The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

Win terror and feToclty-
Where are you. EaIbort?'' cried tbs
fellow, sayageIy. BE quick. or we are
lost"
Hold him tight. I'm bringing the
knife.'' answered voice close by
Donald looked in that direction and
saw another man approaching swiftly
a desperate looking fellow with mat
ted black beard.
He had but one arm, and in his hand
he carried a lighted fragment Of candle,
while a cleaning blade was stuck be
tween his clsnched teeth.
His body was bent forward to avoid
touching the low ros- overhead. but as
he reached the scene of the struggle he
Strengthened up and dropped the knife
deity into his companions hand.
Donald uttered a sharp cry as 10 saw
he blade lifted for fatal stree and
made one last effort to escape. Then
he closed his eyes and waited
oHe-two-three seconds passed, but
the dreaded blow did not come. The knife
was poised in air and the wouId-be as
sassfn was staring at Donald with an
expression Of bewfIderment on his face,
I've made a mistake, Waldorf" he
muttered in a low voice. This amt
one Of the guards after all. Where did
the fellow come from? He's a convict
/ like ourseIves-Iook at his clothes"
Without further words ha thrust the
knife into his pockets and taking hold
of Donald, who was much surprised at
this new turn Of affairs, he helped him
to his feet.
Who are you?' he demanded. And
how did you get here2"
Yes, how did you get here?' echoed
/ the one-armed man. drawing closer and
/ scanning Donald from head to foot.
I They spoke in Russian. of course. but
/ Donald understood them readily. He mad
quite recovered from The shock by this
time. and. moreover, had a pretty clear
idea Of The situation
, The gray convict garb ornameuted with
yellow diamonds Of cloth left no doubt
as 10 the identity Of his companions.
I am a prisoner like yourselves, be
answered cautiously. AS to how I got
here. you are the best ones to answer
that The floor Of ~ cell gave way and
dropped me into this place. 1t was no
fault Of mine. I assure you"
! # The -pRe-armed man uttered hasty
, exclamation, and standing on his toes he
held the candle as high as he could
reach
The fellow tells the truth. Lavroff 90
he said. Il can see into the cell quite
plainly. The ground must have been
very soft to cave in. The tunnel is fully
/ three feet beneath the surface"
/ LavroR took the candle from his com
panton and made a survey for himself
/ You are right. Waldorf" he said
we have dug the tunnel too Gar to one
side. It won't make much difference,
/ though. except that we dare lose no more
time. This cell overhead is in that small
building which lies close to the stockade-
did not know until now for what pur-
pose it was used. The guards won't be
likely 20 enter it until morning. but the
light Of the candle may be seen outside.
/ / had better lower IT,
LavroU handed the candle to his COM
panion. who quickly moved few yards
along the passage. and then turning to
/ Donald. said
Il beg your pardon for handling you
SO roughly. Under the circumstances
was justified. for took you to be one
of the guards who had broken through
the roof. You gave me q bad scare, and
/ On that score ] think we are about even
You are a political prisoner, are you
not2''
Donald inclined his head. He was by
no means disposed TO make confdant
of these fellows.
Well resumed LavroG, we can talk
about that matter later. You look like a
good fellow. and have no fears that
you viii bctray US. Fate brought you
here by caving in the floor of your cell.
and fate cvfdently Wills that you should
+ escape with us. You are welcome to join
us. but / warn you that there viii be
severe hardsbips TO endure
"It has taken myself and ten com
panions a month Of hard labor to dig
this tunnel It runs from yondar prison
building to a point in The steep bank Of
the river on the ou.eT side of the stock
AIDE. We managed to loosen a board in
thc floor Of OUT kamera and thus &c
under the building where there is a mar
row space.
Last night just before dawn. we ar
rived within two feet Of the river bank
if our calculations are correct. VaIbcrt
and / were just hurrying to cut avaz
tF-,. faer crust Of earth when Won tIIrnbIgd