The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-18
Ole Mystery Of GraslOv
By Ashley Towne
A Tale Growing Out of the Adventures
of Three Americans Connected With the
Building of the Great Siberian Ry.
Copyright. 1901. BY Charles B. EtherinEton.

CHAPTER XIV, CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XIV, CONTINUED.
Again Jansky led the way. He did not
tell Neslerov he had not been to visit
Vladimir. In his agitation at finding the
American gone he had assumed, of course,
that If one could escape both could.
Reaching an obscure corner toward which
Denton had not CHANGED to go in his
search, they found another stairway lead
ing downward. This short flight brought
them to a horrible place-more horrible
than the one where Denton had been
chained.
Ihls was a dungeon made cold and damp
by the water that stood two inches deep
on the floor, and in which blind reptiles
That had never seen any brighter place
crawled around in the Shiny Ooze. Long
strings OF rotten moss hung from the
walls. Here, in this noisome and terrible
place was Vladimir, chained in the same
manner as Denton had been.
Il thought you said he had gone, tool"
exclaimed Neslerov, flood Of hope and
courage showing in his voice.
'iIsthought so. In my excitement I be-
lieved both had gone but if one is here
the other must be. We will search the
dungeons"
They did not speak to Vladimir, who
was suffering awful tOrtures, but turned
and assembled to the upper floor. Here,
winding and turning among the passages
they crept stealthily-three armed men
searching for one man who was unarmed,
yet fearing that the one might leap upon
them and Stay them as they walked. But
they did not find the American and re-
turned crestfallen to the office of the SUI
perintendent Of police.
Tat man did not set himself free"
said Neslerov. "Some one who knows
my secret has done this. Olga is here.
Who else but Olga could do the thing?'
Did the. Princess Olga come to you
during the ball?' Jansky suddenly asked
1tzig. Was it the princess who gave you
that wine?"
The pallor of the mans face gave
Jansky his answer
'HeavensI' he exclaimed. The wine
must have been drugged! 1t was Olga
who set him free!''
Then we must act with extreme eau
ton, for if she knows this much she will
ruin me. For short time we must act
as If we did not know the American had
escaped. But you and Unsgethop must
find him-find him--before he gets out of
Tomsk. Then, with him again in our
grasp. l will deal with Olga. Fool, to
put her strength against mine, and in
TOmsk!"
What about Vladimir" asked Jansky.
Leave him alone. Let him starve. He
can do no HARM
Jansky went quickly to work. Nnsge-
thop upon whom he depended most, had
gone to another place in the discharge Of
his duty. Jansky made several fruitless
journeys during the day but no traces
of the American could he find.
Olga. when, late in the day. she joined
the governor. noticed the studied calm
and the steely glitter of his eye. She
knew he had discovered the escape of
Denton. but the resolute girl did not fear
him. She merely nerved herself to fin
ish the work she had set herself to do.
She had frequent errands that took her
near the Office of the superintendent Of
police, and she kept her ears alert to
catch the slightest whisper.
II was evening when she went for the
seventh time, and loud voices came from
the superintendent Office. So excited
were the speakers that they did not real
ize that their voices reached into the hall.
Il tell you it is sou said the voice OF
UnsgethOp, who had returned and VINO
seemed to be angry. How was I to
know that a man could escape from the
dungeons? I heard it-that the Amerl-
can had passed through Dorky on his way
to Tivooffsky. 1 suppose Neslerov had
changed his plans
lis he going to Tivoloffsky? Old Paul
poff is still there!" said the governor.
But explain this thing said Unsge-
thop. How could man who was chained
to the wall in that dungeon get OUT
by the help of q traitor and l Will
know that traitor and Stay him. sale
Neslerov. "Some one drugged some wine
and Jansky, like a fool, drank it, Also
Itzig, who guards the door. During the
time they were asleep the American wa:
set. free. The other, Paulpoff, is Still
there. Your work is to capture tina
American and bring him here
If he knows, he may have told some
one" suggested Unsgethop.
This is no time to talk! Whether h
has told or not, he must be brought back
If am to be destroyed, will destroy m.
enemies first! Go! Bring him back tt
die
Olga quickly disappeared up the stairs