no one. If there was a feast, It was some one else’s.” “How could any one else eat there and you not know it?” Itzig saw he was lost. “I may haveâ€"perhaps I slept mont.” the prisoners you were guarding have escaped." “It‘llDOSSiblel', gasped Itzig, almost sinking through the floor. “Enough of this!” said Neslerov. “Itzig Is hero. and if he has permitted the men to escape he can be punished any time. We are wasting precious moments. Let us got down to the dun- geons and find them.” Jansky took a pistol. and so did Ne~ slorov. They went to the guardroom. Jansky took the lantern and opened the door and iron gate. He led the way. Noslorov and Itzig following. nu), L‘\-fiu\buv "u“ .....,. -..___ U “See? Me has gone.” said Jansky, pointing to the chains. “Are you certain this is the room?" “Certain? As l am alive.” “Thou for the other. and keep a watch. 'I‘hoy are nut armed, but re- nwmlwr I’:1u|pot'l"s strength, and the other is no pygmy." Again Jansky 1ch tho vay. 110 did not tell Neslvl'ov ho had not been to visit Vladimir. In his agitation at finding the American gone he had as- summl. of course. that if one could es- 'a[w lmth could. {om-him: an obscure curnvr. toward which Dvnton had not V ,v 3 ~§ .- ‘l‘his slam: {light ln'mzziiz'. '..:.... hul‘l':l;it* pitivv hmrw li-.v.2'iivlv lint-i nm- “'lll‘l't' lN'lliHll inul lawn (-haitn- it This was :1 4illllf.:’t'ull mmlv mh! :Izhl chum) hy the- wan-r that sum! twu int-hrs (101'!) «ill thv lluul’. and in which hliml rvptilvs that hml nowr sm-h any ln'ightvr place (-mwlml around in the slimy 002v. Lung strings 01' rune-n muss hung frnm the walls. llvrv. in this lmisunw and terrible [)i:i(°(‘. was Vladimir. (-hzihml in the same ummwr as lN’lltUll haul hcvn. "I thought you said he had gum: ton!" oxvlainu-«l Xvslvruv, :1 flood of hupe and muz'ngv showing in his voiw. “I thought so. In my excitement I believed hmh had gone, but if one is here the other must 'be. We will search the dungeons.” They did not. speak to Vladimir, who was suffering awful tortures. hut turn- ed and ascended to the upper floor. Here. winding and turning among the passages, they crept stealthilyâ€"three armed men searehing for one man who was unarmed. yet fearing that the one might leap upon them and slay them as they walked. But they did not find the American and returned crestfallen to the otlice of the superintendent of police. I' _____ said Neslerov. “Some one who knows my secret has done this. Olga is here. Who else but Olga could do the thing?” “Did m0 Princess Olga come to you during the ball?” Jansky suddenly ask- ed Itzlg. “Was it the princess who gave you that wins ‘2” -_ , â€"-A “A - The' pallor of the man’l face gave Jansky his answer. vj‘wfieavenfl” he exclaimed. “The wine must have been drugged! ‘It was Olga who set him free!” “Then we must act with extreme cau- tion, for if she knows this much she will ruin me. For a short time we must act as it we did not know the Ameri- can had escaped. But you and Unsge- thop must find himâ€"find himâ€"before he gets out of Tomsk. Then, with him again in our grasp, I will deal with Olga. Fool, to put her strength against mine. and in Tomsk !” â€"_“What about Vladimir?" asked Jan- sky. Theme him alone. Let him starve! He can do no harm.” Jansky went quickly to work. Uns- gethop, upon whom he depended most. had gone to another place in the dis- charge ot his duty. Jansky made sev- eral fruitless journeys during the day. but no trace ot the American could he lm-(l t 3.10 ill I: '99 calm and the steely (litter of his eye. She knew he had dlscovered the escape of Benton, but the resolute glrl did not fear him. She merely nerved herselt to finish the work she had set herself to do. She had frequent errands that took her near the ofllce of the superin- tendent of police, and she kept her ears alert to catch the slightest whisper. It vvas evening when she went for the seventh time, and loud voices came from the superintendent’s otfice. So ex- “I tell you it is so!” said the voice of Unsgethop, who had returned and whc seemed to be angry. “How was 1 tc know that a man could escape from the dungeons? I heard itâ€"that the Ameri- can had passed through Dorky on his way to Tivoloffsky. I supposed Nesle- rov had changed his plans.” Winding and turning among the pas- sages, they crept stealthtlu. clted were the speakers that they dld not reallze that their voices reached lnto the hall. '41s be going to Tivoloffsky? 0m Paulpotr is stm there!” said the gov- ernor. “But explain this thing.” said Unsge» thnp. “How ouuld a. man who was chained to the val] in that dungeon get out ‘3” “By the help of a traitor. and 1 will know that traitor and slay him!” said Neslerov. “Some one drugged some wine, and Jausky. like a fool. drank it. Also ltzig. who guards the door. Dur- ing the time they were asleep the Amer. lean was set free. The other. l’aulpoti‘. is still there. Your work is to capture that American and bring him here." “If he knows. he may have told some one.” suggested Unsgmhop. “This is no time to talk! Whether he has told or not, he must be brought back! If 1 am to be destroyed, I will destroy my onmnios first! Go! Bring him back to die!" Olga quickly disappeared up the stairs. CHAPTER XVI. MAMMA l‘AUlJ’OFF AVENGED. 'l‘ was midnight- in 'l‘omsk. and the pnlnoo of the governor was still. .Innsky :Ind Unsgvthop had ridden away to U\'(‘l'l:lk(‘ llvnton at 'l‘ivo- li f‘i‘sl-zy. [mix was at his post inthe mun-(limitew :ll‘ll tho nnw lieutenant of lilo [mitit't' gtirzt'tl [ult‘t'tl his measures through the tiost'rtvd corridors. l'.ttt .Vt-slt-rov was not ash-mp. Fever- :sh :tnd impatient. he sat in his room. awaiting: tho return of his polit'o with tho .\nwrit°ttn. whose libert} was a llil‘llill'l’ to tho lift! of Xt'slvt'uv. [It drunk tlvvply front time to time from a llnllll‘ that stood on his tulilc. If he slmlzv. ho did it with :1 loud voico. but no “no was limii'. lIis thoughts wore spokon thus. as with at man half mad with four. ”litztx'ons!” ho said as he drank again. “If 1w r ‘m‘hvs Porn]. and the truth is known. 1 shallâ€"what will be- (‘Ulllt‘ of 1111"!" “Why are you awake?" he asked harshly. He was too excited to think 1r wwvâ€" ("I _ “1 Mord. a commotion. I supposed It was something of that 'kind. Was it a Russian?” “Yesâ€"a nihilist.” “I hope they will capture him.” “They will! They must!" said Ne- slerov fiercely. Olga’s eyés were yelledâ€"they not betray her thoughts. “There ls much concerning this 85’8- tern that is new to me, and It will take long for me to learn lt all. I am al- ready weary wlth the little I have “Better leave It alone. It In a busi- ness for men. not princesses,” said Ne- slerov. “The study has made me wakeful. Bring me some wine." He opened a bottle. “It has puzzled me why you do not marry." he said, trying to hide his fear of her as he poured out n glass of wine. -v â€"â€"--â€" “What sort of man must he be to please you. cough) ?" _ L-..- i. “Why should 1?” she asked. “I have not yet found among the nobles 0t Russla the man I would marry.” - He was sparring for time. Any hour might bring Jansky back with Denton. Then he could play his part in safety. But with Denton at liberty he dared did “Oh.” said Olga. “to please me a man must be honorable. strong and wise. He must not be bound by custom. nor yet must he scorn it. There are waysâ€" ln the world we live in there are way. â€"of being great without being eccentric and without following the lead of oth- cm. A man whom I love must he pa- tient and must not use his strength against the weak.” A sarcastic smile crossed his lips. “You must look outside of Russia." he said. “Perhaps," she answered. “But you have not pledged me. Must I drink alone?" His eyes snapped with the remem- brance that Janskg' and Itzig had been drugged. But She was so handsome. so smiling, that no Sign of evil intent was In her face. “From your hand.” he answered. with a show of gallantry. She poured him a glass of wine. and they drank. For a moment he waited. as it half expecting to fall asleep. But the wine had no ill eifect. and they chatted on. But Neslerov grew more impatient as the night wore on. Why did this girl persist in staying up and talking to him? What was in her mind? Was there