The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-08-18
CHAPTER Xxx.

untaSted and drive OF in the hrSt nanSom
cab he could find to Tyars' club.
The waiter whose duty it was to look
after the few resident members informed
the American. whom he knew well by
sight, that Mr.. Tyars was not downstairs
yet.
"Well," replied Easton, Il guess I'll
wait for him; in fact, am going to have
breakfast with him-a boiled egg and two
pieces of thin toast"
He was shown into the room occupied
by Tyars. and proceeded to make himself
exceedingly comfortable in large arm
chair. with the morning newspaper.
Tyars was not long in making his ap-
pearance-trim, upright, strong as usual,
and conveying that unassertive sense OF
readiness for all emergencies which was
at times almost aggressive. He carried
his hand in the smallest and most unob-
trusive sling allowed by the faculty. At
his heels walked Muggins-the grave, the
rin!s-eyed. Muggins was far too gentle
manly a dog to betray by sign or sound
that he considered this visitors behavior
tribe too familiar.
Good morning captain" said Easton.
cheerily. ''Well, Muggins, trust l see
you in the enjoyment of health"
The violent chuck under the chin with
which this hope was emphasized received
but scant acknowledgment from a very
stumpy tail.
II have news" said Easton, at once,
laying aside the newspaper; news from
old Smith-payloski Smith"
Where from?" inquired Tyars, with
out enthusiasm.
From Tomsk. 1t Is most extraordi-
nary how these fellows manage to elude
the police. Here is old Pavloski-an es-
capped Siberian exile-a man they would
give their boots to lay their hands on
goes back to Russia. smuggles himself
across the German frontier, shows that
solemn face of his unblushing in Peters
burg, and finally posts off to Tomsk with
lot of contraband luggage as a mer-
chant. | thought | had a fair allowance
of cheek, but these political fellows are
far ahead of me. Their cheek and their
calm assurance are simply unbounded."
The worst of it," said Tyars, turning
over his letters with small interest, lis
that the end is always the same. They
all overdo it sooner or later
Yes admitted the American, whose
sensitive face betrayed a passing discom
fort, "but it is no good thinking of that
now"
Not Bit" acquiesced Tyars, cheerful
~. only 1 shall be rather surprised
IL l meet those three men up there. 1t
would be better luck than one could
reasonably expect
IF one Of them gets through with his
party, all concerned should be very we'll
pleased with themselves" said Easton
Nov listen to what Pavloski says"
He unfolded letter, which was ap-
parently a commercial communication
written on the ordinary mail paper of a
merchant, and bearing the printed al
dress of an Office in Cronstadt.
On the first page was a terse advice,
written in a delicate, clerkly hand, of the
receipt by Hull steamer of certain num-
Der of casks containing American apples
This" said Easton, ''is from our stout
friend. He has received the block soups
and the Winchester cartridges"
He then opened the letter further. and
on the two inside pages displayed a close
iy written communication in a peculiar
plnktinted ink, which had evidently been
brought to light by some process, for the
paper was wrinkled and blistered.
~ have read the American, slowly,
as If deciphering with difficulty, reached
Tomsk without mishap. l have bought
a strong sledge, wholly covered in, and
instead of sleeping in the stations, usually
lie down on the top of my cases under the
cover. l give as reason for this the in
formation that l have many valuables-
ofoIn rsn frsn lynfc -
young merchant, cannot run the risk of
theft to save my own personal comfort
l have Travelled day and night, according
to the supply of horses, but have always
succeeded hitherto in communicating with
those who are to follow me. One man on
my list was In the prison indicated; he is
probably dead. l find great improve
ments. Our organization is more mechan-
ical, and not so hysterical-ths l attrib-
ute to the diminished number of female
workers. All the articles with which your
foresight provided me have been useful.
but the great motor In Siberia is money.
With the funds l have at my command l
feel as powerful as the Car. | can buy
whom l like and what l like. NV onlv
regret Is that the name of c. T. has TO
be suppressed-tha the hundreds of in
dividuals who will benefit by his grand
generosity will never know the name of
the Englishman who has held out his
laden hands to those groaning under the
yoke of barbarous oppression. When
we are all dead, when Russia is free.
his name will be remembered by some one.
The watches will be very useful; I have
sold two at a high price; but once be-
yond Irkutsk, and l will send or give one
to the master of each important station.
or to the starosti of each village. Bv
this means those who follow me will know
that they are on the right track. have
enough watches to lay a train from IT.
kutsk to the spot where I assemble nv
party. [ met my two companions bv
appointment at the base of the Ivan Vel
Tiki tower in the Kremlin, and we spent
half an hour in the cathedral together
> within musket shot of the Car, and un-
der the very nose of the cream of his
police. Since then we have not met. but
~ sacn working forward by the pre-
scribed route alone. l see great changes
here. Russia is awakening-she is rub
bling her eyes. God keep you all three ~
Matthew Mark Easton indicated BY
little jerk Of the head that the letter was
finished. Then, after looking at 1t Curl
ously for a moment, he folded it and put