The Washington times., 1903-04-19
now the meaning Of this great mys-

tery.'
]. was now Andres turn to stand
aghast-to stare in speechIess astonish-
mont at his companion.
We will separate here" resumed
Colonel sudekin. You go to your apart
ment and I VIII 90 to mine I need a
few hours sleep. and early in the morn
ing I must have an interview with the
governor. Give yourself no concern.
Justice will surely be done this unfor-
tunate prisoner. You may find me at
home II you drop in tomorrow after
noon Good nightI-or good morning, I
should rather say"
Before Andre could reply the colonel
was stepping briskIy away, and mo-
ment later disappeared into the aext
street.
7 should not be surprised to see The
heav ems fall next. muttered Andre
He stood rooted to the spot for mo-
ment. and then. turning in the opposite
direction. went slowly toward his quar-
hers.
| II took him an hour TO reach them.
for his mind was so far astray that he
made half 8 dozen wrong tuTnings, md
finally stumbled upon the right place by
pure accident.
The night turn of soldiers were on
guard. and when Andre had passed by
and ascended the stairs leading TO his
quarters, they winked and nudged each
other, and envIed their captain the jolly
time he must have had at the governor
generals ball
1t is one hour later, and o'clock in
( the morning. Darkness in the streets
of the town Darkness in the cells and
1 corridors Of the Central Prison.
Donald Chumlefgh had just awakened
from dream of home and liberty. and
was turning over on his hard bed for
another nap. when he heard footsteps
and the rattle of keys, and a gleam Of
light flashed through the grating of his
cell door.
As he sprang to his feet the iailer en-
tered. with two guards following behind
him.
Donald did not doubt that this visit
was in answer to yaria's promise. and
ne obeyed with alacrity when the iailer
bade him follow
Is it's it the governor" ne ven
tured to ask
Yes. replied the jafler. 1T is his
exceIIency's orders. assuredly. The in
struetions came last night, though they
were not expected for three days yet"
The final words. uttered grumblingly,
Donald did not catch. He followed his
conductors joyfuIIy 10 the prison Office,
where he was made to put on a pair Of
stout boots. heavy gray overcoat, and
fur cap. Then they led him out by the
massive doors and down the steps to the
street.
A close covered sIedge was standing by
! the curb, similar 10 the one in which he
/ had iourneyed to Irkutsk. Three mount
ed Cossaci,s we're in front and three be
hind Two more were waiting on the
pavement, and taking Donald from the
prison guards. they pushed him roughly
/ into the gledge and sprang in after him.
few words were exchanged with the
jaiIer. and then the horses trotted swift
/ " down the street.
/ As Donald was settling himself com
fortably among the rugs something cold
touched his ankles, and before he could
realize what was taking place his arms
and feet were manacIed with irons
\ dim suspicion Of the truth flashed
into his mind.
You are taking me to the governor.
are you not?" he cried, turning TO the
men appealingly-
The Cossacks laughed harsbly. Yes.
repuied one of them eve are taking
you TO the governor-the governor Of the
Kara gold mines"
! This shock was the greatest Donald
had received yet, coming, as it did. when
mis- hopes were at the highest. But for
his irons. he would have made desper-
/ ate effort 10 escape
/ He tried to question the Cossacks. but
they would have nothing more to say to
him. and finally he sank into a state of
/ apatbetc despair, watching through the
rear of the sIedge the snowy landscape
which was fast receding in the horizon,
for it was now daylight. and Irkutsk was
only half q dozen miles away.
1t was forty miles away before noon
as Donald read on a signboard-and
stiI the sledge sped on swiftly
Late in the afternoon a fresh relay of
horses was taken on at a posting station.
and the journey was resumed in the
darkness. II was evident that the thou
sand mile stretch to the mines OF Kara
would be covered as speedily as possible