another plot? He paced to and fro in the room as he spoke. When his back was turned. she made a quick movement and dropped something-not into the wine bottle. but into the bottle of liquor from whit-h Neslerov drank. “I think I will retire," said the prin- cess. “It is late. and perhaps I can sleep now.” “I hope you will find rest." he said. She went out. Neslerov watched her with a dark. satnrnlne face. What did she mean? He poured out a liberal dose of liquor. The wine was too weak for him. He needed something to steady his shaken nerves. He drank it. In live minutes he was staring lilankly at himself in a glass. “What is thisâ€"this feeling?" he muttered. “That she devil! lam poi- sonod! What trick is this? Help! (ham-d! Limtmmut of the guard!” "Your oxm-llvm-y called." he said. “Yesâ€"quirk»! am poisoned-l am drowsyâ€"bring Prim-ms (Hgaâ€"quivk!" The young nfiicvr lward. and ran to I~ him. ‘ not.” “ Int 1 must. It is my dutj!” “Whom do you uhny?" “Xoslvmv. guvvrunr'nf Tmnsk." “Thvu frpm this munwut you nlwy mo. tend this!" 8110 placed before him the 8:1 nw [m- por she had shown I’N'rmsky.his fulhm‘ otfivvr. His eyes startml from his head. “The seal of the czar!" he cried. and he. like Dormsky. roll to his knvos. "I obeyâ€"ommmmd mo!" lw oxcluinwd. “la-main quim. I did not mum» to 'l'mnsk for nothing. This high! win “Remain quiet. I did not mme m 'I'omsk for nothing. Il‘his night will mean much to "lls‘s‘itl. Work win he done that will light a tel'l'ihie wrung. A ll you need do is to remain quiet and «3:: mt attempt to interfere.” '2 :i-m- not!" he said. “You have the er the czar! It commands all to «mi lohey!” ':z-i‘t him. staring and wondering. to Nesiex'nv. The governur n'ng. lle opeued his eyes as "You!" he cried as she entered. “You brought the wine thqt was drugged. and my prisoner escaped.” “'l‘rue." said Olga. “And now the other. You were with Jansky and the governor when they visited him. You know where he is.” “I know not." grumbled ltzig. “That is false. I heard them speak of you to Unsgethop. Will you guide 'O. me to his dungeon? Open the door. “I cannot. The key is with .innsm‘. It is never out of his hands." “Oh, heaven!” cried Olga. “Have I made this terrible mistake?” I. IA_!__ . mn-k.” she answered. “I shall , himâ€"Vlzuiilnir.” - :xumlc :1 trmnvndous effort to rim- .. . ~1 1339 her. but fall with a groan to " . :1” n. Quicklv (_:.)l;:l taking a pistol '1. 1‘mm her pocket. ran acxoss the hall to wuuv Ir..." u‘.---_â€"- “The key is Jansky’s.” said ltzig- “No one goes to the dungeon save by his orders.” “Break down the door." “Impossible! It is heavy oak. i have no ax.” She turned from him and fled to tht stairs. “Lieutenant!” The young oflicer. with visions oi mines and the knout and wondering where this complication would end. answered her. “Come here." she said. “I want this door opened." He looked at the door and at ltzig. “Jansky has the key. and he is gone." said ltzig. “We must open it, it the princess saysjo," said the otliccr. “What! You dlsloyal to Neslerov?" The ofllcer smiled and looked at Olga. “We must take ofl the hinges." he said. “I will get the tools." He was (one but a moment, and when he returned he attacked the screws that held the great iron hinges. I 1.4 'Vuv Iv .â€" - “I wil'lâ€"gl-aEm the ngemor!" cried It- ‘zlg.-leaplng u_p9n_l_11m. -la' U'v-râ€"- I, “Stand Duel}! Keep your hands at!” ordered 0133., aiming her revolver at blm. “I have couunanded. and l wlll be Qbeyed!" ‘ it" she answvrod quietly. “You .l. 11. will not be long." 1 will yuu do?” he asked. with I- hissvd as lw trim] to H-gnin HI. “0 would have kilh-d “Yo‘u have no authorlty!" cud Italy- cowerlng before the platol. “I here thle." She showed hlm the paper. 810 the! crew white. and he sent eh!ver!n¢ to the door. “The ml of the czar! Oh. prlnceel. I dld not know! I obey! I w!!! do my- ”v-7 'I"â€"â€" _ The hinge. were soon 0!! and the door wan opened. The Iron gate re- stated the united efforts of the two. but they sawed out the look. ‘4’ AL. .u‘J IV ‘p‘. vâ€"' “Take the lantern!" commanded the princess. " 'Aâ€"lâ€" IRA-I..- Trembâ€"llng In every fiber. [tug light- ed a lantern. -â€"'â€"â€" “Lead the way to the dungeon when .Vladlmir is concealed." 6‘1 Obey n “And I will guard you. princess.” said the omcer. Thus they descended the stairs. ltzl‘ leading with the lantern. Olga follow- ing and the omcer close behind her ready to protect her. Potent was the seal of the czar. t “The little picture." cried Vladimir ; eagerlyâ€"“the little one that Papa l‘aul- ! port said he found? Yes; he. told u to : me and to the American one day in tho . but at 'l‘ivolon‘sky.” 3| “Then you know the truth. The : American was to go to Perm and start I the investigation." ~“Yes, but he was brought here." . “I released him last night. lie went 1 from here to Tivoloil‘sky to bring i’apa Paulpoi‘f to tell his story before the governor general. who has not yet ar- rived. .lansky. the superintemlent of police. and Unsgethop have gone to fetch him. They will kill him; they will not risk taking him alive. It ll your duty to ride to 'l'iVOluiYsky-i‘ide as for your own lifeâ€"and saw the American and i’apa Pauipofi‘. Bring them here. [)0 you understand?" “Yes; hut a horse." “Lieutenant. in the name ur the czar. the tieetest horse in the stables for They found the giant blacksmith in his chains. The hunger he felt had not yet upped his strength. The key the princess had taken from its peg soon released him. “Come!" she said. “But who are you. and what does this mean '2" he demanded. “Come! We have no time to waste with. words. Tonight you have the work of your life to (10. Come!" The four ascended. and ltzig extin- guished his lantern. The eyes of Vlad- imir blinked as he entered the great hall. which was kept lighted all night. “You nre Vladimir." said the prin- cess. “1 1m Olga of the Nesleross. Do you know the story of the pictnle.“ 9" “fielp cpen the door." He passed through villages asleep 1 under the bright stars. The boots of . his horse rang out on the pebbles of } one road or sank into the mud of an- . other. But on he went. 'i‘ivoloi'i‘sky. like all the other villages. was asleep. Its quiet was rudely disturbed by the hammering of the iron shoes as the horse bore him through the silent , streets. Right well he knew the way to the but where Mamma l'aulpofl' was murdered. Two horses stuud liefOl'. the door. His own dashed up and whiuuied. They were from the 30V- ernor's stables. Like a madman ho leaped from the saddle to the ground. He heard shouts. a pistol shot. It was something: like a demon that Jansky and l'nsgethop saw coming in like a whirlwind. In a corner crouch- “l obeyâ€"the fleetest horse." “3 on must be faxnislwd." said OlgI. “\\ ill 3011 vat?" “Eat! With the American and Papa Punlpon‘ in danger! No: but a drink of Wine." [10 wntvhvd lwr as she stomwd into Noslm-m-‘s room He saw the governor. “Kt-slrmvf" lw fiend. ”Is he dead?" “No l drugged his “(war Here 1| wine H is: not dru nun-H " u.~ m-mm-u the glass. and tlw omcer pnlrl'o'il '1 v... mm: m at the door. princess. I wcxe no one at me Star-19$. ; nanny the steed myself.” “Good. You will be a captain tomor- row. Now, \‘ladlmlr, go!” He mounted and was off. He fol- lowed the llue of the new railway and could not lose his way. Ills horse was fast, the best horse in Neulvrov’s sta- ble. “For the Amorticau l‘or Frances! For the honor of Grasluv! ' muttered Vladimir as he strove to increase hll horse‘s speed. ed Papa Paulpofl. trembling and white with terror. ()n the floor lay Denton. unconscious, with the mark of a bullet in his forehead and the blood stream- ing over his upturned ace. Jansky was bending over him. The blazing eyes of the avenger took In the whole scene. A smell lanter- Itoodonthem. 4‘ He brought their heafls together “Who is this?" cried Unsgethop ll Vladimir entered. I drank of It G. P. REID, -â€" â€" MANAGER! Capi'al Authorized . . .53,000.000 Puul Up ...... Reserve 1' .nd . 850.000 Agencies in all principal points in On. l tarlo. Quebec. Manitoba, United States and England. l l DURHAM AGENCY. A girl-1‘41 Banking business transg acted. Draft.» isrllwl and collections‘ made on all pullils. Deposits re~ naive-l and interest alloWed at our . I‘ttlll. rates. THE SAVINGS BANK. l By Ambley Towns Copyright. 