San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-11-14
CHAPTER XVI.
A DARING EXPLOIT.

| A DARING EXPLOIT.
Maurice attempted to speak, but the
words stuck in his throat He was pos
itively stunned by the daring of Pla.
toff's plan. And yet what if it were
possible to carry the ruso through? Its
supreme audacity was really in its favor.
Ibid you hear me?" Kissed Platoff,
grasping him roughly by the shoulders.
Nerve yourself, or all is lostl Our on,
ly salvation lies with you"
These words reused Maurice from his
stupor. He alone could retrieve the dis
aster that confronted them.
Eyes, he whispered, 81 understand
/ will do what you say" With a firm
hand he tore off his prison garb, the
ugly gray shirt and trousers. Platoff
had already stripped the Cossack of his
uniform, and with feverish haste he as
sisted Maurice to pull On the dark green
blouse and trousers, the high boots and
the low cap.
Now" he whispered, take the gun
and go out in the corridor. Bolt the
cell door and pace slowly up and down.
Keep your face away from the lamp
light when the officer of the guard
comes past he may say something to
you. If he does, answer as best you can
and in gruff voice. Above all be cool
and resolute. If the officer passes with
out suspicion, draw the bolt Of the door
and give slight rap with your hand.
Now go. Every second is precious. -
He pushed him gently into the corri-
dor and clos d the door softly. A sud-
den sbudder of fear passed over Mau-
rice as he realized his situation, and then
his presence of mind returned. He soft
ly drew the bolt into its Socket, and
placing the rifle OH his shoulder began
to pace the corridor, which was prob
ably 40 feet long by 10 in width. Six
doors opened upon it, three ON each side,
and at each extremity lay other CORR
doris running at right angles.
A rude la np hanging from the cell
ing dimly lit up the scene, and at in
tervals from some of the neighboring
cells could be heard cough, or frag-
ment Of whispered conversation.
With feelings that can be better i'm
agined than described he continued his
solitary vigil. From his own cell came
no sounds at all, but be had no doubt
that Platoff and Phil were hard at work.
Occasionally he heard the tramp of
the sentries in the other corridors, and
once from the main portion of the pris-
on came a cliuk of glasses and a coarse
laugh.
''They won't be inclined for merry
making a few hours from now if all
goes WE'LL" thought Maurice with grim
satisfaction. Then his thoughts turned
to Lora, and in trying to imagine her
joy on learning of his escape he forgot
the ordeal in store for him. That un.
pleasant fact was brought to his mem
CRY with startling abruptness. In the
neighboring corridor a rife butt was
dropped heavily to the floor, voices were
heard in conversation, and then a sec
ond or two later footsteps approached.
Fired with a sudden inspiration,
Maurice decided to look danger in the
face. Pulling the visor of his cap over
his eyes, he wheeled round and paced
down the corridor with a slow, regular
step. Years ago, before entering col
lege, he had spent two years at mill
tary school, and the instructions there
received he now put into use. The most |
rigid martinez could have found no
fault with his bearing as he marched |
forward to meet the approaching peril.
The lamp was behind him, so that |
his face was in shadow, the effect he
had aimed to produce.
The footsteps were now close at hand,
and suddenly an officer turned the an
gle, q young lieutenant with dangling
sword and a pair Of eyeglasses that
gave him fierce expression.
Maurice ooolly saluted and dropped
his rife TO the floor.
Everything right, is it?" asked the
officer thickly, and Maur:ce noted with
some uneasiless that be had been drink
ing.
"All's WE'LL" be responded grufly,
though his voice trembled in spite of
his effort to control it.
Under his glasses the lieutenant
stared fixed Y, and with a sinking heart
Maurice returned the gaze, believing
that his identity was suspected. The
next word treasured him.
Russo, said the officer, "haye you
got a drop CT vodka about you?"
Maurice felt himself trembling like a
leaf, and then, hardly conscious of what
ne was doiu :. be plunged his hand into