Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-09-29


the colonel was familiar with the Ian
guage.
With rapt attention Colonel Jarosluv
listened to every word, and at its con-
clusion he rose and shook Maurice
warmly by the hand.
my poor boy" he said with emo
tion, "your story is true. You have
been the victim Of an infamous crime,
but your sufferings are now at an end.
You and your friend shall be freed, I
promise you"
"Thank Godr' cried Maurice. "Oh,
thank God!" And, bursting into tears,
he buried his face on the table.
"It was dastardly deed," resumed
the colonel presently, land were it not
for the convincing proofs 1 could not
believe Vladimir Saradoff capable Of
such a crime. But the evidence is so
plain that even the minister of the in
terror cannot fail to be convinced. Ac-
cording to the report Of the case which
I have, you travelled directly from the
frontier to Moscow, where you were
arrested, yet I can testify to seeing
you in St. Petersburg, and, what is
more, I 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. 1t
was Vladimir Saradoff himself who
gave Count Paul Brosky, minister Of
the interior, the information that caused
your arrest, and it is also recorded here
that my card was found among your
effects when searched. But the most
damning evidence Of all is yet to come.
Do you know why your uncle commit
ted this infamous crime?"
"No," said Maurice, II do not, un
less he hated me on my fathers ao-
count"
1T was partly that, no doubt" re-
sumed the colonel, "but there was q
stronger motive. Let me tell you what
occurred after your arrest, and you will
readily understand all. Late in April,
while you and your friend were on your
way to Siberia under the names Of Cum
ningham and Burton, two badly decom-
posed bodies were found in the Neva.
On searching them at the morgue pass
ports were found made out to Maurice
Hammond and Philip Dar vers. The pa
pers announced that the boys had been
accidentally drowned. Vladimir Sara
dof procured the government certificate,
of death in your case and forwarded it
to America, making at the same time q
claim for your mothers fortune, which,
by her will, went to her brother in case
of your death. That claim was allowed
your guardian making no attempt to
dispute it-and Vladimir Saradof re-
ceived your fortune. His crime was
plotted with marvellous cunning, and
had you arrived at this fortress one
half hour later yesterday morning you
would have gone back to Kara never
again to return. The workings Of Prov
idence are truly wonderful" ."
Maurice's surprise aG this story may
be readily imagined. His first thought
was Of Phil, and his friend was sent
for at Colonel Jaroslav's request, who
considerably left the room and per-
mitted the 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 tho evening Colo
mel Jaroslav returned and sent for them.
II 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. I regret to say that the man to
whom you owe 80 much, Paul Platof,
the revolutionist, will also be sent back
to Russia to undergo solitary confine-
ment in the castle of Schusselberg.
Nicolas Poussin's share in your escape
has been discovered. 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 Vladivostok. 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. Ah, if you on
ly knew what we owe to him, Colonel
Jaroslav. Can't you do anything for
him?'
Nothing, I fear," said the colonel
sadly, for he was deeply moved by the
boys tears and pleadings. "1t 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 di-
rection, told him what had occurred,
go he knows your good fortune And
now let me advise you to obtain as
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. I shall see to that my
SELF. "
The boys went back to their cells
scarcely able to realize that their trou-
bles were nearly over. Maurice, in his