The Washington times., 1903-03-22

and by the governors order Leontet
was brought back into the room.
He was quite composed now and lis
tened eagerly to what they told him,
and as he understood it's import his
eyes glistened and the teeth showed be-
tween his parted lips.
1T is a good plan he said eagerly
when my companions hear of Baranok' $
treachery they Will wish to tear him
limb from limb. but 1 will persuade
them TO spare his life. so that he may
fall into your hands. will tell them
that II the girl is delivered up they will
be allowed to retain the gold, and by
making this promise am sure. your ex-
cellency. that will be allowed TO leave
the cavern with your daughter in
charge.
They will expect me back, OF course.
but will bring the girl straight to
you-you and your men must be waiting
close by-and then you can attack the
outlaws az soon as you please. l can
do this on one condition only. though"
And what is that?" asked the gov
ernor
"A full pardon. your excellency."
The governor hesitated a moment, but
as this was obviously the only means
of insuring Leonters faithful services.
he acceded to the request.
How long will it take to reach :he
cavern ?" he asked.
The snow crust affords good walk
/ ing - replied Leontef 1T is now We'd
nesday evening. II l start at once I
can reach there some time after mid
night tomOrrow-say AT or 3 o'clock
on Friday morning. II YOU follow me in
| a couple OF hours under his guidance
he pointed 10 DonaId-"you will arrive
at daybreak on Friday. Thus the last
part OF your journey will be by night
and you will run no risk OF being seen
And where shall we meet?" asked
Donald
DO you remember the spot where
the wading begins-at the mouth OF
that little Valley"
Yes"
We'll. we will meet there You will
| arrived"
A hasty consultation now took
place. at which several things Of i'm
portauce were elected Leontef care
/ fully described the cavern and its
surroundings, and then Donald drew
plan Of. ft..which the governor put
carefully away in his pocket.
! Leontef described that he was not a
bit tired after his long walk so II
was decided that ne should start at
once. while the governor and a force
Of Cossacks would follow him in two OF
/ three hours.
Colonel Sudekin was eager 20 learn
something of the lost gold but Leon
/ tef stoutly asserted that he had
/ left the cavern just when the gang
engaged in that affair were returning.
and that beyond the simple fact that
part Of the gold had been carried of,
| he knew nothing. - --...-- ..
4 As the governor was growing i'm
I patient. the examination was cut short.
and after 9 rehearsal OF the plan to
/ avoid any misunderstanding, Leontef
was provided with a dry pair OF boots
and some food.
Before the convict's departure. how
ever, Donald found opportunity TO
draw him aside for a brief instant
.I.eontef." he said, you and I are to
some extent in the same boat. only your
pardon IS assured, while mine is yet an
uncertainty. You remember what hap
pened in the cavern the night l was
| brought there. When this thing is well
over will you Testify before the governor
that am not Serge Masloff' That is all
l ask OF you"
Yes" was the reply. II will 90 so
willingly"
The interview was broken in upon at
this point, and FIVE minutes later Leontef
started away from the post house on his
eventful mission.
Donald's mind would have been far
more at ease had he been allowed to tell
his story to the governor at once and
make use of the convict as a witness. but
he realized that this was out OF the
question.
Could he have looked into the future
ne would have braved the governors an
ger and obstinately insisted on an i'm
mediate hearing-before ii was too late.
The governor was in fever of imps-
thence after Leonters departure. and
lost no time in making preparations for
his own start.
He telegraphed to three OF the nearest
stations for the Cossacks who were sta
toned there, amounting 10 eighty men in
all-and before the time fixed for start
ing the whole force had arrived. heay-
lily armed, for the post road itself was
IN passable condition for horsemen.
No fear was felt that Leontef would
fail TO perform his part OF the contract
The certainty OF a pardon-not to speak
OF his hatred for Baranok-was quite
enough to overcome any scruples he may
have had about betraying the rest Of his