Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-12-10

superintendent " IlOllCG.
upon herself SO great n task would be
sent forthwith to lonely castle and
kept semiprisoner."
II fear that some of that same spirit
dominates our society today"
II think 1t will prevail for time"
"Where would you advise me to go to
study the convict system at its worstT'
Its worst? Do you not wish to see
it at Its bestY'
II understand 1t at its best"
"Well, 1t is serious matter to i'd
wise, yet if'you are working under the
protection of the czar we must help
you. l should say Tivoloffsky."
II shall go there. Where are your
prisons?'
The colonel rubbed his grizzled mus
tache.
1--WE have guardhouses in oil settle
ments."
"DungeonsT
"Not many dungeons. There are
dungeons under this very palace, but
they are obsolete. l do not think they
have been used in years."
''Then they could be inspected"
II see no reason why they should not.
But that would be for the governor to
say. Shall ask him?'
"No; since they are under his palace
shall have an opportunity later. I
suppose they are entered by way of a
secret door"
"There was a door ut the end of the
police Offices" replied the colonel. "Of
course, being soldier, know scarcely
anything about them. They IRE wholly
in charge of the police"
"But you formerly had no police in
Siberia save the Cossack guards"
"True, but was not Mt Tomsk then.
came here from Tobolsk."
Olga spoke then to the coloners wife,
and the subject of the dungeons did
not recur.
Neslerov came and presented n young
officer, member of a noble family, and
he asked Olga for waltz. She thank
ed the colonel. and they did not meet
again. The dancing continued till a
very late hour, after which there was
supper served with the true Russian
prodigality. Olga was becoming weary,
but she maintained her usual spirits.
She Glanced to pass near the governor
and heard a young officer speaking.
Lieutenant Dermsky is not present.
Whom will you name rs the lieutenant
Of the palace guard?"
'None Will be necessary" answered
Neslerov. "Itzig will be at his post.
AS 1t Is nearly morning, no more will
be necessary. Dismiss the guard, take
them to the banquet hall and give them
supper"
Soon after that Olga found occasion
to cross the hall to the offices of police.
People were passing to and fro, and no
one could think 1t strange that the
princess went where she pleased. She
found at the end Of the suit of rooms
devoted to police affairs small apart
ment, the door of which was closed.
Turning, to see that Neslerov was not
in the hall-she did not care for the
guests-she entered. Sitting there in
lonely state was man. He was not
particularly agreeable looking and
seemed to be Of a stupid order.
"Are you not being Toasted with the
others?" asked the princess.
mo; they forget poor Itzig," was the
reply.
"What is your duty here|
'"To guard the door to the passage
yonder. Stupid! No one could enter.
Ty,o Iya,, ,,oyar looya, +1,o y,ool.ot ,F +I,o
superintendent of police"
Jansky had been constant in his at.
tendance at the bottle and already
showed the effect of his heavy pota.
tons.
"You shall not be overlooked" said
Olga. ~ will send you some refresh.
ments."
She first went to her room and return
ed to the banquet hall. She ordered one
of the servants to open fresh bottle
Of wine, which was done. Then q tray
was prepared, and she ordered 1t taken
to Itzig. Quickly, without seconds
delay, small vial in her hand was
emptied into the wine.
"Take this Also" she said.
When she returned to the throng, the
guests were leaving. They came In
throngs to bid her adieu. and she saw
the last one leave. Jansky, Neslerov
and the servants were left.
II am exhausted" said Neslerov. ~
feel completely worn out. And you
cousin, must be weary also"
II am" she answered. II shall not
be long getting to Sleep"
Nor I. 1 hope you enjoyed your
ball."
Every much. 1 thank you for the
kind attention. And now good night"
Good night"
I'm going, but shall first make q
royt% of Inspection" said Jansky
y J|e being no guard this morning,
[A do no harm. It will not be day.