The Washington times., 1903-03-22

daughter-or at least a revelation of the
the place where it is hidden. In this
way you can kill two birds with one
stone.'
"Ah. yes. the gold. said the governor.
absently. "A good suggestion II shall
be acted upon"
He remained silent for a moment. and
the convulsive working of his counte-
ance showed that he was passing through
a severe mental conflict
Suddenly he rose TO his feet. and.
turning to one or the Cossacks. said.
with touch OF his old pompous manner.
Have my tarantas at the door as soon
as possible. attended by a dozen mounted
men. And see that my baggage is
packed 9
The Cossack saluted and left. the room
The governor pulled on his heavy fur
cloak and buckled his sword to his
side
-Sudekin." he said. sternly. my mind
is made up. Everything must be sacri-
feed to Varia. and the greatest scoundrel
that ever drew breath will go unhung.
Look to It that this fellow here is well
taken care OF against my return. am
going to Irkutsk TO procure this pardon.
II will require several DAYS to cOmmuni-
cate with ST. Petersburg and give the au--
thorities a clear understanding of the
case. but l shall return here with the
necessary papers in plenty OF time 10
meet Baranok at the designated place"
AS the governor spoke. the tinkIe of
bells and the tramping of hoofs were
heard in the post yard. The tarantas and
the escort of mounted Cossacks were IN
readiness.
Your commands shall be obeyed. your
excelIency." said Colonel Sudekin. The
messenger will be here when you re
turn"
Very well. sudekin, ] rely on, yop,"n.
replied the governor. as he drew, on his
gloves and slipped a huge fur cap down
over his ears.
At this very moment while Feodor
Baranok. in the distant cavern on the
Angars. was dreaming Of free pardon
and a return 10 Russia. an avenging
fate was preparing a blow that was des-
tined to shatter. his hopes.
The governor opened the door. and
passed out to the waiting tarantas. ac-
compsnIed to the threshold by Colonel
Sudekin and the Cossack officer. Cap
tain Urmanov. The gray twilight was
falling and bitter wind blew from the
north.
"A cold night for travelling remark
ed the governor. with a SILVER.
He had placed one foot on the step
ping block and was about to mount to
the seat when figure turned in at the
yard.
The stranger was a tall. slim young
fellow. with a rudy complexion-in
fact. he was no other than Donald
Chumleigh - --=8 ra-- t.4.-
At sight of the governor. he quicken
ed his pace. and cried eagerly:
stop. stop. your excellency, / must
speak with you:'
The governor looked up in surprise:
Captain Urmanov uttered a cry of amaze
ment. and the convict messenger. who
was watching the scene through the
window. turned pale TO the lips. and
trembled from head to foot He thought
he saw a ghost
Donald reached the tarantas with an
effort, and then his numbed limbs gave
way and he fell forward in the snow.
BY the governors orders he was car
ried into the post house, where all fol-
lowed him. and in a short time the
warm fire and sip or two of hot vodka
restored his vitality, and he insisted on
sitting up.
"It is the man who stopped me on
the post road" whispered Captain Ur-
manov-''the very same"
Donald overheard the words.
Yes; I am the man." he cried. eager
ly. but who is that?'' pointing to he
stllI trembling messenger. What is be
doing here7"
DO you know him." demanded the
governor.
Yes; he is one Of Baranok's band. Ills
name is Leontef-"
burst OF surprise greeted Donald's
words.
'Leontef," cried Captain Urmanov.
Then he is one of the. two who es-
capped week or so ago from the exile
gang by slipping off into the forest?''
That's it," said Donald. His com
panion's name was Gross"
And who are you" questioned .he
governor. sternly- Give an account of
yourself"
Il belong to the same exile gang"