Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-08-18
NO. 66.

OF the room, where conversation was
impossible.
A big samovar was steaming on the
table, and the soldiers were soon gulp-
ing down cups of hot tea and devouring
cold meat, pickles and salted cucum-
bers. The officer and the commander Of
the troops were doubtless taking their
refreshment in q private apartment.
Phil, hidden by couple Of burly Co.'S
sacks, was invisible to Maurice. Grod-
no, few yards away, glared at him
with look Of hatred. He might as
well have spared himself the trouble,
for Maurice paid him not the least at
tention. He was thinking very serious
ly over the events Of the past two days
and beginning to realize what foolish
and reckless thing it had been to accept
the chance of escape offered by these
two convicts. He and Phil would prob
ably be held equally guilty with Grod-
no and Hamid, and the penalty for the
crimes committed by the two rufflans
would be under Russian law-death.
This Maurice realized with shudder.
He was amazed with Grodno's audacity
in attempting to assassinate Russian
officer OH a public road and actually
within sight of a village. 1t could only
be accounted for by the dire necessity
for procuring money and change of
clothes, and since the officer had bag
gage in the wagon with him the under
taking seemed to offer both. Had not
Maurice interfered when he did the
officer and the driver would undoubted-
ly have been shot.
1t was a clever ruse Of Grodno's to
shoot the horse first, and thus put the
wagon and its occupants at his mercy.
There was one hope-a very slim one.
II the rescued officer could only be
made to understand that he owed his
life to the boys, he might extend them
valuable aid, but just there was the
trouble, as Maurice told himself. Did
the circumstances justify the boys story3
The struggle between Hamid and
Maurice was absolutely unseen, while
the scuffle between Phil and Grodno
might be easily misconstrued, and, as
olincher, would the officer believe that
Maurice was Fastening to his aid when
he hurried down the road with his club?
These reflections left him in very un-
enviable frame of mind, which was not
at all relieved by the scapt supply Of
food which the Cossacks at last conde.
scended to give him.
About noon he and Phil were taken
to another room, where the officer and
the Cossack captain were seated at Ia
BILE smoking pipes. The officer, to Mau-
rice's great satisfaction, was able to
speak English fairly well, and he Cross
questioned the boys very closely, de-
manding first of all to know what their
share was in setting fire to the convict
barge.
He treated them with a certain con-
sideration, which gave Maurice cour-
age to relate the whole story in a frank,
straightforward way which seemed to
carry conviction with it. He saw that
favorable impression had been made,
and, quick to seize the opportunity, he
turned to th officer and said imploring-
ly: II beg you, sir, the privilege OF
saying fe words more. You address
ed us az Cummings and Burton. I ~
sure you that those are not our names;
that an awful mistake has been made,
q fearful crime committed''- "StopP
interrupted the officer sternly. "Not
word on that subject, or I shall change
my intentions regarding you. I have
heard of your audacity in accusing q
prominent and influential Russian OF
most absurd charge. Foryour own good
advise you to cease. You surely must
be aware of the convincing proofs ar-
raigned against you" His face was 80
grave and his tone SO severe that Mau-
rice lost all hope of obtaining hearing
and made no further attempt to speak.
GAS for your completely with these
two assassins," continued the officer in
oalmer voice, II believe your story,
and for the service you have done me I
shall afford you what aid can, though
I assure you that you are in most se-
rious position. Your two companions
will undoubtedly be shot, and the
chances are that you will meet the same
fate. I am Lieutenant Brosky, and I
happen fortunately to be connected
with the government at Tomsk, with
er I am now bound. will therefore
be present at your trial and will state
what facts I possess in your favor"
TOBE CONTINUED.