The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-08-14

! of the letters were addressed to Pau
Gourko, The next instant he cam,
upon an open sheet of paper covered
with writing. He glanced at it briefly
/ to reveal startling fact; namely, tina,
! Count Sandoff and Paul Gourko the
nihilist were one and the same.
Quin gasped for breath. He remem
! bered the conversation with Larry Bel
cher, and he knew that he had STUN
bled upon the mystery of Paul Gourko's
disappearance. What a gulf between
the two identities-Russian noblemar
and nihilistl
by joye, I must get this stuff out
of the way" he muttered, suddenly
realizing the fearful peril that threat
ened him. My life won't be worth a
moments purchase if it is known thai
1 opened this closet
The rustic of a woman's gown start
led him, and he looked aruond, to see
the Countess Sandoff. Her indignant
that he let the papers and letters drop
to the floor: the closet door was swing
ing at his elbow.
You spy" Kissed the countess. you
vile traitorl'
1T was an accident, on my honor, u
stammered Quin. 81 happened to touch
the painting
But you nave read the papers, your
face tells me SOP
Quin was silent, not knowing what to
say, and just then footsteps were heard
in the hall. The countess, whose ex-
preston indicated irresolution, called in
loud and terrified voice:
''AleXisi'
The next instant Count Sandoff burst
into the room-a TALL stern-faced man,
with black moustache and a partly
bald head. He took in the situation at
q. glance, and uttered a shout that i'm
niediately brought three other men to
his side-evidently conspirators like
himself. GUMS revolver was in his
cloak and he had no chance to defend
himself with the furniture. The four
men threw themselves upon him, and
though he struggled desperately, know
ing that capture meant death, he was
helpless against such odds.
Don't hurt him, AleXiSr he heard
the countess crv
Then his throat was tightly clutched.
and he was borne backward. A cloth
saturated with some pungent liquid
was pressed to his lips and nostrils. a
mist swan before his eyes, his strength
failed him, and he remembered moth
ing more.
With throbbing head, with cramped
anu dcUlIlS lll0OS, NguIH IeluIuSQ W
consciousness. His arms and legs were
tied, and by the light from a single
window he saw that he was lying on
the floor of a small and empty room.
He was daZed at first, but presently he
remembered what had happened. He
tried to break his letters, but in vain,
Certain death confronted him, for he
knew that no mercy could be expected
from Count Sandoff and his fellow con-
SpiratorS.
Suddenly he heard faint footsteps,
and then the creaking of a lock. AS he
looked towards the door it opened
slowly, and a woman entered. By the
dim light he recognized the Countess
Sandoff. She approached and bent
over him, a knife held in one hand
BE quiet" she whispered. L am
here as a friend. Oh. why did you come
to this house? 1 believe your story, but
my husband does not. He and his
friends have decided to kill you in the
morning. 1t is now two hours past
midnight. Has the effect of the drug
worn OFF,"
Il think So" Quin answered, hope
fully.
IF save you" the countess went on,
will you swear to say nothing of what
you have discovered tonight"
Madam, 1 cannot take that OATH"
Quin replied firmly, 81
The countess sighed regretfully.
Il thought you would refuse; you are
an Englishman," she said. But you
saved my life, and would be unworthy
the name of woman if let you perish
will take the risk"
May heaven reward you" Quin
The next instant the sharp knife had
severed his bonds, and he rose un.
steadily to his feet. q Beyond a slight
dizziness he was all right, as he as
iured the countess.
Then you must go at once" she re-
1lfed. Delay may be fatal. The court !
s below, and at present it is deserted. !
snow. In the far corner of the stable |
,ou will find horses Choose one and |
de for your life Turn to the left and |
leep straight on the forest road. 1t |
will lead you to the neighborhood of /
our camp"
But your
Have no fear" the countess whis-
ered. Il have provided for my own
afety. and 1 shall not be blamed for
our escape"
And my servants?'
'They are prisoners, but their lives
viii be spared. You can do nothing for
hem. Now go-go"
With that the intrepid and generous
earted woman glided from the room,
nd softly shut the door behind her
1t required several moments for Quin
D convince himself that what had just
ranspired was not a dream. Then,
heered by the hope of escape, he fol-
)wed instructions. He noiselesSly
pened the window, saw that the court
ras empty and dropped lightly into
Z ia6 /
cred the farthest compartment of the
tables, which was dimly lighted by
lntern on the wall. He chose a fine
)oking horse, saddled and bridled it,
nd led it out.
At that moment he heard a door
reak, and saw a servant, who had
been reused from sleep, issue
'om another part of the stables. The
ian called suspiciously to Quin, who
,de out of the court. bearing to the !
fit. AS he went flying along the, snowy
Dad he heard shout after shout behind !
i'm. until the whole place seemed in an
proar.
THAT lessons my chances" thought /
uin, " and I'm in for hot chase. 1t i
ont be long till they come tearing I
fter me-" ,
Half an hour passed, and the wintry
ght gave forth no sound but the s
gaming of the wind among the ever |
'een trees. 1t did not follow from {
lis, however, that the pursuers were 7
1t on the track. And presently, with !
thrill at his heart, Quin heard the [
uffled pounding of hoofs in the rear. 7
He was astride Of a fleet animal, and 7
r more than an hour he Numbered c
l at furious gallop. putting mile af-
r mile behind him. Then his enemies. Y
me of whom were on better steeds, $