The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-07-07
CHAPTER XI.-Continued.)

drawn AROUND tho Hre. Wuiic no ppm
the American kept his eyes fixed upon the
Dire, and a. tinas mosed his limbs nerv'
ously. after the manner Of one who ID
moro highly strung than muscular.
Gentlemen" he said In his peculiar,
slow drawl. and an immediate silence
followed l asked you to
come here tonight for a special purpose
and not from the warmth of my own
heart. What am going to tell you can
not be quite new to some, while to Others
I surmise that 1t will be very new. There
IL a country on the map called the Dark
Continent. but during the last few years
1t has come under my notice that Africa
IL AZ light as the heavenly paths com
pared to another land nearer to this ole
country: ~ mean Siberia. Now, an
not going to talk about Siberia, because
there are four men in this room who
know mora than do. In fact, they know
too much. Before I 60 l will explain
Cor q spell who we all are. Four OF us
are Russians. OF these four, one has q
wife living In the Siberian mines. con-
demned By mistake a second has father
living in q convict prison, almost on the
edge of an Arctic sea third has been
there himself. These three undertake
what may be called the desperate part OF
our scheme. The fourth Russian is a
gentleman who has the doubtful privilege
Of being allowed to live in Petersburg.
His task ID difficult and dangerous. but
not desperate. Two Of US are English
mea one has given up the ease and lux
nry of the life of moneyed British
sportsman-has, in fact. become a sailor
For the deliberate purpose OF placing MS
skill at our disposal. In addition to that
he has opened his purse in thoughtless
and generous way. Why he has done
these things cannot say. In Mr.. Tyars'
position certainly should not have done
10 myself. His is the only name l men
fion. because l have seen the portraits
Of him In the illustrated papers, and
there IL NO Disgusting who he is. The
rest of US have names entirely unknown,
or known only to the wrong people. Some
of the Russian names, besides possessing
this unfortunate notoriety, are quite be-
yond my powers to pronounce. The sec
ond Englishman is naval officer, who,
having shared considerable danger with
not think fit to throw in his lot with
him again. His decision, while being a
matter of great interest to us. lies en-
tirely in his own hands. He is as free
when he leaves this room as when we en-
tered it. Lastly comes myself"
The little face was very wistful, while
the thin lips moved and changed inces-
sanity from gayety to a great gravity.
The mans hollow cheeks were singularly
flushed in a patchy, unnatural way.
81" he continued, with little laugh.
well. I'm afraid stay at home. 1
have here a doctors certificate showing
that l would be utterly useless in any
but a temperate climate. l am-con-
sumptive."
He produced paper from his pocket
and held it in his hand upon his knee,
not daring to offer it to any one in par
ticuIar. There was a painful silence.
No one reached out his hand for the Ger
ti6cate, and no one seemed to be able to
think of something to say. At last the
stout gentleman rose from his chair with
\ grunt.
81, too, stay at home, gentlemen" he
L
cate"
decreased the hearth rug, and, taking
the paper from Easton's hand, he DELHI
erately threw it into the fire.
"There." he grunted, 1.-The mischief take
your certificate"
Then he sat down again, adjusting his
large waistcoat, which had become some
what rucked up, and attempted to smooth
his crumpled shirt, while the paper burn
ed slowly on the glowing Goals.
Il only wished" said Easton, after a
pause, ito explain why l stay at home.
1t is no good sending second-rate men
out to work like this"
He paused and looked around. There
was something critical in the atmosphere
Of the room, and all the seven men as
sembled looked at one another in turn.
Long and searrhingly each looked into
the Others face. If Easton had set down
the rule that second-rase men were of no
avail. he had certainly held close to it.
These were, at all events, first-rate men.
Not takers. but actors! no blusterers,
but full of courage: determined, ready
and fearless. The slight barrier raised
BY the speaking of different tongue, the
thinking of different thoughts, seemed to
have crumbled away, and they were as
brothers.
"Our plans" said Easton, "are simple
We ft out a ship to sail in the spring
ostensibiy to attempt the northeast pas.
sage to China. Her real object will oe
tho rescue of q large number of Russian
political exiles and prisoners. The three
Russians go to Siberia overland. Theirs
10 the most dangerous task of of all. the
largest. the most important The fourth
remains in Petersburg. to keep I'D com.
munication, to forward money, food. dis
gulses and-arms. Mr.. Tyars takes com.
Wand Of the steamer. which is now almost
ready for sea, and forces his way through
the Ice. Sod willing, to the Yana river.
Easton stopped speaking. As he Ne.
turned to his seat. he glanced ineuirinsl,
toward oswin Grace, whose eyes had fol
lowed him.
',Of course. gentlemen" said Grace
siapcilg eomprehensively around thu
group, Il 60 with Mr.. Tyars."
Thanks" muttered Claud Tyars
shortly.
CHAPTER XII,
1t was almost q month later that Mat
thew Mark Easton stepped fairly into
the circle Of which Miss Winter wa. r.
= certain extent the leading spirit. TIL.