Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-08
BXILED TO SIBERIA.
BY WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDGfN.
Copyright, 1897, by the Woolfall Publishing CO
CHAPTER XVI.
A DARING EXPLOIT.

A DARING EXPLOIT.
Maurice attempted to speak, but the
words stuck in his throat. He was pos.
itiyely stunned by the daring of Pla'
toff's plan. And yet what if it were
possible to carry the ruse through? Its
supreme audacity was really in its favor.
"Did you hear me?' hissed Platof,
graspipg him roughly by the shoulders.
Nerve yourself, or all is lostl Our Oh
ly salvation lies with you"
These words reused Maurice from bis
stupor. He alone could retrieve the dis.
aster that confronted theu.
"Yes," he whispered, II understand.
l will do what you say" With firm
hand he tore off his prison garb, the
ugly gray shirt and trousers. Platoff
had already stripped the Cossack of his
uniform, and with feverish haste he as-
sisted Maurice to pull on the dark green
blouse and trousers, the high boots and
the low cap.
"Now," he whispered, take the gun
and 90 out in the corridor. Bolt the
cell door and pace slowly up and down.
Keep your face away from the lamp
light when the officer of the guard
comes past He may say something to
you. If he does, answer as best you can
and in gruf voice. Above all be cool
and resolute. If the officer passes with
out suspicion, draw the bolt of the door
and give a slight rap with your hand.
Now 20. Every second is precious.
He pushed him gently into the corri-
dor and closed the door softly. A sud-
den shudder Of fear passed over Mau-
rice as he realized his situation, and then
his presence of mind returned. He soft
ly drew the bolt into its socket, and
placing the rifle Oh his shoulder began
to pace the corridor, which was prob
ably 40 feet long by 10 in width. Six
doors opened upon it, three on each side,
and at each extremity lay other corri-
dors running ut right angles
A rude lamp hanging from the cell.
ing dimly lit up the scene, and at in
tervals from some Of the neighboring
cells could be heard cough, or q frag-
ment of whispered conversation.
With feelings that tan be better i'm
agined than described he continued his
solitary vigil. From his own cell came
no sounds at all, Int he had no doubt
that Platoff and Phil were hard at work.
Occasionally he heard the tramp of
the sentrics in the other corridors, and
once from the main portion of the pris-
on came clink Of glasses and coarse
laugh.
''They won't be inclined for merry
making q few hours from now if all
goes well," thought Maurice with grim
satisfaction. Then his thoughts turned
to Lora, and in trying to imagine her
Joy on learning of his escape he forgot
the ordeal in store for him. That un-
pleasant fact was brought to his men,
ory with startling abruptness. In the
neighboring corridor rife butt was
dropped heavily to the floor, voices were
heard in conversation, and then Sec
ond or two later footsteps approached.
Fired with sudden inspiration,
Maurice decided to look danger in the
face. Pulling the visor of his cap over
his eyes, he wheeled round and paced
down the corridor with slow, regular
step. Years ago, before entering col
lege, he had spent two years at mill
tary school, and the instructions there
received be now put into use The most
rigid martinez could have found no
fault with his bearing as he marched
forward to meet the approaching peril.
The lamp was behind him, so that
his face was in shadow, the effect he
had aimed to produce.
The footsteps were now close at hand,
and suddenly an officer turned the an