The morning call., 1890-04-28
A ROMANCE OF RUSSIA AND SIBERIA,
osef Lu6omisk Author of SafaradE Story of 7san,
COPYRIGHT 1880. BY META DE WERE

lantern of the keeper, who was followed by an
other person. 1t was Schelm, who sent back
the keeper and remained alone with bis victim.
"At last 70 exclaimed Miller. II have waited
for you impanently. i think should have lost
my mind If you bad not come"
Sehelm smiled knowingly.
al come to Keep my VOID, because am fully
fully satisfied. Here are 100000 rubles Are
You cOnlent?
Perfectly, if l can live away from here. But
that is not all. When shall j be free again You
come surely 10 give me liberty"
Not exactly" replied schelm. "Your evil
dence will be required. Lann viii deny, no
doubt; lie Will have TO be convicted"
Another step down in my humiliation"
Yes, you two Will be confronted with each
"Spare me thaG-only that 1 would rather
take my life than to look into his eyes after what
has happened"
BE calm. foolish mani Your wish shall be
granted, but your evidence Is needed. That
alone will secure your liberation"
You viii not spare this poor young man,
" Look at me! Do 1 look like man who
spares an enemy? His cell adjoins yours"
Miller went quickly over TO the other side.
Willyou soon let me out OF this cursed hole ?"
he asked with trembling voice.
Certainly, next week." said Sehelm, hastily
going out
No sooner, however, did he reach the passage
than lie shrugged his shoulders ana ordered The
next cell TO he opened-NladimiI's.
Lanin had spent sixteen hours here. At mid
night he had been arrested; al O'Clock cast
INTO this fearful cell DOW It was o'clock in the
left by the keeper and looked out OF the small
window. The NeVa was flowing close under ii /;
he could not even see piece OF the sky above
The setting sun, reflected from the surface OF
the river, cast greenlsh, unhealthy light the
prison walls. At this moment the door opened
aud Schelm entered. Lauin shook with excite
ment when lie saw who it was. The keeper re-
manned outside without closing the door.
In moment Vladimir was at the threshold and
with one look at his adversary asked him:
Perhaps you can explain why this has been
done 10 me- as You seem TO have the thread OF this
Intrigue In your hand"
A deVilish, scornGul laugh was ScheIm's only
answer.
" You laughP exclaimed Lanln, land yet you
know that l am Innocent"
Schelm raised his dirty, crooked iorefnger and
said ironically:
i" Innocent? Why, that Is news I"
Vladimir seized him by the coat.
" Mr.. Schelm, explain yourself l allowed per-
maps an unbeeomng jest TO pass when 1 ought
TO have checked 1t; You wish to punish me for il.
ana certainly have beeu punished alt eady. Mr..
Schelm, have suffered suffered agony. l re-
pent that Jest. Shorten my sutferiugs and re-
lease me-"
Schelm smiled. cont inual,y Ieasting his ewes
and his mind at the sight OF his victims suffer
ing.
" You answer not. What more do you want of
me. my fortune? Take i'll l know you are
omnlpotenti remember that We once were COM
radeS"
What nonsense ara you talking?" suddenly
Sald Sehelm. " You do not see before you Mr..
Scheim. whom you once knew, and who may
have had reason TO be offended by your conduct.
NO! You have now 10 do with the head OF
division in the Ministry Of tna Interior, who
comes comes here 10 examine and sees in the prisoner
solely man accused OF high treason"
Vladimir looked into his eyes; Schelm could
not endure his honest scrutiny.
Do you think l am guilty ?" asked Lanin,
trying 10 master his Indignation. " The letters
on your portfolio MADE it clear TO me that this is
your revenge DO you know that have ever
conSpHeG."
For two months my agents have been looking
ior the Ace OF Hearts the head OF this disgrace
Inl conspiracy; You yourself acknowledged
that you were the Ace OF Hearts!'
Il? Great God! but you know this Is vile
SANDER. L VIII not be ruined, however. ! have
many friends aud kinSmen!'
Schelm laughed aloud.
