The Grit-advocate., 1905-12-01
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+ ID A RkE ST RU S STA !
I GRATTAN DONNELLY L
copyrsh by ee smith,.
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CHAPTER xvI-continued.

The latter wheeled on his foot and
was by the side Of karsicheff in an
instant. What" he thundered. You
dare to speak thus and human beings
in danger of a terrible death at your
door. Man, blush for you. Shame!
shame!"
The howling Of the wolves became
louder.
The courier turned to the soldiers:
You hear. men. You know what that
means. Come, follow me to the res
cue.'
Halt, forbid IT," Karsicheff shout
ed. Il am commandant here
"Silence!" thundered the courier,
and. throwing open his great coat he
pointed to the gold star on his breast.
Silence, sir, am Col. 1.-Two lgnatieff,
chief of the brigade of imperial cou-
riers of Siberia, and the ranking rep
resentative of the sovereign master of
Russia. You obey my orders. Re-
fuse at your peril, 1t is l who COM
mand YOU" he concluded in voice of
thunder; turning to the soldiers.
Come, men, come
Col. Ignatieff rushed from the house,
followed by the Cossacks.
Nicholas went to his father. You
have made a mistake-that accursed
courier is now your enemy
Katherine, from the moment the
courier entered, had taken a position
between him and Alexis and Ivan, who,
silenced by reason Of the gags which
prevented their speech, heard all that
passed. 1t was TO prevent their being
seen by the Courier that Katherine
did this. and er plan succeeded. The
moment the courier disappeared she
went to Karsicheff's side. He was
somewhat dazed by the exciting scene.
Quick" she said. ''get yonder dogs
into the kameras before the courier
comes back. Do you not see that there
will be trouble if they get chance
to speak to him.
But the guards"
Fool! Are we not guards enough
against lot of unarmed and shackled
prisoners? Up up-all of you, !"
shouted Katherine, turning to the pris.
oners. up, convicts, in line!"
There was a murmur of dissent.
The presence of the courier held out
a hope, none knew exactly of what for
them. They did not want to be driven
to the kameras before the courier's
return.
What? Muttering mutiny.'
A dozen shots rang out in the dis.
tance.
The fight with the wolves had be.
gun.
Nicholas passed rapidly over to his
mother. Shall l run the risk?" he
said, revolver in hand, as he glared at
Alexis and Ivan. Shall try it now::''
No, with all these witnesses it
would be madness. Wait till the cou-
rier goes. We have plenty of time
They shall not leave here alive?'
said Nicholas.
'.Never!" was his mothers reply.
Distant shouts were heard. They
grew nearer and nearer. There was
an occasional shot. The rescuers were
on their way back from their heroic
SlolI lldu lHSs SutSCSoCu.
The voices came nearer.
A confused murmur and then over
all the rest was heard the tones OF
the imperial courier
Bear up-all is well. You are safe,
madame. Bear up, there is no dan,
ger-here we are at last and as the
words were spoken the courier en-.
tered the room bearing in his arms
the inanimate form Of woman.
will bear the lady to room," said
the courier, addressing Katherine, who
stood impassive. Which is the door?'
he added.
Katherine said nothing. To move
would be to reveal Alexis and Ivan.
Good God, madame cried the
courier, have you no heart? Don't
YOU see that the lady has tainted
Show me the room at once, or by heav
en- will suspend you all from duty at
once"
Katherine saw that it was vain tC