Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-23


yondcr. Stupid! No one could enter.
The key never leaves the pocket Of the
superintendent of police"
Jansky had been constant in his at.
tendance ut the bottle and already
showed the effect of his heavy pota.
tions.
"You shall not be overlooked" said
Olga. II 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 tray
was prepared, and she ordered it taken
to Itzig. Quickly, without a seconds
delay, a small vial in her hand was
emptcd 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
ard the servants were left
81 am exhausted" said Neslcrov. II
feel completely worn out. And you,
COUSIN, must ne weary dlSO
%! am" she answered. Il shall not
be long getting to sleep
"Nor |. hope you enjoyed your
ball"
Very much. I thank you for the
kind attention. And now good night
Good night"
I'm going, but 7 shall first make a
round of Inspection said Jansky.
"Thcre being no guard this morning
it will do no harm. 1t will not be day
light for two hours"
They parted, and Olga went to her
room, but not to sleep. Therese was
asleep in a chair, waiting for her mis-
tress.
"Thereser' said Olga.
"Oh, pardon me. was asleep" said
| Thorese. starting up.
Hush. I do not wish any one to
hear us. l have work for us both to
do"
Il am ready. Command me, prin-
cess"
IL know. faithful Thcrese, but this
is work that will require all your
nerve. Listen. The ball is over and
the guests have gone. Chance has IA
vored us tonight. 1t has enabled me to
plot and plan for what we are to do.
Neslerov dismissed the guard. and
there will be in ahort time no one
awake in the palace. The Supcrintend-
ent of Dolice carries the key to the dun
geons. and he is now half drunk. The
door to the dungeons is guarded 10y a
stupid fool named Itzig. found him
at his post, and sent him bottle OF
wine and tray of food. Into the wine
poured that vial of toothachc medi-
cine ! obtained from you. 1t is enough
to make any one sleep for hours
Where Jansky sleeps | do not know
but we must find him. We must wait
it is too sOon-but in half an hour il
will be safe to descend. .Iansky said
it. would not be daylight for two hours
That will give US an bour and halt
to work.
"And that work."
"To release the American and Vladi
mir from the dungeons and send them
to old Paulpoff to get him to safety
He must not lie harmed, for we want
his testimony"
Good said Therese, with a shiver
at is grand but DANGEROUS"
Olga opened a travelling Gag and tool
thcrefrom n silver mounted revolver.
Il do not wish 10 kill" she said
"hut if we are discovered there Will b,
trouble, and l must succeed. Come
low, for the honor Of the Neslerovi
and the house of Grasov,'
The princess opened her door an(
peered into the corridor The light;
were still burning as brightly as dur
ing the ball, but no one was in sight.
Conceal is silent as the grave,
she said. Even if we meet some one
it will not cause suspicion"
She led the way, and rhercse SILVER
ing with terror, followed. The grea
stairway and hall were deserted, bu
from the little guardroom at the enc
Of the police quarters there came th'
sound of curses.
Stupid blockhcad" said the voice
of Jansky. Drunk, Who brough
him this bottle of wineE'
With a quick motion Olga whskeC
Therese into the same room where sh'
had Crouched to listen to Iansky anC
: Unsgcthop. There came the sound o
unsteady footsteps. r%anskv. with thu
unfinished bottle of Itzig's wine in hi
hand, went drunkenly to bis office
"Ill finish this-then go TO bed" b,
: muttered.
He finished it, and it finished him
1t was not ten minutes before his owl
: eyes closed in that terrible sleep from
which he could not arouse himself unit
the effect of the drug had passed off.
Come" said Olga.
!. Nervously and quickly she rihcd thu
sleeping mans pockets and found
> bunch of keys. Swiftly, then, thcs
two rushed to Itzig's room and, shut
ting the door. barred it on the inside,
"Now we can work without molesta
ton" said Olga.
e She tried several keys in the lock o
an iron door that formed part of tn
!, rear wall, but without success. Fl
nally she found one that turned tn
rusty bolt, and the door swung opcr
, This door led into a small passage. II
: which there were various artlcles-lau
terms. whips. chains and weapons. OlG.
quickly chose lantern which showe'
;. 1t had been recently used and lighte
= IT, At the end of the passage was a
- iron grating forming door, and thi'