The Iola register., 1902-08-22


chlkoif, land the treasure"
"Snce the incident has occurred"
said Darrell, 81 intend to use it for
my own purposes"
"T don't know what use you can
make Of It," returned GctchikoGf. ut
is true that these men fell into our
hands in the manner you mention, but
how that can help you or the force in
Grcdskov is more than can see"
General Interrupted Darrell, "yOu
were prepared yesterday to make
terms You had, as believe, the dl-
rect authorization Of the Russian gov
crnment to show mercy, even to prom
Use general amnesty under conditions
very favorable to the Circassians. All
you required was the surrender Of GER
tain persons and, of course, the usual
laying down q arms, upon which the
Clrcassian soldiers were to return in
safety to their homes. BY Il singular
trick of fate all the persons named by
You. with one cXccption-thc khan
have fallen into your power. You have
decided, therefore, to enhance your
own military glory by securing an TN
conditional surrender of this city. 1t
would be an achievement for so young
a general, especially because it would
have been done I'm spite of the weather.
to which by the way, you owe much
personally, since it has laid all your
suporors fat on their backs in the de-
lirium Of fever and has left You at the
head Of affairs. Yes, you owe much to
the rain, and 1 bless it with equal fer
vor."
why, may 1 askY inquired Getchi-
kofl, not without tremor Of apprchen-
sion.
because It enables me to deal with
you" said Darrell.
"What authority have you TO deal
with auybodyY demanded Getchikoff.
"Bchold the slgnet of the khan" re
Joined Darrell, displaying the ring
which he had put upon the little finger
Of his right hand.
"Tnking your word that it is valid
warrant" said GetchikoG, "what
them"
81 propose the terms mentioned yes
| torlay,' said Darrell.
"You are mad" rctortcd Gctchikoff.
81 will take this city without condi-
tions."
CATER which glorious deed" respond
ed Darrell, you will return to Stavro-
pol and later to Paris, where you will
marry a beautiful widow worth many
| Millions"
Gwen as you say" answered Get
chikom.
LET us see about that" retortcd
Darrell. "In the first place, what will
happen when you get to StaVropOl
You will face the wrath of your IA
thcr for your conduct in putting me out
Of the way. Oh, | am well Informed
about it. You worked your pull rs
we say in America. with the chief Of
the secret police, ana then you organ
lied a fake court which condemned
me and left no record of It's proceed
ings. When we get back to Stayropol,
your father will not thank you for the
| International complications that will
result from your crimes against me-"
we" said Getchikor, "will never
get back to Stavropol. only one of us
is going. You will remain"
And he pointed down to the ground.
You may Kill me and bury me-" an.
swcrcd Darrell, but the American con.
sui in Stayropol Is another PROPOSE
ton"
MY dear sir" rotortcd Gotchlkoff
Il don't believe he knows anything
about IT or win ever learn anything"
"AIy excellent friend" said Darrell
"hc has already learned everything
| Glance mt this note from him to me. ]
replied fully by courier, but Consul
| Lingard Will not proceed upon the in
/ formation until my return"
Gctchikoir read the consuls note, and
he snapped his jaws together like an
angry boar.
Il will take my chances" he said at
| last
perhaps you do not fully compre-
hend," said Darrell gently. "Your trou,
blos will also include n charge of for
gerry"
Gotchlkoft laid his hand upon the
hilt Of his sword.
"Be calm said Darrell. "Let us
/ reason upon the matter ana see exactly
how you stand. Your private affairs
are Mt this moment Of far more conse-
| quCncc than the strength of these con.
tending armies. ! have had consider
able time since we parted to mediate
upon your case, for one has much lei.
sure in prison. | have decided that
you are a thoroughly selfish man; that
your chief terror is your father; that
your chief desire is to quit the army
Stavropol, everything Of your old life
aud live in wealth ana luxury in Paris
Your marriage will make that possible
Am l right In these matters"
81 shall do the taugs you name" an,
swered Gotchikoll, land dead man
buried in the Caucasus mountains will
not prevent me"
you are what we call in America a
buffer" said Darrell. AT this pres