The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-03-17
over the doorv' he commanded savage

over the doorv' he commanded savage
ly.
His two gallant men needed no fur
ther bidding. The aged woman was
seized. cords were fastened to her |
thumbs, and she was placed standing |
in the doorway Jansky had indicated,
with her thumbs hung above her head.
''Tear the rags from her bacll!"
A rude hand tore away her garments
TO the waist.
.sNow, then, old hag," said Jansky,
understand 1 have come for the truth
and will have it. If you do not give
it to me- 1 will kill you. will get the
truth from Paulpof, who has mere
s1ase than you. Now, what was the
business that brought the American
hero?"
.I know not" whispered the woman,
with a great sob.
'frhe lashw roared Janslly.
One OF his police swung his heavy
whip, and the lash came down across
/ the naked shoulders. \ livid mark
told the course, and Mamma Paulpoff
cried out liz agony.
This must be knoWp." said JanslSy.
Either you or some one must tell.
What brought the American here? Was
it concerning a picture?''
'I know not" said the woman.
srrhe lash Twice. ordered Janslsy.
A white line and red one marked
the blows of the whip. Mamma Paul
poff screamed in her awful torture.
Her limbs grew weaker, and she hung
by the cords tied to her thumbs. The
thumbs We're black.
"You will learn.' said Jansky. "The
officers of the car must take these
steps to protect his empire. With the
lesson you have had, tell the truth.
What brought the American here|
81 know not!' answered the womap>
''IIells furies upon her!' said jan
sky, almost beside himself. "The lash!
Three times"
"Your arm is weak" said the police
officer who had done no whipping.
LET me try"
A smile of horrible cruelty cressed
his face as he stepped by the side OF
the woman His whip whistled in the
air. 1t wice-thrice, ant
with a scream, her head fell back. He,
eyes glazed.
Hold! Quick! Release her and re
store her to consciousness! ordered
Jansky. "she is unconscious and can
not feel our punishment"
They cut her down, laid her on tn,
floor and poured liquor down he
;. throat.
Groans came from her as they work
: ed
''God, take me from this awful pain.
!. she murmurcd.
''She feels again!" said Jansky i
o savage glee. Stirring her up"
Again she was raised and the cord
We're fastened to her thumbs.
:. Nov, hag, tell me why the Amer
can came here? Was it to kill tn
II governor or to kill the czar?"
e mo, l do not know"
y "You lie. The charge against hiI
n and Vladimir is that they are conspil
!. ing to kill both. The American an
a Vladimir will be taken to the prison 6
% Tomsk and shot. Tell the truth.
will save them and YOU"
= II know nothing!" said the old won
an, remembering her husbands war;
D. ings
"'rhe lash, both of you! Kill the ol
beast!' yelled Jansky.
n ''Ia was but a picture-to take pi
er turew cried Mamma Paulpor in ton'
at that pierced the air.
I'd Her weakness had come too lat
Of Both whips coiled round her shrlnkt
breasts. The withered skin was cut
y. With a knife. One scream came fro
he her writhing lips, and she was still.
le- "Cut her down. Leave her." w
Jansky's curt remark. He watch
re them lay the still form upon the flo
or and then led the way to their horses.
at was picture," he muttere
'"rhen Neslerov was right, and t
OF, American is on the trail. Both he al
re. Vladimir must die!"
ur That night Vladimir came home frC
the mine With Papa Paulpoff. He w
a the first to step across the threshold.
"My Sod" he said. "Who has be
zip here?"
Papa Paulpoff stood stupefied, loo
te ing at the upturned face of his wife
is dead-bruised-her breast covered w
blood
"rhe police" walled the old m;
re, wringing his hands pitlfully. ''Eh