The Washington times., 1903-02-01

offer him hiding place he must surely
be caught.
But the chances were terribly against
him At this time Of night he could not
find the few men whom he knew in Wiz
baIIen-he did not even know their ad-
dresses. He dared not 90 to the railway
station, for he was well aware that it
would be closely watched, and in this be
lief he was correct; for. as has been a.
ready shown. the authorities took the ex-
ira precaution Of sending gendarmes and
Cossacks there to meet the incoming
train. in case the signal to stop on the
outskirts should not be heed I'd. More
over-even if suitably disguised-he could
not hope to cross the frontier without a
passport. The one he had in his posses
sion now was useless
The prospect was black as midnight
Speedy arrest and punishment stared
Serge MasloT in the face. and he in
wardIy mathematical himself for the
stupidity-thougb he knew not what it
was-that had thwaTted his plans,
He was IN this desperate mood when
the two banks Of the ravIne gave place to
built-up walls Of masonry sign that
the stream was approaching the limits of
the town. Beyond him he could see the
shadowy outlines Of several bridges and
the distant gIimmer Of stEeet lamps He
knew that It would not be safe to go
farther, so he cautiously waded to the
first bridge and climbed to the top Of the
wall by means Of the cavities in the
stones. He sat there for a moment in the
shadow of the parapet listening TO the
distant cIatter Of boofs that rose on tie
stiu night air. For the present be. was
safe. The Cossaeks had failed to track
him.
All at once the rumble Of wheels was
heard coming closer and closer. The
fugitive peered over the top Of the par
apet and saw The approaching vehicle
He smiled grimIy when the carriage
struck the other end of the parapet, and
when the horse tore from the shaft and
ran madIy up the road he followed the
animal with his eyes until it vanished
in the gloom.
He saw Donald ChumIeigh climb out
Of the wrecked carriage with his vaIise
and wraps in his hand. and that instant
an idea so daring as to be little short
of madness flashed into Sergeant Mas
lofts mind.
THE man is q traveller" he muttered
aloud. q wonder if he has q passport"
Quick as the inspiration seized him
he rose to his feet. circIed around the
end of the parapet, and walked swiftly
overrthe bridge toward the carriage.
To Donald the appearance Of this
stranger was a welcome sight He was
sleepy and tired and wanted to reach
hotel, but he did not know where to had
one. nor could he rely on the intoxicated
driver for the information His pressing
need banished the customary sense Of
prudence which under other circum-
stances would have asserted itself at
meeting stranger in this lonely spot
and at such an hour.
As the man drew near Donald was IA
vorabIy impressed by his appearance.
He was Of about the same build as him
self and neatly dressed-though the fact
that his clothes were wet escaped Don
AIDS observation in the semi-darkness.
y have met with an accident" said
Donald. Ny stupid driver seems to
have lost his way. I am an American
and was passing through WIrbaIIen on
my way TO St Petersburg I was so
unfortunate as to miss my train Ny
driver was trying to find the Hotel Mos
COW. but I don't believe he knows where
It IS. Can you guide me to it? am
sorry 10 trouble you at such time OF
night. but my need is very urgent. for
I am a stranger here"
+ Yes" said MasloT briefly Z shink
I can assist you. but you speak the
Russian tongue very plainly for an
Americau-pardon me for saying So
Il learned it years ago. replied Don
|ald .caadidly. Il lived in ST Petersburg
at the time. Ny name is ChumIeigh-
Donald C1umIeigh
At the mention OF this name Naslof
started violently. He tried to speak,
but though his lips moved no words
came. Donald did not observe the
/ strangers agitation
/ Yes" he continued. that is how 7
come TO know your language so we'll
+ I have purposely kept up my acquztnt-
ance with it,
/ sun Maslon made no reply His eyes
were fixed intently on Donald. scanning
him from head TO foot
The embarrassing silence was broken
+ BIZ the driver. who seemed to have be
come suddenly sobered by the accident.