Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-02
CHAPTER XVIII.
A CONTRACT WITH A RoBBER CHIEF

let us go on and plan. We must not
lose sight of the fact that we are deal
ing with unknown quantities. We have
mo 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?"
II become traitor the moment
give you your liberty and accompany
you upon the prescribed ground Of b.
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
staff that can assist us over the diff
Guilty"
'What use can the robbers be to us"
"This fellow Palpak is chief Of clan
called Zannucks, who hate the ameer
and all those who are faithful to him.
overheard them talking in the cave.
It seems the ameer levies such ex-
Iorbitant 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"
I"You said that you would not turn
back. Now you are trying to turn two
ways-one toward Titlis, the other to-
ward Bokhara. 1t will not do. If you
wish to accomplish anything in this
affair, you must go the whole figure
stake all and win or lose. That is the
way do business"
what is your planT'
"Have Palpak brought here and let
us talk with him in straightforward,
businessike way. Any man will help
another If he can also benefit himself
by doing So"
81 leave it to you. Your head is full
of plans, white mine is simply taken up
with thinking of poor Koura."
~ 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 off, He could not understand why
the captain did not hurry to Tif1is 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 beng led toward
them OrslSoff said to Harvey: Conduct
the negotiations. will agree to any
thing you PLAN"
Orskof ordered the irons removed
from the robber. When the three were
alone, Harvey said to Palpak:
"We have had you brought here to
have buslnesslike talk. You appre-
ciate your situation, suppose"
81 am prisoner Of the car. He
will perhaps kill me-"
"Just so. And all of your treasure,
S.
board this boat"
Eyes, to enrich Russian officer. NY
people can starve. The ameer's tax
must be paid or twenty of our, best
young men and women must go to
Bokhara. 1t is wrong"
"Of course it is wrong. We know
your people hate the ameer and that
the ameer is cruel. 1t was a strange
chance that took me to that island cf
Ping Shong.'
you saved my life, for my brothers
were mad with wine"
"Iour future course will show wheth-
er did well. Let me explain how 1
came to the island"
Then followed detailed rehearsal
of the story of Koura and Alma.
"They are beautiful girls" said
Harvey as he concluded. Zone is to
be the wife of the captain; the other
is to be my wife,
"Why do you tell me this? am a
prisoners
"Becsstltnr we want your assistance
in rescuing these two girls from the
men of Bokhara. They are your enc
mics, and you have sufficient reason
to hate Them
But do not love the Russians
more"
This is not question of loving the
Russians. | saved your life, did not p
Il would do anything for you"
Suppose you are set free and the
treasure is restored to you. The Only
iefurn we ask is that you give us all
fhe 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
orople and take with me the treasure
hat stole?"
Yes; to rescue the young girls we
will do that. The captain has promised
it."
"Do you agree?" put in orskor anx-
iously.
II am not fool.'