The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-06-07
CHATTER VII.

In visiting this little town, which con.
tains more than two thousand inha bit
ants. Russians, Persians and Turko-
mans.
At nine o'clock the signal to start was
given. The train leaving Kill Arvat
went Off in southwestcrly direction
toward Askha had. along the Persian
frontier.
Ii remained awake il was because
! was troubled in my mind. ! was think
Ing of my famous packing case. OF the
man it contained. and this very night
had resolved to enter into communication
with him. l thought OF the people who
had done this sort of thing before. In
1859, 1901 and 1892 an Austrian tailor.
Herman Zeitung. had come from Vienna
TO Paris. from Amsterdam to Brussels,
from Antwerp to Christiania, in box.
But l must wait until Popof had re-
tired to rest. The train would not stop
until it reached Check Tepe. at one
o'clock in the morning During the run
from Kill Arvat to Check Tepe l reck-
oned that Popof would have good
sleep, and then. or never. l would put
my plan Into execution.
Half an hour went by and the noise
Of door shutting on the platform OF
the ear told me that our guard had just
entered his little box. In spite of my de-
sire to visit the baggage car. l waited
patiently, for it was possible that Popof
was not yet sound asleep.
| rise. | draw aside the curtain of
one OF the lamps. / look at my watch.
Ii is few minutes past eleven. Still
two hours to Check Tepe. The moment
has come. l glide between the seats to
the door Of the car. open it gently
aud shut ii after me without waking any
one.
Assured Of my safety. I cross the
gangway and am in front OF the baggage
van. The door is only fastened with a
bar which is hung between two staples.
l open it and shut it behind me.
Although the darkness is deep in the
van. although there is no side window,
know my position. l know where the
ease is placed; it is in the left corner
as enter. Carefully feeling with feet
and hands. | reach the ease.
leaned over and placed my ear tim
idly against the other panel. There was
no sound Of breathing
The products Of the house of Strong.
Rulbul 4 Co.. OF New York. could not
he more noiscless in their boxes. A fear
my reporters hopes vanish. Was l de-
ceived on board the Astara?
No. Feeble as it is. l detect a move
ment inside the case 1t becomes more
distinct, and | ask If the panel is going
10 slide. II the prisoner il coming out
OF his prison to breathe the fresh air2
Suddenly slight cracking greets my
ear. am not the sport of an illusion;
it is the crack Of a match being lighted.
Almost Immediately few feeble rays
pierce the ventilation holes of the case.
A minute elapsed. Nothing shows that
the panel has been moved. nothing gives
me reason to suppose that the unknown
II coming out
Cautiously wait Then have an
idea to make something out of this light
The case is lighted within. put my
eye close to one OF the holes.
There il man in the box. His fea
lures | can make ont clearly. He is
from - to 70 years OF age. He does not
shave. and his beard is brown. He is
OF the true Roumanian type. He is good
looking. although his face denotes great
energy of character, and he must be
energetic to have shut himself up in II
box like this for such n long journey.
But what is he doing now? Well, he
IL seated on the bottom OF his case and
placidly eating his supper by the light of
little lamp. A box Of preserves is on
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