The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-11-10
Eyes, 4" assented Poussin.

"Apd in that event." resumed Maui
rice, "would it not have been a simple
matter to telegraph orders for our ar
rest?'
Again Poussin nodded assent
"very WE'LL" said Maurice trium-
phantly; sit is plain that their passports
have not heretofore been examined.
Why, then, would they be at this par
ticular point?"
"That is clever reasoning" said
Poussin. "You are right. The chances
are greatly in our favor. Moreover, IL
is barely possible that these men are
not with his excellency at all One can
not tell what may have happened Per
haps they were sent back to Irkutsk or
ordered to remain at Toluar, but we
will take no chances on that. TO stay
here an hour longer is dangerous.
At that instant a rap at the door was
heard, and second later the starosta
entered.
"All is ready" he said, "the fresh
horses and the provisions. Ah, your
honor, you little know with what diff
Guilty procured them. If it came to his
excellency's ears, ! should lose my
place"
"You are an extortionate rascal,
said Poussin coolly. "You can tell lies
| like buriat. l won't quarrel over the
| price, though / am in haste to leave.
Here is the money for the horses, in
Guiding the ten extra rubles. How much
for the provisions"
Eight - eight rubles," stammered
the starosta II assure you, your honor,
they cost me ~
''They didn't cost you two," said
Poussin scornfully; "but, here, take
your money" And, dropping the coins
into the outstretched hand, he led the
way out, followed by Platoff and Maui
rice, bearing the rugs.
It was o'clock in the morning. The
POSTCARD, lit by the glaring torches OF
the soldieryGwa weird and unnatural
A splendid troika - three powerful
black horses-was attached to the
sledge, and the restless animals were
stamping impatiently. Platof and
Maurice took the back seat and drew
the furs around them. A slight move
ment of the rugs in front showed that
Phil was still safe in his retreat. He
doubtless was curious to know what
was going on.
Poussin deliberately made an inspec-
ton of the food he had bought to see
that everything was there, and, finally
climbing to his seat, he roughly ordered
the station attendants out of the road
and chirruped to the horses.
They trotted through the yard, and
turning the angle at the gate, under
the very eyes of dozen Cossacks, dash
, ed off down the frozen, deserted street
, The low houses, dim and gloomy, sho
, past like streaks, and, Swimming over |
, slight ridge, the darkness was relieved
! by bar of light shining from the mill
tary outpost-a small wooden structur
by the roadside.
81 forgot all about that" muttere'
: Poussin as he pulled up his horses il
. obedience to the stern command to halt
Two or three soldiers were loungin
inside, and the officer who came fol
:, ward with lantern was the same ma
q that examined their passports tina
morning. He held up the light an
scrutinized their faces.
"Ah, yes,' he said, II remembe
you. You just came last evening.
> Eyes" replied Poussin. 1--WE hav
! been turned out of our beds. " And b
related in good humored tones how tn
. expected arrival of the government IL
spector had deprived them OF their ROOF
;, and started them off few hours ahea
of their usual time
- "Then you are not connected wit
:. his excellency's party?" asked the OH
GER
~ "Why, no." said Poussin, throw
= off his guard by the question.
~ 'But your companions are, said II
|, officer, and. pulling document frol
= his pocket, he hastily unfolded it,
- "I find both your names here,
80 said, looking at Platoff, Louis Miro
30 and Serge Lyapin. This is list of IL
'" inspectors party brought to me an hot
ago by the captain of his excellency
10 advance guard in order that mig
30 copy it for my monthly report. Seeir
your names upon it, l supposed you hs
!, preceded the inspector. May ask WI
~ you are leaving again before his
20 rival?"
r. l