Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-08-09
CHAPTER. XVIII.

sVoe biSnIo VI Tue 1dCI tnat we are zeal.
Ing with unknown quantities. We have
no method Of learning just where the
girls are. We must use measures that
will assist us. What was your idea
when you spoke Of becoming traitor r
Il become traitor the moment I
give you your liberty and accompany
you upon the prescribed ground Of DO.
khara."
"You must go even further than that.
We must use the robbers"
"Palpak! must at least send him
and his brothers to Tiflis."
"You will then throw aside the one
stan that can assist us over the diff
Guilty"
what use can the robbers be to usT''
This fellow Palpak is chief of clan
called Zannucks, who hate the ameer
and all those who are faithful to him.
I overheard them talking in the cave.
1t seems the ameer levies such ex-
brilliant taxes that the Zannucks can
not pay. He taxes everything-wives,
children, cattle. That Is the reason the
chief seeks to rob the ameer and his
people-to reimburse the Zannucks.
Palpak would not hesitate to help US
II by helping US he could work injury
to the ameer. Grant the robbers their
freedom. Let them take their booty to
their people on condition that they as
sist US In rescuing the girls"
"Set free robbers who have attacked
Russian paymasters!'
stYnn 0aiH hot vn,, x1yo,,lI nat <,,,,>
back. Now you are trying to turn two
ways-one toward Tiflis, the other to-
ward Bokhara. 1t will not do. II you
wish to accomplish anything in this
affair, you must go the whole figure
stake all and win or lose. That il the
way do business"
what is your planr'
"Have Palpak brought here and let
10 talk with him in straightforward,
businesslike way. Any man will help
another II he can also benefit himself
by doing So"
II leave 1t to you. Your head is full
OF plans, while mine is simply taken up
with thinking Of poor Koura."
II think Of Alma as much as you do
Of Koura. But simply thinking will
not rescue them. we must act. and act
quickly"
orskoff sent for Nevisky. The lieu
tenant was pacing the bridge, eager to
be on. He could not understand why
the captain did not hurry to Tiflis with
the prisoners instead of wasting the
time chatting in an apparently friendly
way with one Of them,
Lieutenant, have the chief robber
brought to me-" said the captain.
As Palpak was being led toward
them Orskof said to Harvey: Conduct
the negotiations. will agree to any
thing you plan."
Orsk0f ordered the irons removed
from the robber. When the three were
alone, Harvey said to Palpak:
I'VE have had you brought here to
have a buslnesslike talk. You appre-
ciate your situation, suppose"
II am prisoner Of the car. He
will perhaps kill me-"
"Just SO. And all of your treasure,
the stealings of many months, is on
board this boat
Yes, to enrich Russian officer. My
people can starve. The ameer's tax
must be paid or twenty of our best
young men and women must 60 to
Bokhara. 1t Is wrong"
"Of course 1t is wrong. We know
your people hate the ameer and that
the ameer is cruel. 1t was strange
chance that took me to that island Of
Ping Shong."
fY9V saved my life, for my brothers
were mad with Mine.''
"Your future course will Show wheth-
pr did we'll. Let me explain how
came to the island"
Then followed detailed rehearsal
Of the story Of Koura and Alma.
"They are beautiful girls" said
Harvey as he concluded. "One is to
be the wife of the captain; the other
Il to be my wife"
"Why do you tell me this7 am a
prisoner"
because we want your assistance
IN reseuing these two girls from the
men Of Bokhara. They are your enc.
piles and yoY hare SUFFICIENT reason
to hate Them"
But do not love the Russians
more"
This is not question Of loving the
RUSSIANS. saved your life, did 1 not?
y would do anything for you"
Suppose you are set free and the
treasure Is restored to you. The only
return we ask is that you give us all
the assistance in your power to recover
the two young women"
do you mean that the Russian will
permit me to depart in peace to my
people and take with me the treasure
that stole7"
Eyes; to rescue the young girls we
will do that. The captain has promised
It"
do you agreeY put in orskoff any
iously.
II am not a fool"
"That means you agree. of course"
said Harvey. "The ameer is the sliest
rascal in Asia. but our united brains
ought to be able to outwit him. First
we must figure out where the girls
probably are now
where was the ameer's boat when
you saw It'll" asked Palpak eagerly.
II cannot say, I drifted I'LL day and
half the night before reached the is
land. 1t went in the same direction /
drifted."
"They were going to siloon."
"What Is Siloon?"
1.-THE most important port on the 30.
kharan shore. 1t is not Znnnuck vii.