The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-08-04
CHAPTER xI.-(Continued.)

After dinner Easton at last conuo-
scended to explanation. Chairs had been
drawn around the fire. While he spoke
the American kept his eyes fixed upon the
fire, and at times moved his limbs nerv-
ously, after the manner Of one who Is
more highly strung than muscular.
Gentlemen" he said in his peculiar,
slow drawl, and an immediate silence
followed gentlemen, / 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 it will be very new. There
Is a country on the map called the Dark
Continent, but during the last few years
| 1t has come under my notice that Africa
| Ia as light as the heavenly paths com
pared to another land nearer to this old
country. l mean Siberia. Now, am
not going to talk about Siberia, because
there are four men in this room who
know more than do. In fact, they know
too much. Before I 60 I will explain
for a spell who we all are. -Four OF us
are Russians. OF these four, one has
wife living In the Siberian mines, con-
demned by mistake; second has father
living In a 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 Is difficult and dangerous, but
not desperate. Two of US are English
men one has given up the ease and lux
ury Of the life of a, moneyed British
sportsman--has, in fact, become 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 I cannot say. In Mr.. Tyars'
. position l certainly should not have done
so myself. His is the only name l men
ton, 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,
e or known only to the wrong people. Some
Of the Russian names, besides possessing
this unfortunate notoriety, are quite be-
yond nv powers to pronounce. The sec
I ond Englishman Is a naval officer, who
: having shared considerable danger will
o Mr.. Tyars on one occasion, may or ma,
e not think fit to throw in his lot will
e him again. His decision, while being
b matter of great interest to us, lies en-
tirely In his own hands. He Is as tre'
when he leaves this room as when we en-
d tered it. Lastly comes myself
10 The little face was very wistful, Will
: the thin lips moved and changed inces
" sanity from gayety to a great gravity
Is The mans hollow cheeks were singularl
lg flushed in a patchy, unnatural way.
ot 81" he continued, with little laugh
Id well, I'm afraid l stay at home.
n. have here q doctors certificate shown
u that l would be utterly useless In an
:, but temperate climate. l am-cor
:. sumptive."
I He produced a paper from his poke
IL and held 1t in his hand upon his kne'
40 not daring to offer 1t to any one In pal
r. ticular. There was a painful silenc
K No one reached out his hand for the ce
sc tifcate, and no one seemed to be able
10 think Of something to say. At last tt
stout gentleman rose from his chair wit
!. grunt.
IL II, too, stay at home, gentlemen"
Us said, breathlessly, land l have no certi
is cate"
,rt He crossed the hearth rug and, takir
i'd the paper from Eastons hand, he deli
,,v erately threw it into the fire.
~ There" he grunted, 1.-THE mischief tai
your certificate"
ns Then he sat down again, adjusting b
ne large waistcoat, which had become som
it, what rucked up, and attempted to smoo
les his crumpled shirt, while the paper bur
ay ed slowly on the glowing Goals.
700 al only wished" said Easton, after
,oo pause, ito explain why l stay at hon
w It is no good sending second-rate m
U out to work like this"
Ill He paused and looked around. The
eat was something critical in the atmosphe
NE Of the room, and all the seven men
We sembled looked at one another In tut
No. Long and searchingly each looked II
oso the others face. II Easton had set do
=. the rule that second-rate men were of
avail, he had certainly held close to
hs- These were, at all events, frst-rate m
al Not takers, but actors no blustere
pm but full Of courage; determined, res
the and fearless. The slight barrier raj
tro- Inv the speaking of a different tongue,
ion thinking Of different thoughts, seemed
-, have crumbled away, and they were
IT, brothers.
1oh "Our plans" said Easton, "are SIM
GIN We fit out a ship to sail In the spri
be ostensibly to attempt the northeast 2
emit sage to China. Her real object will
Ger the rescue of large number Of Russ
nds political exiles and prisoners. The tn
,een Russians go to Siberia overland. TIL
-. Ia the most dangerous task Of Of all,
~ largest, the most important. The fou
TIE remains in Petersburg, to keep up C
mo- munication, to forward money, food,
the ruises and-arms. Mr.. Tyars takes c
: to mand of the steamer, which Is now ain
find ready for sea, and forces his way thro
pro- the Ice, God willing, to the Yana rive
The Easton stopped speaking. As he
.,,. turned to his seat, he glanced inquiril
n toward Oswin Grace, whose eyes had
n lowed him.
"Of course, gentlemen" said Or
o. Rlancing comprehensively around
amp group, 81 go with Mr.. Tyars."
Thanks" muttered Claud Ty
shortly.
-. CHAPTER XII.