Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-10-02
EXILED TO SIBERIA.
Bv WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYD0N.
fCopyrisht, 1897, by the Wooltan Publishing
Company.l
CHAPTER XVIII.
cuJFTJNG SCENES

Six feet beneath the level or 6he nat
TOP of the fortress, on the eastern side
facing the sea, extended paved stone
wall, 30 feet broad. On the outer edge
of this rose a massive parapet deeply
embrasured and mounted with frown-
ing cannon that pointed their gaping
muzzles day and night on the shipping
in the harbor. Seven grated windows
directly beneath the roof faced this
paved wall, and the middle grating ad-
mitted a feeble supply of light to the
cell wherein Paul Platoff was confined.
Five minutes before the alarm occur
red that reused Maurice from his sleep
two sentries were patrolling before the
row Of windows, now back to back as
they neared the angles Of the fortress,
now face to face as they approached
and met before the middle window.
Three lanterns, placed at regular inter-
vals, threw a bright light on the scene,
and, shining out on the sea, mingled
with the wavy reflections from the ship
ping.
"Have you light, Ivan9" said one
sentry to the other as they met before
Platoff's window.
eyes," was the reply. Here is my
pipe. Hurry and finish your smoke.
though, for the night officer will soon
be here"
They halted a moment to exchange
fire, and as they moved off again nei-
ther heard a sharp crack that came from
q point close at hand.
The distance between them gradually
widened, and they were close to the
angles Of the fortress when suddenly
the grating dropped from the middle
window with tremendous crash, and
they wheeled round in time to see
dark figure slip nimbly to the ground
and dash toward the parapet.
Cracki crack! rang the two rifles
simultaneously as the sentries rushed
forward, but the dark figure gained
the top Of the parapet unchecked and
leaped wildly into the darkness. A
heavy splash told that he had reached
the sea, 80 feet below.
The alarm gun standing ready prime5
and loaded was touched off instantly,
and as the loud boom reused the in.
mates of the fortress and drew an eager
crowd of officers and soldiers to the spot
the figure of the escaped prisoner was
seen for an instant striking boldly out
into the harbor.
A score of. rifles belched out fame
and lead-with what effect none could
tell-and few moments later four
boats manned with armed soldiers were
gliding to and fro over the harbor.
From midnight until morning they
hunted Paul Platoff in vain, and when
daylight came Russian corvet watch
ed the mouth of the harbor, while the
commandant of the fortress, armed
with the czar's authority, searched ev-
cry vessel in the port-German. Dan
ish, Italian, English and American.
But Paul Platoff could not be found,
and when night came again it was OIL
cially reported that the daring revolu-
ZIONIST had found resting place at the
bottom of the sea.
The two negligent sentries were put
in irons, the gratings at the six other
windows were strengthened, and the
fortress settled down to its usual rou-
tine again.
Colonel Jaroslav informed the boys
of the sad occurrence. Phil burst into
tears, and Maurice, throwing himself
Oh the bed. hid his face in the pillow.
When the door had closed behind the
colonel, he sprang up.
"Phil," he exclaimed excitedly,
"don't you believe it. Platoff is not
drowned. 1t can't be true. He has es-
capped, and we shall see him again some
day. am sure of it."
Phil was inclined to be skeptical, but
Maurice remained true to his convic-
tions and steadfastly refused 10 credit
his friends death.
Two days later, in custody OF Colonel
Jaroslav's own guard of Cossacks, the
boys commenced the long 5000 mile
journey back to st. Petersburg-frst
by sea to the mouth Of the Amur, then
successfully by river, carriage and rail.
On the night of the 10th of July Via
dimir Saradotf was sitting at his library
table, a cigar in his mouth and the
Moscow Gazette on his knee. 1t was
quite unusual to find him in St. Peters
burg at this time of year, when the
neighboring mansions on the Nevskoi
Prospekt were boarded up and their
owners scattered over the continent,
but he had merely dropped in on his
way to Paris from one Of his northern
estates and preferred the comforts of
his home and the ministrations of his
faithful Ivan to the gloomy soli,1de of
the club.
If any remorso for his fearful crime
lurked in his heart, he did not show it.
His calm, naughty features expressed
self complacency and content palmer
than words would have told.
'Katkoff's paper ought to be sup
pressed" be muttered, tossing The Ga
zette over OH the table. Its tone is
becoming decidedly dangerous.
SIS everything packed?" he added,
turning to Ivan, who was standing mo-
tionless by bis chair. "We take the Ber-
lin express at noon tomorrow.
"All is ready" said Ivan quietly,
"except the money. shall 20 to the
I.x.Io,,, -, tba ,pprpino' ',