The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-01

have remained al home. Those who come
voluntarily to Russia are fools am sor-
~ for your misfortuues. but I do not
see that I can help you in any way. IL
you remain here you must be one OF US
bound by an oath to join in all our IN
dertakings- As you probably suspect. we
are all convicts who have escaped from
prison and from the mines"
But can't you set me free" pleaded
Donald. III I take an oath 70 divulgs
nothing that I have seen or heard? II
could only get TO Irkutsk and obtain
audience with some high official could
convince him that my story was true
and" He stopped short. suddenly re-
membering to whom he was speaking
Tomorrow I Will decide what to do
with you" said Baranok. with a hasty
glance at Waldorf. You had better get
some sleep now. Take a blanket and get
as near the fire as possible"
This signiied the interview to be st
an end, so Donald left his companions.
and after much trouble found a space
near one OF the fires.
The convicts. wrapped up IN blankets.
we're scattered all about the floor of the
cavern. and. with few exceptions. were
sleeping. Two men armed with rifles
were guarding the entrance TO the ledge,
and another stood near the cluster OF
rocks which sheltered the young Rus
sian girl.
Out on the river the wind blew and
the water swept with an endless roar
over its rocky bed.
For a long time Donald remained
awake. bordering over the strange things
be had witnessed that evening. What
connection was there between Serge Mas
lon and Baranok that could call forth
those feeling words from the latter when
he said to Waldorf. you know what IL
means to RE IL this man is really Serge
Maslon?"
Again. why should both valbor and
Baranok be so tremendously agitated at
the mention OF Donald's real name? Why
did their faces turn pale and their Dyes
dilate with amazement, and why did they
go aside and carry on that low. excited
conversation?
That some deep meaning lay in all this
Donald was convinced. but his efforts 10
solve the mystery were in vain. and at
last he fell asleep. worn out by the dis
turbing nature OF his thoughts.
Meanwhile. in a secluded corner Of n
cavern lons and secret interview took
place between FeOdor Baranok and
Pierre Waldorf. and all that was said at
that interview related to Donald
IT was close to midnight when the two
eonvicts separated to seek their respect
ing sleeping places
The greatest master OF fiction could
never invent anything like this" said
Baranok. impressively.
1T is incrediblei can hardly believe
it true, To think that of an men in this
wide world Arson ChumIeigh's son
should have blurdered into the shoes OF
Serge Masloffi And Count Vastly Dag
mar-what would be his feelings. VAL
\ bort, II he knew the truth? There are
/ but three men today who do know IT.
you. I. and Serge MasIof. We must
guard our secret we'll or some time It
viii be revealed"
You are determined. then. 70 do this
thing asked Waldorf. uneasIly.
keenly at his companion.
There is no other way" he said.
The lad must die. You know my feel
ings in this matter. Waldorf. I am more
than certain that Serge MasIoff has re-
turned TO St. Petersburg and is carrying
on the good work in perfect safety, since
the police believe him 10 be far away in
Siberia. l would commit any deed rath-
I er than imperil him now. for. as you
alone know. want to see Russia again
before long. and IL he is there I shall
join him.
"As for Donald Chumleigh-we viii
continue 70 call him by that time
whether we should allow him TO go at
will. or IN accordance with your plan.
hand him over to the authorities al the
nearest post station. he would in either
event find some one sooner or later to
listen TO and believe his story. and in
the investigation that would surely fol-
low Serge Masloff would be apprehended
or compelled TO fee from Russia forever.
l tell YOU. Waldorf. my mind is made up
Absolute safety can be purchased for
Serge MaslOn only at the cost OF Dould
Chumleigh's life.
And have not another cause 10
hate him? BY taking his life do I not
have the satisfaction OF paying OF the
old score against his father? He must