Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30

and my prisoner escaped"
"True." said Olga. "And now the
other. You were with Jansky and the
governor when they visited him. You
know where he Is"
II know not" grumbled Itzig.
THAT is false. heard them speak
of you to Unsgethop. Will you guide
me to his dungeon? Open the door"
81 cannot. The key is with Jansky.
| 1t is never out of his hands"
"Oh, heavcnv cried Olga. Have I
made this terrible mistake"
"The key is Jansky's," said Itzig.
mo one goes to the dungeon save by
his orders"
Break down the door,"
Tmpossible! 1t is heavy oak. I
have no AK"
She turned from him and fed to the
stairs.
"Lieutenantw
The young officer, with visions Of
mines and the knout and wondering
where this complication would end,
answered her.
Come here" she said. II want this
door opened"
He looked at the door and at Itzig.
"Jansky has the key, and he is gone"
said Itzig.
1--WE must open It, IL the princess
says so," said the officer.
"what! You disloyal to Neslerov?"
The officer smiled and looked at Olga.
1--WE must take Off the hinges" he
said II will get the TOOLS"
He was gone but a moment and
when he returned he attacked the
screws that held the great iron hinges.
II will alarm the governor!" cried It.
zig, leaplng upon him.
"Stand back! Keep your hands off"
ordered Olga, aiming her revolver at
him. II have commanded, and l will
be obeyed!'
"You have no authorityw said Itzig.
covering before the pistol.
81 have this"
She showed him the paper. His face
grew white. and he sank shivering to
the floor.
"The seal of the car! Oh. princess,
I did not know! obeyl will do any
thing"
Help open the door"
The hinges were soon of and the
door was opened. The iron gate re-
sisted the united efforts Of the two but
they sawed out the lock.
"Take the lantern!" commanded the
princess.
Trembling in every fiber, Itzig light.
ed lantern.
Lead the way to the dungeon where
Vladimir is concealed"
IL obey"
"And will guard you, princess"
said the officer.
Thus they descended the stairs. Itzig
leading with the lantern, Olga follow
ing and the officer close behind her
ready to protect her. Potent was the
seal of the car.
They found the giant blacksmith in
his chains. The hunger he felt had not
yet Slapped his strength. The key the
princess had taken from its peg soon
released him.
Gomez she said.
But who are you, and what does
this mean?" he demanded.
"Come! We have no time to waste
with words. Tonight you have the
work of your life to do. Come"
The four assembled. and Itzig extin.
gushed his lantern. The eyes Of Vlad-
imir blinked as he entered the great
hall, which was kept lighted all night
You are Vladimir" said the prin-
cess. II am Olga of the Neslerovs. Dc
you know the story Of the picture?'
THE little picture" cried Vladimir
eagerly-"the little one that Papa Paul
poff said he found? Yes; be told 1t &c
me and to the American one day In the
hut at Tivoloffsky."
Then you know the truth The
American was to 60 to Perm and star
the investigation"
Yes. but he was brought here"
II released him last night. He wen
from here to Tivoloffsky to bring Papf
: Paulpoff to tell his story before th'
governor general, who has not yet ar
rived. Jansky, the superintendent O.
!. police, and Unsgethop have gone t
} fetch him. They will kill him; the!
; will not risk taking him alive. 1t II
. your duty to ride to Tivoloffsky-rid'
as for your own life-and save tn,
, American and Papa Paulpoff. Brint
them here. DO you understand"
Eyes; but horse"
Lieutenant In the name Of the car
, the fleetest horse In the stables 70
Vladimir"
II obey-the fleetest horse"
, "You must be famished," said Olga
twill you eat?"
Eat! With the American and Pap
Paulpoff in danger! No; but drink o
3 wine"
He watched her as she stepped int
, Neslerovs room. He saw the governor
h. "Neslerov!' he said. "Is he dead?"
4, mo. l drugged his liquor. Here
wine. 1t is not drugged. l drank Of
myself"
3 He drained the glass. and the office
entered.
t 1.-The horse Is at the door. princess.
woke no one at the stables. I saddle
the steed myself"
Good. You will be a captain tomo
= row. Now, Vladimir, go!'
He mounted and was of. He 70
= lowed the line Of the new railway an
v could not lose his way. His horse wa
|. fast, the best horse In Neslerov's ST