San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-05
sOermsHt 's,n 81 rat wootrAl. PUBLISHING Co.

daylight came a Russian corvet watch
ed the mouth of the harbor, while the
commandment of the fortress, armed
with the ozar'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 Off
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 Maulice, 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 to 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-first
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 Saradoff 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
peighboring mansions ON the Nevskol
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 solitude of
the club.
If any remorse for bis 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, he muttered, tossing The Ga
zette over ON the table. "It's tone is
becoming decidedly dangerous.
sis everything paoked?" he added,
turning to Ivan, who was standing mo-
tionless by his chair. ave take the Ber-
lin express at noon tomorrow
"An is ready" said Ivan quietly,
Except the money. shall 20 to the
ban ker's in the morning"
"Get 5000 in large notes." said his
master, land draft ON Rothschild for
the balance. All, a letter for me, as
servant entered with sealed envelope
ON silver salver.
Vladimir Saradoff looked carelessly
at the superscription and broke the
seal. He drew out folded paper, and
holding it under the lamp read the fol-
lowing words, hastily written in
bold, dashing hand:
"Not unmindful of past favors, as
sumo the risk of requiting in some
measure the debt of gratitude ! owe
YOU. A warrant has been issued for
your arrest ON a terrible charge. / have
seen the proofs. need say no more.
Count Brosky is implacable and deter
mined. He fears complications with
the American government and will not
spare you. The boys are now in the city
Flee at once if yet there is time. Even
now it may be too late. Burn this note
Yours, NoRoUzoW.
He read it through to the end, word
for word, and then as the paper fiut-
tered from his nerveless fingers he drop
ned heavily into the chair from which
he had half risen. His lips mumbled,
but no sound came, and his face was
white as chalk.
Ivan, deeply alarmed by this sudden
collapse, sprang to his masters side
with a decanter snatched hastily from
the buffet. A spasm passed hastily over
Saradoff 3 features as he took the glass
from Ivsn, and the powerful stimuiant
brought a flush to his cheek. He glared
wildly about the room and then sprang
10 his feet. In that brief five minutes
Vladimir Saradoff had aged-had suf-
fered the agonies of lifetime.
Read that" he cried, tossing the
letter TO Ivan. at comes from Vorou-
zov. private secretary to the count. His
information may be relied ON. Some
person has played the traitor. But new
er mind. My vengeance will come. Es-
cape is the first thing.
He shuddered and passed his hand
over his forehead.
"Quick, IVAN, he cried with sudden
terror, quick, or l am lost. Escape by
rail is cut Off They win watch the sta
tions. | must take to the yacht. 1t still
lies at the docks Of Vassih Ortroff.
lent it to Count Adlerberg. 1t waits his
arrival i'll the morning Do you hear
me, Ivan: Unjust foil these bloodhounds-
Call a cab at once. See if the street is