San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-28

claim for your mothers fortune, which
by her viii, went to her brother in case
of your death. That claim was allowed
your guardian making no attempt to
dispute it-and Vladimir Saradoff re-
ceived your fortune. His crime was
plotted with marvellous cunoing, and
had you arrived at the fortress one
half your later yesterday morning you
would have gene back to Kara never
again to return. The workings OF
Providence are Truly wonderful"
Maurcie's surpr,se at this story may
be readily imaCiEed His first thought
was of Phil and his friend was sent
for at Colonel Jaroslav's request, who
CONSIDERABLY left the room and per-
mitteG re BOYS to remain by them
selves.
An hour later they were taken back
to their cells, for of course they were
not yet free, but in the evening Colo
mel Jaroslav nxlrned and sent for them.
81 have received telegraphic instruc-
tions from St. Petersburg" he said.
"You will return with me at once, and
your case will be placed before the min
lister. regret to say that the man to
whom you owe SO much, Paul Platoff,
the revolutionist, will also be sent back
to Russia 20 undergo solitary confine-
ment in the castle of Schusselberg
Nicolas Poussin's share in your escape
has been disc overed. He is now under
arrest and will be heavily fined, if in
deed he suffers no worse penalty. The
Cossack officer, Captain Daroman, will
derive no benefit from his treachery.
General Melikoff. whose daughter he
insulted, directs that he be stripped of
his rank and sent into penal servitude
at the island of Saghalien, some miles
north of Viadivostok. He is now con-
fined in the fortress. /"
Poor Platoff! Can nothing be done
for him?" exclaimed Maurice, bursting
into tears. "He saved our lives. He is
the noblest man living. All, if you on
ly knew what we owe to him, Colonel
Jaroslav. Can't you do anything for
him.
Nothing, fear," said the colonel
sadly, for he was deeply moved by the
boys tears and pleadings. "It is i'm
possible. Paul Platoff must 60 to the
underground dungeons of Schusselberg
He deserves better fate perhaps, but
there is no hope for him."
"Can we see him?" begged Maurice.
"Not at present, (" replied the colonel.
"You will have plenty of opportunities
in the future. He will accompany us to
st. Petersburg. The jailer, at my d.
rection, told him what had occurred,
SO he knows your good fortune And
now let me advise you to obtain asI
much rest as possible, for in three days.
we start back across Siberia. Amur riv
er is now open, and the journey which
was so long and painful to you we shall
accomplish in few weeks. OF course
you are still prisoners and will be un-
der military guard, but your treatment
will be good. / shall see to that my
self. :"
The boys went back to their cellsl
scarcely able to realize that their trou-
bles were nearly over. Maurice, in hisl
deep grief over the fate of Platoff,
scarcely tasted his supper.
He was unable to sleep and tossed for|
hours ON his bed.
Near midnight he fell into a restlessl
doze, from which he was reused by al
dull, booming sound that seemed tol
shake the walls of the cell. Then fol-
lowed half dozen sharp reports, and
as he sprang to his feet in alarm a rush
of footsteps passed his cell, and hoarse
voice shouted:
Drop the boats, quick He's swim
ming out into the harbor.