1901. by Charles B. Etherlnattm (<31- lei-{é}151'{5:1-iiififififififififififififififififififififififiififi {it-’5’}@fifilfiléfifififififififi@fifiifilfifi-fifififififififi CHAPTER XV. NESLEROV Kxows ms PERIL. BOUT the time Governor Nesleâ€" rov was rousing himself from a deep slumber which had not refreshed him after the ball, Jansky, superintendent of police. was groaning and muttering in his own ef- forts to wake up. He knew he was awake. but the effect of the heavy drug was still upon him. Itzig, however, having succumbed to a lesser quantity than was taken by Jansky. was sooner . awake and had been relieved by the lnteics. ullowedon Savings Bank de- posits of $1 and upwards. Prompt, attention and every facility afiotded' customers living at a distance. I l J. KELLY, Agent; Furniture . . .i l please can pu rclmsed hero. 'l‘hat is! sure to :i 1 WA) 5 he UNDE RTAKING PRICES (,‘U'l' Class Hearsc Em ‘ ‘iilll‘V. . 4 Also H. First 'JlH’kt)! in connection. i.|‘l.l .-' 2| will IACDB KRESS. lil'llHAM. (iN’l'. l i. i.' -lv-coi';i‘i in is often " ju<t‘ und- ‘l H by wim'ting the wrong w. :E'.\,;~. or buying paper that: l1~~n" iq'lill' harmonize with :l..- rlrpcrs an-l furniture. ()1)! .. '; i~ largo. new and \“dl‘imL. i“! _l'lil,’llll'!:l l\ good and ourr twinin- is frcc. l‘JIH designs are llllt'\‘ we over Woithv wall papers a' ‘. vi" Ly prices. 1w." rhino-out it P! iii-ii ,\ l'dl‘“! i‘rimmwl Fri-c of ('03:. MacFarlaue 6: C0. l'l: mums \xo llooksniau-Lns stood horror sirickcn at thc cmpty‘ .chains hanging on the wall. With --â€"-â€"â€"â€". For :7 i Machiuc ( )il. llurncssOil,‘ Axlc (lrcaw and l-looi (liutmcnt. go to S. P. SA UNDERS The Harnessmaker DEERING lm llllllllll Agency! l l HAVING purchased the stock oi Mr Charles McKinnon. and rented his warerooms, we beg re- Ipsctfully to intimate to the public that we will be found at the old stand with a full line of Farm Sup- plies including Agricultural, Domestic and Dairy Implements of all kinds. US'I‘ ARRIVED a large shipment I Cutters which we are bound to all at right prices. Call and see us. FARM LABORERS wishing employ- mdnt can be put in communication with good farmers by enquiring ot- us. Good horses at reasonable prices always at hand. ~ 2 [IN CLARK, Jr. tcll you Olga suspects nothing. . thc dungeons tin-y must opcu ibc iron ‘ drugged winc, but he kncw what he day guard and gone to his own quat- tors. The first question Neslerov asked was for Princess Olga. When he learn- ed that she was still sleeping, he went to see Jansky. “What is the matter with you?" he asked. “You seem to be ill." “I do feel rather ill,” said Jansky. “I don’t know when I felt like this.” “You were drunk; that’s all. You were drunk when I left you. Did you drink any more?" "Yes: in making the round of inspcc- ‘ tion I discovered ltzig asleep and a: bottle of wine lnilt' gone. I drank the rest." “ltzt: asleep! danger near us?" “I'oob! The girl suspects nothing. A girl of her ngc. evcn though she be a princess. could not disscmblc so well. 1 At his post! And this ”'l‘licn why is shc hcrc?" “Wcll. shc is ccccntric. as you know. and it is quitc possible that she would likc to be the with of the governor of 'i'omsk." Ni-slcrov lnughcd. “She would likc to kill him. rathcr.” “EH-n so. shc docs not suspcct." "llnt this thing of ltzig lil‘llli: asleep at his ||H>l~~\\'l‘ must cxaminc into it." "'l‘iu- poor dcvil wamcd his sharc in thc l‘c‘t‘viiics. l snppow. Wc mnst not dcal too sovcrcly with him. llc «'cr- luinly did not stool tlic winc. Some‘ one l!iil\l have givcn it to him." ““‘ho? l num llrhl that out. lint, . sincc ln- l:.i< st-n :i~;~ n. you had lict- . tcr I'\:llillll-‘ Iln- prison 1‘.“ l "'l‘ln-y :n'c llict'i- all right. How could ‘ lllt')’ lii- Illlli‘ld‘. Hit" "lint you know what it “1011““ to me li‘ lln-.\ l'\t'.'l||t'.u . u]‘:"1'.‘l[it': i will stukc my licnd Hwy 1 cannot o-M'nlw. “'11); to [miss out from I gatc and thc door of thc guardr min. Soc. licrc is lhc kcy to thc gnardroom door." "Still." said N!‘.\'l!‘l'i)\' hcsitatingly, "l \\’i~'l1_\‘oil Would makc an cxuminutiou." “Uh. il‘ your cxi'cllcncy wishcs it, I will do so gladly. llut l promisc you tin-y :irc thcrc." .lansky was still stupid from thc was doing. llc wcnt to thc guardiw um and unlockcd thc door lcading to the dungcons. in thc passugc hc obtuincd a lantcrn and pasM-d through the iron gatc. llc wont down thc stairs and through the passugos, which it: knew chI, to thc dungcon. llc cntcn-d and {car in his hcart hc crcpt back to the stairs. glancing ncrvously around him, for hc knew the strcngth of the Aim-ri- can. Noslcrov, to whom he wunt. look- ed in surprise :it the :ishcn face. “t‘urscs upon us all!" said .Iansky | hoax-scly. "’l‘hcy arc gone!" .lnnsky looked shccpishly at the gov~ . crnor. and Ncslcrov looked at Jansky 1 like an angry Wolf. “tlouc! loth prisoners gone!" cried the governor. "Is this true?” “Unfortunatelyâ€"the thing I thought impossible is a fact.” Ncsiorov's face was white. “I thoughtâ€"you told meâ€"thcy were both in chains!" be laid. his voice strained and tense. "I did. and it was true. With my own hands I chained them. The American was in the dungeon at the first landing and Paulpotf was down in the lower cellar. With my own hands I chained them, and I hold the key to the door. The key to the chains still hangs where I placed it. This is a miracle. The men must be devils in human form.” -- “The American is something like a devil." said Neslerov grimly, “but I doubt if he has supernatural powers. If those chains have been loosened, Jansky, some human agent has done it. and there is a traitor in the pal- ace." “Whom does your excellency sus- poet?” “My cousin Olga.” “That girl! She would no more dare go down in those dungeons than she would enter a den of wild beasts. And how could she learn that they were down there?” “It Is not quite a secret. Some of the servants saw them brought in." “Since the princess came the servants have had enough to do without talking about two prisoners of whom they know nothing. Anyway. how could Olga. who has spent but little time in Russia and none near Graslov or Perm. ever hear of the Paulpolfs?” ‘ “I know not. But certain it Is there Is a traitor here. This escape. if escape It Is. will cost us dear." . “Ifucapeltla! Itmaynotbeaneav capeanerall! Melanin-arsenals! a. mm'knldenr. a “W ‘thc door and iron gutc. IIc around the passages. I will send for Itzig.” Neslerov was terribly disturbed. He paced to and fro in the police office, and his face did not regain its color. He was playing for a high stakeâ€"the high- est stakeâ€"playing for his lifeâ€"and the game seemed lost. Janaky sent for Itzig, and he came be- fore them. “You went to sleep last night!" thun- dered Jansky, whose theory was that to obtain the truth from a culprit you must terrify him at the start. “I swear I did not. your excellency!" replied Itzlg, shivering in terror. “You lie! I went in the guardroom. and you were asleep. I found there a portion of a bottle of wine. Who gave you that?" “I! A bottle of wine! I never tasted wine in my life. Brandy and vodka. plenty, but wine-I am too poor.” “Oh, you did not buy this wine. Some one at the fete gave it to you. Who was it?" “I know not! I swear I know not who put the wine in my room !” “You are lying. A tray was also there, with dishes. You had your feast and got drunk. Who brought the stuff to you i" “I swear no one. If there was a feast, it was some one else's.” “How could any one else eat there , and you not know it?" ltzig saw he was lost. “1 may have-perhaps I slept a. mo- mont." “A moment! You slept hours, and the prisoners you were guarding have ‘ escaped." “Impossible!” gasped Itzig. almost sinking through the tloor. “Enough of this!" “ltzig is here. and if he has pcrmlttcd the mcn to escape he can be punished any time. We urc wasting precious moments. Let us gct down to the dulr goons and find them." .Iansky took a pistol. and so did Ne- ? Slt‘l‘OV. They wont to the gunrdroom. Klansky took the lantcrn and opened led the ‘ way, Ncslcrov and lizig following. Ile has gone." said .Innsky, ‘ “Sec? pointing to the chains. “Arc you ccrtuin this is the room '2” “("crtain? As l mu alive." “Tin-n for thc othcr. and kccp a . watch. 