The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22

ten OF Twelve men-iOWaFd the ,aleS-
Many of the exiles pressed on their
heels. clamoring piteously to be taken
along. but by valbort's orders they
were sternly driven back. In front OF
the gates lay the three men who had
been shot
The one who was knocked down and
stunned had come to his senses and
crawIed away.
Waldorf bent over the COssacks for
an instant
They are not badly wounded" he
said. With care they may recover"
Poor Toinar!" he added. stopping in
front OF the third man He is stone
dead Well, if we have lost one com
panion, we have gained eight-that
should console us
They pressed on. drawing the gates
shut behind them, and then paused for
moment to listen
All was quiet. so they marched down
the post road for hundred yards or
more. and then turned aside into the
thick forest on the left
Valbort led the way. with Leontef
and Gross close behind him They were
all armed and carried their weapons in
readiness for instant use. Donald came
next. and then the rest in single file.
All night long they pushed on over
the frozen snow crust. going deeper and
deeper into the mountains. and hearing
no sounds of pursuit
When daylight came they stopped for
brief rest. and then the march was
resumed. but with weary and tagging
feet for no food was to be had and
the want Of it made the men weak.
We viii leave Donald and his com
panions to pursue their journey through
the Siberian forest. and take the read
er for brief time TO the city OF Irkutsk.
The assault on General Tichimiron and
the abduction of his daughter was flash
ed over the wires within three hours Of
its occurrence. and the daring affair
caused the greatest excitement in the
social and military circles Of Irkutsk.
On the evening of the following day
Capt. Andre Dagmar was summoned ~
special messenger to headquarters. and
a few moments later he was gaIloping
along the crowded Muscovala-the main
streets OF the city.
ne found Colonel Sudekin alone in his
gloomy apartment, sitting before large
fiat table which was Uttered with pa
pers and lighted by a pair of wax can,
dies
Well" said the colonel abruptly. as
Andre entered, you have heard The
news. Of course"
Yes replied Andre. 1T is known
from one end of the town to the other. -
He halted respectfully in front Of the
table, wondering vaguely If his urgent
summons was connected with this affair
1T is a terrible thing. indeed" re-
sumed Colonel Sudekin. and OF special
import TO those who can read between
the lines. l am convinced that a num-
Der Of escaped convicts have banded 90
gether and found a hiding place some
where in the desolate region OF the An
CARA River They must have a compe-
tent leader and fear II Will be din
cult matter to capture them-the coun-
try IS almost inaccessible TO mounted
troops. you know.
so far not a trace OF the assassins
has been found. The assault on the post
station has added largely to their num-
GEOGRAPHICALLY convicts of the most
dangerous nature The governor Is al
most out OF his mind with rage and de-
spair. II IS no light matter to lose
ones daughter in such a way"
Yes" said Andre. "Varia was
charming girl. knew her we'll
His voice shook with emotion as he
thought Of the probable fate that await
ed her.
But that affair is only indirectly con-
uected with YOUR summons tonight" re-
sumed Colonel Sudekin. picking up a
bunch Of papers from the table. Il have
received instructions from St. Peters
burg to intrust you with a very import
ant mission. You are probably aware
that the annual yield from the Cars
gold mines is now in the government
treasury Of this city. and that this Is
the time Of year when it is customary
&c send il forward 20 Russia.
Yesterday l would have hesitated to
give the order for Its transport-know-
ing. as / did. that this band Of escaped
corvicts were menacing the post road
but the affair OF last night Will drive
them back into the mountain Businesses.
and the hot pursuit which has already
commenced will render the highway safe
for some time to come. Therefore
have decided 10 send the CONVOY of gold