Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-07-23
CHAPTER xi.
The Castle Of the Terror.

The Castle Of the Terror.
The big Finn rowed ME down the
swollen river
After nearly a mile. the stream
again opened out into a broad lake
where. in the distance, saw rising
sheer and high from the water a long
square building Of three stories, with
tall round tower at one corner-an
Old medieval castle 1t seemed to be.
From one of the small windows of the
tower. as we came into view of 1t,
light was shining upon the water, and
0y guide seeing it. gruntcd in salts
fsctton. 1t had undoubtedly been
placed there as signal. After waiting
rive minutes or 80. he pulled straight
srross the lake to the high, dark tower
that descended into the water. Tho
place was as grim and silent as any
naI1 ever seen, an impregnable strong
hold OF the days before siege guns
we're invented, the fortress of some
feudal prince or count who had prob.
ably held the surrounding country in
ehraldom. A small wooden ledge and
half dozen steps led up to a low
srched door, which opened noiselessly,
and the dark figure of a woman stood
peering forth.
My guide uttered some reassurine
word In Finnish in low half-whisper,
and then slowly pushed the boat along
10 the ledge, saying:
Your high nobility may disembark.
There is at present no danger"
rose. gripped big rusty chain to
steady myself. and climbed into the
narrow doorway in the ponderous wall,
where l found myself in the darkness
beside the female who had apparently
been expecting our arrival and watch.
sns our signal.
Without word she led me through
@ short passage, and then, striking a
Aatch. lit big old-fashioned lantern.
~ the light fell upon her recognized
sdat she was member OF some re-.
Nglous order. The thin ascetic coun.
senance was that Of woman of
strong character. and her funereal
kabtt seemed much too large for her
etunted. shrunken figure.
The sister speaks French?" haz.
srded in that language. knowing that
in most converts throughout Europe
French is known.
Oui. m'sieur. But are you not afraid
70 venture herei No strangers are
permitted here, you know. II YOUR
presence was discovered you would
got leave this place alive-so I warn
sou. BY admitting you am betrayine
my trust, and that should not have
done were 1t not compulsory"
Compulsory! How"
"The order Of the chief of police
Even here. we cannot afford to offend
him."
So the fellow Boranski had really
kept faith with me. and at his order
the closed door of the convent had
been opened.
"Of course not" answered. rus.
sian oftlcialdom is all-powerful in Fin.
land nowadays. But where is the
k,dy?" ~
"You are still prepared to risk your
liberty and life1" she asked in hoarae
soice. full Of grim meaning.
Il am" said Lead me to her"
'You are on Russian soil now
asieur. not English" she remarked
Ia her broken English. III your oh.
set were known. you would never be
spared to return to your own land.
1h!" she sighed. you do not know the
mysteries and terrors Of Finland.
On French subject. born In Tours,
and brought to Helsingfors when I was
afteen. have been in Finland forty.
I've years. Once we were happy here
but since the car appointed Baron
pberg to be governor general" and
eAe shrugged her shoulders without
oAlshing her sentence.
Baron Oberg-governor general Of
Hanland!" l gasped.
Certainly. Did you not knows" she
eafd dropping into French. 1T II
Dssr years now that he has held su
Reme power TO crush and Russify
lsse poor Firms. All. m'sieur! THU
Dsntsy, once % prosperous. 10 . bio,
econ the face Of Europe. His methodl
~ the worst and most unscrupuloui
= any employed b Russia. Before b.
aaas here he was he best hated maj