The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-11


81 am cousin Of that Princess Nesle-
row who married the son Of the Duke Of
Grasloy. Is that sufficient
ut Is. Then if we work together just
ice will be done"
First we must work to get out of here
said Olga. How are these chains fas-
tened?'
with small iron key. 1t was on a
long chain, so l presume it hangs in that
passage at the head Of the stairs The
stairs are not far from this spot 1t was
not a long distance when l was brought
here"
''It may. not be far, but in what direc-
tion?"
There was stupid kind of fellow
down here once after I was brought in.
He brought me some food. watched him
and think can guide you to the stairs
Count three passages to the left from that
black stone in the wall. !"
Yes; this is the third
Now go through that till you reach a
heap of rubbish in little court. l re-
member the rubbish heap, for 1 stumbled
sage divides, and one lane leads to the left
and the other to the right. The one on
the right will lead you to the stairs"
Come, Therese!"
Taking her lantern, Olga again started
carefully following the directions of Den
ton. She found the rubbish heap and,
taking the passage to the right soon came
to the stairs. She left Therese at the
foot of the stairs while she crept soft
ly W.
In the guardroom Itzig still lay snoring
and Olga glanced at the door to make
sure the bolt had not been disturbed. If
a dozen Cossacks had been hammering at
the door she would not have faltered now
She searched in the little passage and
6od
peg by a chain.
1T must be the one she said, and she
seized it and sped below.
Remain here she said to Therese,
land if am lost again you can guide me
back to the stairs as the American guided
us to him.
She wound her way through the pas
sages and at last reached Denton
You are brave little woman" he
said. Il did not think there was woman
like you in the World-eXcept one"
Il suppose you mean Frances Gordon, -
said the princess.
What! Do you know herr"
II met her at the great fair in Moscow.
She was very charitable.'
while she talked she tried the key
1t fitted the locks in the chains and one
by one they dropped changing against the
wall, and Denton was free.
Nov, them" she said. vladimir Paul
poff is here. DO you know how to find
him."
mo. do not know where they put him.
I know it was not near me, for have been
calling to him. l received no answer"
I'VE cannot remain here in safety much
longer she said. The daylight will
bring activity in the palace. Jansky, SUI
perintendent of police, is lying drunk in
his office, and Itzig, the guard, is also un-
conscious. The superintendent will be
discovered and there will be an uproar
It will spoil all if we are now discov-
cred"
We must make haste and find Vladi-
mir said Denton. Il do not feel that
we can leave him. If they discover my
absence, they may kill him.
Find him if you can. If not, I must
watch over his welfare till you return"
Return! From Perm?"a
mo. Perm is too far. I have worked
to bring the denouement in the palace.
have sent a message to the governor
general at Tobolsk. l have with me a
woman whose testimony is worth mil
lions All we need now is what Papa
Paulpoff can tell us. You must bring
him .... ri.
Il WILL -. ..." r.. .--@s
He tried to find some clue to the place
where Vladimir was incarcerated, but
there was nothing to guide him.
II cannot find him, and I believe he is
safer than you will be if Neslerov traps
you here. Neither you nor will ever
get out alive. We must leaye him.
Then come and may God give him his
protection till we' can give him justice!"
They hurried UP the stairs. The door
was relocked, the iron key hung in its
accustomed place and the door to the
guardroom unbolted. The halls were still
lighted by the brilliant lamps Of the fete,
| though daylight was coming on But there
was no one stirring.
Quick" said Olga. Lets US under
stand each other. Therese. who is here
as my attendant, is the widow of a serv-
ant of the Graslo household-loyal to the
old duke: She is willing to tell the truth
| Has Paulpoff spoken?''
| Yes. He told me all, and I was about
to start for Perm with the portrait Of
Princess Alexandra when ! was arrested
by Jansky and brought here
'And now you are free! Why did you
take this interest in the mystery of Gras-
tlov?"
Because he answered after Sigh
pause, Miss Gordon, whom l have know
for ia long time, loves Vladimir, and
think Vladimir loves her.
"Ah," she exclaimed, peering at hin
closely, land for her-for her sake-yo,
wanted to oublish-the TRUTH"
| Yes, and for his sake also"
7
her, this American girl she said.
His face became flushed, but he did no
| answer. ~ ..-..
Now co." she said "Find Paulpof
and bring him here. You know where h,
| is -,''-t So.
He is still in the hut at Tivoloffsky, i
Jansky has not spirited him away
| Then look for him there, and If he il
gone, the governor general will help III
find him. Oh, I wish De Mulofr would
| comet
She sped into Jansky's room and re
placed the keys I'M his pocket. Then, re
turning, she said:
! God bless you Help me establish the
truth, and the gratitude Of the Neslerov:
will be yours"
you may count on me- he answered
as he passed through the palace door. &C.
will bring old Paulpof to tell the truth
| CHAPTER XIV
| NESLEROV KNOWS HIS PERIL.
! About the time Governor Neslerov was
rousing himself from a deep slumbe1