Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-28


StavrOpol. that the trick had been play
ed 10 keep him out OF the city at a crit
ical time when his Intervention In We
ra's favor might have Inconvenience
the authorities, but as the time wore
on he began TO realize that his view of
the affair must be erroneous and that
his liberty was lost forever unless he
could win IL back by his own hands.
While he fully realized the difficulties
OF his position, he did not despair. He
knew that he was destined for Siberia,
but the way to Siberia is long, and the
opportunities to escape must be many.
The guard who controlled the door
Of DarrelPs dungeon was a young Rus
sian named Kevskl. Accepting for
granted the story OF Sergius Bilowski
that came with the prisoner bearing
that name, he had treated Darrell with
a sternness that forbade any attempt
at conversation, but they were brought
into more friendly relations by q singu-
lar happening.
One evening. when Darrell was watch
ing through his window the evolutions
of an unusually large force upon the
esplanade. he was astounded to per-
ceive Ivan Getchikoff mounted upon a
horse and wearing the uniform OF
brigadier. Evidently the rascal had
enjoyed recent promotion. Surrounded
by his STAFF, he took up position with
in fifty years OF Darrelrs window, and
the troops passed before him In review.
With no clear notion Of the useful
ness of the proceeding, but desiring to
make his presence known to Getchi-
koff, Darrell repeated that imitation of
the flute which had so surprised Lad
tslov In the Partisan cafe. The sharp
sound reached Getchikoffs ears, and
he recognized it Darrell had the sat
isfaction Of witnessing the nervousness
Of his enemy, and he was piping Justify
when he heard the cracking OF the door
behind him. He snatched the big pen
mot, Of course, q necessary part Of the
musical performance from his pocket
and turned to face KevskL the guard.
Where did you get a fute7" demand
ed Kevski
81 have had 1t In my pocket all along"
said Darrell. ct is not exactly a flute.
1t is an American instrument"
'Why were you permitted to retain
it,"
"Aiy friend" said Darrell, who had
solved this puzzle by long study, sit
was safer to let me carry my own prop
erty ost Of StavropOl than to leave it
behind. When prisoners goods are Or
dered to be destroyed, they have hab-
1t Of turning up again, as you are
aware. And mine would prove me an
| American"
1 "You are not a Russian; ] know that"
| responded Kevski. "Ts your name real
ly Sergius Bilowski?"
1T is not. My name, my friend, is
Darrell. / am an American"
keVski seemed to be impressed.
| America! Ali That is the placer
he said. ''They have no prisons there!'
ooh, hold on now! They do have
| prisons. We are not all angels" said
Darrell. "And prisons are necessary
in every land. But In America one
must commit crime TO be sent to
| prison"
II know, know" said Kevski, eager
to display his knowledge of the distant
land OF freedom. my cousin, Andrea
Kevski, is there. He wrote me a letter
once. he is now a merchant, and his
children go to school He sits every
Sunday In a church, and no inspector
OK police searches his house In his abb
sence. 1t is great country, that Amer
lea"
ut is, indeed" said Darrell ct wish
1t could know where am. l think
Stavrc9ol would be treated 10 a sensa-
tson."
-1ush! NY cousin says that In 49,