'l‘hcy are not nrmcd. but reâ€" mcmbcr l’:iulpoll"s strcngth, and the othcr is no pygmy." Again .lnnsky lcd tho way. llc did not tcll Nt-slci-ov ln- had not llt’t‘il to visit Vladimir. in his agitation at finding thc Aincrlcnn gouc hc had as- sumcd. of conrsc. that if ono could es- (‘lllw ln'illi ("(ililll. corncr. toward which llcllton had not 'i'tlm-el l v 21' ill iv t,‘l!‘.\ l ‘ .l-g‘ht limit: r' '1 l‘ ' . . Alix as!!!” lizvl'i"lli~1ol .- inurc ll i...iv'o- 23‘ oni- win-rc lit-mun l.;z«l law it clmi w! This “as :i dinnzmn madc col.‘ and damp by tho walcr that two inclu-s dccp on tlic lloor. and in which blind rcptilcs that had ncvcr Hi' ~n any lzriglitcr placc crawlcd around in tlic slimy Long strings ol’ moss hung from thc walls. llcrc. in Sizzivl (Hl1lfi this noisoinc and lci'rililc pl:icc. was 1' Vladimir. chaincd in the snnn- manncr as iii-nton had liccn. "I thought you said he had gone too!“ cxclaiincd Nash-rov. a flood of hope and coumg‘c showing ill his \‘oicc. "i thought so. in my cxciicmcnt l bclievcd both had gone, but if one is here the other must be. We scurch the dungeons." They did not speak to Vladimir, who was suitor-lug awful torturcs. but turn- ed and nsccndcd to the uppcr floor. IIcrc. winding and turning among the passages, they crept stealthily-three armed men searching for one man who was unnrmcd. yet (caring that the one might leap upon them and slay tin-m as they walked. But they did not find the American and returned crestfallen to the otiice of the superintendent of police. . “That man did not set himself free," said Neslerov. “Some one who knows my secret has done this. Olga is here. Who else but Olga could do the thing?” “Did tll“ Princess Olga come to you during the ball?" Jansky suddenly ask- ed Itzig. “Was it the princess who gave you that wine?” The pallor of the man's face gave Jansky his answer. “Heavens!” he exclaimed. “The wine must have been drugged! It was Olga who set him free!" “Then we must act with extreme cau- tion, for if she knows this much she will ruin me. For a short time we must act as if we did not know the Ameri- can had escaped. But you and Unsgeâ€" thop must find himâ€"find him-before he gets out of Tomsk. Then, with him again in our grasp. I will deal with Olga. Fool. to put her strength against mine. and in Tomsk !" “What about Vladimir?” asked Jan- sky. “Leave him alone. He can do no harm.” Jansky went quickly to work. Uns- gethop, upon whom he depended most. had gone to another place la the dis- charge of his duty. ”It? made sev- eral fruitless jonmyfi did-c the day. bit no trace of the “I”! could he Let him starve! said Neslcrov. ; ltcaching an obscure ' l'lilli'll will ‘ calm and the steely (litter of his eye. ' She knew he had discovered the escape of Benton. but the resolute girl did not fear him. She merely nerved herselt to finish the work she had set herselt to do. She had frequent errands that took her near the ofiice of the superin- tendent of police, and she kept her ears alert to catch the slightest whisper. It was evening when she went for the seventh time, and loud voices came from the superintendent’s ofiice. 80 ex- Wlndtng and turning among the pas- sages, thou crept atealthlly. cited were the speakers that they did not realize that their voices reached into the hall. “I tell you it is so!" said the voice of Unsgethop, who had returned and whc seemed to be angry. “How was I tc know that a man could escape from the dungeons? I heard itâ€"tliat the Ameri- can had passed through Dorky on his way to Tivoloffsky. rov had changed his plans." “Is he going to 'l‘ivolot'fsky? Old Paulpoff is still there!" said the gov- crnor. “But explain this thing.” said ['usge . thop. “How could :1. man who was chained to the wall in that dungcon get out?" “Ily the bclp of a traitor. and i will know that traitor and slay him!" said ; Ncslcrov. l wine. and Jansky. like a fool. drank it. I Also ltzig. who guards the door. in: the limo they wcrc nslccp tlic Aincr- ican was sct t'rcc. ’l‘hc othcr. l’uulpol‘l‘. . is still thcrc. Your work is to capture i that Amcrican and bring him licrc.” i "if he knows. hc may have told Some l one." suggcstcd l'nsgcilmp. ' “This is no time to talk! ! has told or not. he must be brought 1 back! i - dcstroy my cncmics first! (lo! lring him back to dic!" l ()lga quickly disappcarcd up the i stairs. l CHAPTER XVI. uni)” l'.\l'l.i’(iFl“ AVENGED. i '1‘ was midnight in ’l‘omsk. and the palace of thc govcrnor was still. .ian<k_v and l'nsgcthop had ridden awu)’ lo ovcriakc llcnton at 'l‘ivo- i l: "l‘sl-zy. ltz‘g was at his post in the L'li.il‘(lli.iil5:i‘ :t"1l :hc nuw licutcnnnt of a tl.c pulucc g' '::'d [lill'l'll his mcnsures through llic iii-M‘i'lcd corridors. lieu Mush-rov was not nslcep. Fever- 1>h and impaiicnt. he sat in his room. Whom- . inc Ann-ricnn. libcr‘... " ‘nn-nzn'c to 1110 lll'c of Xt‘Sll'ltn'. lle‘ ' drank dccply from time to lilnc from a l lioiilc um stood on his mun. if he i no onc was ncur. with l‘cul'. "Hutu-us? hc said as he drank again. "if hc rcuchcs l'crm. and the truth is known. I shallvwhat will be- l conic ol' Inc?" l [11- startcd as a light l‘ooistcp sound- . u! on tho hard floor. and his haggard . l'acc grow palcr as l'rinccss ()lga cn- l lcrcd. l “Why are you awakc'!" he nskcd 1 l l ! harshly. lie was too excited to think of plirascs. “i could not slccp. and i knew you l wcrc not in bed.” she answered. “I came to talk." I lie sturcd at her. In his cycs she was as bountiful even as li‘rnnccs Gor- don. but his danger made him think her a tigrcss seeking to devour him. Yet hc dared not show it. “Why are you alone?" asked Olga. "You usually have Jansky. the super- intendent of policc. with you?" “Jausky is away. A notcd prisoner has escaped and the superintendent has gone to retake him." “I heard a commotion. I supposed it was something of that kind. Was it a Russian?" “Yesâ€"a nihlllst.” "I hope they will capture him." "They will! They must!" said Ne- slerov fiercely. Olga's eyes were veiledâ€"they did not betray her thoughts. “There Is much concerning this sys- tem that is new to me, and it will take long for me to learn it all. I am al- ready weary with the little I have done." “Better leave it alone. It is a busi- ness for men. not princesses," said Ne- slerov. “The study has made me wakeful. Bring me some wine." He opened a bottle. “It has puzzled me why you do not marry.” he said. trying to hide his fear of her as he poured out a glass of wine. “Why should I?" she asked. not yet found among the nobles of Russia the man I would marry.” “What sort of man must he be to I supposed Nesle- ; "Some one drugged some lmr- : “'hcthcr he 1 if I am to bc dcstroycd, i will ‘ :' :i\\:i‘iin‘." the» rciurn of his |lUlil‘t‘ with . \\':l.\' ll 5 spokc. iic did it with a loud voicc. but 1 Ills thoughts worc' spokcn thus. as with a man half mud ‘ “Oh." said Olga. “to please me a man , must be honorable. strong and wise. He must not be bound by custom. nor yet must he scorn it. There are waysâ€" In the world we live in there are ways â€"of being great without being eccentric and without following the lead of oth- ers. A man whom I love must be pa- tient and must not use his strength against the weak." A sarcastic smile crossed his lips. “You must look outside of Russia,” he said. “Perhaps." she answered. “But you have not pledged me. Must I drink alone?" Ills eyes snappcd with the remem- brance that Janskr and ltzig had been drugged. But sbc was so handsome. so smiling, that no sign of evil intent was in her face. “From your hand.” he answered. with a show of gallantry. She poured him a glass of wine. and they drank. For a moment he waited. as if half expecting to fall asleep. But the wine had no ill ctfect. and they chatted on. But Neslerov grew more impatient as the night wore on. Why did this girl persist in staying up and talking to him? mind? Was there another plot? He paced to and fro in the room as he‘ spoke. When his back was turned. she made a quick movement and dropped somethingâ€"not into the wine bottle. but into the bottle of liquor from which Ncslcrov drunk. “I think I will retire," said the prin- cess. “It is late. and perhaps I can slcep now." “I hope you will find rest." he said. She went out. with a dark. saturnine face. What did she moan? He poured out a liberal dose of liquor. The wine was too weak for him. He nccdcd something to steady his shaken nerves. IIe drank it. In live mlnutcs he was staring blaukly at bimscll' in a glass. “What is thisâ€"this fccling?" be muttcrcd. "That she devil! I am poi- soned! What trick is this? lIclp! . (lnard! Licutcnant of the guard!" . The young oiliccr hcurd, and ran to . him. . "Your cxm-llcncy callcd." ho said. i "ch-wquiclv-l :nu poi<oncd~l nu] drowsy bring l'l'lllt‘i'\s Olga-quiclaf" 'l‘hc licn:cn:n.t. wild with apprclu-w slim. I'Iishcd to (”24's room. “ills cxccllcncy ihc govc-ruor wants you?" lic punicd. "llc is poiwncd." “”0 is not [wisonr-d." :innu-rml (ll!!! calmly. "llc is llli‘l‘v'l)' going to slccp. I want you to .xz-vy ‘l\\':l)' from him. and I want you to kccp quici." 