The Grit-advocate., 1905-12-08

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While they are in suspense we will
enlighten our readers.
General Cobb, after his marriage to
the baroness, found himself in posi-
tion where he could afford to give up
all the business interests that former
ly occupied his time. From the mo-
ment Alexis had left St. Petersburg
he had but one object in view-that
was to rescue his friend from the hor-
rors of Siberian exile, and if possible
restore him to the position from
which chain of adverse circum-
stances had SO cruelty deposed him.
Or, if that were not possible, it was
the intention of Cobb, the rescue of
Alexis once effected, to take him to
America, the baroness having ex-
pressed strong desire to give up her
residence in Europe and make her
home in the country of her husband.
Cobb's plans for the rescue of Alexis
were warmly secondeA by his wife,
fort to effect the rescue of Ida and
Ivan at the same time as Alexis.
The blow to the pride of Count Naz
imoff, who had seen his son sentenced
like common convict, had been Sc
we're one. and shortly after his son
had arrived in Siberia the count was
seized by severe illness, the result
OF the shock he had suffered. On his
recovery his feelings had undergone
a marked change. The tenderness
and sympathy shown him on every
hand had softened his nature, and the
hard pride had now given place to a
pitiful yearning for the son he had
loved so we'll. Hence it was that
when Gen. Cobb, having heard of
Kirshkin's confession, and having
brought influence to bear to verify the
truth of the conspirator's story, ap-
peared before Count NaZimoff to plead
the cause of his son, he met with re-
ception the warmth of which pleased
him.
An imperial commissioner was sent
to each of the convicts captured in
the Nihilst rendezvous. They were
closely questioned as to the events
that had taken place on that eventful
night. and their stories, one and all
served to eXonerate Alexis and Olga
and Ilda, and to lift from the shoul
ders of Ivan the responsibility for any
completely in or sympathy with the eX-
treme Nihilists who sought the assas-
sinaton of the czar.
So it was that after months of per
sistent and diligent exertion General
Cobb had the assurance that the sub
ject had at length reached the czar
with a strong probability that the i'm
perial clemency SO earnestly sought
would not be denied.
But even il, his efforts in this direc-
ton failed, Cobb had made up his
mind that he would still succeed. He
secured through the American minis
ter an imperial passport to Siberia,
and letter from the authorities Civ
ing him, as an American traveller IA
vorably disposed and friendly to the
Russian government, the right to visit
prisons and other privileges not usual
ly accorded. This letter. addressed
W oillSidlo lhioutoiiout ibSiio' uii ~
ed them to extend all aid and assist
ance to General Cobb and his wife
and her companion, Caroline Cobb.
WHO were to travel across Siberia If
need be- And before he left st. Peters
burg passport for Caroline Cobb
was in his possession.
We pass over the long journey of
i l.; pJ
ventures and more hardships they
reached Stralensk and there discov-
cred Ilda. The letters which Cobb
had in his possession made him a
welcome guest at the house of the
commandant at Stralensk and they
had but little difficulty in obtaining
a private conversation with Ida. 1t
was from Ilda they learned to their
great delight that Ivan and Alexis
were at Chitka and that they could
reach that place with comparative
ease. 1t was while on their journey
to Chitka that their sleigh was over.
turned and they were attacked by the
wolves almost within shouting dis,
tance of the etape where Karischeff
was in command.
Karischeff and Nicholas, after the
doors of the stockade had closed on
the convicts, returned to the house.
BE on your guard, father" urged
Nicholas, you have made a danger
Gus enemy of the courier, and the
slightest mistake may prove our ruin
Try to conciliate him-anything. sc
there can be no pretext for his going