The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-14
BY TIE CZAR'S ORDERS.
TV-CoNTINUED.

en- into trap. This, then, was LorlS AS
trakoffs personal revenge. The young En-
glisbman now realized, if he had never done
before, how terrible thing it is to live IN
der a despotism, where each Jack-in-otllce
can commit the gr9ssest Of judicial crimes
and has only to account for his acts to one
irresponsible tyrant. He found that all
protestations were in vain, and he was hur-
ried back to his cell, where he remained
over week, until such time as the next
gang should be dispatched. AS he passed
out of the great prison gates the sight of the
blue sky once more seemed like mockery.
Each number was called and each man an
swered.
Number 23i"
Number % looked up. and among the Off
GERS saw his enemy "Well, Count Astra-
kOff," he said, you see l am starting on
my Journey; but when inquiries come TO De
made from Eng and you will repent what
you have DONE"
Haiti" went the order down the line,
and the wretched men stood still.
No inquiries will be made after de ad
man." AStrakoff answ, red, speaking for the
1rst time in English.
What do yon mean?"
Read this"
And the Count placed in his hands copy
of the London Times, pointing to paragraph
which gave an account OF the boat accident,
and reported Gerald Lyle as drowned at
sea. The paper dropped from Number 23s
hands His last ray of hope had vanished.
Though you may be outside human JUS
tice here" he said, Il tell you. Loris Astra-
kotf, as sure as you are living man.
vengeance will OVertake you for this.
March, came the order again, and the
convictS started on the dreadful journey to
the Snow-clad deserts of Siberia.
V.
The weak fell by the roadside on that dis
NAL march, and were left for dead. The
young English sailor had been brought up
in school of endurance, and bore the cold
and privations better than these; but the
time OF despair came when, toiling week
after week In the mines, he wished that his
fate had been theirs. Number % was
chained to Number a, and it was not till
each man had sent up i've carloads OF ore
that their daily ratiOnS were dispatched
down to them. Gerald Lyle was almost
thankful for this. 1t saved his reason from
giving way, for there was less time for Bit
ter thoughts of Ida and home. Number "a
was Pole, political prisoner, and man
OF much culture and wide information. A
friendship sprang up between the two un-
fOrtunates; and as they worked, he taught
Lyle the Russian language, which tile lat
ter fancled might some day be useful 10
him.
After two years Number a was removed.
But Gerald was not long lett alone. Next
day another Number q was brought down.
This man preserved dOgged, silent de-
meanor for a long time, aud would not work.
At last the EnsliShman spoke to him.
well. comTade, You had better make up
your mind to work. You must know that
our food IS not sent down TO us until we have
finished our allotted tasks"
- l know it, but the journey has been
terrible one-it has been too much for my
strength cannot work"
Lyle started, and turned suddenly round.
The voice was familiar to him. Yes, though
Number q was in rags and had grown
beard (as had Gerald HIMSELF, he recognized
there, chained 10 him, Count LoriS AStTakof.
" What. your lie cried bitterly, "haYe
you, too, been convicted as a Nihilist?"
"No, displeased the Car, curse himI /
hope he may meet the same late as Alexan-
der HI
Don't say that. 1t isn't lucky to curse.
l only ask you to remember what l told you
when l left Riga"
They spoke no more, and terrible temp
tatiOn came upon Lyle TO Kill this man; but
he was very weak, and the next morning,
although he shook him roughly. he was un-
able 10 awake him. He Looked, and felt
him. LorIS AstrakOH was dead!
VI.
A sigh Of relief broke from Gerald. He
thanked God that he had taken this venge-
ance in his own hands Suddenly an
idea occurred to him that was not neW-for
he had read it in a romance, but was none
the less daring. TTammeled as be was by
the chains, lie changed clothes with No "a
and, with the corpse attached to him, be
worked On with one hope In view for three
days.
a. last an official came down.
No. PAP he said.
" l am here" replied Gerald in Russian.
His Majesty the Gar has graciously
signihed his pardon. Your Excellency is
free!'
Heaven bless the Carl
''What ais No. %. your Excelency?"
"He died three Gays ago"
So Gerald Lyle was conducted to the up
per air.. A closed sledge was ready for him.
He found the name OF Count Astrakoff had
magic power. He refused to see any one.
BY rapid stages he went 10 ST. Petersburg
and thence to Riga, where, TO his Joy, an
English merchantmen was about TO sail for
home.
SO far he had been successful; but it was
not until he had made himself known to the
captain, and was on the friendly deck, and
clear OF the harbOr, that he really felt after
all his terrible YiciSsitudes, that he was
once more free man. he got home 10 old
England to find his greatest joy-the great
est wonder of all-Ida had mOurned his loss.
but had remained true to his memory AMI
free 10 be his OWE till death should part
them.-Spare Moments.