The Glenwood post., 1905-12-23
CHAPTER xvII-continued.


the Karsicheffs would run any risk to
prevent the pardons reaching their
destination, and urged the courier tc
obtain them again. Il will take them
to Chitka myself as fast as horses
can carry me-
The courier shook his head. The
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 and
signed for, the pardons may not be
recalled. Even if l had the pardons
/ dare not give them in your keeping y
Cannot you go to Chitka yourself?'
asked Cobb, eagerly.
ut is impossible. | must obey my
instructions to the letter. The rules
give me no option"
The courier walked a few. PAGES
away from his companion and stood
silently in deep study.
Cobb was no less intently occupied
with his thoughts for the moment.
The courier had Il 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 state of terrible un-
certainty as to the best course to pur-
sue. He knew that the courier was
man devoted to his duty, and he
felt that if he informed the courier
that Ida Barosky was no longer in
Stralensll 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 deliberating as
ts the best course to pursue, the cou-
r1er rejoined him and, leading him
srill further away from the house, he
placed his hand on Cobb's arm with
a cautionary pressure, and said: Il
have not told you all-there is one
ray of hope that we may get the par
do.s again"
Cobb's heart beat faster.
The courier went on, speaking
quickly. Some time ago charges of
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 eXiles
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
mNst 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 it 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. s. instead of No. Z. and
did not imagine that | was dealing
with him until his wife mentioned
her name. | was surprised. | have
seen enough tonight to convince me
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 l passed last night until the
governors dispatches for me arrived.
and then TO follow me with all rOSSl-
BILE speed. He is on his way now,
and must be on the road between
here and the poolooetape. Now, II
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-
iety.
What can I do?" he asked, eagerly
Dare you attempt to reach my sec
rotary YOU would meet him on the