'l'lic olliccr sturcd "\\'l.:lt do you llil‘llll'.’ lic i< ill! The . gm'ci‘nor callcd inc and Si'lll for yo i " “I am going to him. but you must 1 lint." "Hut 1 must. It i< my duty!" “\‘i'hoin do you olu;\"" “Ncslcrov. gun-rum 'ol' 'l'o:n<k.' f "'i'hcn from ihi~ :rioincnt you only 3 inc, ltcad this!" Shc plnccd bcforc hill] the saun- par . pcr shc had shown in rmskydiis l'cllow olliccr. Ills cycs startcd from his lit-ad. “'l'hc soul of the czar!" he cried. and . he. like Dcrmsky. fcll to his kin-cs “I I olicy~~couinnind incl" hc cXcluiun-d. “llcmain quict. i did hot man- to 'l'omsk for nothing. :l'liis~ lll:.'lii wnl mcun much lo ltuwia. Work oil‘. I.» douc that will night a icrriblc \nltifi. .\ ll you nccd do is to rcinain quict and d: rm aiicmpt to lulcrl'crc." ' . ‘:='c not 1" lic said. “You li:l\‘c the vi ihc czar! it couunands all to .uil lolwy!" ' .2 hon. storing and wondcring. io XML-rov. 'l'iic gon-rnor ng‘. llc opcllcd his cycs as J 9 i l l c llzsscd as hc lrlcd to rcguin -ih. llc Would have killcd ‘ if" shc answcrcd quictly. “You it will not be long." 1‘ i will you do?" he askcd. with g i work." shc answered. “I shall l him 7\'laliimir." " :: Ililt' :l trcmcudous clTort to riso- -=.l :c her. but t'cll with a groan to than Quickly Olga. taking a pistol ‘ l'mm hcr pocket. ran across the hall to liZ'ig. i if brought me wine thqt was druggcd. and my prisoner escaped." “’l‘ruc." said Olga. “And now the other. You were with Jansky and thc governor whcu they visited him. You know where he is." “I know not." grumbled ltzlg. “That is false. i heard them spcnk of you to Unsgcthop. me to his dungeon? Open the door!“ “I cannot. It is never out of his hands." “Oh, heaven!" cried Olga. made this terrible mistake?" “Have I “The key is Jansky‘s.” said ltzlg. ' “No one goes to the dungeon save by his orders." “Break down the door." “Impossible! It is heavy oak. I have no ax." She turned from him and fled to till stairs. “Lieutenant!" The young ofilcer. with visions oi mines and the knout and wondering. where this complication would end. answered her. "Come here," she said. “I want this door opened." He looked at the door and at Itzig. “Jansky has the key, and he is gone." said lulg. “We must open lt. If the princess aays,so," said the otficcr. “What! You disloyal to Neslerov?" The otficer smiled and looked at Olga. “We must take 0!! the hinges," he said. “I will get the tools." He was gone but a moment. and when he returned he attacked the screws that held the great iron hinges. . “I will alarm the governor!" cried It- ‘nme-plnc upon him. “Stand back! Keep your hands 08!" ordered Olga. aiming her revolver at “l have commanded, and I will . l - I . . - ~.‘ *5 What was in her! Ncslerov watched her . "You!" he cried as she entered. "You . Will you guide The key is with .lansky. -é i, 0‘ _______________â€"___________â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" “Yo‘u have no authority!" mid Itllc. cowering before the pistol. “I have this.” She showed him the paper. Bis moo wwwmmandhonnkahlverlnsts the door. “The seal of the car! on. urinal. I did not know! I obey! I will dean!- thing!" “Help cpen the door." The hinges were soon om and the door was opened. The Iron gate re- sisted the united efiorta of the two. but they sawed out the lock. “Take the lantern!" commanded the princess. Trembling In every fiber, Itzlg light- ed a lantern. “lead the way to the dungeon when .Vladlmir is concealed." ; "I obey." ‘ “And I will guard you, princess." said the otncer. Thus they descended the stairs. ltzlg leading with the lantern. Olga follow- ing and the ofiicer close behind her , ready to protect her. Potent was the ‘ seal of the czar. ! They found the giant blacksmith in 3 his chains. The hunger he felt had not ‘ yet lapped his strength. The key the princess had taken from its peg soon ‘ released him. “Come!" she said. “But who are you. and what does this mean?" he demanded. “Come! We have no time to waste with. words. Tonight you have the work of your life to (10. Come!" The four ascended. and ltzlg extin- guished his lantern. The eyes of Vlad- !mlr blinked as he entered the great hall. which was kept lighted all night. “You are Vladimir." said the prin- ‘ cess. “I am Olga of the Nesleruvs. Do you know the story of the picture?" “The little picture." crlcd Vladimir eagerly-“the little one that Pope Paul- poll said he found? Yes; he told it to ' me and to tbtI American one day in the but at Tivolotlsky." “Then you know the truth. The American was to go to Penn and start the investigation." -“ch, but hc was brought hcrc." “I released him last night. He wcnt from bore to 'l‘lvoioll'sky to bring l'upa Paulpoll‘ to tell his story bci‘orc the governor gem-ml. who has nct )‘ct ar- rived. .lansky. the supcrintcndcnt of police. and linsgcthop hilvc gonc to fetch him. They will kill him: ihcy will not risk taking him alive It is your duty to ridc lo 'l‘ixoioliklgv~ridc as for your own lil'câ€"and saw the Amcrican and l’upa l'anlpoii“. ill-Lug them bcrc. llo you undcrsiand‘f‘ "Yrs: but a lml'sc." “l.icuicnant. in thc namc of ihc czar. the ticcn-st horsc in thc slalilcs tor Vladimir " “I obeyâ€"the ficctcst horsc." "You must be t'amishcd." said Olga. “Will you cat?" "lint: With ihc Amcrican and l‘apa Punlpot’t m dangcr! No: but a d. ink of Willa" ' llc watchvd hcr as she stcppcd into lie saw the govcrnor. “.\l-<l~ rov'" Inc said. "is he dead?" l ".\o l drnggcd his liqnl r llcre is vvlnc ll N not druggcd. I drank of it ll-\ I: ' n. om mo iin- glass. and thc ofiicer unit in (I Ncslcrm‘s room as it! the door. urluccss. I woke no one at the 811117-198. ; “damn the steed myself." “Good. You will be a captain tomor- row. Now. Vladimir. go!" He mounted and was off. lie fol- lowed the line of the new railway and ‘ could not lose his way. llis horse was fast, the best horse in .\'c.~lcrov's sta~ ble. “For the Aun-ricnn! l-‘or l-‘ranccs! For the honor of liraslov!" mnttcrcd Vladimir as he strove to incrcasc his horse's spccd. llc pus-sod through villagcs asleep undcr ihc bright stars. 'l‘hc boots of his horse rang out on thc pchldcs of one road or sank into ilic nind of an- othcr. llut on no wcnt. 'l'ivolofi'sky, likc all the other villugcs. was uslccp. Its quict was rudcly disturln-d by the hammering of the iron shows as the horse bore him through ihc sill-n! strccts. [light wcll hc kncw the way to ihc lint wlicrc Maminn l‘unlpol‘t' was llllll'dt'l't'd. Two llul‘scs stool] llcl‘oro thc door. His own dashcd up and ‘ whinnicd. 'l‘hcy Wcrc from the gov- ernor’s stablcs. Like a madman he '.v i .. ~- lcnpcd from the saddle to thc ground. “0 board Shouts. :1 pistol shot. It was sonic-thing likc a dcmon that .lansky and l'l:sgctliop saw coming in like a whirlwind. In a corncr crourh- . He brought their heads together to“): a crash. . ed Papa Paulpotf. trembling and white . with terror. 0n the door lay Dentou, unconscious, with the mark of a bullet In his forehead and the blood stream- lng over his upturned face. Janaky was bending over him. Vladimir entered. a lathe whale some. Anal! Mfi“~* ' “Who in this?" cried umethop as - The busing eyes of the avenge: u G. P. REID, -â€" â€" MANAGER! Capi'al Authorized . . .53,000.000 Puul Up ...... Reserve 1' .nd . 