The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-10-07

ters attention, the servant oDeyed, ana
Petrof five minutes later was entering
the room where the comte, in dressing
gown and slippers, sat upon the edge OF
his bed sleepily rubbing his eyes and
considerably exasperated at his inter
rupted nap.
What do you want, fellow" cried h9
angrily as Petrof entered. wv hat mean
you by disturbing me at this unseeIniy
hourI"
ITO secure your safety, sir, perhaps"
Petrof answered boldly, and In a few
words told his story. The comte, when
Petrof finished, was no longer yawning
but angry and alert.
Well" said lie, IF that isn't inpu-
dence! Once, some years ago, the krossa
pass brigands caught me and made ne
pay round price for freedom, but who
would have dreamed Of their ventrring
to the castle to try the game again?
This time, if / know myself, well turn
the tablesv'
And the comte jerked the bell. The
same man that had answered Petrof's
knock and Weakened the comte answered
the summons and was told the details.
There's no use rousing the house,
master" said he, unless you order it.
We three can manage them. They can
get in only by the scullery windows, and
we'll have them when they enter the
house."
A plan arranged, they noiselessly start
ed below stairs, the comte carrying a
lantern over which he had thrown
cloak to hide its rays. Taking their
stand in cautious silence, they feverishly
awaited events. AS the castle clock
struck /, as if it had been a signal, file
was heard swiftly and nearly noiselessly
cutting the iron grating. In short time
a section of grating was out, and a wolf
like tread was heard in the darkness,
followed quickly by another. AS the
nuff1ed feet drew near the door leading
| above the brigands found themselves
| suddenly covered with light and the
yawning muzzles of three cavalry pis-
| tolls. Resistance was useless. Three
men were more than a match for two.
They helplessly suffered themselves to be
bound, disarmed and thrown like bun
| die Of fagots in the corner to await the
arrival Of the officers the next morning
| "Norvitsbi, my friend" said the comte,
"you have saved my life possibly and
are q rich man besides. Twenty thou
sand rubles reward has been offered for
| the capture of these men, dead or alive,
| two of the most desperate brigands and
wretches that ever cursed. Russia. Twer3-
| ty thousand rubles reward, of which
| you, Norvitski, shall have every kopeck.
| Why, man, what are you crying about?
For joy, my lord, Petroff responded
and breathlessly told his sad stoEswys----=ss
Il could not see thssal,js&i
and babies, good SSyiii o.i.rVe' my wife pT
was ooino.-syss.u comte," he cried. 81
tha-,i-d y to the iron works, but now.
.ntSs to the Blessed Virgin, l can re-
turn to my home, to Katrina, to the
children, whom 1 never expected to see
again."
Exactly" said the comte, ''and IL
one of my finest sledges too"
The establishment of the villagers
when this splendid equipage with furs
footmen, outriders and jingling bells
drew up to Norvitski's humble hut, ane
Norvitski himself, assisted by foot
man, got out-well, l leave you It
imagine it, as well as Kartina's JOY
who did not dream where her HUSBAND
had gone.
The brigands were promptly eXlled Il
Siberia, the reward paid in full, and to
day if a happy man exists in Russi;
Petroff Norvitski is that one.-F'ron
the Russian.