San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-05

Ivan, Vladimir Saradoff's servant,
who had been arrested while escaping
from the rear of the house, came for
ward with a full confession, made ON
condition that his punishment should
be mitigated.
He told all, how the plot had been
laid, the false passports and nihilistic
documents substituted for the boys pa
pers, and how finally, by bribing an as
sistant at the morgue, the genuine pass
ports had been concealed on the persons
of two unfortunate wretches found in
the Neva.
At the close of the examination the
boys were freed with a most profuse
and elaborate apology from Count Bros
ky and went off in carriage to the
residence of Colonel Jaroslav, whose
guests they intended remaining for
few days.
| The colonel had promised to do all
in his power for them-a promise which
he kept to the letter. Vladimir Sara
doff's affairs were at once taken in hand
by the government and through Colo
mel Jaroslav's influence the fortune of
$500, 900 of which Maurice had been
robbed was preserved from the wreck,
subject. of course, to legal formalities
connected with the lads guardianship
Colonel Jaroslav advanced him as
much money as he needed, and Maui
rice's first act was to pay the fine of
90, 900 rubles that had been imposed ON
Nicolas Poussin and to write that
worthy merchant g long and grateful
letter.
Phil meanwhile wrote home to his
father, fearing the shock thai a cable
gram might produce.
During their stay in the Russian cap
ital Maurice met Miss Melikoff, who
had just returned with her father from
] the mines of Kara. They had long
and interesting interview, but the part
which that young lady played in the
boys escape was kept rigorous secret.
"Why, my father might actually send
me back to work in the mines if he
knew what had DONE" said Miss Lora.
''He is so awfully strict, you know. "
And the old general confirmed that
opinion ON meeting Maurice.
"And so you are the fellow that
struck an officer" he said gruffiy, land
rescued my daughter too? Well, young
man, would have shot you for the one
and rewarded you for the other" And
then he graciously shook hands with
him.
The boys greatly enjoyed their stay
in st. Petersburg. for Colonel Jaroslav
was a most delightful host, but their
hearts yearned for America, and late in
July they parted from their kind friend
and the many other acquaintances they
had made in the Russian capital and
started by rail across the continent,
sailing from Havre a week later.
1t was clear and beautiful August
morning when the Grand Monarque
steamed majestically up New York
harbor
At the foot of the narrow street
which opened ON the wharf motley
crowd was gathered, curious to see the
two young Americans who had tasted
the horrors of Siberian exile, for the
papers had proclaimed far and wide
their expected arrival.
Of the Battery tugboat put out to
the steamer containing a tall, gray
bearded man, whose actions evinced
great excitement. He was hoisted on
board the Grand Monarque, and a mo-
ment later Phil was clasped in his ia
theirs embrace. to the manifest delight
of the passengers.
my poor boy, my poor boyp was
all he could utter for long while, but
presently he became more composed and
extended Maurice an affectionate greet
ing.
"Your guardian is not here, my boy"
he said as he olasped his hand. Colo
mel Hoffman could not come. You will
know all later.
Maurice detected the strange embar-
rassment in his manner, but before he
could ask an explanation the steamer
was at the wharf, and they hurried
across the landing to a cab that was
waiting.
A wild cheer burst from the crowd,
and half dozen reporters sprang for
ward, notebooks in hand.
Turning deaf ear to the representa-
tives of the press, the boys gained the
cab, and Maurice already had one foot
on the step, when strong hand seized
his shoulder, and he turned half angri-
IL to meet the honest, tear dimmed face
of Paul Platoff.
With a cry of joy he staggered back
and would have fallen, but the sturdy
! Russian caught him in his arms, and
they wept together, unmindful of the
excited spectators, who cheered again
and again and pressed forward SO inn
petuously that the indignant policemen
could not drive them back.
Between the mingled embraces of
the two boys and the jostling of the
crowd Platoff was we'll nigh suffocated,
but finally they were all bundled into
the cab and were soon rafting up noisy
Broadway.
In husky, broken sentences Platotf
related how he had gained the shelter
of an American sailing vessel ON that