Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-05-24
CHAPTER Xxx.

%tAD IL 1OltAu anu " y dis |4OD'
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, l am going to have
breakfast with nina 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 a large arm
chair, with the morning newspaper.
Tyars was not long in making his APP
peaance-t 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
pink-eyed. Muggins was far too gentle
manly dog to betray by sign or sound
that he considered this visitors behavior
a trihe too familiar.
Good morning, captain" said Easton,
cheerily. We'll, Muggins, l 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 very
stumpy tail
Il have news" said Easton, at once,
laying aside the newspaper; news from
old Smith-Pagloski Smith.
Where FROM" inquired Tyars, with
out enthusiasm.
Prom Tomsk 1t is most extraordi-
nary how these fellows manage to elude
the police Here is old Pavloski-an es-
capped Siberian exie-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 l had 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"
EYES," admitted the American, whose
sensitive face betrayed a passing discom-
fort but it is no good thinking of that
now"
Not a bit" acquiesced Tyars, cheerful
~. Only l shall be rather surprised
If | meet those three men up there. It
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.
Now listen to what Pavloski says"
He unfolded a letter, which was APP
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 frs page was terse advice,
written in a 'licate, clerkly hand, of the
receipt by Hu steamer of a certain num-
Der of casks 'ntaining American apples.
This" said Easton, sis from our stout
friend. He Il ) received the block soups
and the Vino lester cartridges"
He then opened the letter further, and
on the two inside pages displayed a close
ly written communication in peculiar
pink-tinted ink, which had evidently been
brought to light by some process, for the
paper was wrinked and blistered
Il have read the American, slowly.
as if deciphering with difficulty reached
Tomsk without mishap. | have bought
a strong sedge, wholly covered in. and
instead of sleeping in the stations, usually
lie down on the top of my cases under the
cover. | give as reason for this the in
formation that | have many valuables-
watches, rings, trinkets-and, being a
young merchant, cannot run the risk of
theft to save my own personal comfort
] have Travelled day and night, according
10 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. | find great improve
ments. Our organization is more mechan-
zeal, and not SO hysterical--this | 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 ]
feel as powerful as the Gar. can buy
whom l like and what l like My only
regret is that the name of c. T. has &c
be suppressed the hundreds of in.
diyiduals who will benefit by his grand
generosity will never know the name oil
the Englishman who has held out hi,
laden hands TO those grooming under the
yoke of a barbarous oppression. Whey
we are all dead, when Russia is free
his name will be remembered by some one
The watches will be very useful; | hav,
sold two at high price; but once be
yond Irkutsk and | will send or give on,
to the master of each important station
or to the staroSti of each village. Ry
this means those who follow me will know
that they are on the right track. | hav,
enough watches to lay train from If
kutsk to tie spot where | assemble m,
party | met my two companions b,
appointment at the base of the Ivan Vel
Xxi tower in the kremlin. and we spent
half an hour in the cathedral togethe,
within musket shot of the Gar and un
der the very nose of the cream of hi.
police. Since then we have not met, bu
are each working forward by the pre-
scribed route alone. l see great change
here Russia is awakening is rub
bjng her eyes. God keep you all three =
Matthew Mark Easton Indicated by ,
little jerk of the head that the letter wa!
finished Then, after looking at it cu~i
ously for moment he folded it and pu
ii away in his pocket.
odd Smith" he said, wakes quit
poetic at times
Yes" answered Tyars, pouring on
his coffee, but there is a keen bushes
man behind the poetry"
One" observed Easton, in his tiers
way, of the sharpest needles in Russia
and quite the sharpest in Siberia at tn
present moment"
He viii need to be; though | thinl
that the worst of his journey is over
The cream is, Is he says, at Moscow
Once beyond Mini he will find milk, thel
milk and water. and finally beyond II
kutSk the thinnest water. The official in
tellect in Siberia is not of a brilliant de
scription. Pavloski can outwit ever,
gendarme or Cossack commandment h
meets, and once out of Irkutsk they nee,
not fear the law They will only hav