The man who once cOnspires against the En-
pefor loses friends and kinsmen at once. Young
man, be candid Try to Tell me The Truth and your
honest confession may soften the EmperOrs
just wrath"
An unusual noise was head at this Instant
Spurs sounded and swords struck the stone
moor there were hurried steps of soldiers;
four men with torches preceded the new
comers On the threshold appeared the Gov
elhor OF the fortress, In company with the
Emperor's aide, Count Lanin Schelln turned
deadly pale; Vladimir quickly approached .S5
door ana called out: -
Villain, my friends aud kinsmen have not de-
seFteQaie Dear uncle, save me !"
! The General kept him back coldly.
III this gentleman told you that you had no
KIN smen he was perfectly right. did not come
to set you free. nor 10 pity you, becouseyOu have
deserved your tate. | come in obedience to an
order OF his Majesty the Emperor, who does not
wish 10 see our name forever disgraced, in con-
slderation OF my faithful services"
As soon as Schem noticed the drift OF affairs
be endeayored TO poison the mind of the Count.
investigation"
Count Lann looked at him severely.
My words were not addressed to you. From
personal regard the Emperor has deigned TO sup
press this affair IN quiet without judicial SEN
tence The men were caught in the act The
criminal here present has himself confessed that
he was The anonymous head Of the conspiracy.
What good could an investigation do? His
Majesty the EnlUerOr nd tbzr
all proceedings shall be stopped out OF eOnsdera-
Li0n Tor the name which [ unfortunately bear.
You are exiied 10 Siberia as simple cOlonist,
NOT as private soldier, nor as one condemned TO
forced labor IN the mines. Considering The mag
nitude OF the crime, this is very mild punish
lnent. In ike manner your fellow-cOnspirators
also Will be sent to Siberia His Majesty thus
richly rewards my modest services. Be grateful,
young fool and forget under the smock- frock
Which you will hereafter wear the name you have
covered with shame ~
Vladimir listened TO his uncle's words per-
fectly dumfounded. His uncle had so far
always shown him affection which ap-
preached weakness. The manner in which he
now spoke showed him that he would never be
able 10 justify himself since his nearest relatives
doubted his innocence. Still be was indignant
al such Injustice.
d" Uncle /" he cried, 81 want to be tried. 1 de-
mand an inquiry. 1 am innocent. am the vic
tim OF wTeIched intrigue I"
This language OF despair touched the old gen.
tleinan deeply; he replied, therefore, III milder
tone:
d" You are out OF your senses. Instead of at
tempting 10 defend yourself, Try, rather. to con-
Duct yourself well. The Car IS graciously in.
elned toward you, and perhaps i'll ten years"
But, swear l am innocent Let me tell
you"
Enough" said the General, sternly. Have
the courage at least to confess your crime; your
aeeompliees have confessed an"
q" beseeeh you, be kind enough to listen
to me"
." Not word more. Day after tomorrow you
start for Siberia. And you" lie added, turning TO
Schiem, you have nothing more to do here.
Follow me-"
Uncle, as God is my Judge"
but the torches had already disappeared; the
dooI groaned and Vladimir was once more alone
In his cell.
The sun had SET Instead of The greenish
simmer which had been reflected from the
waters oil the Neya, night had come, and dark
ness had covered ALL The poor, desparing
prisoner unable to bear all this at once, threw
himself on thu dama floor and went.
Schem had in the meantime left the prison
In the passage the General, leaning on the arm
OF The commandment OF the fortress, had curtly
dismissed him. he head OF division remained
standing in tile dark passage.
HIS thirst for revenge was not completely sat
lshed; he had hoped to see Vladimir hanged or
at least sent into The mines; the Cars mercy
made him furious. The jailer Interrupted his
DARK medltatlons by asking humbIy:
docs your EXcellency go uD?''
mo !" replied Schelm "Open No 10 once
more and remain at band as long as l am speak
ing with the prisoner ~
piece OF the dry black prison bread. when the
door opened second time and Schelm appeared
on the threshold. His face looked oinnous
that Miller sprang up, seized with sudden appre-
bension.
Not one OF you is to be trledi The Cars
pardon includes every one of you. / no longer
need your evidence and you viii never see me
again The money you may keep"
And my iiberaton?" asked Miller, trem-
bling.
" Ha! la hal coDspirator wants to be set
iree! wish you farewell Miller; in Siberia re-
member mel"
Miller was about TO fall upon Sehem. He
~oain nave Killed him on The spot. He hurt him
sen against the iron bound door, which the taller