The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-04-21

Trembling in every fiber, Itzig light
ed lantern.
Lead the way to the dungeon where
Vladimir is concealed"
II obey"
"And l will guard you. princess"
said the officer.
Thus they descended the stairs. Itzig
leading with the lantern, Olga follow
ing and the officer close behind her
ready to protect her. Potent was the
seal of the cZar.
They found the giant blacksmith in
his chains. The hunger he felt had not
yet sapped his strength. The key the
princess had taken from its peg soon
released him.
"Come! she said.
"But who are you. and what does
this mean?" he demanded.
Come! We have no time to waste
with words. Tonight you have the
work of your life to do. Comew
The four ascended, and Itzig extin-
guished his lantern. The eyes Of Vlad-
imir blinked as he entered the great
hall, which was kept lighted all night.
You are Vladimir" said the prin.
cess. II am Olga of the Neslerovs. Do
you know the story of the picture?"
The little picture" cried Vladimir
eagerly-"the little one that Papa Paul
pof said he found? Yes; he told it to
me and to the American one day in the
Aut at Tivolotfsky.'
Then you know the truth. The
American was to go to Perm and start
the investigation"
Yes, but he was brought here"
ii released him last night. He went
from here to Tivoloffsky to bring Papa
Paulpoff to tell his story before the
governor general. who has net yet ar
rived. .Jansky. the superintendent of
police. and Unsgethop have gone to
fetch him. They will kill him; they
will not risk taking him alive. 1t is
your duty to ride to Tivoloffsky--ride
as for your own life-and save the
American and Papa Paulpoff. Bring
them here. Do you understands"
Yes; but a horse"
Lieutenant, in the name of the czar,
the heetest horse in the stables for
Vladimir"
Il obey-the 1eetest horse"
you must be famished." said Olga
"Will you eat?"
Eat! With the American and Papa
Paulpotf in danger! No; but drink OF
wine."
He watched her as she stepped into
Neslerov's room. He saw the governor.
'Neslerov!" he said. "Is he dead?"
mo. drugged bis liquor. Here is
wine. 1t is not drugged. drank Of it
myself"
he drained the glass. and the officer
entered.
"The horse is at the door, princess.
woke no one at the stables. saddled
the steed myself"
Good. You will be captain tomor-
row. Now, Vladimir. go"'
He mounted and was off. He fol
lowed the line of the new railway and
could not lose his way His horse was
fast, the best horse in Neslerov's sta
BILE.
For the American. For Frances!
For the honor OF GraSlov" muttered
horses speed.
He passed through villages asleep
under the bright stars. The hoofs Of
his horse rang out on the pebbles of
one road or sank into the mud of an
other. But on he went. Tivoloffsky,
like all the other villages. was asleep.
Its quiet was rudely disturbed by the
horse bore him through the silent
streets. Right well he knew the way
to the hut where Mamma raulpoif was
murdered. Two horses stood before
the door His own dashed up ana
whinnied. They We're from the gov
ernor's stables. Like mailman he
lcaped from The saddle 10 the ground.
He heard shouts, a pistol shot
1t vas something like demon that
Jansky and Unsgethop saw coming in
like Il Whirlwind. In corner crouch
ed Papa Paulpoff, trembling ana white
with terror. On the floor lay Denton,
unconscious, with the mark of bullet
in his forehead and the blood stream
ing over his upturned face. Jansky
was bending over him.
"Who is this?" cried Unsgethop as
Vladimir entered.
The blazing eyes of the avenger took
in the whole scene. A small lantern
stood on the floor.
Il am your master" cried the black