The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-24
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H. L
4 L
CHAPTER xv-Continued.


they do, Katherine: but not such con
victs as these-not such convicts as
Alexis Nazimoff and Ivan Barosky"
Katherine sprang to her husband S
side and grasped the paper, Nicholas.
AS she did so, looked at it'Over her
shoulder.
On the very top of the list of the
convicts were the names Alexis Nazi-
mon and Ivan Barosky.
With cry of fiendish joy Katherine
Karsicher grasped the hands of her
husband and. looking him straight in
the face. exclaimed: ''Here-here in
our power. What will you do?"
Constantine answered.: Wait and
see"
In few minutes the sharp com
mand "Stoy!" (halt rang out on the
frosty air. and the ring of the lances
OF the Cossack guard was heard as
they rested on the ground.
Another knock on the door.
Enter"
The Nachalink entered and saluted.
"The convoy is here!'
'All present"
All present, your eXcellency.
Thirteen men and two women?"
THE number is correct. eXcellency.'
March them in. | will issue their
ration numbers here and then they
can be marched to the kamera."
The command was given.
Through the door there entered two
Cossacks. They took their places one
on each side of the entrance.
The convicts followed
With faltering steps, their irons
keeping continuous clanking as
they moved, the unhappy wretches.
two by two. entered the room. With
downcast faces the two in front took
the place assigned to them by the
Nachalnik, the others following me.
chanically until all had entered.
With but two exceptions all were
ironed-the exceptions were the last
to appear.
They were Alexis and Ivan!
Halt"
1t was Karsicheff gave the stern
command
AS he uttered the word Alexis and
Ivan raised their heads to meet the
gaze of deadly hatred in the faces of
Constantine. Katherine and Nicholas.
THE Infamous Karsicheffs!" Alexis
muttered the words between his COM
pressed lips
silence, dog!" said Karsicheff. He
had heard Alexis speak, although the
exact words had not reached him.
Silence! Guard, why are these
men," and Karsicheff waved his hand.
Indicating Ivan and Alexis, mot
lroned like the other convicts?"
by order of the commandant at
Chitka. to whom they gave their word
Of honor not to attempt to escape"
said the nachalink.
Their word of honor!" Karsicheff
laughed derisively.
Katherine and Nicholas took the
cue instantly and laughed in chorus.
Their word of HONOR continued
karsicheff there is no such thing
as hopor among such cutthroats as
these. Let them be ironed Immediate
ly like the. other convicts."
oAly ooetSu lily OiueTS, excel
lency." said the guard apologetically,
"and-"
You are under my orders now," in.
terrupted Karsicheff, "obey me-"
Coward exclaimed Alexis, max
Ing step forward.
Seize him.
Down with the dog"
The karsicheffs, father, mother and
son, spoke simultaneously, and the
soldiers, in their eager zeal to please
the new superior, sprang upon Alexis
and bore him to the ground.
"Oh. wretches that you are!" ex-
claimed Ivan. who could no longer
control himself.
Nicholas sprang forward and stuck
him, and at the same moment he was
also seized by the soldiers and thrown
to the floor.
"Rring irOnS-dOuble irons" ex-