The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

SAN + RANCISCO. Z
missve. nor as patient Matters, in fact, became
daily worse. Almost at the same time with The
arrival OF the revis0r there appeared well.or.
ganIzed and well-armed band of men who created
regular panic In few days: The leader oil ms
band had, In the short period of two months,
known how TO make himself legendary hero, a
second Protens, who appeared everywhere ana
ever In different form. Now people swore
that he had been seen at twenty places at the
same hour. and now that he was mere OF
there, as he chose. They called him the
" Car OF the Exiles." He was without mercy
against the Government officials, and especially
those who had shown themselves arbitrary or
cruel in their treatment OF exlles Inc Dand
surprised one colony after the other, always
numbering the inspectors with great cruelty
The robbers had soon established regular Ter
rorlsm In the whole district especially allei
they had actually taken small town, klliDg aii
the garrison and securing regtmental sate win
large sums OF money. No one could travel WIFI
out considerable escort Even the Government
messengers and cOuriers were captured, the ON
clal dispatches broken open and examined, ana
then they were allowed 10 proceed on Their
way: These courers especially told such
fearinl, grewS0me stories that no one couid
sleep quietly at night. Reports came
actually 10 now that several large tribes oil Iun-
guses had risen In rebellion, REINFORCING tne e'S.
bands. Schem was utterly helpless; for this
was IN Apiil, when The general thaW had cut Oh
nearly all communication.
Que OF Sehelm's first measures had been to en-
corning the exiies. This created great dissatis-
faction, and ere long The colonists began 10 dis
appear, leaving no trace Soon rumorst came
that 1t was no longer a band, but an admirably
offcered ana perfectly well drilled military iorce
that dehed the Government. They had ap-
pcared about thirty versts from lrkutsk, ana as
they showed themselves, their number was
estimated at 1000 men. such q force, quite
imposing for Siberia. disturbed Schelm very serl-
ously. Schelm coward by nature, actually
tried 10 persuade some cOonists, who were SIN
at their places TO infoim these rebels that ne
would not modest them IN any way II they would
pass over into ManchOOria. But he found no
ready ears for his offers.
The rebels, So far from thinking OF leaving
irkutsk. on the contrary only drew nearer
10 The city, and The monks of the convent OF
ST. George affirmed that one day the leader
OF the band, giant dressed 10 red, mad
flown by them at The head of a hundred
hoIsemen ana disappeared again In mo-
ment, They maintained that they had seen
his features quite distinctly. lie was man
III his best years and In the full vigor OF
manhood The hOrsemen had swept by like
specters IN an instant; one OF them, 10 Tighten
them, had fired carbne at window in the
convent, but the leader had reprimanded nlm III
sucn voice OF thunder that they had neafn
every wOrd 8.
keep your balls for the slaves of the Car!
Why waste them against the servants or God =?
These you may despise, but those you are bound
10 XIII and TO murder, because they do US HARM"
In spite OF his daily growing anxiety, in spite
OF The constant efforts of his cunning mind.
Schem did not cease TO increase the cruelty OF
lis treatment OF tho unfortunate exiles,
50 50 that the general discomfort grew
because his principal Victim, Lanin Tor
whose sake be mainly made The enormous jour
ney, had 50 FAR escahed him. The commandant
Of the prison in which he was enjoyed
The Governors fun confidence and de-
served II thoroughly. he had been sum-
moned before the latter few hours before
TO interfere In the slightest with the pen
altles decreed against his prisoners. The
Governor had bis doubts about Count
Lanin's guilt and wanted to secure him against
further persecution during his absence. The
commandment. knowing This, had solemny prom
lsed HIM 10 watch over Laniu's person. Schelm
Tried various ways 10 induce him 10 leave Lauln
IN his hands Then lie attempted TO persuade
him to let Lanin escape, feeling sure that in
such case LaDin would soon furnish him with
n new cause Tor arrest, but all III vain. The
brave old man was not TO be moved. Schelm
had one more resoufce-ne could depOse the
cOnlnandanl. But lie was appointed by lie Gov
ernor- General and could therefore MOI be re-
moved during his absence; besides lhe whole
town knew him and honored HIM, aud lie had
never gwen The slightest cause for complaint.