850.000 Agencies in all principal points in On. l tarlo. Quebec. Manitoba, United States and England. l l DURHAM AGENCY. A girl-1‘41 Banking business transg acted. Draft.» isrllwl and collections‘ made on all pullils. Deposits re~ naive-l and interest alloWed at our . I‘ttlll. rates. THE SAVINGS BANK. l By Ambley Towns Copyright. 1901. by Charles B. Etherlnattm (<31- lei-{é}151'{5:1-iiififififififififififififififififififififififiififi {it-’5’}@fifilfiléfifififififififi@fifiifilfifi-fifififififififi CHAPTER XV. NESLEROV Kxows ms PERIL. BOUT the time Governor Nesleâ€" rov was rousing himself from a deep slumber which had not refreshed him after the ball, Jansky, superintendent of police. was groaning and muttering in his own ef- forts to wake up. He knew he was awake. but the effect of the heavy drug was still upon him. Itzig, however, having succumbed to a lesser quantity than was taken by Jansky. was sooner . awake and had been relieved by the lnteics. ullowedon Savings Bank de- posits of $1 and upwards. Prompt, attention and every facility afiotded' customers living at a distance. I l J. KELLY, Agent; Furniture . . .i l please can pu rclmsed hero. 'l‘hat is! sure to :i 1 WA) 5 he UNDE RTAKING PRICES (,‘U'l' Class Hearsc Em ‘ ‘iilll‘V. . 4 Also H. First 'JlH’kt)! in connection. i.|‘l.l .-' 2| will IACDB KRESS. lil'llHAM. (iN’l'. l i. i.' -lv-coi';i‘i in is often " ju<t‘ und- ‘l H by wim'ting the wrong w. :E'.\,;~. or buying paper that: l1~~n" iq'lill' harmonize with :l..- rlrpcrs an-l furniture. ()1)! .. '; i~ largo. new and \“dl‘imL. i“! _l'lil,’llll'!:l l\ good and ourr twinin- is frcc. l‘JIH designs are llllt'\‘ we over Woithv wall papers a' ‘. vi" Ly prices. 1w." rhino-out it P! iii-ii ,\ l'dl‘“! i‘rimmwl Fri-c of ('03:. MacFarlaue 6: C0. l'l: mums \xo llooksniau-Lns stood horror sirickcn at thc cmpty‘ .chains hanging on the wall. With --â€"-â€"â€"â€". For :7 i Machiuc ( )il. llurncssOil,‘ Axlc (lrcaw and l-looi (liutmcnt. go to S. P. SA UNDERS The Harnessmaker DEERING lm llllllllll Agency! l l HAVING purchased the stock oi Mr Charles McKinnon. and rented his warerooms, we beg re- Ipsctfully to intimate to the public that we will be found at the old stand with a full line of Farm Sup- plies including Agricultural, Domestic and Dairy Implements of all kinds. US'I‘ ARRIVED a large shipment I Cutters which we are bound to all at right prices. Call and see us. FARM LABORERS wishing employ- mdnt can be put in communication with good farmers by enquiring ot- us. Good horses at reasonable prices always at hand. ~ 2 [IN CLARK, Jr. tcll you Olga suspects nothing. . thc dungeons tin-y must opcu ibc iron ‘ drugged winc, but he kncw what he day guard and gone to his own quat- tors. The first question Neslerov asked was for Princess Olga. When he learn- ed that she was still sleeping, he went to see Jansky. “What is the matter with you?" he asked. “You seem to be ill." “I do feel rather ill,” said Jansky. “I don’t know when I felt like this.” “You were drunk; that’s all. You were drunk when I left you. Did you drink any more?" "Yes: in making the round of inspcc- ‘ tion I discovered ltzig asleep and a: bottle of wine lnilt' gone. I drank the rest." “ltzt: asleep! danger near us?" “I'oob! The girl suspects nothing. A girl of her ngc. evcn though she be a princess. could not disscmblc so well. 1 At his post! And this ”'l‘licn why is shc hcrc?" “Wcll. shc is ccccntric. as you know. and it is quitc possible that she would likc to be the with of the governor of 'i'omsk." Ni-slcrov lnughcd. “She would likc to kill him. rathcr.” “EH-n so. shc docs not suspcct." "llnt this thing of ltzig lil‘llli: asleep at his ||H>l~~\\'l‘ must cxaminc into it." "'l‘iu- poor dcvil wamcd his sharc in thc l‘c‘t‘viiics. l snppow. Wc mnst not dcal too sovcrcly with him. llc «'cr- luinly did not stool tlic winc. Some‘ one l!iil\l have givcn it to him." ““‘ho? l num llrhl that out. lint, . sincc ln- l:.i< st-n :i~;~ n. you had lict- . tcr I'\:llillll-‘ Iln- prison 1‘.“ l "'l‘ln-y :n'c llict'i- all right. How could ‘ lllt')’ lii- Illlli‘ld‘. Hit" "lint you know what it “1011““ to me li‘ lln-.\ l'\t'.'l||t'.u . u]‘:"1'.‘l[it': i will stukc my licnd Hwy 1 cannot o-M'nlw. “'11); to [miss out from I gatc and thc door of thc guardr min. Soc. licrc is lhc kcy to thc gnardroom door." "Still." said N!‘.\'l!‘l'i)\' hcsitatingly, "l \\’i~'l1_\‘oil Would makc an cxuminutiou." “Uh. il‘ your cxi'cllcncy wishcs it, I will do so gladly. llut l promisc you tin-y :irc thcrc." .lansky was still stupid from thc was doing. llc wcnt to thc guardiw um and unlockcd thc door lcading to the dungcons. in thc passugc hc obtuincd a lantcrn and pasM-d through the iron gatc. llc wont down thc stairs and through the passugos, which it: knew chI, to thc dungcon. llc cntcn-d and {car in his hcart hc crcpt back to the stairs. glancing ncrvously around him, for hc knew the strcngth of the Aim-ri- can. Noslcrov, to whom he wunt. look- ed in surprise :it the :ishcn face. “t‘urscs upon us all!" said .Iansky | hoax-scly. "’l‘hcy arc gone!" .lnnsky looked shccpishly at the gov~ . crnor. and Ncslcrov looked at Jansky 1 like an angry Wolf. “tlouc! loth prisoners gone!" cried the governor. "Is this true?” “Unfortunatelyâ€"the thing I thought impossible is a fact.” Ncsiorov's face was white. “I thoughtâ€"you told meâ€"thcy were both in chains!" be laid. his voice strained and tense. "I did. and it was true. With my own hands I chained them. The American was in the dungeon at the first landing and Paulpotf was down in the lower cellar. With my own hands I chained them, and I hold the key to the door. The key to the chains still hangs where I placed it. This is a miracle. The men must be devils in human form.” -- “The American is something like a devil." said Neslerov grimly, “but I doubt if he has supernatural powers. If those chains have been loosened, Jansky, some human agent has done it. and there is a traitor in the pal- ace." “Whom does your excellency sus- poet?” “My cousin Olga.” “That girl! She would no more dare go down in those dungeons than she would enter a den of wild beasts. And how could she learn that they were down there?” “It Is not quite a secret. Some of the servants saw them brought in." “Since the princess came the servants have had enough to do without talking about two prisoners of whom they know nothing. Anyway. how could Olga. who has spent but little time in Russia and none near Graslov or Perm. ever hear of the Paulpolfs?” ‘ “I know not. But certain it Is there Is a traitor here. This escape. if escape It Is. will cost us dear." . “Ifucapeltla! Itmaynotbeaneav capeanerall! Melanin-arsenals! a. mm'knldenr. a “W ‘thc door and iron gutc. IIc around the passages. I will send for Itzig.” Neslerov was terribly disturbed. He paced to and fro in the police office, and his face did not regain its color. He was playing for a high stakeâ€"the high- est stakeâ€"playing for his lifeâ€"and the game seemed lost. Janaky sent for Itzig, and he came be- fore them. “You went to sleep last night!" thun- dered Jansky, whose theory was that to obtain the truth from a culprit you must terrify him at the start. “I swear I did not. your excellency!" replied Itzlg, shivering in terror. “You lie! I went in the guardroom. and you were asleep. I found there a portion of a bottle of wine. Who gave you that?" “I! A bottle of wine! I never tasted wine in my life. Brandy and vodka. plenty, but wine-I am too poor.” “Oh, you did not buy this wine. Some one at the fete gave it to you. Who was it?" “I know not! I swear I know not who put the wine in my room !” “You are lying. A tray was also there, with dishes. You had your feast and got drunk. Who brought the stuff to you i" “I swear no one. If there was a feast, it was some one else's.” “How could any one else eat there , and you not know it?" ltzig saw he was lost. “1 may have-perhaps I slept a. mo- mont." “A moment! You slept hours, and the prisoners you were guarding have ‘ escaped." “Impossible!” gasped Itzig. almost sinking through the tloor. “Enough of this!" “ltzig is here. and if he has pcrmlttcd the mcn to escape he can be punished any time. We urc wasting precious moments. Let us gct down to the dulr goons and find them." .Iansky took a pistol. and so did Ne- ? Slt‘l‘OV. They wont to the gunrdroom. Klansky took the lantcrn and opened led the ‘ way, Ncslcrov and lizig following. Ile has gone." said .Innsky, ‘ “Sec? pointing to the chains. “Arc you ccrtuin this is the room '2” “("crtain? As l mu alive." “Tin-n for thc othcr. and kccp a . watch. 