Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-15
CHAPTER XIV.

mlller's ODportune arrival had come
obout in this way: The fungus had brought
DR.. Haas to Ienar-kus, who understood a
little Russian and knew Miller's name The
same evening Haas saw Miller, who at once
collected a small number of exiles and gave
the promise that the colonists of the village
itself would also render assistance. The Doc
tor had Jana's money still about him, and
was already suspected; he thought it best,
therefore, to give Jenar-kus the 10000 rou-
bles, who, in return, engaged to furnish the
exiles with the necessary arms. As the time
was pressing, Miller determined to go on,
although most of the men had only heavy
clubs and few swords.
While Palkin was trying to persuade
Popof to surrender the unlucky paper, Mil
Ter reached the village, where he had many
allies. They first surprised the house of the
inspector, seized and bound two Kossacks
and the captain of gendarmes of Irkutsk. In
another room they found Jana and Helen,
held prisoners. Helen had been released
after she had told the Captain all she knew,
but as Jana was not an exile some regard
had to be had to her name and
once started to warn Vladimir and Popoff
against Colonel Palkin's treacherous inten-
tions. They had. however, been seized BY
the Captain, who was on the watch for
them. Then Miller with his followers had
fastened to assist Popof The whole vii
lage was involved in the conspiracy, hence
no one warned the gendarmes.
paIkip did nf oaa co 70 ebouf opd 10 ourca.
his uninterrupted threatenings at last made
Miller impatient.
"Keep silence" he commanded. "Did
we utter complaints when we were in your
hands. Tyrants are always towards. Keep
silence, you wretched coward"
These last words hurt Palkin like NOR
tai offense. He ceased to cry.
Helen, kneeling by the corpse OF her be-
trothed, was apparently praying quietly,
but in her face threats seemed rather to pre-
vail than resignation. DR.. Haas cast a
last look at Nicholas, bandaged the slightly
wounded men, and turned to the Countess:
"Countess, we have nothing more to do
here. Your husband is in danger, and
Popoff is beyond our help. Human justice
must proceed. Scenes like these are not for
your eyes. Ialso cannot stay here; my duty
is to help and to save, not to punish. Fol-
low me, pray"
Jana understood at once.
BLOOD enough has been she'd" she said
'Pardon the guilty manl'
Miller shrugged his shoulders and turned
round. eagerly.
"The Doctor advised you well, Countess.
This is no place for youP'
"For my husbands sake do not avenge
yourselfP'
"Your words are in vain, Countess. I
pray YOU once more leave us, unless Won
wish to witness the executionp'
Haas seized her hand, saying, "Come, 1
beseech you. This is nothing for you,
and we cannot change matters as thew
are. These men have gone too far to stop
herep'
She followed him. saying, almost uncon-
"Oh, my God! My Godl Pardon them!
Pardon him, also! And pardon me, who have
caused all this shedding of bloodl''
Haas was already in the door with the
Countess, when Helen sprang up, and, in
her despair, cried:
"DOctorl You abandon him7 stayl You
must stay?'
Haas shook his head.
"I can do nothing more. I can assist no
one and save no one here"
"Then Nicholas is no longer alive?"
Haas had no answer to give. He turned
to the Countess, who took Helen by the
hand.
"Come, Heleni Let us return together to
town. We must submit to Gods will, all
of us, my child"
The Doctor noticed that the exiles were
becoming impatient at this delay; they
meant to have their revenge. He there
fore drew the Countess along with him, say
ing:
"Comel Helen will follow us sooni''
Helen stood like statue, and when the
door was closed behind Haas and the Count
ess, she spoke:
"He Is deadl Really dead! Murdered BY
those who dispised him because be served
them. You will surely punish that man,
won't you?" she added. pointing at Palkin.
The exiles bowed their heads.
"That will be the beginning of revenge,
but only the beginning. Other men as
powerful as this man have been as guilty OF
his death. He is dead, but do not believe
that he cannot avenge himseliP'
'Listen to me-" she said, turning to Mil
Ter. "You seem to be the leader of the
others. They have tortured him to death
to extort his secret from him. I have kept
it as he has kept 1t, and will intrust it to
you. What do / now care for Count Lanin?
shall avenge myself and him at the same
time"
She sat down on the bench aud took
Popoff's cold head in her lap.
"You searched in vain for that docu-
ment," she said, turning to Palkin, "and
yet he had it in his possession. Now that
he is dead you shall see it. Do you know
what he did9 He had false tooth inserted
as large as two ordinary teeth, and in that
he kept the paper. Will you be kind
enough" she added, turning to Miller, ito
take it out"
Palkin roared with fury, while Miller
thought the girl was crazy.
Follow my advice, my child" he said to
sss. You will see bad things here, and you
are already in feyer.r