Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-11-13

Believe me, Yegor, it is better for US to wait
until tomorrow, In the meanwhile. per-
haps, we may be enlightened by some re-
vealing indication. Come in, my friend;
after our fatigue and our emotions. the cold
will seize upon us-cOme"
Yegor allowed himself to be drawn alone
by his friend, without making the least re-
sistance.
CHAPTER XXX.-WAB'S INTELLIGENCE
What a sad evening that was, passed at
the corner of the fire, while the winter wind
blew violently without.
Yegor and NJ Lafcur looked at each 9th.
er, without daring to exchange their pain.
full reflections They had ioyously brought
all sorts of provisions, but they touched
nothing.
even the dog" murmured Yegor, 'even
the dog-all gone! 1t is inexplicable. Wab
would never willingly have followed Yer
mac. What are we to think? What must
we decide upon?"
AT this moment they heard barking out
of-doors.
cit is the Siberian dogs" said NJ Lafeur
Yegor listened attentively.
mo; it is Wab," said he, rising; "but the
animal is worried by neutrality-suspicious.
wounded"
And he opened the door of the hut
1t was, indeed Wab. The creature bound
ed III aud laid at its masters feet the little
silk embroidered reindeer skin bag which
the TchouktchiS had stolen from them few
days before
"Look" cried Yegor. ''Those beggars
who came here have had something to do
with our misfortune. Wab has brought
back the bag they robbed US of. The ami
NAL must have followed Nadege to their
village"
Wab leaped upon Yegor, licking his hands
and uttering little cries of joy. The young
man caressed the animal with tenderness
justified by the fidelity and intelligence it
had displayed.
eve noticed" said M. Lafeur, ''that the
Tchouktchis, who came from the east, re-
traced their steps instead Of going towards
the west as was very probably at first THEN
intention. The tracks of the sledge also go
to the east. Evidently, Wab has returned
from their hut v .ich signifies that their
village is not far distant from here But
what role must we assign to the chief Of
police in all this:"
NINE" answered Yegor.
''At least we possess some Indications
said the Partisan. II now recall the strange
fashion in which the native stared at Mad
eye, while speaking to his wife of his kama
kay
''You have hit it. my excellent friend! p
cried Yegor. ''This chief of their tribe has
come here in consequence of the report of
he N, NT,Jo. 7,
what afflicton she must bel But the chief
of police?"
eve always come back to him?" exclainl.
ed the Partisan.
The latter had scarcely ceased speaking,
when faint voice uttered his name.
"Who calls me?" asked he, growing slight.
ly pale.
Monsieur Lafeurl" again repeated the
voice.
The two watchers raised their heads.
This name had fallen from above, throug
the aperture made in the roof for the escape
of the smoke.
'Well! here is the chief of police!n cricJ
Yegor
''Open the door!" again said the voice.
"You think it is he, do yOu?" hernandez
M. Lafleur, trifle treasured. Il will al
NIT him then. Those skeletons, those bones.
which we saw to-day, together with the
strange surprise which awaited us on o.,
return, have completely upset me-"
An instant afterwards, Yermac enterc
the hut behind NJ Lafeur
''Can one ask where you have been?" sal
M. Lafleur to him, roughly Certainly,
we have not been in the habit of troublir .
you about your movements; but things
have happened here which make US desire
to know why you return at this hour of the
night"
ITO what things do you allude?" asked
the chief of police, who now perceived the
disorder Of the hut and Yegor's detection
and OWNED the absence of Nadege and her
brother. HAS some misfortune occurred 2
added he, questioning instead of replying
'Nadege ?-Ladislas?
''Gone!" said Yegor.
''Upon the sea, as was the case the other
day?-or lost along the coast?"
abducted !" said NJ Lafieur. ''When we
arrived, everything here was in extreme
disorder"
abduction !-violencel murmured Yer
mac, suddenly resuming his role of chief OF
police. But added he, in a loud voice
and almost with an accent of triumph, chow
could you expose a young girl and child
to such risks as you are running! It would
have been hundred times better to have
gone back when | summoned you to do so
Then | would have interceded in your he.
half with the governor of Yakoutsk. BIT,
now said Yermac, changing his tone, this
young lady and her brother, the poor little
Pole are in the power of a sanguinary
tribe in rebellion against the Cars author.
ity, whose laws are made only by the cha
mans, and who, despite the fact that large
number of natives have been baptized, still
offer human sacrifices! See what your in.
genious plans have brought you to, Mon.
sieur Semenoff!"
We shall all die. perhaps" answered
Yegor, with deep sigh, ''but we shall die
| free!"
Free? That is but word!" said Yer
mac.
"a word, Monsieur-the chief of police p
cried the Partisan. with that word man
things are done. I, who was born on the
Place de la Bastille, can assure you of that
with full knowledge of the facts. Vive ls
liberte! But" added NJ Lafleur. you dc
not tell US where you have been"
Where 1 have BEEN" answered Yermac
"Ah do not ask me-"
With these words, he sat down beside the
fire, his elbows upon his knees and his head
in his hands.
Yegor and the Partisan signed to each
other not to disturb him. On partially turn
ing, Yermac saw upon the table, which M
Lafeur had righted, all sorts of provision.
arranged in good order.
80 the nartaS have arrived" cried he
S1xv perir 70