'l‘hcy are not nrmcd. but reâ€" mcmbcr l’:iulpoll"s strcngth, and the othcr is no pygmy." Again .lnnsky lcd tho way. llc did not tcll Nt-slci-ov ln- had not llt’t‘il to visit Vladimir. in his agitation at finding thc Aincrlcnn gouc hc had as- sumcd. of conrsc. that if ono could es- (‘lllw ln'illi ("(ililll. corncr. toward which llcllton had not 'i'tlm-el l v 21' ill iv t,‘l!‘.\ l ‘ .l-g‘ht limit: r' '1 l‘ ' . . Alix as!!!” lizvl'i"lli~1ol .- inurc ll i...iv'o- 23‘ oni- win-rc lit-mun l.;z«l law it clmi w! This “as :i dinnzmn madc col.‘ and damp by tho walcr that two inclu-s dccp on tlic lloor. and in which blind rcptilcs that had ncvcr Hi' ~n any lzriglitcr placc crawlcd around in tlic slimy Long strings ol’ moss hung from thc walls. llcrc. in Sizzivl (Hl1lfi this noisoinc and lci'rililc pl:icc. was 1' Vladimir. chaincd in the snnn- manncr as iii-nton had liccn. "I thought you said he had gone too!“ cxclaiincd Nash-rov. a flood of hope and coumg‘c showing ill his \‘oicc. "i thought so. in my cxciicmcnt l bclievcd both had gone, but if one is here the other must be. We scurch the dungeons." They did not speak to Vladimir, who was suitor-lug awful torturcs. but turn- ed and nsccndcd to the uppcr floor. IIcrc. winding and turning among the passages, they crept stealthily-three armed men searching for one man who was unnrmcd. yet (caring that the one might leap upon them and slay tin-m as they walked. But they did not find the American and returned crestfallen to the otiice of the superintendent of police. . “That man did not set himself free," said Neslerov. “Some one who knows my secret has done this. Olga is here. Who else but Olga could do the thing?” “Did tll“ Princess Olga come to you during the ball?" Jansky suddenly ask- ed Itzig. “Was it the princess who gave you that wine?” The pallor of the man's face gave Jansky his answer. “Heavens!” he exclaimed. “The wine must have been drugged! It was Olga who set him free!" “Then we must act with extreme cau- tion, for if she knows this much she will ruin me. For a short time we must act as if we did not know the Ameri- can had escaped. But you and Unsgeâ€" thop must find himâ€"find him-before he gets out of Tomsk. Then, with him again in our grasp. I will deal with Olga. Fool. to put her strength against mine. and in Tomsk !" “What about Vladimir?” asked Jan- sky. “Leave him alone. He can do no harm.” Jansky went quickly to work. Uns- gethop, upon whom he depended most. had gone to another place la the dis- charge of his duty. ”It? made sev- eral fruitless jonmyfi did-c the day. bit no trace of the “I”! could he Let him starve! said Neslcrov. ; ltcaching an obscure ' l'lilli'll will ‘ calm and the steely (litter of his eye. ' She knew he had discovered the escape of Benton. but the resolute girl did not fear him. She merely nerved herselt to finish the work she had set herselt to do. She had frequent errands that took her near the ofiice of the superin- tendent of police, and she kept her ears alert to catch the slightest whisper. It was evening when she went for the seventh time, and loud voices came from the superintendent’s ofiice. 80 ex- Wlndtng and turning among the pas- sages, thou crept atealthlly. cited were the speakers that they did not realize that their voices reached into the hall. “I tell you it is so!" said the voice of Unsgethop, who had returned and whc seemed to be angry. “How was I tc know that a man could escape from the dungeons? I heard itâ€"tliat the Ameri- can had passed through Dorky on his way to Tivoloffsky. rov had changed his plans." “Is he going to 'l‘ivolot'fsky? Old Paulpoff is still there!" said the gov- crnor. “But explain this thing.” said ['usge . thop. “How could :1. man who was chained to the wall in that dungcon get out?" “Ily the bclp of a traitor. and i will know that traitor and slay him!" said ; Ncslcrov. l wine. and Jansky. like a fool. drank it. I Also ltzig. who guards the door. in: the limo they wcrc nslccp tlic Aincr- ican was sct t'rcc. ’l‘hc othcr. l’uulpol‘l‘. . is still thcrc. Your work is to capture i that Amcrican and bring him licrc.” i "if he knows. hc may have told Some l one." suggcstcd l'nsgcilmp. ' “This is no time to talk! ! has told or not. he must be brought 1 back! i - dcstroy my cncmics first! (lo! lring him back to dic!" l ()lga quickly disappcarcd up the i stairs. l CHAPTER XVI. uni)” l'.\l'l.i’(iFl“ AVENGED. i '1‘ was midnight in ’l‘omsk. and the palace of thc govcrnor was still. .ian<k_v and l'nsgcthop had ridden awu)’ lo ovcriakc llcnton at 'l‘ivo- i l: "l‘sl-zy. ltz‘g was at his post in the L'li.il‘(lli.iil5:i‘ :t"1l :hc nuw licutcnnnt of a tl.c pulucc g' '::'d [lill'l'll his mcnsures through llic iii-M‘i'lcd corridors. lieu Mush-rov was not nslcep. Fever- 1>h and impaiicnt. he sat in his room. Whom- . inc Ann-ricnn. libcr‘... " ‘nn-nzn'c to 1110 lll'c of Xt‘Sll'ltn'. lle‘ ' drank dccply from time to lilnc from a l lioiilc um stood on his mun. if he i no onc was ncur. with l‘cul'. "Hutu-us? hc said as he drank again. "if hc rcuchcs l'crm. and the truth is known. I shallvwhat will be- l conic ol' Inc?" l [11- startcd as a light l‘ooistcp sound- . u! on tho hard floor. and his haggard . l'acc grow palcr as l'rinccss ()lga cn- l lcrcd. l “Why are you awakc'!" he nskcd 1 l l ! harshly. lie was too excited to think of plirascs. “i could not slccp. and i knew you l wcrc not in bed.” she answered. “I came to talk." I lie sturcd at her. In his cycs she was as bountiful even as li‘rnnccs Gor- don. but his danger made him think her a tigrcss seeking to devour him. Yet hc dared not show it. “Why are you alone?" asked Olga. "You usually have Jansky. the super- intendent of policc. with you?" “Jausky is away. A notcd prisoner has escaped and the superintendent has gone to retake him." “I heard a commotion. I supposed it was something of that kind. Was it a Russian?" “Yesâ€"a nihlllst.” "I hope they will capture him." "They will! They must!" said Ne- slerov fiercely. Olga's eyes were veiledâ€"they did not betray her thoughts. “There Is much concerning this sys- tem that is new to me, and it will take long for me to learn it all. I am al- ready weary with the little I have done." “Better leave it alone. It is a busi- ness for men. not princesses," said Ne- slerov. “The study has made me wakeful. Bring me some wine." He opened a bottle. “It has puzzled me why you do not marry.” he said. trying to hide his fear of her as he poured out a glass of wine. “Why should I?" she asked. not yet found among the nobles of Russia the man I would marry.” “What sort of man must he be to I supposed Nesle- ; "Some one drugged some lmr- : “'hcthcr he 1 if I am to bc dcstroycd, i will ‘ :' :i\\:i‘iin‘." the» rciurn of his |lUlil‘t‘ with . \\':l.\' ll 5 spokc. iic did it with a loud voicc. but 1 Ills thoughts worc' spokcn thus. as with a man half mud ‘ “Oh." said Olga. “to please me a man , must be honorable. strong and wise. He must not be bound by custom. nor yet must he scorn it. There are waysâ€" In the world we live in there are ways â€"of being great without being eccentric and without following the lead of oth- ers. A man whom I love must be pa- tient and must not use his strength against the weak." A sarcastic smile crossed his lips. “You must look outside of Russia,” he said. “Perhaps." she answered. “But you have not pledged me. Must I drink alone?" Ills eyes snappcd with the remem- brance that Janskr and ltzig had been drugged. But sbc was so handsome. so smiling, that no sign of evil intent was in her face. “From your hand.” he answered. with a show of gallantry. She poured him a glass of wine. and they drank. For a moment he waited. as if half expecting to fall asleep. But the wine had no ill ctfect. and they chatted on. But Neslerov grew more impatient as the night wore on. Why did this girl persist in staying up and talking to him? mind? Was there another plot? He paced to and fro in the room as he‘ spoke. When his back was turned. she made a quick movement and dropped somethingâ€"not into the wine bottle. but into the bottle of liquor from which Ncslcrov drunk. “I think I will retire," said the prin- cess. “It is late. and perhaps I can slcep now." “I hope you will find rest." he said. She went out. with a dark. saturnine face. What did she moan? He poured out a liberal dose of liquor. The wine was too weak for him. He nccdcd something to steady his shaken nerves. IIe drank it. In live mlnutcs he was staring blaukly at bimscll' in a glass. “What is thisâ€"this fccling?" be muttcrcd. "That she devil! I am poi- soned! What trick is this? lIclp! . (lnard! Licutcnant of the guard!" . The young oiliccr hcurd, and ran to . him. . "Your cxm-llcncy callcd." ho said. i "ch-wquiclv-l :nu poi<oncd~l nu] drowsy bring l'l'lllt‘i'\s Olga-quiclaf" 'l‘hc licn:cn:n.t. wild with apprclu-w slim. I'Iishcd to (”24's room. “ills cxccllcncy ihc govc-ruor wants you?" lic punicd. "llc is poiwncd." “”0 is not [wisonr-d." :innu-rml (ll!!! calmly. "llc is llli‘l‘v'l)' going to slccp. I want you to .xz-vy ‘l\\':l)' from him. and I want you to kccp quici." 