Finally, therefore, Schem felt compelled 10 re-
sort TO his favorite means; lie had TO employ
spies, spies even IN prison. Vladimi's greatest
pain had been tile unavoidable contact with The
other prisoners. Save TWO or three, whose
crime he same his own, he was surround
ed by thieves and murderers. These very nat
uralIy hated the man who Stood 80 high above
them and who, they knew, loathed their sight.
Schelm's spies were Instructed to fan this feeling
oil hatred ana 10 Increase IL by variety Oh vile
and utterly false lnSlnualions.
This was an easy task Tor them, under the cir
eumsIances, and soon all OF Vladmr's fellow
prisoners had become bitter enemies of his.
But THIS did not suffice for Schem. He sent
another spy there to gain Nladlmir's confidence
ana lead him gradually to make confessions that
could be USED 10 MS destruction. Thus two
months passed, during which Vladimir was eau
tlOus enough 10 be silent on all subjects that
might have caused him trouble.
Schelms lmpatlcnce grew every day, and at
resolved lake "A dspisiVp
was broodIng over his plan, which lie felt conf
dent would deliver his victim beyond redemp-
ton into his hands, when one day the courier
brought letters from Petersburg. aud among
them one Of special importance, Which was
handed 10 Sebeim IN Paikin's presence 1t In.
closed letter for Count Lanin. The rule among
Siberian eXlles requires that every letter adj
dressed to one of the cOlonisIs shall be opened
and read by the head OF The police the chief
OF the genddTmrs. As soon Seielm had en-
tered upon his duties al lrkutsk lie had spe.
cially ordered that all such letters should be first
brought to him. For Two msnths no letters had
come TO Vladimir Palkin did not know this
and was therefore much surprised when Schelm
suddenly exclaimed triumphantiy:
''Al last letter from Tie capital for Count
Lanin."
Palkin did not share the joy of his ally; on the
contrary, lie was In stale OF unusual excite
mepl. lie had long been sick in consequence Of
his fearful suffering under the knout, and had
70: some time been unable TO follow the footsteps
Of his enemies. he did not even know what mad
become OF mat all-importauI receipt which was
thought 10 be In his possession. Jana might
possibly nave taken 1t To Petersburg with her
and mention IL in The letter that had Just been
received. Now, If Scbelm should open The letter
and lind that the gendarme had told him a false
hood lie would make BIN pay dearly for it. Pal
kin thought OF all this, full of anxiety, while
Schelm was joyiully playing with the letter.
What do you mean 10 do?" asked PalkiD
anxl0usy.
You think, perhaps, I'll open the letter aud
read Ii pr asked Scheim scorDIully. II am not
such a fool. The letter comes from mis- wife aud
no doubt contains nothing but tender caress=s.
1 do not want 10 excite his suspicion. The law,
TO be sure, Is on my SIDE but nowadays The let
Iers are generally handed over TO Tie exiles I'M
opened. Besides, | shall be able 10 get the letter
whenever may want 1t. No. no AT last The
long hoped Tor opportunity presents Itself and i
shall not let &c escape me !"
Palkln bTeathed freely. That danger at least
was warded of. Schelm sent for his spy and
told Palkin thar he would go TO lhe prison him
sell lie same evening.
Here new danger appeared. III Scbem
Shoud ever get possession Of the letters he might
md out everything. AT one glance Palkin saw
how matters STOOD, and as promptly lie came 10
a decision. lie must warn Vladimir against
Schelm's schemes aud advise hin 10 destroy his
wiie'S letter as soon as he bad read It. Like
SclieIm, lie also had his spy i'll The prison, and as
SoOu as lie reached The place lie sent for this
man.
he prisoners were walking about, according
to the rules OF the prison, IN tue yard and Vlad-
mir suddenly noticed That some one slipped
letter slealthliy INTO his band He looked up and
noticed That Schelm's spy, whom he considered
comfade, made signs TO nin, Surprised, but I'M
suspecting, lie went aside from the others into
corner, covered his eyes with his hand 50 as not
10 betray himself, aud could hardly suppress
cry OF JOY when lie recognized Jani's handwrit-
lns.
n he continued mort SIud0n