The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-13
CHAPTER XVII.
AN OLD FRIEND

sandy coast with Whltecapped DllloWH,
it is true, but the sky was clear and Sc
rene, and the sun shone brightly on the
town and harbor of Vladivostok.
What frightful mockery all this
glorious beauty seemed to the three
prisoners as they passed for a moment
through the cottage yard and entered
the closed carriage that had just arrived
from the town. Their wan, hsggard
faces, from which every vestige of hope
had fed, seemed to draw sympathy
from even the stern and pitiless Cos
sacks.
The commanding officer took his seat
in the carriage and gave the order to
start. He had deferred the departure
until now, purposely, no doubt, that
his triumph might be seen Of men. and
to add dignity to the occasion the car
riage was surrounded on all four sides
by troops Of mounted Cossacks.
They rode briskly out of the wooded
valley and turned down the sandy
beach, entering the town by its main
thoroughfare-a long, narrow street,
lined for the most part with wooden
| uOu6tS VI a pCCullnI OOhbbl uNbiOh. LhO
sidewalks were filled with people, and
Maurice looked with curiosity at the
odd types of characteristic queerly
dressed Russians, the pigtailed Chi
nese and the dark featured Koreans.
The triumphant professionalism so it
was clearly regarded by the inhabitants
continued on past the government Of
fees, the admiralty with its yellow
, dome and waving flag, the imposing,
/ carved facade of the Naval club, and
: passing through the Chinese bazaar ano
/ the market place swept along the wharf,
] tantalizing the wretched prisoners with
5 a brief glimpse of the shipping anchor
, ed in the harbor-the flags of all ma
tions that futtered i'll the morning
breeze.
Then a low. gloomy building came il
= view, frownlng with cannon, pierce'
s with embrasures, and the carriage drew
up before the fortress.
: A brief sigh escaped Platoff's lips
9 No one spoke, for strict silence ha
been enjoined.
Another carriage was standing O
one side of the massive entrance-a
imposing vehicle glistening with ne'
paint and gilded trimmings. A doze
soldiers of huge stature were guardln
it, and one of them seemed stranger
familiar tc Maurice.
The prisoners got out of the carrlae
before the gateway which was open
receive them and marched slowly TO
ward, each between two soldiers.
Just at this time commotion W;
heard within, and sentry ON the stel
called aloud: "The inspector is coming
Make room for his excellency."
The officer in charge flushed wit
pride and Strengthened himself an Inc
or two. "Haltr' he cried sharpl
Fright about! Forward! HAITI Al
the prisoners, drawn up beside the sho
fight of stone steps, awaited the q
rival of the inspector.
Maurice fixed his eyes on the arch
~ doorway. He was curious to see u
government official who had travel
ad across Siberia inspecting the czal
If prisons and penal settlements. A III
IS ment later he appeared-a tall, rlch
vn uniformed gentleman, preceded by
Young Cossack officer-and at sight
nd that noble face. the wavy, yellow mi
n. tache and beard and clear blue ey
Id Maurice was thrilled by such stro
, a emotion that he staggered back q
m would have fallen but for the guar'
ps firm grasp on his arm. The dlzzin'
passed off instantly, and he stralghte
of ed ND. trembling and flushed with
ng element.
CIV His excellency halted on the topm'
NV step for parting word with the co
nd mandant of the fortress, who foilo"
he him TO the door. Then he care { 'lc4
down between the presented arms ''
IRE sentries, and as his feet touch0"
Dr.. bottom Maurice, with sur!eht
I'd. fort, tore from his guards ana H.
ZEN himself before the amazed official, G
M ing loudly: Colonel Jaroslavl Colo
nd Jaroslav! Help me, help mel
All was wild excitement In an
Is slant, and the daring lad was drags
loA roughly aside, struggling fiercely W
lp- io'SN-y
of his captors. ~
-. III "Help mer' he cried with all
TAU might. "You remember, Colonel ia
80 slav-St. Petersburg-a year ago. III
t L;s square, saved your life-drageed
Ia from the cannons-I had your care
IA Ia all. For Gods sake, help mel Let
ia speak a word-just word
sn Then burly Cossack clutched
on throat, sitting his cry. Another str
n nUa him brutality on the mouth, and the
apo ficer smote him with the Hat OF
n n sword. Still struggling desperately
was dragged up the steps, and IN q
in seconds more the fortress doors W.
his have closed behind him.
,op- "Stopl Who is that man! Ooi'
slip Jaroslav's voice rose sharply above
FIRST tumult. ~,
dis The officer hurried forward, cal
es- hand "a convict, your exceliency,
avy said. Zone of those who escaped I
,uld Kara two months ago. Here are
,ade other two. I captured them last ID
ern- north of the town."
The inspector briefly scanned
, re- and Platoff and turned toward MAUI
he who stood white and trembling on
The MINER stem. held by two soldiers.