The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-11
And with this parting salutation Peter
Schemyl turned on his heel like guard or
parade and marched off.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE TIDE BEGINS TO TURN,


ence You might have bought yourself OIL
at st. Petersburg had you known how tc
handle the minister"
''In that case why should we not get
back to England"
II have thought OF that. But you haven't
enough. Every official on the road to the
frontier would have to be bribed."
JBut have enough money in England u
"How Gre you u. get itf"
Write for 1t. The letter could be ad
dressed to Schemyl."
Ivan Dontremember laughed.
mot a letter comes into Schemyl's hands
that has not passed through a dozen on the
road. Every official is on the lookout fol
a means to bleed another. Your letter
would be opened to certainty, and Peter
Schemyl would be forced to hand you over
to some one else. You would never get
your remittance, though in time, by pay.
ing one and then another, you might at
last get away; but it would take years, and
we haven't day to lose. Twelve hundred
rubles and 925 English"---
He made mental calculation, then,
shaking his head said:
II am afraid there's no chance for you,
but can ask Peter Schemyl. Yes, will
go back and have dram with him on the
strength of having sold a loaf to advan.
taRe. Give me few kopecks i have
spent my last"
Gordon took the loose silver from his
pocket, and putting it in Ivan Dontremem-
bers hand said
whatever arrangement you make with
the fellow, you will bear one thing ip nind--
we take you with us, or we stay witbSou'
and share what we have in equal parts till
all is gone"
Ivan Dontremember looked gravely in
GordOn's face for n minute, then, with a
smile, turned and left us in silence.
A long time elapsed = more than two
hours, | think-before we saw him again
When at length he returned, we saw by his
quick, firm step and the aniruation in his
deep sunk eyes ms he drew near the fire that
our case was not hopeless.
II had to make the rascal drunk on his
own liquor" he said, in explanation of his
long absence, as he threw himself down on
the ground beside u.s. "Thats long job
with Russian peasant, even when he helps
himself at your expense. There was no get
ting a word of truth out of him while he
was sober; would not on any consideration
no, not for all the gold in the world-be-
tray the trust placed in him by the govern
ment; preferred death to dishonor and all
the rest Of 1t. However, little by little, as
he grew more and more drunk he confessed
to having at different times got five exiles
out Of Siberia and two of them across the
frontier, Finally he let me know exactly
what it cost him to get these two to Berlin
that is what wanted to find out. As /
expected, the cost is greater than your
means will allow you to pay"
"How muchi" Gordon asked in tone of
anxiety, still tinged with hope.
"The cost of getting one from here to
Berlin is, roughly, 500 rubles."
"That means 1900 for the 8, and we
have hut 1o! But there are the English
notes. Won't that make enoughy"
Not enough for two. did not overlook
the English notes.
"But, my dear fellow, you said"-
"That 1t cost Peter Schemyl 500. be-
lieve it. He spoke in the honesty of drink.
You cannot expect him to do an act of
charity for nothing"
II suppose not"
HE runs a certain amount Of risk and
must be paid for it, like any other honest
man of enterprise If the cost is 500, he
would require at least 500 for his benevo-
lence Virtue must be rewarded, and the
virtaous always look for 100 per cent on
their investments"
AN Internal set of thevesl" growled
Gordon, thinking of government officials
rather than the representatives of virtue.
"There's no screwlng him down any way?"
"None. What pressure can we bring to
bears You are at his mercy, and he will
make the most Of it, naturally. He knows
that he shnll get every penny you have for
food, and two-thirds of it will be clear
profit. He takes the minimum amount of
risk, and it costs him nothing except an
of Hytl lnfp 20,
blind those who might find that he is TAX
ing in more bread than his family has been
in the habit of consuming"
There was an interval of silence, and then
Gordon, turning to me with sigh, said:
Well, my dear girl, I'm afraid you will
have to 90 alone"
looked at him and then at Ivan Don't
remember in mute astonishment. Ivan
was regarding Gordon with curious look
on his face, but was not surprised
II go aionel'' said at length, with bated
breath.
Il don't see any help for it, for it's clear
neither of us can go with you.n
1t isn't going alone I'm thinking about.
It's leaving you behind, said /.
"Oh, don't you bother about us. II this
old rascal will take you to Berlin for ,OCO
rubles, We shall still have 200 left. And
chappieP' he asked, turning to Ivan Don't
and clapping him familiarly on
the shoulder, as though he had made up
his mind to break down all barriers and be
gin as they We're going on in perfect broth
erhood and good fellowship.
There's one alternative" said Ivan
gravely when he had overcome the shock Of
this accolade. I'VE may find out where we
are, get some sort Of a map, make our way
to the frontier on foot, and so escape"
why, certainly. 1t sounds as if there
were something in that, said Gordon.
Not much, am afraid. The difficulties
are enormous, especially with the winter
upon us. The chance of running the block
ade is very small indeed
ANY chance is better than none at all.
Come, my dear girl, this will reconcile you
to leaving u.s."
Not at ALL Why shouldn't go with
your Do you think l am selfish, after all
we've gone through together9" asked, my
eyes filling with tears.
Heaven forbid l should do you that in
Justice. But these difficulties you hear
our friend speaking of-remember you are
only girl, though quite as brave as the
best of usn
Il won't hinder you. You shall never
hear me complain" / urged
II have not the slightest doubt that
could face all that we may
and be help, as she certainly
would be a comfort to u.s." said ivan, With
more courtesy and kindness than he had
yet shown me. But there is one serious
objection. This journey must occupy
months, and during that time we are doing
nothing to save Taras."
My heart sank within me in shame. I
had forgotten Taras-Heayen forgive mel
Tor the moment.
At any moment kavanagh may receive
orders to silence Taras. The production
of that statue would inevitably lead to the
order being given. When it is given, KAY
anagh will obey it ruthlessly."
Il will go to him." said ], as eagerly as
nad prayed to stay with Gordon the minute
before.
ut is advisable to look well at that be-
lore Won decide - said Ivan az l., H. -,