The Washington times., 1903-03-15
WITH COSSACK AND CONVICT BoNnln MURRAY GRAYDoN \
VI ~
Blu WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.

Then the weather had changed. bring
ing warm rain. and now. on the morn
ing which witnessed the opening Of this
chapter. it was again bitterly cold and
a crust was on the snow heavy enough
for men on foot. but too trail for horses.
The alarming news flashed over the
wires had brought Colonel Sudekin and
force Of Cossacks on from Irkutsk in
hot haste. and at the post station on the
Angara he Joined General Tichimiron.
who had been forced to abandon his
search by reason OF the severe SHOWS.
/ OF the three stolen sledges of gold not
the faintest trace had been discovered.
for when the Cossacks broke through the
barricade on that terrible night and
dashed along the read in hot pursuit the
point where the sledges were turned on
was already covered with drifted snow,
and thus the only clue was lost.
1T was raore than probable. Colonel
Sudekin reasoned. that sledges. gold,
horses. and drivers were buried deep I'M
der the gigantic drifts and would not be
found until the spring Opened-if even
then"
That the thieves could have got safely
away with their booty none for mo-
ment believed.
At the present time matters were at
compulsory standstill-
The Cossacks TO the number OF sew
eraI hundred, were quartered at the
various stations along the postrOad for
twenty miles on each side of the An
CARA. awaiting further orders from the
1 governor.
The dead who had fallen in the fight
at the bridge and before the barricade.
were in their last resting places-Cos-
sack and convict alike.
The poor operator. who had been
/ shot down at Donald's side, still lay
where his life had gone out. deep under
! the crusted snow. Andre and Donald
had disappeared as mysteriously as the
convicts and the gold.
| The scene OF the late stirring events
was itself quiet and calm, but a volcano
OF rage and despair. smoldered in the
hearts OF Colonel Sudekin and the
stricken governor of Irkutsk; and from
/ Vladivostock to ST. Petersburg the people
/ OF the vast Russian empire hung ex-
pectantIy on the telegraph wires. their
I interest centered on the little post
station by the Angara.
! From this brief depression let Us re
turn.
The fourth day wore on as mOnoton-
ously as its predecessors. and sunset
found the scene in the post house
little changed. The governor still paced
the floor in moody silence. the starosta
slept al intervals in his corner. and
I at a table by the fire sat Colonel Sude-
kin and the Cossack officer with a box
/ OF cigars and a bottle of vodka between
/ them
Out Of respect for the governor they
wore sbnormaIly long faces. but they
were nevertheless making themselves as
comfortable as circumstances would per-
nit
| Rap, zap, rap, A heavy knock shook
the panels Of the door.
The governor paid no attention to the
sound. but the starosta sprang to his
feet with a smothered cry. while Colonel
Sudekin. with his nose buried in a glass
OF vodka. growled angrily. Come in.
The Invitation was promptly accepted.
and three Cossacks entered the room,
conducting between them an Unlocking
stranger, who wore a reddish beard Of
I
coarse. heavy gray garments.
I'VE caught this fellow outside. your
excellency." said one of the soldiers.
He declared ne must see you on very
urgent business
We'll, what Is il? What do you want
with me?" asked the governor YEARLY. !
while Sudekin and the officers rose and
came forward.
The stranger was the center OF at
traction as he drew a folded and seal I
ed paper from under his coat and hand /
ed 1t to General Tickimiroff. Then with |
out a word he sat down on a chair and /
the Cossacks grouped themselves around /
him.
The governor opened the document |
with sudden interest and glanced over
the contents. Then-his eyes dilated. !
his face purpled with rage. and crush |
ing the offending paper in his hsnd-he J
sprang at the stranger so menacingly |
that the latter bolted across the room. |
and tripping on a chair. came down with /
a crash.
Before he could rise the governor had /
him by the throat and was shaking him /.
furiously.
You dog" he cried. with every shake !