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

his captors.
"Help me'' he cried with all his
might. "You remember, Colonel Jaro-
slav-St. Petersburg-a year ago, in the
square, saved your life-dragged you
from the cannons-I had your card,
all. For Gods sake, help mel Let me
speak word-just world
Then a burly Cossack clutched his
throat, sitting his cry. Another struck
him brutally on the mouth, and the Of
ficer smote him with the fiat of his
sword. Still struggling desperately, he
was dragged up the steps, ana III rev
seconds more the fortress doors would
have closed behind him.
"Stop! Who is that man?" Colonel
Jaroslav's voice rose sharply above the
tumult.
The officer hurried forward, cap in
hand. "a convict, your excellency, he
said, zone of those who escaped from
Kara two months ago. Here are the
other two captured them last night
north of the town."
The inspector briefly scanned Phil
and Platoff and turned toward Maurice,
who stood white and trembling on the
upper step, held by two soldiers.
Eyes, / recognize your face, he said
haughtily. 81 deeply regret that we
should meet again under these circum-
stances. Yet even the service you rem
dered me can hardly justify this de-
mand.
81 ask but brief interview" said
Maurice eagerly For heavens sake
don't refuse me. You will change your
mind when you have heard what l
have to say"
81 grant your request, said Colonel
Jaroslav. "You shall hear from me
again. Then, turning toward the Off
Ger in charge of the convicts, he de-
manded, "Can you procure me report
of this case before EVENING""
eyes, your excellency; it can be had
from st. Petersburg by telegraph at
once"
every we'll. Send it to me without
delay And, passing hurriedly through
the crowd, Colonel Jaroslav entered his
carriage and drove away.
Dizzy with joy Maurice followed his
guards through the dark hall of the
fortress and was speedily locked in a
whitewashed cell with narrow grated
window overhead.
He was rather glad than otherwise
that he was separated from his compan-
ions. He wanted time to reflect, to
collect proofs of the story he must re-
late to Colonel Jaroslav, for on that in
teryiew rested his only hope, and that
hope was now strong one.
He was treated with some considera-
ton. Food of good quality was brought
to his cell, and he was given soft bed
in place of the straw pallet that lay on
the floor, but he neither ate nor slept.
Morning found him still wakeful and
restless. Before the day was half over
the welcome summons came from the
jailer, and he was conducted to luxu-
riously furnished room on the first floor
of the fortress, where Colonel Jaroslav
was seated at table glanoing over
some papers.
The jailer withdrew, leaving them
alone.
Yours is strange case," were the
colonel's first words. 81 am puzzled at
the outset. Sit down and let me hear
your story"
1t was half past 10 by a small clock
ON the table when Maurice began to
speak. When he finished, the hands
pointed to noon. He related everything
without reserve, commencing with his
family history and the visit to Russia,
ending with the perfidy of Captain OAR
oman and his recapture. He spoke, of
course, in English, remembering that
the colonel was familiar with the Ian
guage.
With rapt attention Colonel Jarosl27
listened to every word, and at its coz.
clusion he rose and shook Maurice
warmly by the hand.
"My poor boy" he said with enc
ton, "your story is true. You has;
been the victim of an infamous crime,
but your sufferings are now at an END
You and your friend shall be freed,
promise you.
"'Thank Godl'' cried Maurice. "Oh,
thank Godw And, bursting into tears,
he buried his face on the table.
at was dastardly deed" resumed
the colonel presently, "and were it not
for the convincing proofs l could not
believe Vladimir Saradoff capable of
such a crime. But the evidence is SC
plain that even the minister of the in
terror cannot fail to be convinced. Ac-
cording to the report of the case which
/ have, you travelled directly from the
frontier to Moscow, where you were
arrested, yet 1 can testify to seeing
you in st. Petersburg, and, what is
more, / can remember seeing Ivan,
Vladimir Saradoff's servant, sitting on
the box of the sleigh.
"That was the scoundrel who stole
your papers and substituted the nihilist.
ic books and the false passports. This
report states two more important facts
which go to strengthen your case. II
was Vladimir Saradoff himself who
gave Count Paul Brosky, minister Of
the interior, the information that caused