The Washington times., 1903-04-19
Copyright by Frank A Nunsey-
CONTINUED FROM LAST SUNDAY,
SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUB
LtSHFD.

Andre and Paul Daemar are the sons Of
Count Vastly Dagmar, who married an Amcri-
can. Andre holds a high position in the Rus
sian army at ST Petersburg but Paul has al
WAYS been 4 black sheep. and under the name
Serge MasIoT becomes leading spirit among
the Nihilists.
At the opening Of the story he has got into
trouble and obtains from his brother letter
to Colonel Jaroslav, inspector Of the third sec
tion o. police Having secured admission 70
his presence in this way, he strikes the colonel
down, possesses himself OF some documents,
and, under the name Of Nicholas Pashua,
boards the express for Berlin. Andres connec-
tion with his brothers. deed Is discovered, ne IS
deprived OF his rank OF captain, and eXjled
from st. Petersburg under the command to
report 10 Colonel Sudckin. at Irktusk, in the
heart OF Siberia.
While the villain Paul Is speeding toward
WirbaIlen. the Russian frontier town, bound
for Germany. Donald Chumieigh, young man
Df about the same age. IS huTrying toward it
rom the opposite direction He is an Ameri-
san, a resident o; Philadelphia, although he
was born IN st. Petersburg (where his father
had been engaged in business, and lived there
until he was ten. he has kept up his knowi-
edge Of the Russian language, and now, after
the death Of his parents, he intends visiting
his birthplace before settling down TO the study
of law
At Wirballen where he must change cars.
he takes q light lunch, and then, as there Is
little time TO wait, falls asleep in the sta
ton. When he wakes he finds that his tram
has gene on and is fain to hire a cab and seek
hotel n which 10 spend the night. But the
driver Is drunk the horse runs away, and
breaking loose from the carriage disappears,
Of
the town. Here ne encounters a stranger, and
applies to him for assistance in his plight.
But the newcomer IS none other than Serge
Masof who. on hearing the others name,
suddenly springs on him, renders him sense
less with d drug, and makes a complete ex-
change in their clothing. He then places him
in the cab and hurries Of
Donald IS arrested as Serge AiasIof and con-
deInned TO the mines Of Kara for life He can
ger no one TO listen to his attempted eXplana-
tions and finally resigns himself best he
can TO the inevitable.
He starts with a party on the long journey
from St Petersburg to Irkutsk- Immured for
some time at Tomsk be falls into a tunnel
made by escaping convicts beneath his cell. lie
takes advantage Of the opportunity 10 follow.
They are intercepted. and Donald is wounded
trying to save a Russian officer from the vicious
attack of one Of the convicts, LavTof- IavTof
Is killed Another. Valbort, gets away The
couEandant. Rosny. orders Donald, whom he
suPposes to be Serge AasloG, to be shot But
the officer whose life he has saved, is Andre
Dsgmar. who believes he has been preserved BY
his oWn brother
Through Rosny's Efforts Donald is reprieved
and when able TO walk resumes the dreadful
journey Andre IN the meantime has arrived
at Irzutsk, where, after nominal perisd Of
-~
Last Colonel Sudekin places him in charge OF
the escort to convey the years product Of the
mines, over 2OG0,o00 ru6les, to the capital
He IS given to understand that this viii termi-
nate his punishment
When the convoy il which Donald IS travel
ing is halted one night. General Tichimirof,
governor Of Irkutsl, bursts upon them, wounded
Leaving four COssacks to guard the exiles, he
leads Others in pursuit OF band OF highway
men who have killed his escort and carried of
his daughter Varia. In their absence mum
Der OF escaped convicts. led by Valbort at
tack the camp and rescue number cf the party.
among them Donald. They retire to an i'm
uTegnabIe fastness, where Earia TichimirofF IS
held prisoner. The band, now swelled to the
number CT twenty-five, Is led by a desperate
character named Feodor Baranok- One Of the
band. named Gross, denounces Donald as a
traitor, who is responsible fO- Lavrof's death.
Valbort stands up for him, but Gross reneNs
his accusation.
A diversion is caused by yaria's attempt at
escape. She falls into the river and is rescued
by Donald He reveals his identity to Valbort
and Baranok. who IS greatly sgitated at hear
ing his name But after Donald has gone to
sleep, the two escaped convicts decide that. to
preserve the real Serge Masloff. Donald must be
killed.
The next day yaIbort and Gross attempt to
carry cut their resolve, and suppose they have
succeeded, but Donald IS saved almost miracu-
lously, and going TO the post station, discovers
plot 70 rob the bullion train commanded by
Andre VsIbort and Gross compel the telegraph
operator to send a false message 20 Andre, ask
ing for assistance. for the purpose Of drawing Of
his escort, and then left him gagged and bound.
Donald releases him and hasrens 70 warn the
Cossacks de IS pursued By the conyicts, but
succeeds IN delivering his message sharp
fight with the convicts ensaes in which they
get of with three loads Of gold, Andre, wounded,
lies hidden in one Of the sledges. He Is tumbled
into the river, from which be Is rescued by
Donald Together they seek refuge IN the hut Of
peasant. In the meantime Baranok sends
letter by one Of the band 70 Tiehimirof offer
ing to restore ysria to him on condition Of a
free pardon and passport 70 Russia for himself.
Leontef. He, in turn, learning that BaTaaok
has not included pardon for himself as
part Of the bargain, falls IN with plan to
betrsy Baranok into the hands Of Tichimirof-
He gees ahead, and Donald guides the gen
Fral and his Cossacks 20 the cave, near which
1hey discover the body of Leontei slain by
Baranok
fierce battle ensues, in which the Cossscls
are victorious, but Baranob and Falbort sue
coed in escaping with Earia. They seek refuge
IN cave IN which Andre lies hidden lie
Overhears them talking about Donald, whom
they call Serge Maslof. in the absence 81 the
oonvicts Andre starts to escape with Vera, but
IS pursued by Baranok, who. however, is sur
Prised by Donald and the Cossacks and IS cap
tured. with Nalbort- Donald sHpposcs that he
VIII now be free, but is rhvyarted by Baranok,
who declares ne is Serge Naslof He is put in
prison. where he is visited By Vera secretly.
she interests Andre, who, finding Donald Is
not his. brother, goes TO Na!bort with Colonel
Sudekin- Waldorf tells story 70 Sudekin that
causes him much establishment
CHAPTER XXXVFI-CONTINUED
COLONEL SUDEKIN IS ASToUNDED