'l'lic olliccr sturcd "\\'l.:lt do you llil‘llll'.’ lic i< ill! The . gm'ci‘nor callcd inc and Si'lll for yo i " “I am going to him. but you must 1 lint." "Hut 1 must. It i< my duty!" “\‘i'hoin do you olu;\"" “Ncslcrov. gun-rum 'ol' 'l'o:n<k.' f "'i'hcn from ihi~ :rioincnt you only 3 inc, ltcad this!" Shc plnccd bcforc hill] the saun- par . pcr shc had shown in rmskydiis l'cllow olliccr. Ills cycs startcd from his lit-ad. “'l'hc soul of the czar!" he cried. and . he. like Dcrmsky. fcll to his kin-cs “I I olicy~~couinnind incl" hc cXcluiun-d. “llcmain quict. i did hot man- to 'l'omsk for nothing. :l'liis~ lll:.'lii wnl mcun much lo ltuwia. Work oil‘. I.» douc that will night a icrriblc \nltifi. .\ ll you nccd do is to rcinain quict and d: rm aiicmpt to lulcrl'crc." ' . ‘:='c not 1" lic said. “You li:l\‘c the vi ihc czar! it couunands all to .uil lolwy!" ' .2 hon. storing and wondcring. io XML-rov. 'l'iic gon-rnor ng‘. llc opcllcd his cycs as J 9 i l l c llzsscd as hc lrlcd to rcguin -ih. llc Would have killcd ‘ if" shc answcrcd quictly. “You it will not be long." 1‘ i will you do?" he askcd. with g i work." shc answered. “I shall l him 7\'laliimir." " :: Ililt' :l trcmcudous clTort to riso- -=.l :c her. but t'cll with a groan to than Quickly Olga. taking a pistol ‘ l'mm hcr pocket. ran across the hall to liZ'ig. i if brought me wine thqt was druggcd. and my prisoner escaped." “’l‘ruc." said Olga. “And now the other. You were with Jansky and thc governor whcu they visited him. You know where he is." “I know not." grumbled ltzlg. “That is false. i heard them spcnk of you to Unsgcthop. me to his dungeon? Open the door!“ “I cannot. It is never out of his hands." “Oh, heaven!" cried Olga. made this terrible mistake?" “Have I “The key is Jansky‘s.” said ltzlg. ' “No one goes to the dungeon save by his orders." “Break down the door." “Impossible! It is heavy oak. I have no ax." She turned from him and fled to till stairs. “Lieutenant!" The young ofilcer. with visions oi mines and the knout and wondering. where this complication would end. answered her. "Come here," she said. “I want this door opened." He looked at the door and at Itzig. “Jansky has the key, and he is gone." said lulg. “We must open lt. If the princess aays,so," said the otficcr. “What! You disloyal to Neslerov?" The otficer smiled and looked at Olga. “We must take 0!! the hinges," he said. “I will get the tools." He was gone but a moment. and when he returned he attacked the screws that held the great iron hinges. . “I will alarm the governor!" cried It- ‘nme-plnc upon him. “Stand back! Keep your hands 08!" ordered Olga. aiming her revolver at “l have commanded, and I will . l - I . . - ~.‘ *5 What was in her! Ncslerov watched her . "You!" he cried as she entered. "You . Will you guide The key is with .lansky. -é i, 0‘ _______________â€"___________â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" “Yo‘u have no authority!" mid Itllc. cowering before the pistol. “I have this.” She showed him the paper. Bis moo wwwmmandhonnkahlverlnsts the door. “The seal of the car! on. urinal. I did not know! I obey! I will dean!- thing!" “Help cpen the door." The hinges were soon om and the door was opened. The Iron gate re- sisted the united efiorta of the two. but they sawed out the lock. “Take the lantern!" commanded the princess. Trembling In every fiber, Itzlg light- ed a lantern. “lead the way to the dungeon when .Vladlmir is concealed." ; "I obey." ‘ “And I will guard you, princess." said the otncer. Thus they descended the stairs. ltzlg leading with the lantern. Olga follow- ing and the ofiicer close behind her , ready to protect her. Potent was the ‘ seal of the czar. ! They found the giant blacksmith in 3 his chains. The hunger he felt had not ‘ yet lapped his strength. The key the princess had taken from its peg soon ‘ released him. “Come!" she said. “But who are you. and what does this mean?" he demanded. “Come! We have no time to waste with. words. Tonight you have the work of your life to (10. Come!" The four ascended. and ltzlg extin- guished his lantern. The eyes of Vlad- !mlr blinked as he entered the great hall. which was kept lighted all night. “You are Vladimir." said the prin- ‘ cess. “I am Olga of the Nesleruvs. Do you know the story of the picture?" “The little picture." crlcd Vladimir eagerly-“the little one that Pope Paul- poll said he found? Yes; he told it to ' me and to tbtI American one day in the but at Tivolotlsky." “Then you know the truth. The American was to go to Penn and start the investigation." -“ch, but hc was brought hcrc." “I released him last night. He wcnt from bore to 'l‘lvoioll'sky to bring l'upa Paulpoll‘ to tell his story bci‘orc the governor gem-ml. who has nct )‘ct ar- rived. .lansky. the supcrintcndcnt of police. and linsgcthop hilvc gonc to fetch him. They will kill him: ihcy will not risk taking him alive It is your duty to ridc lo 'l‘ixoioliklgv~ridc as for your own lil'câ€"and saw the Amcrican and l’upa l'anlpoii“. ill-Lug them bcrc. llo you undcrsiand‘f‘ "Yrs: but a lml'sc." “l.icuicnant. in thc namc of ihc czar. the ticcn-st horsc in thc slalilcs tor Vladimir " “I obeyâ€"the ficctcst horsc." "You must be t'amishcd." said Olga. “Will you cat?" "lint: With ihc Amcrican and l‘apa Punlpot’t m dangcr! No: but a d. ink of Willa" ' llc watchvd hcr as she stcppcd into lie saw the govcrnor. “.\l-<l~ rov'" Inc said. "is he dead?" l ".\o l drnggcd his liqnl r llcre is vvlnc ll N not druggcd. I drank of it ll-\ I: ' n. om mo iin- glass. and thc ofiicer unit in (I Ncslcrm‘s room as it! the door. urluccss. I woke no one at the 811117-198. ; “damn the steed myself." “Good. You will be a captain tomor- row. Now. Vladimir. go!" He mounted and was off. lie fol- lowed the line of the new railway and ‘ could not lose his way. llis horse was fast, the best horse in .\'c.~lcrov's sta~ ble. “For the Aun-ricnn! l-‘or l-‘ranccs! For the honor of liraslov!" mnttcrcd Vladimir as he strove to incrcasc his horse's spccd. llc pus-sod through villagcs asleep undcr ihc bright stars. 'l‘hc boots of his horse rang out on thc pchldcs of one road or sank into ilic nind of an- othcr. llut on no wcnt. 'l'ivolofi'sky, likc all the other villugcs. was uslccp. Its quict was rudcly disturln-d by the hammering of the iron shows as the horse bore him through ihc sill-n! strccts. [light wcll hc kncw the way to ihc lint wlicrc Maminn l‘unlpol‘t' was llllll'dt'l't'd. Two llul‘scs stool] llcl‘oro thc door. His own dashcd up and ‘ whinnicd. 'l‘hcy Wcrc from the gov- ernor’s stablcs. Like a madman he '.v i .. ~- lcnpcd from the saddle to thc ground. “0 board Shouts. :1 pistol shot. It was sonic-thing likc a dcmon that .lansky and l'l:sgctliop saw coming in like a whirlwind. In a corncr crourh- . He brought their heads together to“): a crash. . ed Papa Paulpotf. trembling and white . with terror. 0n the door lay Dentou, unconscious, with the mark of a bullet In his forehead and the blood stream- lng over his upturned face. Janaky was bending over him. Vladimir entered. a lathe whale some. Anal! Mfi“~* ' “Who in this?" cried umethop as - The busing eyes of the avenge: u