Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-07-26

"Onr Nves depend upon your dtscrc.
tton."
] the car. 1 am here to examine your
dungeons"
"Yes, your exceliency," stammered
the captain. "There are but few of
us here tonight. The governors ball"-
II know. l just left there"
"But you need an escort through the
dungeons"
II never have an escort. l wish to
see for myself. My orderly is escort
enough"
Dellnikoff stood silent, marveling at
this splendid acting. "Have l really
known the girl before?" he asked him.
self.
what prisoners have your"
"In the lower dungeons there are
but few. They are waiting for trans
portation to Siberia"
"Do you keep all prisoners for Sibe-
ria in the lower dungeons?"
eyes, excellency."
Alma knew the general plan of the
prison and went at once to the lower
dungeons. She found the key that I'm.
locked the iron door that led to the
corridor.
"That wine-I drank too much. I
shall not be fit for the toasts at the
supper" whispered the prince
1T Is the close atmosphere. We
shall be out again soon. You will feel
BETTER"
They passed in, and she locked the
door behind them. The first cell they
came to she unlocked. A dirty looking
wretch was lying on his pallet OF
straw.
HE will be cleaner in Siberia" said
Alma as she locked his cell.
The next cell was empty, and she
did not relock the door. Each cell door
in turn she opened and looked in. They
had almost completed the round of the
corridor when she heard the prince
breathing heavily. She turned and
found him leaning against the wall.
II am I'LL" he whispered. "My head
Is splitting"
Come out in the air" she said.
~ c-can'tw
His head dropped. With strength
born Of the exigencies Of the moment
she thrust him into an empty cell and
tore the long cloak from under him.
Then she locked the door. Swiftly.
breathlessly, with painting bosom and
trembling hands, she opened door after
door. In almost the last cell of the row
was Harvey Irons asleep.
wake up! Wake up, NJ. Ironsv' Al.
ma whispered. He sat upright.
who are you?"
Hush! Our lives depend upon your
silence and obedience am Alma, now
acting as the inspector general of pris-
ons. Come with me-"
"Alma! Alma Jurnieff!" he whisper
ed as he looked at her In bewilder-
ment.
Eyes. Come with me. will help you
to escape. They will kill you here.
Come, now. Wear this cloak and do
not speak,"
Marveling, he staggered to his feet
and donned the cloak.
Follow me-" she whispered. "Do
not speak. Our lives depend upon your
discretion"
Harvey obeyed her injunctions. She
led him to the corridor.
Glow did your excellency find
things?" asked the captain of the guard
timidly.
"In good condition, all but the atmos-
phere. 1t is SO close 1t has made my
orderly Ill. We will step out into the
cool air for awhile, after which we will
return and resume our inspection"
The bunch Of keys was heavy, and as
the guard took them from Alma's hand
he did not notice that one had been
distracted. He hung the bunch in its
accustomed place. A moment later the
doors of Tiflis prison had closed behind
Alma Jurnieff and Harvey Irons.
CHAPTER XII.
PRISON ALARM.
rs COVERED by their long cloaka.
IN unnoticed by the few who
ItY5&a| We're In the streets, Alma and
4 Harvey Irons went toward
tAs fsyer, Several ttnes HaEysz tsasd