The Grit-advocate., 1905-12-22
CHAPTER xvii-continued.

Cobb started. He well knew that
the Karsichens would run any risk to
prevent the pardons reaching their
destination. and urged the courier to
obtain them again. Il will take them
: to Chitka myself as fast as horses
eau carry me-"
The courier shook his head. Ihe
regulation Of the corps of couriers
imperial of Siberia" he said. are
very strict and the slightest violation
OF the rules is visited with the sever
est punishment. Once delivered ana
signed for. the pardOns may not pe
recalled. Even II | had the pardons
l dare not give them in your Keeping.
Cannot you go to Chitka yourseIf!
asked Cobb. eagerly.
"It is impossible. l must obey my
instructions to the letter. The rules
give me no option"
The courier walked few PAGES
away from his companion and stood
silently in a deep study.
Cobb was no less intently occupied
with his thoughts for the moment.
The courier had pardon for Ida
Barosky!
He was about to start for Stralensk
with that pardon and would find that
Ida Barosky was not there!
For Ida Barosky had escaped!
: Cobb was in a state Of terrible un-
certainty as to the best course to pur-
sue. He knew that the courier was
a man devoted to his duty, and he
felt that if he informed the courier
that Ida Barosky was no longer in
StraIensk that the pardon might be
annulled Besides, it would give the
courier knowledge of an escaping
prisoner and it would be his duty to
arrest her at any point.
While he was thus deliberatlng as
to the best course to pursue, the cou-
rier rejoined him and, leading him
still further away from the house, he
placed his hand on Cobb's arm with
cautionary pressure, and said: Il
have not told you all-there Is one
ray of hope that we may get the par
dons again"
Cobb's heart beat faster.
The courier went on, speaking
robbery of the government were pre-.
ferred against Karsicheff and his son.
1t is alleged that they made false re-
turns of the amount Of food consumed
Their uncalled-for cruelty to the exiies
is another charge. These charges
have been considered by the governor
of the province. If found guilty Kar-
sicheff will be deposed at once and
must return all government papers in
his possession. The decision OF the
governor was to have been forwarded
to me at the last etape. but as 1t did
not arrive l came on to investigate
the charges myself. without waiting
for the governors decree. had an
idea that Karsicheff was commandant
OF Etape No. 8, instead of No. Z, and
did not imagine that l was dealing
with him until his wife mentioned
her name. was surprised. have
that he should be dismissed, but can
not act on account Of the absence Of
the governors decree. instructed
my secretary to wait at the etape
where passed last night until the
governors dispatches for me arrived.
and then to follow me with all rossi-
bic speed. He is on his way now,
and must be on the road between
here and the pooloo etape. Now, If
that decree were in my hands, could
depose Karsicheff on the spot, and if,
as believe is the case. he is to be
sent to exile as a common prisoner
for his offense against the govern
ment. that fact will free his daughter
Olga from his control and leave her
mistress of herself. She can not be
kept In restraint by any one convicted
of crime"
Cobb listened with breathless anx-
Siety.
What can do?" he asked, eagerly.
\"Dare you attempt to reach my sec
retary. you would meet him on the
roaQ. and l will give you an order to
brink on the dispatches without de-
lay!"t
Dare I-dare u" exclaimed Cobb;
'by the soul of Hickory Jackson, there
is nothing in the world I couldn't or
wouldn't dare just now!"
Brave fellow" said the courier. 81
knew that would be your answer.
He gave low whistle. His Cossack
driver appeared from the shed where
he had been awaiting his masters or
darc with nationt dOcility The courier