Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-05-10
CHAPTER XIII


tive of the fortress.
CHAPTER XIII.
Bernikoff, whose wounds had been in
famed to gangrene, was at that moment
actually on his deathbed. with Father
Chrysostom kneeling by his side. The
old sinner was in all the agonies and ter
rors of reviewing his past life ON one
hand and anticipating the coming change
On the other. Bernikoff was dying in
the habit of a friar, with cowl, cord,
beads and sandals, hoping even on his
deathbed, as Ivan the Terrible hoped.
when similarly arrayed and disguised,
to cheat the devil if that dread person
age came for his sinful soul
Leaving this scene, Balgonie present
ed the order of Gen. Weymarn and that
of the treasurer to Captain Vlasfef, who
was now in command, and to whom he
stated that the prisoner referred to was
Mademoiselle Natalie Mierowna."
Carl Ivanovitch," said the captain,
you cannot think of leaving tonight in
such storm of wind and rain?'
I've seen worse IN Silesia," said Bal
gonie, looking to the locks OF his pistols
What of thatY'
But the verbal order of the general
was most peremptory"
"Ahl and you have brought wagon
for the money"
"A wagon for the prisoner also-so be
quick, captain"
"'Tis large sum in roubles,7 unused
the other.
II am in haste to be gone! the pris-
oner-you hear me. STRIP said Balgonie,
impatiently.
You seem more anxious about the
prisoner than the treasurer responded
Vlastief, sulkily but still delayed to
move.
You have my orders-I come in the
name of the empress-let there be no
delay, Captain Vlasfef," was the curt
reply.
Bring in two Cossacks of the escort;
the money is here in seventy bags, each
containing a thousand roubles."
Excuse me, but the order of the i'm
perial treasurer says expressly eighty
sealed bags of a thousand EACH" said
Balgonie. trembling with anxiety, yet
compelled to appear to take an interest
when he really felt none.
Ten thousand are missing" said Was
6ef, leisurely. Suppose" he added, in
a whisper, suppose we divide the lost
sum and offer a thousand to the treas
urer?"
impossible sirr said Balgonie, with
fiery and impatient manner.
well, well-there are the other ten
sealed bags" added Captain Vlasfief
with dark and stealthy frown of greed
and hate, as the Cossacks tossed the
whole among the straw of the wagon.
''It matters little; but l hope you may
not find the road beset, and so lose the
WHOLE
ITO be forewarned, sir, is to be fore
armed" said Balgonie, touching his pis-
tolls, for he quite understood the treach-
cry implied, mad only trembled lest it
might mar his dearest plans. And now,
sir. for my prisoner"
''If she be not drowned, for the lower
vaults are apt TO be flooded on such
night as this" said Vlasfef, spitefully
Writing under the keen glances of
this lowborn Muscovite Balg6nie felt
that all now depended upon his outward
and assumed bearing of GOODNESS and
carelessness Night favored him in this.
and his face was almost concealed. Could
anyone then have read his heart, as he.
OF the main guard made their way down,
down through dark and Shiny passages
and stairs, till they were foot deep and
then knee deep in the water that flooded
the low and humid corridors. off which
were the arched doors of numerous cells
corridors where spiders spun their
webs. rats were swimming and terrified
bats flew wildly to and fro.
Ere long they reached tho door
through the crannies of which despair
ing cries and painful gaspings had been
heard. and after unlocking forced it
open by main strength.
A great food of water poured from the
aperture amid the darkness. and with it
came the body of poor Natalie. who was
well-nigh drowned.
So the red light seen by Natalie was
no fancy. but that of the lamp which
was horne by one of those who came just
In time to save her from the same terri
bic death by which the Princess orloff
perished
Lest all might be periiled by recos-
milton. Balgonie was compelled 10 retire
and leave her in the chaplain's hands till
she was restored to consciousness. to !
warmth. and till she was habited anew
%RAAA nv listcSNN A0ASN MUS -
doubt and anxiety, while pacing to and |
fro in the cold and gloomy archways of
the fortress, and having to conceal his (
face when she was brought forth and
supported into the wagon USako1 4
sprang on the shaft and hozrishe,i his 4
whip; then he CoSSacks AMI BalSonie 1
put spurs on their chargers. and clattered !
over the wet drawbridse Just as the /
passing bell FOR the departure cf geFni- I
koff'S tortured spirit rang 0minously and l
solemnly on the stormy gusts of that 4
black aud gloomy night
Balgonie, instead OF proceeding by the 4
way he had come. avoided the town OF 4
SchluSselburg and wheeled OF to the +
rieht, committing himself partly to the /
guidance OF Usakoff, and quite in ignor-
ance that, about an hour before. Was /
fef. who could by no means let SO many |
roubles escape without paying toll. had /
beset two of the roads by chosen follow /
ers of his own-men whom he hoped /
might pass for some of the adherents OF
the late Prince Ivan. rescuing the daugh |
ter Of the exiled Mierowitz.
A strange incident occurred before |
the interment OF old Bernikoff. who had |
q pompous military funeral. The bot |
tom OF bis grave was found to be on Gre. |