Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-02-09

we assured MIN tnat we nad never heard
OF his having wife.
Il pray to God she is dead" he said fer
vently. Better that she should be muir
dered by him than live to share his treach-
cry. She was my sister," he added after a
pause. "That is why trusted him. And
when he knew all that would tell him he
sold me to the police. To conceal that fact
have been kept all these years in prison.
Never mind that. Tell me all you know
about him-every detail that comes into
your mind. Who knows what this may
lead tor"
We told him all that we knew, all that
We thought about Kavanagh. His emo
ton had subsidized. and he listened with in
tense fixity Of purpose in his set features,
not uttering a sound until the last word we
had to say on the subject was spoken.
Then, without debating any point in our
statement. he said at once:
There IS more villainy underlying this
than you dream of. Does he owe you
money!"
"A trifle-a few pounds upon our last
game of cards, that's ALL"
Ivan dropped his voice and asked ques-
ton which was not intended for my ears
Gordon shook his head in the negative and
then asked:
WAS there sufficient reason for his send
ing us out of Englandi"
For getting rid Of mademoiselle, Ger
tainly. but for sending you here-weil
there was motive enough for an ordinary
villain. but not enough for such villain as
kavanagh."
AT any rate, now we are here, we may
console ourselves with the belief that poor
N al Tn xcilI I..ff 81
minister of police, who must know that
am not Taras"-
"Oh. he knows that well enoughl" said
Ivan Dontremember with toss of his head.
"kavanaugh wouldn't attempt to deceive
him. The whole plot has been carried out
with his consent. The minister's main OBJ
ject was to satisfy his master tho oaar
That is done, and Kavanaugh has given a
sufficient guarantee that Taras shall be
heard Of no more. He will he silenced be-
fore that terra Gotta is burnt, unless"-he
added reaectively. Then after moments
pause he asked abruptly. "You have
money!"
"Plenty-in London"
but heref"
Gordon did not know how much he had
Just before starting he put notebook con-
tanning all his ready money in his pocket
on the chance Of money being needed for
the rescue of Taras, and some of these
notes he changed into Russian money at
Moscow. He pulled out his case again,
and opening 1t found that besides the note
for q thousand rubles he had two of hun
bred and Eve English notes of Is each.
mot enough" said Ivan in tone of dis
appointment. But put them up Guard
them as you would your life. They may
be worth more than that even"
With the fear that some of the escaped
convicts might even now be watching us,
turned my head, and glancing among the
scattered trees behind us distinctly saw
white face standing out of the darkness.
1sprang up with a cry of alarm. Gordon
was by my side in moment. "There's no
danger" said Ivan. who had stepped for
ward couple of PAGES with his stick tight
ly Rrasped. Its only my friend, honest
Schemyl"
Schemyl stalked across the opening, RI
f1e resting in the hollow Of his arm. He
wore a conical fur cap pulled down to his
brows and long frieze CO t that came up
to his ears. A bristly mustache, q red shub
nose and pair Of ferrety eyes were all one
could see of his face. He looked fercely
at us as he stopped in the full light of the
fire.
II have stopped to have a chat with two
acquaintance, Peter Schemyl." said Ivan
in almost a bantering tone "They are
English, travelling in Russia for pleasure,
as you know English will at this season of
the year. But unfortunately they have lost
their way"-
"And their papers perhaps," said Peter
Schemyl grimly.
"You have OWNED the truth, Peter Sche-
myl, with your usual astuteness. NY friends
have bought loaf of me for ruble, and l
was just telling them where they might
buy more when that is gone"
"Huml Bread is very scarce in the
country, and the price goes up daily. /
may oblige an old friend now and then
with a loaf at cost price. but a stranger
must expect to pay few kopecks over and
above"
Twill till them. The gentleman does
not speak Russian; the lady only under
stands it little"
Tell them likewise that it's against the
regulations to make fires in the forests, and
though may allow it now and then they
must be particularly careful that the smoke
doesn't blow down the road. If posse of
Cossacks should come along, there would
be such hacking and coughing that should
never hear the last of it."
II will warn them"
VERY good. At the same time let them
know that the governor of this province
strongly objects to any one camping within
half verst of the road. and that have ex-
cellent dried fish and tea of the first quail
ity. Peace be with your
And with this parting salutation Peter
Schemyl turned on his heel like guard on
parade and marched off.
ITO b. Cogtt,nuekl